Florida offer in the works for Shazier

Plantation (Fla.) High School defender Ryan Shazier is one of the more intriguing prospects in the state of Florida. As a junior, Shazier had 19.5 sacks while playing defensive end but at only 6-3 and 205 pounds, he has more of a linebacker's body. Regardless, his athleticism has plenty of colleges more than just intrigued.

Shazier currently holds offers from Florida State, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Tennessee and more. On Wednesday night, Shazier found out that another big offer will be next on his list.

"Florida said they were going to offer me," Shazier said. "I was just sitting in my living room doing my homework and my coach texted me saying that he coach from Florida said 'we want Ryan Shazier and we're going to offer him'."

Shazier already holds an offer from Florida State and South Florida and with the addition of the Gators, he is quickly tallying almost all of the major offers in-state. Of late, Florida is one of the more prestigious offers in the country.

"I was surprised because I didn't think that I was going to get one from them," he said of the news. "I was excited too because that's Florida and everybody wants an offer from them."

Among all the in-state schools, Shazier does not have a favorite, though he once did.

"I grew up cheering for Florida State but they're all even right now."

One of the big questions with every school for Shazier is how will they use the versatile and unique talent. Florida has a clear vision for how he will fit in and even has a prototype to follow.

"They said they see me as a linebacker and I could speed rush," he said. "That's what I like to do. They say I might be like a Brandon Spikes for them."

With an offer list that is quickly filling up, there are only a few schools left out there that Shazier is still actively eyeing for an offer.

"I'm still looking for LSU, Texas and Alabama," he said. "If they don't come they don't come and if they do they do. I just want to get the best chance to see the schools I can go to."

Though he has been invited to several junior days, Shazier has yet to put anything in the books as far as a trip. Tentatively, he hopes to visit Florida, Florida State and Miami for spring practice. The Hurricanes are the only major program in Florida yet to offer him.