Florida Spotlight: Five underclassmen having big offseasons
Just because there are no games doesn’t mean the summer months aren’t proving grounds for college football prospects. In the state of Florida, camps and 7-on-7 events run rampant. With an event nearly every offseason weekend, new players make a mark on the recruiting map weekly. Below is a look at some of the Florida-based prospects that have used this offseason to drastically improve their stock.
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Couch lacks ideal size, sure, but he had a nice offseason. The safety did wonders to improve his stock at several camps and 7-on-7 events. The scholarship offers have followed. He committed to Tennessee a few weeks, back but is likely to take visits between now and Signing Day 2019. The Vols will have to work hard to hold on to Couch, as he seems poised for a massive season at Sunshine State power Chaminade Madonna High School.
Fox’s name was familiar before the summer circuit, but he used the camp season to solidify his standing among the state’s top 2019 linemen. His 6-foot-5 frame grabs attention, and he proved to be more than an imposing body this spring. Florida and Georgia are heavily involved with Fox, who also holds an offer from Auburn. His stock will likely continue to rise this season, as bundles of college coaches will stop in at Miami Northwestern this fall.
A long wide receiver with devastating acceleration, Manuel turned in one of the top performances by a prospect of any age at the Rivals 3 Stripe Camp Series presented by adidas stop in Orlando. He came into the event with a handful of major offers, but still managed to wow those in attendance. He’s picked up more offers since and now sits on invites from Miami, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Tennessee and others. He will likely be one of the top players in Florida when it’s time to rank 2020 prospects.
Williams nearly won MVP honors at the Orlando stop of the Rivals 3 Stripe Camp Series. Williams is committed to Miami and the Hurricanes will have to fight hard to keep him in the fold for two years, as other major programs are already pushing their way through the door. Williams holds offers from Alabama, Georgia and others, while other national powers will likely make things official soon.
Lucas transferred from powerhouse Booker T Washington to upstart Miami High in the offseason and some people questioned the decision from a football standpoint. Turns out, it won’t have any ill effect. Lucas is on his way to becoming a truly national prospect and looked impressive in his school’s spring jamboree. He is adding offers at a rapid pace and seems most interested in the in-state programs.