Gators lead for Tallahassee athlete
An early verbal offer has the Florida Gators out in front for Tallahassee (Fla.) Rickards athlete Rudell Crim.
"Florida offered me during the spring last year," Crim said. "They came down to my school during the spring to look at some other prospects and offered me then.
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"Florida is definitely first right now because of the offer. I also like Miami (Fla.) and Arkansas."
The 6-foot-1, 194-pound Crim will head to Gainesville for the Gators' spring game on April 1.
In addition to the offer from the Gators, Illinois has offered Crim. The Illini also have offered Rickards linebacker Toronto Smith.
Both Illinois and Florida coaches currently send Crim text messages.
Clemson, Louisville, West Virginia, Georgia Tech and Oklahoma all have been sending Crim mail.
Crim could get a look at running back in college, but feels like he will play defense.
"Schools are recruiting me as both, really," he said. "They are looking at me at running back or on defense. Really, they are recruiting me as an athlete.
"I think I will probably end up at safety. I love contact regardless. When I played outside linebacker this year, guards pulled and I held my own. When I played safety, I loved to drop back into coverage and play the ball. I have a great nose for the football."
Several of the schools mentioned in connection with Crim have had recent success at Rickards High. Rivals100 cornerback Ryan Hill signed with the Hurricanes and offensive tackle Derek Hayes signed with the Mountaineers in the class of 2006.
In 2005, West Virginia got defensive tackle Kent Richardson, while the Razorbacks signed running back Michael Smith, Illinois signed defensive tackle Tremayne Walker and Louisville got defensive end Jonathon Holston.