Mid-South Spotlight: Florida making a recruiting impact in Mississippi
National recruiting analyst Cole Patterson reports from the Mid-South region and highlights Florida's push to get some big-name talent from the state of Mississippi. Patterson also looks at how Clemson wide receiver pledge Bryant Wesco is trending upward, along with some other news and notes.
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Florida adding talent from Mississippi.
In most recruiting cycles, it's been difficult to pull talent out of Mississippi. Typically, most of the high-end talent goes to Mississippi State or Ole Miss, with a few exceptions.
But that's not necessarily the case this year, and Florida is a program taking full advantage. Billy Napier and the Gators have secured commitments from two of the best talents in the Magnolia State – four-star all-purpose back Kahnen Daniels and Rivals100 outside linebacker Jamonta Waller, who announced for Florida over a host of SEC offers on Monday.
With Napier's staff having connections to Mississippi and Louisiana, it stands reason to expect the Gators will be a real force in the Mid-South region moving forward.
RELATED: Florida's 2024 commitments
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Bryant Wesco is on the rise.
Micah Hudson is currently the No. 1 wide receiver in Texas – and for great reason. His film is as good as anybody's in the class and he has the ability to be an impact contributor from the moment that he steps on campus.
With all of that said, Clemson pledge Bryant Wesco has made a serious push to be at the top, too. The slender Wesco is a big play waiting to happen, evidenced by his 20 yards per reception as a junior. He can stretch the field or go up and get the football.
But even more than that, Wesco features an impressive track background – an element that has aided in his offseason rise. He competes in the triple jump, high jump and long jump, qualifying for the state's track meet in the spring.
All of that – combined with his very strong showing at the Under Armour Camp in Dallas – gives the Midlothian prospect a real chance to continue moving up in the rankings as the process moves forward.
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Texas Tech is a real threat for Micah Hudson.
Much has been written recently about Texas Tech recruiting. Joey McGuire and the Red Raiders' staff emphasize relationships, and that does pay off on the recruiting trail, so much so that Texas Tech is thought to be the leader for five-star wide receiver Micah Hudson.
While Hudson would surely be the jewel of the class and signature win, he's not the only highly rated prospect that the Red Raiders sit in good position with.
Texas Tech has four-star quarterback Will Hammond – who had some impressive moments at the Elite 11 – already in the boat. Additionally, the Red Raiders also are strongly in the mix for Rivals250 pass catcher Asthon Bethel-Roman, who also just officially visited.
McGuire and offensive coordinator Zach Kittley have made Lubbock an attractive destination for some of the state's best offensive talent.
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Boston College strikes in Texas.
It's not all that often that Boston College dips into Texas and pulls out some top talent from the Lone Star State. That's exactly what has happened this month when two of the best wide receivers out of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex – four-star Keonde Henry and high three-star Josiah Martin – committed to spend their college careers at Boston College. Both opted for the Eagles over several power five programs.
"Being there made me realize for the first time that I can be more than an NFL player. I can be an NFL player and a professional in whatever I choose to be in," Martin said after his official visit. Martin also had offers from Alabama, Oregon and Penn State.
With Jeff Hafley bringing some pedigree over from Ohio State, along with Zay Flowers just being drafted in the first round, Boston College could emerge as a sneaky team to watch on the recruiting trail.