Notebook: State of Florida
The Sunshine State provides college programs across the country with top flight athletes. Some of the recent news has caused a little drama with a couple of who can't decide what is best for their college career. Other players continue to move their announcment dates, while others prefer staying out of the limelight and go about focusing on their senior season. Rivals.com takes a look at the latest news....
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Greg Bryant decommits
The four-star running back, from American Heritage High School in Delray Beach, decommitted from Oklahoma. First reported by Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst Mike Farrell, Bryant prefers playing in the SEC. He lists Auburn, Georgia and South Carolina as potential destinations. Bryant was a standout last month the Rivals Five-Star Challenge in Atlanta.
"It's just been something that has been on my mind for a while," said Greg Bryant. "I just finally did it. I want to play in the SEC. It was tough to call Oklahoma. Me and my dad made that phone call. They sounded pretty upset at the end. I am looking at Auburn, South Carolina and Georgia."
Jayron Kearse back to Auburn?
The four-star athlete, from South Fort Myers High School, is scheduled to announce his commitment on Friday. This is the third time Kearse will give his verbal pledge to a school, but it's possible he returns to his original commitment. Kearse gave an early decision to Auburn, but backed away from that pledge. He later committed to Miami, and later re-opened his recruitment. The three finalists on the carousel include Auburn, Clemson and Miami. Auburn and Clemson appear at the top of the list. Clemson signed a former South Fort Myers star two years ago in heralded wide receiver Sammy Watkins.
"(It came down to) me being comfortable with the coaches, players, academics and getting on the field early as well as my family being comfortable with the area," Jayron Kearse reported to Rivals.com
High profilers
Laremy Tunsil, five-star offensive tackle from Columbia High School in Lake City, might tire of the recruiting process and pull the trigger sooner rather than later. The nation's top offensive lineman remains adamant he will announce a decision on signing day.
Tunsil's top three have remained the same for the past month with Alabama, Florida and Georgia (no order) at the top of his list. He plans to take official visits to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Ole Miss and USC. Tunsil mentioned the playbook and relationship with the coaches as the reasons for his top three.
Matthew Thomas, five-star linebacker from Washington High School in Miami, recently named Florida State the favorite after attending camp in Tallahassee.
"Florida State is now on top for me," Thomas told Warchant.com. "It feels like home out here for me. I love the program and really like the opportunity that is out there for me at linebacker."
Thomas had previously named Alabama the favorite, but he has yet to visit Tuscaloosa. The Tide remains in the mix, and he does not have a timeframe for a decision.
Shuffles favorites
Leon McQuay, four-star safety, from Armwood High School in Seffner, drops Michigan from his top three and replaces the Wolverines with USC. Florida State and Vanderbilt are also among McQuay's favorites. A decision for is tentatively scheduled for November 26th. He will graduate in December and become an early enrollee.
"All of these schools I have a great opportunity to come in and play at," McQuay told Rivals.com. "All of these schools are telling me I can play either-safety, corner, nickel. Whatever they need I am cool with it."
Brotherly love
Mackenro Alexander, three-star cornerback from Immokalee High School, committed to Florida State this week. Wiil his brother, Mackensie, follow in his footsteps? The two have said several times they will make their own decision.
"Most colleges were offering me thinking that Mackensie was going to come with me," Mackenro told Rivals.com. "If you want me, you want me. He's going to make his own decision. I love him, but at the end of the day we're both trying to make it. Wherever he goes it's fine, and if we end up together that would be great, but we're not attached at the hip."
Mackensie gave an early commitment to Tennessee before decommitting from the Volunteers several months ago. He visited several schools this summer including Alabama, Florida State, Kentucky and Notre Dame. He stays in regular contact with several including Tennessee. His decision might happen soon.
"It's getting to that time," Mackensie Alexander told VolQuest.com. "It might be before the season. I am really hoping it's before the season. I want to be done with it before the season. My hope is that I see the schools I want to see before the season, and the ones' I'm interested in before I drop them out of it."
Not all stay home
The state of Florida has approximately 130 players committed to schools throughout the country. The Florida Gators have 15 commitments from their home state, while Florida State has 11 and Miami with seven. Several more will likely pledge before the first Friday night game of the season. Many of the state's best have committed, while others are on the verge.
Derrick Henry, the nation's No. 1 athlete from Yulee High School, and DeMarcus Walker, four-star defensive end from Sandalwood High School in Jacksonville, will announce later this month. Henry committed last summer to Georgia. He took an unofficial visit to Alabama in June, and a few days later decommitted from the Bulldogs. He returned to Athens, Knoxville and Tuscaloosa in July with a decision on the horizon. Alabama appears the favorite to land the talented running back.
Walker was scheduled to announce his decision August 3rd. He has pushed his announcment back to August 24th due to a TV schedule. Walker took several trips during the summer including stops at Alabama, Auburn, Florida and Tennessee. Alabama and Florida have been considered the favorites for a while. He recently attended Florida's Friday Night Lights after spending three days in Tuscaloosa.