Pomee getting lots of early attention
Ronald Powell commanded most of the headlines the last few seasons at Moreno Valley (Calif.) Rancho Verde but now that he's signed with Florida the next big thing at that school might be 2011 wide receiver Junior Pomee, who's already getting looked at by major programs.
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound junior said he's hearing a lot from UCLA and Colorado and has also been in contact with Gators' coach Urban Meyer. Iowa, Oregon, Oregon State, Arizona and Washington have been in touch as well and Pomee said he'd like to visit Tucson soon.
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Powell, who signed with Florida instead of Southern Cal, might be having an influence on Pomee, who said he plans to attend the Football University Top Gun Camp in Paisley, Fla., this summer and will visit Gainesville during that trip. He said he and Meyer have talked before.
"I'm loving Florida right now," said Pomee, who's included in the Rivals 250 to watch for 2011 list.
"It seems like coach Meyer is a cool man. We talk on the phone and laugh it up, he's telling jokes and we just talk about school and football. He's real cool. (Powell) is one of the reasons I want to go over there."
Pomee, who had 30 receptions for about 800 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in his junior season, is seriously considering Pac-10 schools as well. He attended the USC Rising Stars and UCLA camps last summer and plans to return to both.
The Rancho Verde standout also seems intrigued by Arizona and wants to visit for an upcoming junior day. Southern Cal has been in contact but Pomee said he's hearing from other schools more regularly - especially cross-town rival UCLA.
"Coach (Rick) Neuheisel really wants me," Pomee said. "He's trying to talk to me and all that stuff. He's telling me he's going to try to offer me soon."
The Bruins could be a realistic option. Although Florida seems like an early favorite, Pomee said he is attracted to UCLA's location and that his family wouldn't have to fly across the country to see him play. If Southern Cal gets more involved, it would also be considered a major player, Pomee said.
Staying local has its advantages and Pomee said it will be something for him to consider once his recruitment heats up even more.
"I would love to (play close to home)," Pomee said. "I have my family over here, my family could come watch me and they wouldn't have to travel to Florida or wherever else I'd go to come see me play. It's like down the street from my house. It's not that far."