South Florida DE dedicates season to fallen teammate

Lynden Trail is a prospect with some serious upside. Trail, now 6-8 and 215 pounds, is one of the top defensive prospects from south Florida. This four-star prospect from Miami Booker T. Washington is ready for another big season. Last year he recorded 95 tackles and 22 sacks on defense. Offensively, Trail scored eight touchdowns.

"We started two-a-days today and it wasn't too bad," Trail said. "Nothing really wears me down. I got bigger this off-season and I am just trying to keep my speed up and stay healthy. I am very prepared for this season."

One of the issues for Trail is his size. He's quick off the edge and a load to handle at 6-8 with a long frame. But to play at that same level in college Trail will really have to bulk up in a big time way. One of the road blocks to Trail adding weight was what he was doing after the football season. Trail is a three-sport star (also basketball and track) so he didn't have a chance to focus solely on the weight room.

"I don't think it will be hard to put on pounds (in college). I also play basketball and run track. I have an even faster metabolism. But this off-season I went from 190 pounds to 215 pounds because of my focus was on football and weight lifting. My strength coach (Mike York) kicked me in the butt each day."

Something else happened to inspire Trail and his teammates. On July 4th weekend, his teammate and best friend, linebacker Anthony Smith, was gunned down at a party in Miami.

"We are dedicating the season to Anthony Smith. He would have graduated with me. We were real close. I mean we were best friends. Something good will come out of this. Since the tragedy we have come together as a team. We are going to win the state championship and it will be dedicated to Anthony."

Trail, who now has 26 scholarship offers, likes five at this time with one favorite at the top of the list.

"My favorite is the University of Florida. I have a real good connection with Urban Meyer. Sometimes we talk for hours. Florida is the first team that offered me and they saw the potential in me before anyone else.

"The other team I like is that team way out west. USC is the real deal and to offer me was major because I am a kid from Florida. When I got that offer it really stuck out to me because I didn't think that highly of myself as a player. I was just going out there and doing my job.

"I also like Georgia, FSU and Miami.

"Georgia sticks out because they are in the SEC. That's big for me. Look at what Florida and LSU have done over the past few years.

"Florida State is real cool. I have a great connection with coach (James) Coley. He's from down here.

"Miami is sitting in top five. They are my home town team. My girlfriend's family are all Hurricane fans. So is my god father. But it's strange because I don't communicate with them that much. I don't know what else to say."

Trail has not yet set up any official visits but that could happen soon. He's also hoping to make some trips with a few of his teammates.

"Yeah. Me, Eduardo Clements and Quinton Dunbar are looking at the same schools and we want to take our visits together."