HOMESTEAD, Fla. - Happy Homecoming … or something like that.
For the second consecutive year, Jimbo Fisher made the rounds at the adidas 7v7 East Coast Invitational. Fisher, whose son quarterbacks a Tallahassee-area squad, was the only FBS coach in attendance, as his son’s participation supersedes the NCAA bylaw that bans college coaches from such events.
Fisher was certainly there to watch his son, first and foremost, but Texas A&M’s new head coach wandered the premises and took in a number of games, including at least one involving Fast Houston, one of the Lone Star State’s elite 7-on-7 programs.
But Fisher got to take in more than just Texas talent. The very best players from his former home state were also in attendance, as six of the top 15 players in Florida participated in the event. Georgia-based wide receiver Jadon Hazelwood and other top 100 prospects from outside the state were also on full display for Fisher, who spent the morning watching games on multiple fields and greeting people he knew from his eight-season stint as Florida State’s head coach.
The A&M coach is nothing if not opportunistic.
CURRENT COLLEGE AND PRO PLAYERS OUT AND ABOUT
Before Mike Harley and Trajan Bandy were members of the resurgent Miami Hurricanes’ they were high-profile recruits and standouts on the 7-on-7 circuit. On Sunday, the duo mulled around their old stomping grounds, interacting with old coaches, teammates and prospective Miami recruits. Harley and Bandy, both of whom saw playing time as true freshmen last season, functioned as walking billboards for the Hurricanes football program. Their presence, combined with that of Miami alum- turned-NFL tight end David Njoku was plenty to remind other South Florida-based prospects what’s possible at the hometown school.
Alabama signee Saivion Smith was also in attendance at the event and arrived decked out in a Crimson Tide jacket and matching pants. Smith, the No. 1 junior college player in the country last cycle, originally attended LSU before deciding to transfer and go the junior college route. Smith has added obvious size since high school and now has the look of an SEC safety and physically looks ready to step on the field in Tuscaloosa.
McELWAIN’S MICHIGAN PRESENCE ISN’T LOST ON RIVALS100 RECEIVER
Four-star wide receiver John Dumore has long planned to take an official visit to Michigan on April 14. That agenda is unchanged. The fact that Michigan recently hired former Florida head coach Jim McElwain certainly won’t hurt the Wolverines’ chances, though. In fact, things in Ann Arbor may have just gotten a lot more appealing.
“I’m a top priority for them,” Dunmore said. “I talk to them every day. Coach McElwain hit me up when he got there, so that was cool, too. Coach [Sherrone] Moore is the guy and the reason I’m going, but I’m cool with Coach McElwain, so that helped a lot. We’re close.”
Dunmore was committed to Florida when McElwain was the program’s head coach and backed off his pledge shortly after the offseason coaching change. So, while Florida State and Miami are still the favorites to land Dunmore, Michigan is a legitimate player and will be even more so after the upcoming official visit.
KENTUCKY LIKELY TO LAND SOUTH FLORIDA QUARTERBACK
Nik Sclazo has not publicly named Kentucky as his leader, but those close to the high three-star quarterback seem to think he’ll sign with the Wildcats should all things remain equal. Scalzo was extremely high on Illinois for a time, but a recent offer from UK has shaken up his recruitment. The Illini remain in the mix, but have fallen into second place for the time being.
Kentucky is likely to take two quarterbacks in this class, and Scalzo, who hopes to make a verbal commitment this spring, seems likely to be one of them.
HAZELWOOD INTRIGUED BY OKLAHOMA
Five-star wider receiver Jadon Haselwood remains committed to Georgia. He may stick with UGA until signing day. In fact, that’s the most likely outcome. But his interest in Oklahoma seems to be more than just lip service. The Georgia-based star has previously visited OU and will return for an official visit in April. The trip will give the Sooners staff an opportunity to change the Rivals100 prospect’s mind prior to his senior season. The pitch from Lincoln Riley’s staff has always been simple.
“They compare me to [CeeDee] Lamb,” Haselwood said. “I like that role. I like the system and I’d be the X receiver.” According to Hazelwood, Oklahoma joins LSU, Michigan, Florida and Tennessee as the schools in the running to change his current commitment status.
