Tampa DT is one to watch

Junior to Watch: Jonathan Bailes

School: Tampa (Fla.) Jefferson

Position: Defensive tackle

Size and Speed: Bailes is 6-foot-1 and 315 pounds. He has been timed in the 40-yard dash at 5.2 seconds and has a core grade point average of 2.6.

Honors: Bailes was selected to the all-county and all-conference team as a junior.

Statistics: Bailes recorded 81 tackles and 10 sacks as a junior.

Favorites: Bailes has Miami as his early favorite followed by Texas, Maryland, Southern Cal and Florida State.

Skinney: Tampa (Fla.) Jefferson is a high school program that is loaded with many division 1 talents. Jonathan Bailes, a defensive tackle, is one of several players on his team that will be getting hard looks from college scouts.

“I don’t have any offers yet,” Bailes said. “But, I’m favoring Miami right now. My teammates and I went down to their campus for the Miami Nike camp, and it felt like family. I also like Miami’s tradition. The other teams that I’m considering are Texas, Maryland, Southern Cal and Florida State. Miami and Florida State were my two favorite teams growing up.”

Bailes, who been the anchor for one of the better defenses in the state, has a strategy for defeating offensive lineman.

“I like to overpower my opponents,” Bailes said. I use my quick feet and hands to my advantage. I try smacking the opponent’s hands off me during each snap.”

This summer, Bails is planning trips to the Miami and Florida State football camps.