Three lead for top 2012 CB

Miramar, Fla. had a great season a year ago, winning the Class 6A state title in rather convincing fashion. The defense, especially the secondary, was a strong point for the team. Luckily for the Patriots, their two cornerbacks return for the 2010 season.

Senior Steven Montgomery holds quite a few offers, but class of 2012 standout Tracy Howard could end up with more accolades once his career is over. The 6-foot, 170-pound junior-to-be impressed enough this spring to garner several early offers himself.

"I have a verbal offer from The U (Miami)," Howard said. "They gave me that a little before school ended. The coach came to the school and saw me and I went to a camp there and they liked me.

"FSU, I'm on their 2012 offer list, but they haven't said anything yet. I also have verbal offers from West Virginia and Marshall. FIU, I talked to their coach and he told me he was going to offer me, but he never told my coach."

Several other schools have taken an interest as well and could extend offers in the near future.

"Florida came to my spring practice," Howard said. "They told me that they're going to check me out during the season. A lot of schools came to our spring practice and told me that they were going to be watching me this year. Ohio State was one of the schools that came out there. He said they're probably going to offer me."

So far this summer, Howard has only been to one camp. He had hoped to change that this weekend, but a team commitment derailed those plans.

"I went to the UM camp, but that's about it," he said. "Saturday and Sunday, I'm going to be in Orlando at the Disney 7-on-7. I was supposed to go to Friday Night Lights at UF and then to FSU's camp this weekend, but my coach said that we were playing in this 7-on-7 so I can't go."

Howard has a goal for the defense this year, especially for a secondary that includes Montgomery and himself.

"We don't want to get scored on," he said. "I mean, it's going to happen, most likely, but we plan on being the best DB corps in the nation."

Though it is still a long way until signing day for the class of 2012, Howard does admit that three schools could currently be considered leaders for his services.

"FSU, UM and West Virginia," he said. "West Virginia, I know players that went to their school and they talk about the environment there. A lot of the top guys from Miramar went there in the past years and they've been successful.

"UM, that's my home school and I've always like UM. FSU, I like (former Seminole cornerback and 2010 New Orleans Saints first-round pick) Patrick Robinson. I like his game so, if I do go there, I would love to follow in his footsteps."

Howard finished his sophomore season with 81 total tackles, four interceptions and a forced fumble.