Three-star QB opens things back up

Back in the middle of the summer three-star Tampa (Fla.) Alonso quarterback C.J. Bennett made his college commitment to attend school in an unlikely location: Wyoming. As one of the top passers in the state of Florida, Bennett has had plenty of time to think about that decision and now has decided to open his options back up.

"I decommitted," Bennett said. "I just had a change of heart. I was always committed but it was kind of soft. I committed looking for more offers and nothing was coming around so I opened it up hoping some of these schools would come around."

Bennett was a star in the offseason on the camp circuit showing off his accuracy and strong arm. His senior season passing has continued to show off that natural talent, particularly against some elite programs. That experience has only added to Bennett's confidence.

"We ended up in the playoffs and got kicked out in the second round by Plant," he said. "I ended up with similar stats to last year: 30 touchdowns, eight picks and I faced a lot tougher competition. I faced Plant, Armwood, Hillsborough. There were great defenses all year. They brought the heat on me and brought different looks. I had a lot of success and played really well in all the big games so it has definitely helped me."

Now that Bennett is back on the recruiting market and his senior season is over. He is focusing on a few schools that have been actively recruiting him, particularly South Alabama.

"I have some I-AA offers out there," he said. "Middle Tennessee State has been looking at me. My best offer right now is South Alabama. They've bee doing the I-AA deal like South Florida. They've got some grant where I could play five years and they go D-I my sophomore season so that would be good."

Bennett also has begun to think about future official visit plans.

"I'm taking an official to South Alabama the week of the Senior Bowl," he said. "I think that's the last week of recruiting season in late January. Middle Tennessee State, I'll try to take an official out there and USF is looking at me."

Bennett is ranked as a three-star prospect and the No. 39 rated quarterback in the country.