Towering WR emerges in Florida

The state of Florida always produces some of the top skill position players in America. This year is no exception and the state seems absolutely chock full of the new wave big wide receiver. One more name to add to the list is Citra (Fla.) North Marion wide out Sterlin James.

"He is already hearing from just about everybody out there," North Marion head coach Craig Damon said. "We haven't finished up his highlight tape yet, but every school you can imagine has sent us a tape requesting his tape. I think once he attends the NIKE camp at Florida State and when his tape gets out, he could have a lot of offers."

James is a towering 6-foot-5, 185-pound wide out, who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds.

"He is a very physical kids, who blocks as well as any wide receiver you're going to find," Damon said. "He has a tremendous upside. He has been playing AAU basketball since he was in the seventh grade. He was getting recruited in basketball and thought that was the way to go. Now that he is getting all of this football attention he realizes that this is where he could make his money one day. He sees that this could be his ticket."

During his junior campaign James caught 31 passes for 522 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 16.8 yards per catch. He also posted 12 tackles, playing defense sparingly.

"His attitude has totally changed recently," Damon said. "He works harder in the classroom, the weight room and he is planning on hitting some camps this summer and making himself better. He now realizes what is at stake."

Many college coaches will come by in the month of May to check out James and collect film on him, but Damon says they may leave with another player on their list in addition to James, nose guard Walt Cabarris.

"He went down to the NIKE combine in Miami about a month ago and ran a 4.8 second forty," Damon said. "He's about 6-foo and weighs 240 pounds so he is a decent size for a nose guard. He's got great football speed and is one of those kids that can just take control of a game and take it over. He got double teamed a lot last year, but still had a very big year."

As a junior Cabarris collected 68 tackles, as well as 17 tackles for loss.