Winter Park kicker/punter likes Florida schools

Winter Park (Fla.) is home to one of the top kicker/punters in the state, Eric Wilbur of Trinity Preparatory School. Wilbur, who may also be recruited to play safety, is currently receiving the most attention from the state schools and has just received his first scholarship offer.

Wilbur, who is 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, said several colleges came to his high school and also called during May.

"I had Florida, Florida State, Miami, UCF, Clemson, Wake Forest, Jacksonville University, and Florida Atlantic come by the school," Wilbur said. "I received calls from Florida, Florida State, Miami, and UCF."

Eric has been offered a scholarship by hometown UCF. In addition to punting and kicking duties for Trinity Prep, Wilbur also plays safety and wide receiver. He said the main interest is for his kicking/punting talents, but a couple schools might also be interested in him as a defensive back.

"Florida, Florida State, and Miami have all shown interest as a punter/kicker," Wilbur said. "Miami and Florida-- I'm going to both of their camps to see if they want me at defensive back because they said they're interested in that also. UCF-- their scholarship offer didn't specify position."

If Eric has the opportunity to choose which position he plays in college he does have a preference.

"I would prefer to play safety," he said.

Wilbur is attending camps at Florida, Miami, and Florida State this summer and says those three schools are currently his favorites. He also attended Florida's spring game. Last year he had a punting average of 42.1 yards and 78 percent of the time his punts went for touchbacks. Eric made 34 of 36 PATs and was 60 percent on field goals.

"My career long field goal in a game is only 48 yards but in practice I've put it in at 67," Wilbur added.

On defense, Wilbur recorded 87 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 3 forced fumbles. Playing wide receiver he caught 43 passes for 748 yards and 8 touchdowns. He averaged 17.3 yards per catch.

Wilbur's successful season for the Saints garnered him quite a few honors after the season.

"I was All-State as a DB, All-Central Florida, All-County, All-District, Orlando Touchdown Club Player of the Week, and Kiwanis Golden Helmet winner for defensive back for Classes 1A through 3A," Wilbur said. "I have a bunch of athletes of the week given out by (radio station) XL 106.7 and the Orlando Sentinel."

If the right offer comes along, will he commit someplace early?

"I'm not really sure exactly," Wilbur said. "My quarterback (Will Proctor) committed to Clemson early and he didn't get any of the benefits from other colleges like free visits and stuff like that. I'm not really sure. It really depends on if the right school offers."

Eric Wilbur, who has already scored an 1160 on the SAT, would prefer to remain in the Sunshine State when choosing a college. He also knows what his major is going to be.

"The academics are a big thing," Wilbur said. "I want to be an engineer. So Miami and Florida, that kind of puts them ahead. Miami is probably my top choice because of location. I love South Florida."

Trinity Prep, a member of Class 2A, recently completed spring football practice with a jamboree against Melbourne Central Catholic. Trinity Prep won, 16-13.

"I didn't really think we played that good (in the spring game)," Wilbur said. "We lost a lot of seniors and lost a lot of size but honestly we've been working real hard and everybody's strength has been going up a lot and the team seems to have gotten a lot quicker. I think we're actually going to do a lot better. The only thing we need is a strong quarterback."