Below are 11 class of 2015 college football prospects we expect to receive much more recruiting attention once college coaches observe and evaluated each player in person. We have plenty more players we could list. But will hold off to reveal later in the college football recruiting evaluation period (month of May).
Tavon Cox – Haines City Polk OLB 2015 6-3 190
NOW: Still learning the game. Has not been playing padded football for an extended period of time and is still raw. Really good athlete and instinctive player.
UPSIDE: Tremendous length and range. Has the body to grow into a sideline to sideling LB vs. the offensive zone schemes.
Jaylyn McKinney – Frostproof Polk RB 2015 5-11 210
NOW: A combination of size, speed and athleticism.
UPSIDE: Still developing. As nimble as he is, power could become a big part of his game once he hits the college weight room.
Derrick Baity – Plant Hillsborough CB 2015 6-2 165
NOW: Great ball skills and reaction. He takes chances and becomes a difficult match up for receivers of all size. Loose hips and good feet. Not afraid of contact.
UPSIDE: Still maturing as a player. Football IQ will grow with more snaps and challenges. Will likely max out 180-190 pounds. Great size on the edge as a college defensive back.
Darion Staten – Lake Wales Polk CB 2015 5-11 170
NOW: Fast, great feet, skillful. Loose hips and quick reaction.
UPSIDE: Over time, he will develop into a great man-to-man cover corner. Needs more reps in man-to-man situations. However, his athleticism will make him one heck of a perimeter player.
Kijana Gaines – Frostproof Polk ATH 2015 6-1 175
NOW: Pure football player. Able to play several small skill positions. Very aggressive and loves contact.
UPSIDE: Likely will be recruited as a defensive back. Once he gets settled into one position and can focus at the position, he will be a terror at the college football level.
Deyontre Jordan – Bartow Polk WR 2015 6-1 175
NOW: 3rd highest WR rating in our area of players who played the position in pads last season. Excellent balance and field awareness.
UPSIDE: Still learning how to play the position. More opportunities to make plays will showcase his true talents.
Wilbur Cooper – Auburndale Polk RB 2015 5-10 200
NOW: Powerful runner who attacks the defense and can be effective between the tackles or on the perimeter.
UPSIDE: Knee injury is long behind him and the weight room has been good to him. Cooper is developing more explosion to add to his acceleration. Deadly combo for a 200 pound RB.
Travis Lawton – Frostproof Polk DE 2015 6-3 210
NOW: Really quick off the ball and great backside pursuit. Plays well inside or outside. High motor and very active.
UPSIDE: Developing a variety of disengage moves and countermoves. Will grow in size. Has a very attractive frame. The kid could get big!
Logan Crouse – Bloomingdale Hillsborough WR 2015 6-5 190
NOW: Everything we like in Auden Tate (Wharton 2015 WR) we like in Logan. Very comparable athletes and skill set. Unreal ball skills, strong hands and a fast twitch.
UPSIDE: Could grow into a hybrid TE. Would need to learn how to play with his hand in the ground. But, is easily a match up problem WR/TE. Runs well and turns short plays into big plays.
Sawyer Dawson – Plant City Hillsborough OLB 2015 6-2 195
NOW: “Dog” attitude, attack style of play and enough speed to play in the defensive backfield.
UPSIDE: All depends on the weight his puts on between now and his sophomore year in college. If he gets to the 220 pound range, he could move to the inside backer position. Which would not be bad with his speed and instinct.
Roosevelt Lawrence – Alonso Hillsborough CB 2015 6-0 170
NOW: Speed and ability to erase bad plays. Playmaker on special teams as a return man
UPSIDE: Getting better and better as a complete corner with each rep. Still plenty of room to grow. Will understand field positioning and situations with experience.