The class of 2016 starts a little something like this; Nate Craig, Tavares Chase, Keyshon Camp, Xavier Gaines, Saivion Smith, Shavar Manuel and Baveon Johnson to name some of the top prospects in the BCP coverage area. Those players are household names. They all have several verbal offers that will translate to several different options/written offers in the fall. Past the top dogs are the whispered prospects that will take flight during the offseason. Below are the three most dangerous prospects in our area in the class of 2016. THREE PROSPECTS WITH LITTLE RECRUITING TRAFFIC NOW, WILL BOOM IN THE OFFSEASON.
Artavis Pierce
Auburndale
Polk
RB
2016
5-11/180
AP has it all! Not quite Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings), but Artavis Pierce has characteristics that will make him a super attractive prospect. Let’s start with what he did on the field in 2014. Sharing carries with two other high quality runners in a wing-T offense, AP carried the ball 126 times, 1126 yards, 8.9 yards a rush and 12 rushing TDs. He was just outside of making ALL BCP post season Team. Why will coaches like him? AP can pick and slide. He is able to see the hole before it opens and hit it hard or slide when the holes closes up. Great vision in the box and at level three with the secondary. Smooth with his cuts. Pierce has great speed and the ability to take away the pursuit angle and beat defenders to the corner. Offensive coaches want players who are a threat to score each time the ball is in their hands. You get that with AP. The wing-T offense is not the most revealing scheme to highlight his skills. But, dude can get it done and will blow up this spring because of his size, speed and skill.
Grayson Stover
Hudson
Pasco
OT
2016
6-6/305
You have likely never heard the name. Scroll back up and check his size. Comparable to Mason Cole as a high school player. Cole started as a true freshman at left tackle for the Michigan Wolverines this past season. Back to Stover, he has so much upside. Not even close to touching his ceiling. Many coaches will observe him and like the fact that he will be a “project,” a kid that will need much refining, but will yield great results once molded. Stover played both defensive tackle and offensive tackle this season. Likely recruited as a strong side offensive tackle. He has really good flexibility, knee bend and ankle flexion. At the OT position, he comes off the ball, shows quick feet and is able to beat defensive linemen in pass protection and run blocks well.
Kelvin Clemmons
Alonso
Hillsborough
OLB/RB
2016
6-1/205
When kids bounce back from bad starts, it shows growth and character. Without going into details, Clemmons struggled early in the 2014 season. After a few heart to heat talks with his coaching staff and team leadership, Kelvin bounced back in a big way to do all he could to make up for lost playing time. The second half of the season, he totaled 480 all-purpose yards, 24 solo and 31 tackles. He can play RB, WR, OLB, ILB, and Safety. Super talented and athletic. His biggest road block will be challenging himself, “How good do I really want to be” should be a question he asks himself before the offseason starts. Because he can do it all; Great speed, has the size, instinct, aggressiveness, naturally strong and agile. As a runner he breaks tackles, runs with balance, and produces in short yardage. Line backer may be his calling though; More of an outside player who can ward off block, gets to sideline and use his speed in pursuit.