FOUR FACTS
1. National Signing Day is Traditionally the first Wednesday in February.
2. Signing a National Letter of Intent (NLI), a recruit is basically saying he is ending the recruiting process with every other school. He now commits to that institution for one year and is guaranteed a one-year scholarship from that school. The NLI is intended to limit or end the recruiting pressure but it is not a requirement to earning an athletic scholarship.
3. Plenty of high-level prospects tend to commit early. Major D1 schools seek out players earlier than ever. Some without a meaningful snap of high school football. There are more major prospects that commit prior to the start of their senior season than ever before.
4. Stats versus Measurables, Measurables will win 9 of 10 times. Players are recruited as potential college prospects. Not what they have done at the high school level.
FIVE STRONG OPINIONS
1. Biggest pre-signing day flip: Deiondre Porter, Jefferson 2014 ATH was committed to USF the entire 2013 season and flipped to the Florida just weeks before NSD. A potential big playmaker in the 2014 USF signing class, this one hurt for the Bulls and add icing on cake for the Gators
2. Second biggest pre-signing day flip: Sedrick King, Plant City 2014 DE, could have been an impact on the UCF defense in the 2014 season. Possibly as a pass rush specialist as a true freshman. But for sure, in the rotation as a second year player. King surprisingly flipped to Nebraska yesterday after being committed to UCF the entire 2013 season.
3. Corey Martinez, Tampa Catholic 2014 OT is the most college ready offensive line prospect of the bunch. Expect him to be in the two-deep rotation for the FSU Seminoles this upcoming season.
4. Javon Harrison, Kathleen 2014 WR is arguably the most dynamic player in the 2014 class. Counter that statement with East Lake’s Artavis Scott and you have a great bar conversation. Harrison has been committed to Virginia Tech for a few years now. But Florida State is moving in strong and a decision for Harrison may not happen till National Signing Day.
5. Brujoun Bonner, Lakewood 2014 S is a stud. Currently committed to Memphis, he is starting to get SEC interest from Georgia and Auburn. He will be on the field in his second season at the latest. He is that type of “Ball Hawk.”
SIX 2015 PLAYERS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Kezio Snelling, Steinbrenner ATH – One of the most dangerous specialists around. Good size and athletic ability.
Jon Hughes, Hillsborough WR – Will get stronger, but ball skills are fantastic.
Damian King, Indian Rocks Christian WR/ATH – Natural offensive player. Excellent in the open field.
Donovan Hale , Largo DQB/ATH – Could be a really good basketball prospect. Raw as a QB, high-level football prospect as an ATH. Too talented, can do it all!
Bowman Archibald, Pasco TE/DE – NFL body right now. Raw at TE, but could be coached into a polished player.
James Pensyl, Land O’Lakes QB – Has the size, the arm and the IQ to be a good college prospect.