The University of Cincinnati verbally offered rising Plant City seniors, QB Bennie Coney and S Sam Green on March 4th, 2011. At the time, Coney was one of the most sought after QBs in the state and a nationally ranked prospect that picked up several verbal offers since then and the US Army awarded Coney with an official nomination for the annual US Army All American Game.
Coney was once “that guy”! The kid with so much potential but would struggle to reach it because of the “hard head syndrome”. Midway through the 2010 season, Coney was dismissed from the Plant City Raider football team for reasons that have been kept between the Raider team. Once 2011 hit, Coney was not so much a changed young man, but a young man who understood the value of being a part of a team, not wanting to fumble his opportunity to become a college student athlete. His mistake is far behind him and his team and coaches have made it known that Bennie Coney is the hardest worker on the team. His work ethic and attitude are excellent and the Raiders are excited for the 2011 season with Coney taking the snaps.
As we reported on July 30th: Plant City, nationally ranked QB, Bennie Coney has chopped down his top 5 to top 2. After visiting Cincinnati and Virginia Tech this week, Coney says his decision will come down to the Bearcats and the Hokies. Coney tells me that the QB situation is more in his favor at Cincinnati where the Hokies currently have 6 QBs on roster, but a few have been labeled QBs for depth. “I really liked how the coaches at Cincinnati take an interest in the players outside of football”. Coney visited Cincinnati this past week, Monday-Thursday and Virginia Tech. Thursday-Sunday. “I like Tech. It was cool and the coaches are great. I am going to take my time and evaluate things with my family and coaches. But, I think it is Cincinnati or Virginia Tech”.
The choice has been made. While speaking with Plant City Head Football Coach, Wayne Ward, he advised me that Coney made a verbal commitment to Cincinnati. Coney becomes the second Raider to make a verbal commitment (Lamarlin Wiggins, WR – South Florida) and 13th commitment between Hillsborough and Pinellas County. Strawberry Crest Head Football Coach and former Plant City camp/recruiting coordinator, Gerald Dickens says “It’s a very exciting time to hear that Bennie [Coney] has committed to the University of Cincinnati. All the hard work has finally paid off. The positive image campaign we inserted to help restore his image and all the 6:00am road trips that we took while everyone was sleeping, in order to get the image we have now; team leader and great citizen. He is set to graduate early and is focused on his future. Way to go Bennie, we are ‘Raider Proud’ of you”!