2008 Football Recruits

[E.T.]

There are times when a player needs to make a decision regarding his future, and for junior RB Kenneth Howard of the Hun School, that decision was regarding a possible transfer. Howard had previously played at Plainfield, but realized that a move to Hun would be the best for him both academically and athletically. So now that he has been reclassified as a Class of 2008 player, Howard spoke to ScarletNation.com about his transfer, the transition to a new school, and his season thus far.

The transition from one school to another can be hectic and stressful, but Howard seems to be adjusting very well.

Howard had recent visits from both Boston College and Maryland. He is also hearing from Rutgers, Connecticut, Boston College, and South Florida, but because of the hectic schedule at Hun, he is unsure if he'll be able to attend any college games this fall.

[bulls96go]

? is he any good?

[E.T.]

Just call this Panther the closer

Cornelius Gallon is king of the clock-beating big play.

By JOEY KNIGHT

Published November 28, 2006

 

TAMPA -To slip into Cornelius Gallon's psyche, one first must peel back the outer layers of the Plant High junior.

All four of them.

Two UnderArmour shirts, a USF T-shirt he earned from a flag football tournament this past summer and his game jersey.

Mid-autumn or mid-August, Gallon wears them each contest. Yet somehow he remains a 5-foot-10 defiance of body insulation when the Panthers are in dire need of a big play.

Which is to say, he's arguably the coolest player on the field at clutch time.

"He's a playmaker," Panthers quarterback Robert Marve said. "He's the type of guy who you might say, 'I don't know if he can make that catch,' or 'Can he jump that high?' And in big, clutch situations he gets that high. He's a great teammate to have."

Thumb through the most recent pages published in Panthers football lore, and Gallon's name shows up at the most climactic junctures with uncanny frequency.

In last season's district title-clinching 26-23 win over Jefferson, Gallon dove for the winning touchdown catch - on a 32-yard sandlot fling from Marve - with 30 seconds to play.

Last month at Hillsborough, Gallon snagged the ball from the Terriers tight end in the Panthers end zone with 48 ticks remaining, preserving a 28-21 triumph and atoning for the pass-interference whistle he drew seconds before.

And in Friday night's Class 4A region title victory over Armwood, Gallon caught a pass deflected by Plant cornerback Luke Rorech in his end zone for what amounted to the game-sealing interception in the Panthers' 38-20 romp.

Say this for the kid: He plays the way he practices. According to Marve, Gallon caught the decisive touchdown pass on fourth and 4 against the first-team defense in a two-minute drill two nights before the Armwood game.

"He's just one of those types of guys I know I can fall back on," Marve said.

This pattern of opportunism suggests Gallon will come up big again Friday, when the Panthers 13-0 host Miami Washington (12-1) in a Class 4A state semifinal that ranks as the biggest game in school history.

But of course, there's no predicting - or even explaining - such things. Ask him to account for his timeliness, and Gallon shrugs the narrow shoulders atop his 170-pound frame.

"I have no idea," said Gallon, who enters Friday's game with 53 catches for 839 yards, seven receiving touchdowns, five interceptions and 37 tackles. "I think God just shows me the way to be there at the right time and I'm just there. ... I don't know why."

Coach Bob Weiner attributes such big-play capability to "heart" and "character." Marve says Gallon possesses a calming presence that reassures him during moments of frustration.

A few subtle superstitions may also help the cause. In addition to his multi-layered clothing ritual, Gallon's pregame routine includes prayer and listening to the same selection of songs on Weiner's iPod.

But none of that matters nearly as much as the philosophy he'll wear Friday on his sleeves - all eight of them.

"If it comes down to it," Gallon said, "big players have to step up in big-time games."

Joey Knight can be reached at jknight @sptimes.com or (813) 226-3350.

[E.T.]

From Greg's blog:

And Leavitt might not be done at Boca Ciega: Bellamy said the school's talented junior prospects, quarterback Orhian Johnson and 6-foot-1 receiver Aaron Kincy, would "most likely" follow him to USF in 2008.

[E.T.]

2 reasons just from his name is why I want this kid ... and 6-1 @ 350 Lbs. also helps  8-)

Lauderdale Lakes - Boyd Anderson

Taurus Thomas

[E.T.]

First Coast loaded in 08

By JC Shurburtt, Recruiting Analyst – Rivals.com

 

First Coast High in Jacksonville, Fla., is home to multiple players who have a shot at being highly-recruited Division I-A prospects in the Class of 2008.

The same school that in recent years has produced current Florida Gators defensive back Reggie Lewis, linebacker Ryan Stamper and wide receiver Kenneth Tookes, Class of 2006 Auburn wide receiver signee Alex Rose and Class of 2007 South Carolina defensive back commits Jamire Williams and Arkee Smith will feature several prospects that should be among the best in North Florida for next year's class.

At first glance, linebacker Nigel Carr is the head of the class. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder could play inside or outside linebacker. He has long arms and runs well.

Carr currently holds a written scholarship offer from South Carolina. His early list of schools includes the Gamecocks, Miami (Fla.), Florida State, Auburn, Clemson and South Florida.

Like Carr, Shaq Wilson is a member of the First Coast linebacking corps, could play inside or outside and currently holds a written offer from South Carolina. The 6-foot-1, 208-pounder has good speed, change of direction and athleticism and has the frame to grow into a 230-240-pounder.

Wilson likes Auburn, Clemson and Miami (Fla.) in addition to the Gamecocks.

Wide receiver Avis Commack wears No. 21 because he admires current Georgia Tech All-American Calvin Johnson. That comes as no surprise as the two are both tall receivers with good leaping ability and speed who can go up and get it.

It's no surprise that the 6-foot-4, 176-pounder likes Georgia Tech, along with Florida, Central Florida, North Carolina State and South Carolina at the moment.

Running back Jermaine Thomas claims a 4.4-second 40-yard dash and has the build of a Division I-A prospect at his position. He likes Tennessee, Central Florida, South Carolina and Miami (Fla.) early.

In addition to those four, defensive back Trey Mallory (6-0, 180); linebacker Lance Leandre (5-11, 200) and running back/fullback Carlos King (5-11, 215), all should be considered Division I-A prospects for next year's class.

[E.T.]

Sancho McDonald

Dual-threat quarterback

Miami (FL) Booker T. Washington

Kenny Howard

Running Back

Princeton (NJ) The Hun School

Ht: 5-foot-9

Wt: 201 lbs

Thearon Collier

WR

5-9/165/4.5  

Miami, FL  

Edgard Theliar

WR

6-2/170/-  

Bradenton, FL  

Braxston Cave

O-Line

Mishawaka (IN) Penn

Ht: 6-foot-4

Wt: 295 lbs

Vittorio Ottanelli

Defensive Tackle

Tampa (FL) Blake

Ht: 6-foot-4

Wt: 270 lbs

Nigel Carr

LB

6-3/220/4.55  

Jacksonville, FL  

Leandre Lance

LB5-11/200/-  

Jacksonville, FL

Dominique Battle

CB

6-0/175/4.5  

Delray Beach, FL

   

Brandon Harris

CB

5-10/175/4.45  

Miami, FL  

 

Lacy McDougald IV

CB

5-9/171/4.8  

Neptune Beach, FL

[highlight]Just some guys bwe are looking at according to rivals.[/highlight]

[tampaboi07]

Lovell Jackson from Plant.

[E.T.]

From the Trib before Miami-Washington & Plant played at season's end:

LOVELL JACKSON

Plant junior running back

5-foot-10, 165 pounds

ABOUT JACKSON: On the few occasions the ball is not in quarterback Robert Marve's hands, it's usually in Jackson's - and he always seems to make the most of his opportunities. Jackson has been lightning in a bottle for the Panthers this season, averaging better than 10 yards per carry. He has a team-high 771 rushing yards (on 72 carries) and eight rushing touchdowns, tied for the team best with Marve. While speed may be his best attribute (he runs a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash), it's not his only one. Jackson is good blocker and a danger to catch passes out of the backfield, with 12 receptions for 172 yards and two scores. A rigorous offseason conditioning program and countless hours of work in practice is what Jackson says has made him the type of player who seemingly makes nothing but big plays.

HIGHLIGHT: Jackson might have saved his biggest game of the year for when it counted most. He ran for 141 yards on 10 carries against Armwood in the Class 4A region final last week. That included a 69-yard touchdown run, his fourth touchdown run of the playoffs. While Jackson's long touchdown run was impressive, what was more impressive was his work between the tackles. Jackson picked up some tough yards inside when the Panthers needed them against a stingy Hawks defense, and he did it without putting the ball on the ground.

COACHSPEAK: "Lovell's a tremendously explosive player. It's like he's just shot out of a cannon when he gets the ball and he goes downhill. There are not too many people in the state that are going to catch him. A lot of times, Lovell's running looks effortless. He flows; he's so smooth. A lot of times people misjudge [his speed] and take a bad angle on him and try to catch him getting around the corner, and he's already passed you." - Plant coach Robert Weiner

WASHINGTON'S PASSING GAME: In his first season as starting quarterback, Sancho McDonald, a junior, has passed for 1,622 yards and 17 touchdowns. He had a season-high 273 yards and a touchdown against Miami Jackson and also caught a 16-yard pass for a TD. He's rushed 34 times for 180 yards and two TDs.

...

WASHINGTON'S RECEIVING: Junior Thearon Collier leads the receiving corps with 34 receptions for 791 yards and eight TDs. Though he shines as a defensive back, junior Brandon Harris leads all receivers with nine TDs. He's second on the team in catches (29) and third in receiving yards (319).

Keep the names coming.

[smazza]

after 1o years,leavitt should have inside track with most of these guys

but leavitt crazy antics must scare alot of these kids and their parents