Defensive Backs

[E.T.]

Brandon Echols 6-1 183 lbs. Atlanta, GA

Jeremy Ware 5-11 180 lbs. Lehigh Acres, FL

[Guest S.  Bien]

Brandon Echols 6-1 183 lbs. Atlanta, GA

Jeremy Ware 5-11 180 lbs. Lehigh Acres, FL

We're loaded with Mike Williams switching to corner, and Carlton Williams addition but we'll grab a few more, and watch for the Chancellor twins from Miami to be a factor!

[E.T.]

Gerrod Sinclair 6-0 210 lbs. Jacksonville

Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, LSU, South Florida, Tennessee

All of the above have offered and he seems to not have a favorite.

Go BULLS !!!

[E.T.]

SPT:

RECRUITS

Stephan Knight, a defensive back and running back, attended Monday's practice and said USF is at the top of his list, though the Bulls haven't offered anything yet.

[Guest HowieP1]

Hawks cruise past Eagles

Brandon keeps it close during the first half before R.J. Anderson helps Armwood pull away.

By BRANDON WRIGHT

Published November 6, 2004

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRANDON - This wasn't the way it should have gone down for Armwood. The Hawks should have been romping around Brandon, reveling in their second straight undefeated regular season.

Instead, the Hawks said a prayer at midfield, were briefly addressed by coach Sean Callahan and headed to the team bus in side-by-side lines of two after a 72-13 thrashing of the Eagles. No choreographed dances. No Gatorade shower for Callahan.

"It's a little bittersweet for us," Callahan said. "Maybe we'll be a better team down the road because of it."

Armwood forfeited its 27-7 win against Middleton two weeks ago because of an ineligible player. It gave Middleton the district title, ended the Hawks' state-best 21-game winning streak and tempered Friday's celebration.

Callahan said despite the loss, the Hawks' main concern lies on the field.

"We're still going to have district champ shirts and 9-0 shirts made up," Callahan said. "Our team knows they are (undefeated), and that's the reality."

The reality for Brandon on Friday was despite a spirited first-half effort, Armwood had too much firepower. Brandon led 13-7 after the first quarter, but the Hawks ripped off 65 consecutive points.

"We weren't sharp in practice this week," Callahan said. "Next week starts the playoffs, and I was a little concerned about our focus heading into (Friday)."

Cornerback R.J. Anderson alleviated his coach's worries by returning the first of his two interceptions 15 yards for a touchdown and 14-13 lead with 9:38 remaining in the half.

Brandon trailed 20-13 and had the ball at the Hawks 13 with a minute to go in the half. But Anderson again stepped in front of a Tyson Gordon pass and returned it 95 yards for a touchdown.

"R.J. is a special player and one of the best corners around," Callahan said. "And when he gets the ball, he's a blur."

[Last modified November 6, 2004, 00:57:25]

http://www.sptimes.com/2004/11/06/Sports/Hawks_cruise_past_Eag.shtml

His commitment to USF is supposedly solid.

[Guest HowieP1]

USF supposedly offered another DB, Ray Herring from Melbourne:

Nov. 8-9, 2004

Great practices, controlled anxiety precede playoff game  

RAY'S RECRUITING NOTEBOOK

Monday, November, 8

We had a great season again and have gone 17-1 in the last two seasons combined with back-to-back District Championships. That's behind us now, this is what we've been working for, the playoffs!We've been in the playoffs every year but I think this year we'll get past that first round hump.

Practice went excellent, it was the best practice all year. It actually felt like a game! It's been a long time since I've had that much fun at practice. Everybody was very focused and having fun. I think this game will be won on the line of scrimmage, in the trenches.

We've really grown into a close team through this season and that is important because we will really need to come together even more to win this game. If we keep progressing like we are, we should come out on top but it's going to take hard work and a little luck to do that.

Coach Tenuta, the defensive back's coach from Georgia Tech called me. I asked him where I stood with regard to playing early and he indicated he wanted to get me on the field right away. We talked about what I wanted to study in college and I told him business. He said that was great because engineering and business are their top two fields of study.

He said that through all of his years looking at film, and all of the players he has coached that went on to the NFL, I'm the best one he's seen at this stage of their career. That was a great compliment but I still have a long ways to go to be where I want to be. One thing I really like is that he has been around and coached a lot of great players that have gone on to play in the NFL. He has coached guys like Shawn Springs, Nate Clemens and Ahmed Plummer, along with a bunch of other great defensive backs in the NFL. Though that is just one factor in my decision, it is an important one.

I don't know if I have a shot at the NFL or not but I sure want to maximize my chances and give it everything I've got to get there.

Tuesday, November 9

I woke up at 5:40am and couldn't go back to sleep, I was thinking about our game this Friday. It's all on the line! All the other years in the playoffs, I knew from a personal standpoint that their was always next year, now it's my last chance.

Practice went even better then yesterday! Offense is clicking and our defense is getting even better. It will have to because Trinity Christian is a very well-coached team and has a lot of great players. Coach said he has never seen me this pumped for a game, I need to calm down a little, we still have three days!The winner of this game will be the team that executes and wants it the most. I know we will lay it all on the line!

Coach Thomas told me after practice that Blue and Gold Illustrated, Notre Dame's newspaper has contacted the school and will be here at our playoff game Friday night. That's a long way to come for a picture! It is awesome that they think enough of me to come, hopefully we can give them some good things to write about.

Coach Hobbie called from South Florida and informed me that they are offering me a full scholarship to the University of South Florida. My Dad went to South Florida but that won't have an effect on my decision. Being close to home has it's benefits and I know Coach Leavitt is building a great program, we'll see how it all plays out. My focus right now is on Friday night's game!

http://www.floridatoday.com/prepfootball/ray/110904.htm

[Papa_Bull]

A Later story on Ray Herring I had inadvertently posted elsewhere:

DB Talks Recruiting  

By Mike Bakas  

Date: Nov 24, 2004

Halfway through the season, Melbourne (Fla.) Holy Trinity safety Ray Herring looked to be on his way to a record setting season with interceptions. His seven picks after just four games were encouraging but then he had to miss a few games because of injury and teams stopped throwing his direction.  

"I guess they learned," Herring said. "But even in the beginning, most of my picks were where I had to run the whole length of the field to get them."  

Herring, 5-10 and 190 pounds, finished the season with nine picks and 66 tackles. Offensively, he ran for 362 yards (6 scores) and had 447 yards receiving with five touchdowns. Now that his team has been eliminated from the state playoffs, he's turning his focus to the recruiting process.  

"I just set my visit with Tennessee for January 14th," he said. "I have Gerogia Tech on December 17th, and Notre Dame on December 3rd. I'm still working on my final two."  

The talented safety prospect said two in-state programs are still on his list.  

"South Florida just recently offered me and I really like the program they're building over there," he said. "I'm supposed to find out if Miami's gonna offer real soon. They got my tape and they told me they're gonna let me know soon (that conversation, per Herring, was on Tuesday)."  

While UM coaches have kept in touch with Herring throughout the season, the offer hasn't arrived yet. Herring talked more about the Hurricanes.  

"Great program," he said. "Just look at their success. I went to their camp so I got to know some of the coaches. I just need to see if that's for me or not."  

Herring, a full academic qualifier, is not ready to name any favorites yet and plans on taking all of his visits before making a final decision.  

"I have those three visits set but I don't have any favorites or anything like that," he said. "I want to take all five and then figure it out from there."

 

http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=140&p=2&c=322711

Insiders still doesn't show a USF visit for him yet.

http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=359&p=8&c=1&nid=1193760

[S p e n c e]

I think Miami only having 15 scholarships this year will really help in bringing in a good recruiting class, this is a perfect example.  I believe FSU and Florida also have limited schollies this year.  Should be a great recruiting class in all for us.

[Velcro]

I'm not sure on FSU... i thought i read a post from one of our recruiting gurus that FSU had a full need, but Miami and Florida had limited #'s this year.

Still that helps us!

[S p e n c e]

According to the free blub on Rivals...

DBs Move USF to Top of List Following Visit

by Dave Glaser

Although neither made a verbal commitment on their official campus visit over the weekend, prized defensive backs Tyller Roberts of Orlando Edgewater and Walter McFadden (pictured) of Pompano Beach Ely have moved the South Florida Bulls to the top of their list following an eventful trip to Tampa . . .

Walter Mcfadden

http://rivals100.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=29698

Tyller Roberts

http://rivals100.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=33892

Both given a 3-Star Ranking by Rivals.