(Ed. Note: If there is one thing we haven't put enough time in this season, its been in recruiting. We will focus on it more the rest of the season, and will make sure to focus more on it next year.)
USF has always scheduled their biggest recruiting weekend around our Football Awards Banquet, and this year looks like its no different. There are rumors that there will be up to 25 recruits and verbal commitments in Tampa this weekend.
Skip has talked about building up a wall around Tampa Bay, and a good start would be this weekend, as four of Tampa's best prep players are heading to Fowler Avenue for their official visits.
Let's start with the biggest guy on our board, and that's Jefferson WR Andre Davis. The 42nd ranked WR in the country is a fantastic route runner who has excellent hands. He has good size at 6'1, and he uses his 4.5 40 speed to break away from defenders. He does have an official visit to Rutgers next week, but I don't think he makes the trip up. He seems to be very high on the Bulls, and I would be shocked if he signs somewhere else.
Here is a good video from his junior season at Jefferson. Reminds me a lot of Dontavia Bogan from his video.
Andre Davis Highlights (via 247SportsStudio)
Next up is Alonso DE Anthony Chickillo. The Miami verbal was considered a lock for the Canes most of the season, and it wasn't until Randy Shannon firing that Chickillo started to waver. He has decent size at 6'3, but he is off the charts fast as a DE. He moves well laterally, and has excellent hand technique to shed opponent's blocks. He made a huge name for himself earlier this month at the Under Armour All-American Game, where he was named Defensive MVP. Here is a video of his junior season. He's the one creating havoc everywhere.
Anthony Chickillo Junior Highlights (via EliteScouting)
There were rumors earlier this week that he was going to head to Alabama instead of USF, but it looks like those were squashed yesterday and he will be in Tampa. It would be a huge coup if Chickillo switched his commitment to USF, but in the end I think he still heads to Miami. His father and grandfather's both played for UM, and I think that he ultimately follows in their footsteps.
Third is Robinson WR Ruben Gonzalez. He's climbed USF's charts over the past few weeks, and at 6'3, he looks to be the big possession receiver USF loves to use like Evan Landi and A.J. Love. Ruben uses his size to He does have USF in his final three along with Purdue and Iowa State. He's not going to publicly commit to a school until signing day, but I think he commits to USF. I wouldn't be surprised however if he and his teammate Frankie Williams go to Purdue together. Didn't see any videos of Gonzalez on the field, but here is a video of Ruben and Williams training over the summer.
Ruben Gonzalez and Frankie Williams Training at FASST Perfor (via fassttech21)
I wanted to save Armwood QB/ATH Josh Grady for last. He's an exceptional talent, a great leader, and is insanely smart. Like pre-med and a 4.0 GPA with all AP classes smart. If you didn't read his chat that he had on the St. Pete Times Home Team site, you have to read it. He opens up about a possible rift between Armwood and former coach Jim Leavitt, on his difficult schedule, and if Anthony Chickillo commits this weekend, that pretty much everyone else would do the same.
I think he's extremely high on the Bulls, and he's doing his best to bring Chickillo and Davis on board, talking to them about playing together, and how USF would be the only way it would happen.. He is on board with a position change if he doesn't work out at QB, and just from his background, he sounds a lot like Nate Allen. If you want to see Grady in action check out the video below. I wouldn't be hurt if you muted the sound.
Joshua Grady 2K9 Junior Year (via JStat9)
I know there are a lot of great kids coming in from all around the state like Elkino Watson, Clavion Nelson, and Rashawn Scott to name a few. However, these four might be the key to USF's class this season and for years to come if they put on a USF hat come Feburary 2nd.