There was no shortage of talent in Florida for the Badger 7-on-7 tournament in Tampa, Florida. The roster’s were filled with all-stars at every position. The following are some updates on guys I believe to be pertinent.
Various reports from the event have mentioned South Florida tight end Nick O’Leary and just how impressive he is. O’Leary is arguably the best tight end in the country. One article said he catches everything thrown his way and described him as the ‘go-to guy’ on his team. J.C. Shurburtt of ESPN attended the 7-on-7, and here is what he had to say about O’Leary.
Nick O’Leary, (Palm Beach, Fla./Dwyer) has some of the best hands you can ask for and when the quarterback gets it anywhere near him, he catches it. This is something that has been impressive about the 6-3, 250-pounder for some time. He will be an absolute weapon on third-and-short for whatever team signs him (we believe Georgia and Ohio State are both programs to watch and he has offers from teams across the country). He proved that during the weekend with his team, SOFLA, which was made up primarily of players from Palm Beach and Broward Counties.
Kelvin Benjamin, the talented wide receiver from Belle Glade, Florida is on just about everyone’s wish list. Benjamin reportedly named Tennessee and Florida when asked to name schools of interest this week. Although he told insidetheu.com that Miami and Florida are currently recruiting him the hardest. Here is J.C. Shurburt’s assessment:
Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Belle Glade, Fla./Glades Central
The 6-6, 220-pounder has a tremendous ceiling and can jump up over most cornerbacks and come down with the ball. He’s still got some developing to do, but many of the top programs that recruit South Florida, including Florida, Florida State and Miami have offered.
Aaron Lynch, from Cape Coral, Florida, is listed as a defensive end but played tight end at the recent Badger Sports 7-on-7 event. ESPN’s Gerry Hamilton said Lynch didn’t have much impact as a pass catcher, but is still a very coveted prospect. According to Hamilton, Lynch’s competitive fire, size and relentless pass-rushing style have earned him offers from the likes of Alabama, Clemson, Tennessee, Miami, Florida State, LSU, Ohio State, Notre Dame and North Carolina, among others. However, Lynch just named Notre Dame as his leader.
Plantation, FL safety Jeremy Cash continues to pile up offers. Cash recently told VolNation that Tennessee is among his top 12 schools even though his offer from the Vols was from the prior coaching staff. As of the time of that interview, Cash had not heard from Tennessee’s new staff. Here is what Shurburtt had to say about Cash:
Jeremy Cash, S, Plantation, Fla./Plantation
He was outstanding in coverage all week, which was impressive because he is more highly-regarded as an in-the-box safety that is excellent in run support. He had several outstanding pass break-ups as his team, South Florida Express, reached the finals. You also have to admire all the passion he competes with. Cash continues to pile up the offers, including Ohio State, Miami and Florida State, among others.
Ryan Shazier is an impressive kid with a Tennessee offer. J.C. Shurburtt called Shazier ‘quick-rising’ and noted his impressive physical abilities.
Ryan Shazier, LB, Plantation, Fla./Plantation
The quick-rising Shazier continued to show off his ability to play in space, which will be important as he transitions from defensive end to linebacker on the collegiate level. Florida, Florida State, Ole Miss, Louisville, Connecticut, Ohio State, Oklahoma and others have offered.
When VolNation spoke with Tacoi Sumler at the end of January, he had a Tennessee offer but had not heard from the new staff in Knoxville. Sumler continues to impress with his blazing speed. From J.C. Shurburtt:
Tacoi Sumler, WR, Miami/Columbus
There may not have been a faster prospect on the field than Sumler, who played some running back for South Florida Express during the event. That worked well as he was able to use his speed to gain more yardage than most of the backs that were there. Sumler has offers from many of the top schools in the Southeast. Clemson is a team to watch here and the Tigers should be getting an unofficial visit from the speedy Sumler (4.35 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the Miami Under Armour Combine) at the end of the month
Elsewhere, FightingGators.com posted a breakdown of Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel who is fresh off a solid performance at the 2011 Under Armour National Combine in Florida. According to their assessment, Driskel has great size and a big arm, but needs to work on his accuracy. Their breakdown states, “Driskel has as much upside as any quarterback in the state of Florida and will emerge as the top signal caller before his senior season is finished.” Driskel has a Tennessee offer.
Blue Springs, MO cornerback Bernard Thomas doesn’t have a Tennessee offer as of yet, but plans to visit Tennessee next weekend.
Austin-Seferian Jenkins listed his top five schools to ESPN’s Greg Biggins and Tennessee wasn’t one of them. “My top five schools are UCLA, Oklahoma, Alabama, Florida and Notre Dame and UCLA is my top school right now. I actually grew up a Miami fan and may visit there and some other schools over spring break, but I like UCLA and they’re recruiting me pretty hard right now,” said Seferian-Jenkins.
ESPNU 150 offensive guard Cyrus Hobbi from Scottsdale, Arizona has a Tennessee offer according to Scout. Tennessee just offered and told Hobbi’s coach they had been meaning to offer for a while.
Knoxville Catholic lineman Kyler Kerbyson is a very humble sounding young man. He is now up to nine offers, and sounds very appreciative of the attention he has been receiving. Kerbyson told ESPN radio that he isn’t ready to commit as of yet, but admitted that he and his family are big UT fans.
Tennessee appears to be in good shape with Jeff Heuerman. But J.C. Shurburtt says his stock will rise as college coaches have a chance to evaluate him during the spring period.
Gionni Paul, a linebacker that can definitely play and according to Chad Simmons, is another standout from the 7-on-7 tournament. He isn’t afraid to leave the state according to Simmons, so Tennessee has a shot. However, there isn’t much other information available about Paul at this point.
BASKETBALL NOTES
By now, multiple outlets have reported on Moses Abraham delaying his announcement. There is no clear indication on when an announcement will come. It may be sooner… or it may be later according to what Abraham told Randy Moore.
Elsewhere, Luke Cothron de-committed from North Carolina State. Bruce Pearl and Tennessee had some interest in Cothron at one point, and while Cothron told VolNation he really likes Coach Pearl, it’s unclear how much interest either side currently has.