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2011 Recruiting Class Bios

2011 FLORIDA STATE SIGNEES
Name Ht. Wt. Pos. Hometown Previous School
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Austin Barron 6-3 280 OL Fort Lauderdale, Fla. St. Thomas Aquinas
Kelvin Benjamin 6-6 210 WR Belle Glade, FL Glades Central
Terry Bell 6-5 270 DT Lakeland, Fla. Tenoroc
Eric Beverly 5-9 216 RB Jacksonville, Fla. First Coast
Lamarcus Brutus 5-11 185 DB Port St. Lucie, Fla. Treasure Coast
Cornellius "Tank" Carradine* 6-5 249 DE Cincinnati, Ohio Butler County C.C./Taft HS
Ruben Carter 6-4 285 OL Miami, Fla. Jackson
Jacob Coker 6-5 210 QB Mobile, Ala. St. Paul Episcopal
Jacob Fahrenkrug* 6-4 321 OL Robibinsdale, Minn NDSCS
Devonta Freeman* 5-8 195 RB Miami, Fla. Miami Central
Bobby Hart 6-5 298 OL Fort Lauderdale, Fla. St. Thomas Aquinas
Tyler Hunter 6-0 197 DB Valdosta, Ga. Lowndes County
Tre Jackson 6-4 290 OL Jessup, Ga. Wayne County
Arrington Jenkins 6-2 225 LB Miami, Fla. Coral Park
Timmy Jernigan 6-2 297 DT Lake City, Fla. Columbia
Rashad Greene 6-0 175 WR Fort Lauderdale, Fla. St. Thomas Aquinas
Nile Lawrence-Stample 6-1 297 DT Davie, Fla. Nova
Sterling Lovelady* 6-2 273 OL Navarre, Fla. Navarre
Josue Matias 6-5 290 OL Union City, NJ Union City
Derrick Mitchell 6-4 285 DT Jacksonville, Fla. First Coast
Giorgio Newberry 6-6 255 DE Fort Pierce, Fla. Fort
Pierce Central
Nick O'Leary 6-4 235 TE Palm Beach, Fla. Dwyer
Trey Pettis* 6-5 327 OL Deland, Fla. Deland
Jordan Prestwood* 6-5 287 OL Plant City, Fla. Plant City
Keelin Smith 6-3 185 DB Port St. Lucie, Fla. Treasure Coast
Terrance Smith* 6-3 215 LB Decatur, Ga. Southwest Dekalb
Nick Waisome* 5-10 171 CB Groveland, Fla. South Lake
James Wilder Jr. 6-2 219 RB Tampa, Fla. Plant
Karlos Williams 6-2 210 DB Davenport, Fla. Ridge Community
Early Enrollee*
2011 signee BIOS
AUSTIN BARRON
6-3, 280
OFFENSIVE GUARD
Fort Lauderdale, fla./st. Thomas Aquinas
Sleeper offensive lineman in the class of 2011, who had a coming out party as a senior ... Showed to be quick on his feet and exhibited toughness in the trenches ...Helped St. Thomas Aquinas to a Class 5A state title in 2010, which included helping the offense rack up 5,612 yards of total offense ... Named to EliteScoutingServices Class 5A All-Tournament Team ... Ranked No.40 on the Sun-Sentinel Broward County Top 50 List ... Joins fellow teammates Bobby Hart and Rashad Greene in the 2011 FSU signing class ... Another one of veteran offensive line coach Jay Connolly's products, which include current FSU senior tackle Andrew Datko and Buffalo Bills deep snapper Garrison Sanborn ... Underrated athlete who also plays third base for St. Thomas Aquinas ... Member of the 2010 SunStateFootball All State Finals First Team Offense.
TERRY BELL
6-5, 270
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
LAKELAND, FLA./TENOROC
Another three-star lineman who is ranked No. 51 as a defensive tackle by Rivals.com … A full time offensive guard and part time defensive lineman for his Tenoroc team … Listed No. 86 in the SunStateFootball Top 100 … No. 101 on the SuperPrep Florida 110 … Selected All-County First Team by the Lakeland Ledger … No. 83 on Bill Buchalter's 2011 Florida Top 100 for the Orlando Sentinel.
Kelvin Benjamin
6-6, 210
Wide receiver
Belle glade, fla./glades central hs
Big target, whose sheer size - an 80-plus-inch wingspan and 9 1/8-inch hands - makes him difficult to defend … Has played only three years of football at Glades Central, a perennial power … Four-star recruit who is rated No. 8 wide receiver and the No. 60 overall player nationally by Rivals.com and the No. 12 receiver by Scout.com … Rated the No. 23 wide receiver nationally by ESPN … Ranks as the No. 13 wide receiver and the No. 89 player nationally according to 247Sports … Hauled in 30 catches for 551 yards and six touchdowns in just eight games this past season … No. 2 on the Sun Sentinel's Top 32 Broward County Seniors … Named First Team All-Palm Beach County by Sun Sentinel … No. 25 on Bill Buchalter's Florida Top 100 for the Orlando Sentinel … No. 36 on Mobile Press-Register Super Southeast 120 … Member of the Times-Union's Florida Super 75 where he was rated as the No. 1 wide receiver … Palm Beach Post All-Area First Team … No. 72 on Tom Lemming's MaxPreps.com Top 100 … No. 42 on the SuperPrep Florida 110.
Eric Beverly
5-9, 216
Running back
Jacksonville, fla./first coast
One of the leading rushers in the greater Jacksonville area for two seasons before suffering a knee injury in spring football, sidelining him for his entire senior season … A powerful back who is a tough, inside runner … Three-star running back by both Rivals.com and Scout.com who ranks as the No. 11 all-purpose back by Rivals.com and No. 65 running back by Scout.com … Rated the No. 29 running back by ESPN … Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports … SunStateFootball ranks Beverly as the No. 82 player in the state, even after missing his senior season … No. 90 on the SuperPrep Florida 110 … Helped lead his team to the second round of the state playoffs as a junior in 2009 when he ran for 1,800 yards and scored 19 touchdowns …Rated No. 91 in the 2010 Post Season Top 100 by Scout.com's Mike Bakas … Chose Florida State over Illinois.
Lamarcus Brutus
5-11, 185
Safety
Port st. lucie, fla./treasure coast
Touted safety prospect who is equally adept at playing physical against the run or making plays on the ball in pass defense … Three-star prospect by both Rivals.com and Scout.com and is ranked as the No. 47 safety by Rivals.com and No. 33 by Scout.com … Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports … Rated the No. 14 safety by ESPN … First Team All-Area defensive back honors by TCPalm … Recorded 104 tackles, two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, six interceptions and blocked two field goals as a senior ... No. 62 on Bill Buchalter's Florida Top 100 for the Orlando Sentinel … Member of the Florida Times-Union's Super 75 where he was rated as the No. 9 safety … Chosen by ESPN760 as the No. 7 player to watch in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast … No. 24 on the SuperPrep Florida 110. … Treasure Coast High School teammate of fellow FSU signee Keelin Smith and 2010 Seminole signee Jeff Luc.
CORNELLIUS "TANK" CARRADINE
6-5, 249
defensive end
CINCINNATI, ohio/ Butler C.C. / Taft
An outstanding all-around athlete with size, strength and speed … Effective in run support, as well as pressuring the quarterback … Four-star recruit according to Rivals.com and five-star recruit according to Scout.com … One of the nation's overall prospects out of junior college (No. 1 by Rivals.com; No. 5 by Scout.com) and the No. 1 JUCO defensive end prospect … Rated a five-star recruit by 247Sports … No. 1 on the SuperPrep JUCO 100 … Racked up 26 sacks in his two years at Butler Community College, including 16 in 2010, which led the NJCAA … Named 2010 First Team NJCAA All-American … Led team to a final No. 2 ranking in the NJCAA and an appearance in the NJCAA National title game as Butler finished its season 11-1 while also winning the Jayhawk Conference and Region VI championships … An All-Jayhawk Conference First Team selection … Region VI Defensive Player of the Year … As a sophomore, led his team with 119 tackles including 29 for a loss and 16 sacks … Also forced three fumbles, recovered five others and recorded 15 quarterback hurries and a pass breakup … His 29 tackles for loss rank fourth in a single season … Started every game at weakside defensive end as a freshman in 2009 and led the Grizzlies with 90 tackles … Finished second on the team with 20 tackles-for-loss and 10 sacks … Prepped at Cincinnati's Taft High School where he was coached by Mike Martin … Regarded as one of the top prospects in the Midwest prior to signing a letter of intent with Illinois … Picked Florida State from a wide array of offers including Alabama, Ohio State and Georgia.
Ruben Carter
6-4, 285
Offensive lineman
Miami, fla./Jackson
Three-star offensive lineman who split time between guard and center as a senior at Miami Jackson High School and also logged time on the defensive line … Helped pave the way for Jackson's appearance in the first round of the 3A state playoffs … Rated the No. 29 offensive guard by Rivals.com and No. 42 offensive tackle by Scout.com … Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports … No. 78 on Bill Buchalter's 2011 Florida Top 100 for the Orlando Sentinel … Selected Second Team All-Dade County by The Miami Herald as a senior and earned honorable mention standing as a junior … Member of the Times-Union's Florida Super 75 where he was rated as the No. 2 offensive guard … No. 92 offensive tackle by ESPN … No. 80 on the SuperPrep Florida 110.
Jacob Coker
6-5, 210
Quarterback
Mobile, ala./st. paul's Episcopal
Competitive and driven quarterback who is an exceptional athlete … Switched from running a Wing-T offense in his junior season to a pro-style offense as a senior and completed 94-of-153 passes for 1,508 yards and 16 touchdowns while also carrying 61 times for 355 yards and five TDs … Led St. Paul's to the semifinals of the Alabama State playoffs and a 10-2 record in his final season … A three-star prospect by Rivals.com and Scout.com who is ranked the No. 18 pro-style quarterback by Rivals.com and No. 44 QB by Scout.com … Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports … No. 17 on the SuperPrep Alabama 43 … Selected to play in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game as a senior … Rated the No. 70 pro-style quarterback by ESPN … Also an exceptional basketball player who led St. Paul's to 17 wins as a junior while averaging 17.4 points per game … Named the Class 5A basketball player of the year in Mobile County as a junior and was invited to the state of Alabama's North-South All Star basketball game … Now averaging 21.9 points and nine rebounds per game as a senior for a team that hopes to make a deep run in the Class 5A state playoffs.
JACOB "JAKE" FAHRENKRUG
6-4, 321
Offensive guard
North Dakota State College of Science
Robbinsdale, Minn./Cooper HS
Widely considered the top offensive lineman in the JUCO ranks … Four-star recruit according to Rivals.com, who lined up at left guard for his North Dakota State College of Science team … An explosive and athletic interior line prospect who has no trouble leading as a pulling blocker, or getting on linebacker at the second level … Played in the Minneapolis suburban high school of Robbinsdale Cooper for three years … Once weighed 400 pounds and used athletics as a way to improve his health … No. 11 on the SuperPrep JUCO 100 … The No. 4-rated overall JUCO prospect and the top-rated offensive lineman in the nation by Rivals.com … Rates a four-star recruit by 247Sports … Named 2010 First Team NJCAA All-American … Also named Academic All-Conference, First Team All-Region 11 and First Team All Midwest Football Conference … Earned honorable mention All-Region as a freshman at North Dakota State.
DEVONTA FREEMAN
5-8, 195
Running Back
Miami, Fla./Miami Central HS
Considered one of the most versatile runners in the country, effectively running between the tackles and capable of using his 4.5 40-yard dash speed to turn the corner … A four-star prospect by both Rivals.com and Scout.com … Ranked the No. 10 running back and the No. 108 overall player in the nation by Rivals.com and the No. 9 running back by Scout.com … No. 15 running back by ESPN … Rated as the No. 5 running back and the No. 52 overall player in the nation by 247Sports … Helped lead Miami Central to the 2010 Class 6A state title and was named the MVP after gaining 308 yards on 36 carries - falling just 20 yards shy of a state championship game record … As a senior ran for Miami-Dade County-leading 2,208 yards and 26 touchdowns … Recorded 663 rushing yards and six touchdowns in the final two games of the state playoffs … Rushed for 545 yards and two touchdowns as junior back-up to Kentucky signee Brandon Gainer … First Team All-Dade by The Miami Herald … Member of the Times-Union's Florida Super 75 where he was rated as the No. 4 running back… No. 24 on the SuperPrep Elite Top 50 and No. 4 on the SuperPrep Florida 110.
Rashad Greene
6-0, 175
Wide receiver
Fort Lauderdale, fla./st. Thomas Aquinas
A deep threat and a solid route runner, the speedy four-star receiver has been clocked around 4.42 in the 40-yard dash while starring for perennial state and national power St. Thomas Aquinas … Ranked the No. 10 wide receiver nationally by Scout.com, No. 20 by 247Sports and No. 29 by Rivals.com and No. 10 wide receiver by Scout.com … No. 125 on the ESPNU 150 and No. 20 wide receiver nationally by ESPN … Had 43 receptions for 943 yards (21.9 yards per catch) with 13 touchdowns as a senior … Came up big in the 2010 Class 5A State title game with six receptions for 148 yards and two touchdowns - including a title-clinching 74-yard pass in the fourth quarter … St. Thomas Aquinas defeated Tampa Plant 29-7 and finished with a No. 3 national ranking … Tallied 31 catches for 510 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior, helping St. Thomas Aquinas to a state title … First Team Sun-Sentinel All-Broward County as a senior … No. 30 on Bill Buchalter's 2011 Florida Top 100 for the Orlando Sentinel … All-Broward County First Team by The Miami Herald as a senior and All-Broward County Second Team as a junior … No. 94 on Mobile Press-Register Super Southeast 120 … No. 17 on the SuperPrep Florida 110 … Member of the Florida Times-Union's Super 75 where he was rated as the No. 5 wide receiver … Also a standout track & field athlete in sprints and jumps … Coached in football by South Florida icon George Smith at St. Thomas Aquinas.
Bobby Hart
6-5, 298
Offensive lineman
Fort Lauderdale, fla./st. Thomas aquinas
Anchored a St. Thomas Aquinas offensive line that helped the Raiders compile 5,612 yards of total offense on their way to the 2010 Class 5A State championship and a No. 3 national ranking … Rated a five-star offensive tackle by Scout.com and four-star lineman by Rivals.com … Considered a relentless drive blocker with good feet in pass protection … Ranked No. 8 offensive tackle by Rivals.com, No. 77 nationally at any position and No. 19 in the state … Scout.com ranks him the No. 4 offensive tackle in the country … Rated a four-star prospect and the No. 16 offensive tackle by 247Sports … No. 25 on the ESPNU 150 and No. 4 overall offensive tackle … Selected to Under Armour All-American team … First Team All-Broward County by Sun Sentinel as a senior … No. 14 on Bill Buchalter's 2011 Florida Top 100 for the Orlando Sentinel … All-Broward County First Team by The Miami Herald as a senior … No. 43 on Mobile Press-Register Super Southeast 120 … Member of the Times-Union's Florida Super 75 where he was rated as the No. 1 offensive tackle … No. 32 on the SuperPrep Florida 110 … Second Team 2A All-State offensive lineman as a junior at Fort Lauderdale's Cardinal Gibbons … Won't celebrate his 17th birthday until August 21, after he has arrived on the FSU campus … Coached by legendary South Florida high school coach George Smith at St. Thomas Aquinas … Also played forward on a highly ranked travel AAU basketball team until last summer, playing against the likes of Ohio State freshman phenom Jared Sullinger and Winter Park High senior Austin Rivers … Qualified for state in wrestling as a sophomore.
Tyler Hunter
6-0, 197
safety
Valdosta, ga./Lowndes county
Hunter is the fourth member of the Lowndes County High School football team to commit to Florida State in the last two years, joining Greg Reid, Gerald Demps and Telvin Smith … Ranks No. 116 in the ESPNU 150 and the No. 10 safety … Rated the No. 33 safety by Rivals.com and the No. 43 safety by Scout.com … Earned a three-star rating from 247Sports … No. 39 on the SuperPrep Georgia 83 … No. 34 on the Atlanta Journal Constitution's Top 50 Recruits … His father, Brice Hunter, was a receiver and a University of Georgia legend before his untimely death in 2004. The elder Hunter, who was slain during an argument with a neighbor, was the Bulldogs' top receiver in the early 1990s and still ranks among the school's career leaders in several offensive categories … He played for highly-respected Lowndes County coach Randy McPherson … Hunter has run a 4.50 40 and boasts a 4.33 shuttle time … He chose the Seminoles over offers from Florida, Louisville, Mississippi State and Tennessee.
Tre Jackson
Offensive Line
6-4, 300
jesup, GA/Wayne County HS
Versatile big man who was recruited by a number of programs as both a defensive tackle and an offensive lineman … Impressive physical specimen who has the frame and skill set that excites coaching staff … Holds a three-star ranking from Rivals.com as a defensive tackle and carries a No. 60 national position rank. Also ranked as the No. 78 overall player in football-rich Georgia … Scout.com has Jackson rated as a three-star prospect at offensive guard ... Played his high school football at Wayne County for coach Jody Grooms … Was a late bloomer in the recruiting world because he sat out his junior season with an injury … Hails from the same school that produced former Seminoles offensive tackle Tony Yeomans, who was part of FSU's heralded 1985 signing class … Originally committed to Georgia Tech back in October … Selected Florida State over Georgia, Alabama, Miami and NC State, though he also had offers from Florida, Rutgers, Middle Tennessee, Georgia Southern and Southern.
Arrington Jenkins
6-2, 225
linebacker
Miami, Fla/Coral Park
A three-star linebacker who plays physically and with outstanding instincts, Jenkins has been clocked at 4.5 in the 40-yard dash … Second Team All-Dade County by The Miami Herald as a senior … Rated the No. 8 overall prospect in Miami-Dade County by The Miami Herald, and No. 2 among linebackers …Ranked No. 43 among outside linebackers nationally by Rivals.com … Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports … No. 87 on the SuperPrep Florida 110 … Rated the No. 9 outside linebacker by ESPN … No. 2 on the The Miami Herald's Top 25 Miami-Dade recruits for 2011 … Started his high school at Miami Killian High School and earned First Team All-Dade as a sophomore before missing much of his junior year before finishing his senior season at Coral Park.
TIM JERNIGAN
6-2, 297
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
LAKE CITY, fla. /COLUMBIA
Powerful and extremely quick off the ball, he has been a disruptive force in opposing backfields as evidenced by his 14 sacks as a senior … Five-star defensive lineman, who is ranked No. 4 at defensive tackle in the nation by Scout.com … Listed as a four-star prospect ranked and No. 2 defensive tackle by Rivals.com … Ranked No. 29 in the Final Rivals 100 … Recorded 77 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 14 sacks and one interception and also ran for four touchdowns on offense as a senior in 2010 … 2011 U.S. Army All-American … All-USA First-Team defense by USA Today … Rated a four-star prospect, No. 2 defensive lineman and No. 17 overall player on the ESPNU 150 … No. 6 on the Gainesville Sun's Florida Top 50 Seniors … Named to the 2010 All-First Coast First Team Defense by the Florida Times-Union … Member of the Times-Union's Super 75 where is was rated as the No. 1 defensive tackle … No. 8 on the SuperPrep Florida 110 and No.35 on the SuperPrep Elite 50 … No. 5 on Bill Buchalter's 2011 Florida Top 100 for the Orlando Sentinel … No. 9 on Mobile Press-Register Super Southeast 120 … No. 41 on Tom Lemming's MaxPreps.com 2011 Top 100 … Registered 131 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries and was an 3A All-State selection as a junior and a sophomore … Selected the Seminoles over LSU, Alabama, Tennessee and Florida.
Nile Lawrence-Stample
6-1, 297
Defensive tackle
Davie, fla./NOVA
A four-year starter who played middle linebacker as a junior before moving to defensive tackle as a senior … Despite playing defensive tackle for the first time in his life as a senior, became a dominating presence on the Nova defensive line, regularly drawing double- and occasionally triple-team attention … Finished the 2010 campaign with 47 tackles, six sacks and a forced fumble … Four-star prospect who is ranked the No. 29 defensive tackle by Rivals.com … Rated a four-star prospect and the No. 14 defensive tackle by 247Sports … Three-star prospect by Scout.com who is the No. 37 defensive tackle … Named First Team All-Broward County by the Sun Sentinel as a senior … No. 80 on Bill Buchalter's 2011 Florida Top 100 for the Orlando Sentinel … No. 71 on the SuperPrep Florida 110 … Was a big hit at a Miami combine with 4.9 in the 40-yard dash … All-Broward County First Team by The Miami Herald as a senior … Member of the Florida Times-Union's Florida Super 75 where he was rated as the No. 3 defensive tackle … No. 146 on the ESPNU 150 and rated the No. 13 overall defensive tackle … Coached by Bill Hobbs … As a junior middle linebacker at Nova, registered over 100 tackles.
STERLING LOVELADY
6-2, 273
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
NAVARRE, FLA./NAVARRE
A three-year starter at offensive tackle for Navarre High School where he was coached by Chad Lashley … Projected as a center or interior lineman in college … Helped lead team to the Region 1 4A title game and a school-record 11 wins as a senior … Navarre finished 11-2 overall and ranked No. 10 in 4A … Three-star recruit and No. 7 center prospect by Rivals.com … Rated the No. 13 center by Scout.com and a three-star prospect by 247Sports … No. 15 center according to ESPN … The first Navarre football player to sign with a Bowl Championship Series member school and one of the few prep football players from the Pensacola area to ever complete his high school requirements in December and join a major college football program before his senior class graduates … Member of the Times-Union's Florida Super 75 where he was rated as the No. 1 center.
Derrick Mitchell
6-4, 285
Defensive tackle
Jacksonville, fla./first coast
A quick defensive tackle prospect, who is listed as a four-star prospect by Scout.com and a three-star prospect by Rivals.com … Considered to have great hips and an outstanding first step … Ranked as the No. 20 defensive tackle and the No. 233 player nationally by Rivals.com and the No. 28 defensive tackle by Scout.com … Rated a four star prospect and the No. 7 defensive tackle and the No. 98 player nationally by 247Sports … Has been a standout at First Coast High School where he is a teammate of fellow FSU signee Eric Beverly … First Team All-First Coast defensive lineman by Florida Times-Union as a senior … Posted stunning numbers with 17.5 sacks and 89 tackles, including 42 for loss, while forcing four fumbles … Named Second Team 5A All-State as a junior when he helped his team reach the state playoffs … No. 97 on Bill Buchalter's 2011 Florida Top 100 for the Orlando Sentinel … Member of the Florida Times-Union's Super 75 where he was rated as the No. 4 defensive tackle in the state … Rated the No. 18 overall defensive tackle by ESPN … Rated No. 45 in the Gainesville Sun's top 50 seniors list for the state of Florida ... No. 26 on the SuperPrep Florida 110 … Played at the same high school that produced current Seminoles Jermaine Thomas and Avis Commack … Mitchell's father, also named Derrick Mitchell, lettered in basketball for the Seminoles in 1988 and 1989.
Giorgio Newberry
6-6, 255
DEFENSIVE END
Fort pierce, fla./FORT PIERCE central HS
A four-star defensive end with a good motor and explosiveness off the ball, he enjoyed a stellar senior season recording 83 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and eight sacks … Ranked the No. 10 strongside defensive end by Rivals.com and No. 18 defensive end by Scout.com … Rated a four-star prospect by 247Sports … Named First Team All-Area defensive end by TCPalm … Finished his junior season with 40 tackles and three sacks while also garnering First Team All-Area honors … No. 17 on Bill Buchalter's Florida Top 100 for the Orlando Sentinel … Member of the Florida Times-Union's Super 75 where he was rated as the No. 3 defensive end … No.54 on the Sporting News Top 100 … No. 27 on the ESPNU 150 and No. 3 overall athlete … selected to Under Armour All-American team … Played right tackle, left tackle and even some center in high school and did the same in the Under Armour All-American game despite being projected to play defense in college … No. 67 on Tom Lemming's MaxPreps.com Top 100 … Rated No. 25 in the Gainesville Sun's top 50 seniors list for the state of Florida … No. 19 on the SuperPrep Florida 110 … Chosen by ESPN760 as the No. 3 player in the 10 players to watch in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast … Coached by Chris Hutchings.
Nick O'Leary
6-4, 235
Tight end
Palm beach, fla./ dwyer
The top-rated tight end prospect in the country, who presents matchup problems with his athleticism … As a senior, caught 51 passes for 875 yards and 12 touchdowns in helping lead Dwayer to 2010 Class 4A state football semifinals. O'Leary helped Dwyer win the 4A title in 2009 … U.S. Army All-American … Rivals ranks him as the No. 1 tight end and No. 33 player overall while Scout.com has him the No. 3 tight end and the 62nd best player in the nation … Rated a five-star prospect, the No. 1 tight end and the No. 16 overall player in the nation by 247Sports … All-USA Second Team offense by USA Today … No. 20 on the ESPNU 150 and rated the No. 2 tight end prospect … No. 74 on Tom Lemming's MaxPreps.com 2011 Top 100 … Sun Sentinel Super 11 selection … No. 1 on the Sun Sentinel's Top 32 Broward County Senior … No. 3 on Bill Buchalter's 2011 Florida Top 100 for the Orlando Sentinel … No. 39 on Mobile Press-Register Super Southeast 120 … First Team All-Palm Beach County by Sun Sentinel … Also excelled as a punter and special teams player … Member of the Florida Times-Union's Florida Super 75 where he is rated as the No. 1 tight end … Palm Beach Post All-Area First Team … No. 10 on the SuperPrep Florida 110 … Grandson of legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus.
Josue Matias
6'5" 290
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
Union City, NJ /Union City HS
One of New Jersey's finest prospects as a lineman because of his size and agility … A four-star prospect by Rivals.com and Scout.com who missed his entire senior season as he recuperated from a leg injury … Ranked the No. 25 offensive tackle nationally and No. 9 best player in the state of New Jersey … Rated the No. 13 offensive tackle by ESPN, No. 27 offensive tackle by Scout.com and No. 18 offensive tackle by 247Sports … Named First Team All-Hudson Area by the Star-Ledger as a junior in 2009 … No. 12 on the SuperPrep New Jersey 35 … Maxes out at 350 pounds in the bench press … Marks the second consecutive year the Seminoles have landed a touted offensive lineman from New Jersey, which produced current redshirt freshman Daniel Foose … Matias selected Florida State over Rutgers from a lengthy list of additional options.
TREY PETTIS
6-5, 327
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
DELAND, FLA./DELAND HS
Standout offensive lineman who split time between tackle and center as a senior for DeLand High School, where he was coached by his father, Kevin Pettis ... Played a prominent role in DeLand's resurgence as the program compiled a 22-5 record over the past two seasons … Named an Under Armour All-American and took part in the All-American Game on Jan. 5 … Three-star recruit who is rated the No. 8 center by ESPN, No. 10 by Scout.com and No. 13 by Rivals.com … Also a three-star prospect by 247Sports … First Team All-County by Daytona Beach News-Journal in 2009 and 2010 … Started 43 varsity games -- 38 at DeLand … Selected for the FACA North-South All-Star Game … No. 43 on Bill Buchalter's 2011 Florida Top 100 for the Orlando Sentinel … No. 105 on the SuperPrep Florida 110 … No. 6 on Orlando Sentinel's 2011 Central Florida Super60 … First Team All-Central Florida and First Team All-Volusia County by Orlando Sentinel … Member of the Times-Union's Florida Super 75 where he was rated as the No. 2 center.
Jordan Prestwood
6-5, 287
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
PLANT CITY, FLA./PLANT CITY HS
Big, athletic lineman who is considered an outstanding run-blocker with the agility to protect the passer … three-star offensive lineman according to Rivals.com … Rated the No. 130 overall prospect in the ESPNU 150 and the No. 10 offensive tackle … Ranked the No. 5 offensive tackle and the No. 70 player in the nation by 247Sports … Rated the No. 10 offensive tackle nationally by Scout.com and No. 28 by Rivals.com at that position … has a good size and considered a good run-blocker … Showed the ability to move well both straight ahead and laterally … No. 23 on Bill Buchalter's 2011 Florida Top 100 for the Orlando Sentinel … Selected to Tampa Tribune All-Hillsborough County First Team as a senior … No. 95 on Mobile Press-Register Super Southeast 120 … Member of the Times-Union's Florida Super 75 where he was rated as the No. 4 offensive tackle … No. 66 on Tom Lemming's MaxPreps.com 2011 Top 100 … No. 30 on the SuperPrep Florida 110 … Played tight end as a junior and finished with 28 catches for 319 yards … Had four touchdown receptions and one rushing touchdown, earning Third Team 5A All-State honors.
Keelin Smith
6-3, 185
DEFENSIVE BACK
Port st. lucie, fla./Treasure Coast
Three-star cornerback with great size and athleticism, who also could play safety … Ranked the No. 34 best cornerback by Rivals.com and No. 28 safety by Scout.com … Rated a four-star prospect and the No. 14 safety by 247Sports … As a senior posted 64 tackles, one interception and blocked three field goals … Selected to the Under Armour All-American team … No. 60 on the ESPNU 150 and No. 5 overall safety … No. 58 on Bill Buchalter's 2011 Florida Top 100 for the Orlando Sentinel … No.40 on the SuperPrep Florida 110… Member of the Florida Times-Union's Super 75 where he was rated as the No. 5 cornerback … Selected First Team All-Area defensive back by TCPalm … Scout.com's Mike Bakas rates Smith as the No. 55 player in Florida in the Post-Season Top 100 … Rated No. 16 in the Gainesville Sun's top 50 seniors list for the state of Florida … Chosen by ESPN760 as the No. 6 player in the 10 players to watch in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast … At age 14 won not only a national but international title at the prestigious Hershey's National Track and Field Championship in Hershey, Pa., winning the boys age 13-14 standing long jump competition with jumps of 9 feet, 5 1/4 inches (national) and 9-4 1/4 (international) to be the first national champ in the 17-year history of Fort Pierce's Sheraton Plaza Track Club.
Terrance Smith
6-3, 215
Outside linebacker
Decatur, ga./SOUTHWEST DEKALB HS
Three-year starter at Southwest Dekalb where he developed his reputation as an outstanding pass rusher … Enrolled at Florida State in January … Three-star prospect by Rivals.com rated the No. 18 outside linebacker … Has a four-star rating and ranked the No. 21 defensive end by Scout.com … Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports … Rated the No. 26 outside linebacker by ESPN … As a senior amassed 60 tackles and 10 sacks in nine games … As a junior, had more than 120 tackles, 15 sacks and 15 tackles for loss … No. 27 on the SuperPrep Georgia 83 … No. 34 on the Atlanta Journal Constitution's Top 50 Recruits … Also enjoyed a standout career in track & field as a sprinter/jumper … Chose the Seminoles over the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Ohio State, South Carolina and Vanderbilt … Smith's father, the late Terry Smith, starred as a wide receiver for Clemson in the 1990s.
Nick Waisome
5-10, 171
cornerback
Groveland, fla./South Lake
One of the top cover-corners in the country … Four-star recruit who is rated the No. 8 cornerback by both Rivals.com and Scout.com … ESPN ranks him the No. 67 overall prospect and No. 2 cornerback nationally … Rates as the No. 2 cornerback and the No. 44 overall player in the nation by 247Sports … Selected to Under Armour All-American team … Had 47 tackles, six interceptions and scored five touchdowns as a senior … First Team All-Central Florida defensive back by Orlando Sentinel and Defensive Player of the Year in Lake/Sumter County by Orlando Sentinel as a senior … No. 18 on Bill Buchalter's 2011 Florida Top 100 for the Orlando Sentinel … No. 5 on Orlando Sentinel's 2011 Central Florida Super60 … No. 49 on Mobile Press-Register Super Southeast 120 … Member of the Times-Union's Florida Super 75 where he was rated as the No. 3 cornerback … No. 57 on the SuperPrep Florida 110 … Finished his junior season with 67 tackles, 18 pass break-ups and four interceptions and also had 17 receptions for 495 yards and six touchdowns on offense … First Team All-State defensive back for 6A classification as a junior.
James Wilder Jr.
6-2, 219
Running back
Tampa, fla./ Plant
A dynamic, five-star dynamic athlete, who is considered the best overall athlete in the country after playing both running back and linebacker at Tampa Plant High School … Led Plant to the 5A state title game … Selected to U.S. Army All-American team as a senior and participated in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, where he scored the winning touchdown for the East. … Rushed for 1,597 yards and 22 touchdowns, and had 75 tackles and eight sacks as a senior … Selected All-USA First Team defense defense by USA Today … Ranked as the No. 2 running back and No. 11 player nationally by Rivals.com … Ranked as the No. 3 outside linebacker and the No. 29 overall player by Scout.com … Rated the No. 29 player on the ESPN 150 and the No. 4 overall athlete in the nation … No. 7 on the Sporting News Top 100 for 2011 … Rated a five-star prospect by both Rivals.com and Scout.com … Tampa Tribune's All-Hillsborough County First Team as a senior … No. 1 on Bill Buchalter's 2011 Florida Top 100 for the Orlando Sentinel … No. 7 on Mobile Press-Register Super Southeast 120 … Member of the Florida Times-Union's Super 75 where he is rated as the No. 1 overall athlete … 2010 U.S. Air Force All-American Second Team Defense by MaxPreps … No. 2 on Tom Lemming's MaxPreps.com Top 100 … As a junior helped Plant to a 5A state title after rushing for 1,004 yards (7.49 per carry) and 15 touchdowns, while registering 136 tackles (66 solo) and 19 sacks on defense … Earned First Team All-State honors for 5A classification as a junior … As a sophomore, registered 145 total tackles with 62 solo and 15 sacks and was selected All-Hillsborough County First Team, FSWA Second Team 5A All-State and All-Suncoast Second Team … Son of former Buccaneers running back James Wilder.
Karlos Williams
6-2, 210
Safety
Davenport, fla./Ridge Community
A hard-hitting, consensus five-star safety with good size, who is ranked the No. 2 safety, No. 8 player nationally and No. 2 player in the state of Florida by Rivals.com … Rated the No. 22 overall player and the No. 2 safety in the nation by Scout.com … Rated the No. 1 safety and the No. 7 player nationally by 247 Sports … Hits like a linebacker but reportedly has the hands of a receiver and skills of a top-notch safety … Selected to Under Armour All-American game … All-USA Second Team defense by USA Today … No. 17 on the Sporting News Top 100 for 2011 … No. 5 on the ESPNU 150 and rated the No. 1 safety prospect … No. 9 on Tom Lemming's MaxPreps.com 2011 Top 100 … No. 12 on Bill Buchalter's 2011 Florida Top 100 for the Orlando Sentinel … No. 10 on Mobile Press-Register Super Southeast 120 … Member of the Florida Times-Union's Super 75 where he was rated as the No. 1 safety … No. 8 on the SuperPrep Elite Top 50, No. 3 on the SuperPrep Florida 110 and the SuperPrep Dixie Defensive Player of the Year … First Team All-Polk County by the Lakeland Ledger … Also played running back and ran 69 times for 564 yards (8.2 yards per carry) and scored seven touchdowns as a senior … As junior, had 102 tackles and three interceptions and was listed in The Associated Press South Region 25 list of top recruits … brother is Vince Williams, who is a rising junior linebacker at Florida State.
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