Ranking our recruits

Back in June, the recruiting website Rivals.com produced its list of the state’s top 100 senior football players. These are the Hillsborough County players to make it, along with their ranking:

6. Matt Patchan, Armwood, OL

27. Eric Smith, Armwood, RB

29. Moses McCray, Hillsborough, DL

93. Jahleel Addae, Riverview, RB

98. Fred Sykes, Chamberlain, WR

After watching about two dozen games this fall and talking to various coaches, here’s how I’d rank the county’s top seniors:

1. Matt Patchan, Armwood, OL: Some people think he’s overrated. Some people think he’s doesn’t always play smart. Here’s what I think: Patchan is far and away our most talented prospect. In fact, he’s so quick and agile, he could probably play defensive end in college.

2. Max Holloway, Jefferson, DE: I’m not sure anybody in the county played as hard as this guy. Holloway is headed to Boston College, and I have little doubt he will be a terror in the ACC within two to three seasons.

3. Derek Winter, Plant, WR: Winter struggled in his final game, a loss to Armwood, but I’d rather judge him by his entire body of work. In short, he was sensational, and I definitely think he will succeed at the next level. During the season, Holloway told me that BC’s coaches had questions about Winter’s speed. He thought that was absurd. So do I.

4. Eric Smith, Armwood, RB: I first saw Smith play as a sophomore. In a loss to Hillsborough, he looked pretty average. Man has he improved. Smith isn’t the fastest player around, but he has tremendous vision and is remarkably shifty. Right now, he’s down to Auburn, Bama and Clemson.

5. Jahleel Addae, Riverview, RB: A West Virginia commit who’s now somewhat in limbo because of the coaching change up there, Addae is highly underrated in my opinion. He’s fast, he’s tough, he plays hard every down and he’s emotional. He could play either TB or WR in college.

6. Moses McCray, Hillsborough, DL: Some area coaches weren’t too impressed with McCray this fall, but I know one who was -- the guy he played for. McCray, who is committed to Florida State, has all the tools to be a solid player in Tallahassee.

7. Marc Thomas, Hillsborough, LB: He’s not particularly big (6-0, 205), but has the speed and on-field smarts to make up for it. Thomas probably won’t end up at a big-name program, but the feeling here is that he’ll be an early starter wherever he lands.

8. Mark Popek, Plant City, OL: The fact Vandy has offered him a scholarship means two things: 1. The kid is smart. 2. The Commodores believe he has SEC ability. Word is, they think he could play right away.

9. Carlton Jones, Middleton, RB: Jones has the size and speed to be a better-than-average college tailback. His coach says Florida is interested, and that says a lot. At least one MAC school (Toledo) also is in the picture. With his athletic ability, Jones could do real damage in that league.

10. Justin Bell, Chamberlain, DB: I don’t know Bell’s 40 time or bench press, but I do know this: He has a knack for making plays -- especially on special teams, where he blocked eight kicks this fall. He’s also not a bad cornerback for what it’s worth.

Okay, tell me what I got right … and what I got wrong. I’m fair game, but out of respect for the players, let’s try to keep any chatter about them as friendly as possible. Also, I want to see YOUR top 10 list.

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

Comments

[Pattie]

GOOD PICK:..Jahleel is number 1 in the State. He could have done more if he played somewhere else.....

Derek Winter, 1
Eric Smith, 2
Matt Patchan, 3
Addai, 4

[Kurt]

The Gators really want Patchen. He is a tremendous lineman that may start his first year.... I think you will see the Gators get three or four "sleepers" this year. They are taking a long, hard look at lineman Mark Popek, a very smart kid with unlimited potential. A good line coach can transform a green athelete with his size, feet and intelligence. You talk about a kid with a tremendous up side, he is it.

[Jack]

USF really SUCKS when it comes to recruiting local talent. The USF O-line is a joke. They should be going hard after Patchan (Armwood), Popek (Plant City), Peach (Largo), and Sanderson (Plant). If they get only one of these kids it would be a positive step. They probably won't even offer Peach or Sanderson and Patchan and Popek will probably turn them down for better schools.

They should also go after WR/DB Derek Winter, one of the most disciplined, talented, and polished football players out there. They'll probably let him go somewhere else because he doesn't run a 4.4. However, I see they offered Armando Sanchez (NE), who isn't 1/3 of the player that Winter is.

Leavitt really puzzles many local coaches with his refusal to offer deserving local kids scholarships. He needs to turn it up locally. He is living on non-qualifiers transferring in from other schools and off JC guys. This can only get you so far.

[99]

Why is joe marshall not listed?

Joe Marshall is not even one of the top prospects in Pinellas.What about:
L.Johnson
O.Johnson
Harvey
Brinson
Francis
Trotter
Sanchez
Boyd
Engram
Towns
These guys have gotton some recruiting press? where are they going?

[Thom]

Sanchez is going to USF

Brinsom Is going to Iowa

I heard that O.Johnson is going to Ohio state, Harvey is going to UCF,Sanchez USF, Brinson Either Florida or Iowa, L.Johnson & Boyd Miami, Trotter is still trying to get in(asking other coaches to help)Francis undiceded. Engram & towns are NC(north county) so Who cares.......Ha

[ftball ma]

LJ going to Iowa