2009 commitments

Every time a local athlete in the graduating class of 2009 commits to a college, his/her name will be added to this blog. (If someone is missing, email us at kniebuhr@sptimes.com)

FOOTBALL COMMITMENTS
Gerard Atkins, Dixie Hollins, TE, 6-5, 215: Committed to USF (7/14/08). Had 15 catches for 300 yards and four touchdowns in '07.
Darius Bellamy, Dunedin, RB, 5-9, 214: Committed to USF (3/9/08) over Clemson, Florida, Iowa State, Ole Miss. Considered one of the South's top tailbacks.
Josh Brown, Dixie Hollins, CB, 5-11, 205: Committed to Troy (11/12/08). Picked the Trojans over offers from Iowa and Wake Forest.
Justin Cabbagestalk, Armwood, OL, 6-4, 270: Committed to Vanderbilt (6/09/2008) over Ball State, Florida International, Miami (Ohio). Two-year starter for powerful Hawks at right tackle.
Casey Callahan, Armwood, LB, 6-1, 210: Committed to Stony Brook (10/23/08). Also considered Liberty, Western Michigan and Central Michigan.
Paul Freedman, CCC, WR: Committed to Virginia (6/15/08). The 6-foot-6 standout also had offers from Duke, Florida International, Indiana and Vanderbilt.
Jon Halapio, St. Petersburg Catholic, OL, 6-4, 302: Committed to Florida (5/9/08) over offers from Florida International, Indiana and Southern Mississippi. Rivals.com three-star recruit.         
P.J. Hobson, Jesuit, LB, 6-1, 215: Committed to Penn (08/19/08). Two-year captain and third-year starter for the Tigers.                                                                           
Sir Chauncey Holloway, Armwood, RB, 5-9, 185: Committed to Liberty (6/17/08) over Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Troy and Wake Forest.
Jacquez Jenkins, Lakewood, DB, 6-2, 177: Committed to USF (6/23/08) over Indiana, South Carolina and Wake Forest. Had 50 tackles as a junior.
Josh Johnson, Pasco, ATH: Committed to Purdue (9/17/08) over Vanderbilt. Arguably the top player in Pasco County.
Kamran Joyer, Wesley Chapel, OL, 6-3, 317: Committed to USF (6/16/08). He also considered Florida, Tennessee, Georgia and Illinois.
Justin Lattimore, Iowa, TE, 6-3, 215: Committed to Iowa (10/26/08). He also Ball State, FAU, FIU, Middle Tennessee and Miami of Ohio.
Demonte McAllister, Alonso, DL, 6-3, 263: Committed to FSU over Georgia, LSU, Southern California and Tennessee. Still plans to take visits this fall.
Aaron Murray, Plant, QB, 6-0, 200: Committed to Georgia (4/24/2008) over Florida and UCLA. Arguably the state's top quarterback; had offers from 50-plus schools.

BOYS BASKETBALL COMMITMENTS
Sheldon Cooley, Plant, G, 6-2, 185: Committed to East Tennessee State (10/24/08). 2007 Times Hillsborough Player of the Year.
Toarlyn Fitzpatrick, King, F, 6-7, 210: Committed to Georgia Southern (10/08/08). Also considered, FSU, Miami and Tulane.
John Henson, Sickles, F, 6-10, 210: Committed to North Carolina (01/03/08). Texas transfer averaged double-double as a junior.
Lukas Poderis, Ridgewood , C:  Committed to East Tennessee State (10/24/08). Also considered Niagara, Kent and Youngstown State.
Eric Segert, Oldsmar Christian, G, 6-2, 175: Committed to Idaho State (10/26/08). Averaged 29.4 points a game as a junior.

GIRLS BASKETBALL COMMITMENTS
Allison Corbett, Tarpon Springs, G/F: Committed to the University of Tampa (11/02/08). Has 1,000-plus career points.
Katie Davis, AHN, G: Committed to Penn (10/20/08). Also considered Cornell, Emory, Harvard, MIT, Washington University and West Point.

BASEBALL COMMITMENTS
Austin Adams, Zephyrhills, P: Committed to USF. Posted a 1.99 ERA in 24.2 innings as a junior with 35 K's.
R.J. Brown, Bloomingdale, P: Committed to Florida Gulf Coast. Went 5-2 with a 2.9 ERA as a junior.
Ray Delphey, Alonso, P: Committed to USF (2/4/08): Expected to be one of region's top right-handed hurlers.
James Dowdell, CCC, OF: Committed to Boston College: Hit .450 while producing nine homers and 28 RBIs.
Greg Dupell, Jesuit, Util: Committed to the Naval Academy (09/26/08). Hit .313 with five homers and 21 RBI in '08.
Jimmy Falla, Jesuit, OF: Committed to USF (2/5/08): Batted .293, with eight doubles and 31 RBIs.
Joe Hudson, Jesuit, C-3B: Committed to Notre Dame: Led Tigers with a .397 average and drove in 21 runs.
Jay Laurienzo, Hillsborough, OF: Committed to Florida Gulf Coast. Led Terriers with a .441 average in 2008.
Nick Lockwood, Jesuit, IF: Committed to USF (2/5/08): Hit .288 this spring with seven extra-base hits.
Marlon Mitchell, Hillsborough, C: Committed to N.C. State (8/08/08) over LSU, North Carolina, Virginia, Miami, Florida, Georgia Tech.
Tommy Organ, Tarpon Springs, P: Committed to North Florida (11/09/09). Lefty posted 1.94 ERA in 2008.
Adam Pendleton , Alonso, C: Committed to Tampa (9/17/08). He will be a four-year letterwinner for the Ravens.
Patrick Schuster, Mitchell, P: Committed to  Florida (6/24/08). Left-hander went 5-2 as a junior with 1.07 ERA.
Trent Tagliarini, Cambridge, SS: Committed to Quincy (10/31/08). Hit team-high .506 and had four homers in '08.
Chad Taylor, Jefferson, IF: Committed to USF: Hit .350 as a junior and posted a .420 on-base percentage.
Reggie Williams, Brooks-DeBartolo, OF: Committed to Miami. Also received interest from Southern Cal, USF and Southern.

SOFTBALL COMMITMENTS
Samantha Holle, Chamberlain, IF: Committed to Florida. Hit .481 as a junior while driving in team-high 35 runs.
Kelsey Horton, Durant, IF: Committed to Florida. Leading hitter for Cougars team that reached Class 6A final four.
Colena Lazar, Pasco, P: Committed to Florida Atlantic (6/18/08). In '08, went 20-4 with a 0.83 ERA and 188 k's.
Colesa Lazar, Pasco, OF: Committed to Florida Atlantic (6/18/08). Hit .364 with 12 RBIs and 27 runs.
Marissa Menendez, Chamberlain, IF: Committed to USF. .397 batting average and 22 RBIs as a junior.
Sarah Simon, River Ridge, C: Committed to Jacksonville (6/20/08). Hit .514 and with 5 homers and 48 RBIs.
Kayla Suskauer, Plant, P: Committed to Furman (10/29/08). Posted a 0.93 ERA in 2008 for 5A region finalist.

VOLLEYBALL COMMITMENTS
Danielle Erb, Plant, OH: Committed to James Madison (10/23/08). Also considered LSU, Syracuse and Southern Mississippi.
Ariel Ley, Plant, S/OH: Committed to Davidson (10/09/08). Starter for nationally ranked Panthers.
Christina Theofilos, Berkeley Prep, L/S: Committed to Notre Dame (10/14/08). First-team all-county as a junior.

GIRLS SOCCER COMMITMENTS
Ana Cate, Newsome, MF: Committed to Auburn. First-team all-county for region finalist as a junior.
Christina Coca, Bloomingdale, K: Committed to Saint Leo. First-team all county in '08; 7 shutouts last season.
Jo Dragotta, Gaither, F: Committed to Florida (3/4/08). Dragotta, a three-year starter, led the Cowboys during the 2007-08 season with 14 goals.
Ashley Evers, Newsome, MF: Committed to USF. First-team all-county pick in '08 for region finalist.
Leah Fisher, East Lake, F: Committed to Notre Dame. Earned first-team all-county honors in 2008.
Paige Goodwin, Tampa Prep, F: Committed to UCF. Recorded 29 goals and 23 assists for the Class 2A champs in '08.
Kendall Graham, Newsome, GK: Committed to the Naval Academy. 2008 honorable mention all-county selection.
Tifani Mullen, Alonso, MF: Committed to Florida State. Was second-team all-county pick as a junior.
Alicia Nalley, East Lake, MF: Committed to Florida. Pinellas player of the year as a junior. Twenty-seven goals.
Tara Petzoldt, East Lake, D: Committed to USF. Was a second-team Times all-county pick in 2008.
Morgan Sammons, Newsome, D: Committed to Florida Southern. Honorable mention all-county as junior.
Courtney Zwetsch, Tampa Prep, GK: Committed to FAU. Allowed only six goals in 690 minutes as a junior.

BOYS SOCCER COMMITMENTS
Joe Layton, Wharton, F: Committed to UNC-Greensboro. MVP of the 2008 Class 5A state soccer final four.
Keith Sierra, Jesuit, MF: Committed to Marquette (10/17/08). Also considered Loyola (Illi.), La Salle and the University of Tampa.

GIRLS SWIMMING COMMITMENTS
Meg Anderson, Plant: Committed to Clemson (10/09/08). Also considered Ohio State, Louisville and Virginia.
Megan Romano, Northeast: Committed to Georgia. Also considered Arizona and Florida among others.

BOYS  SWIMMING COMMITMENTS
Vinny Donnelly, Jesuit: Committed to Purdue (11/03/08). Also considered Florida State, Indiana and LSU.

WRESTLING COMMITMENTS
Eric Grajales, Brandon: Committed to Michigan (10/13/08). Also considered Columbia, Cornell and Penn.

TRACK & FIELD COMMITMENTS
Dentarius Locke, Chamberlain, sprinter: Committed to Tennessee (10/27/08): Won 100-meter dash at 2008 4A final.

GIRLS GOLF COMMITMENTS
Amy West, Durant: Committed to Seminole Community College (10/20/08). Also considered Stetson.

GYMNASTICS COMMITMENTS
Kaleigh Dickson, Holy Names: Committed to LSU (5/6/08): Won the Level 10 Senior A all-around title at the Region 8 Gymnastics Championships

Comments

Bellamy won't make it due to grades
This is FACT

what a shame

Since when does USF care about grades?

USf cares enough about grades as they will care about how he never shows up on big games. Look at the Largo game he was shut down and dunedin was blown out

Bellamy was not shut down against Largo. Maybe you should check your stats. He had over 100 yards in both games and 3 TD's in the first.

The team did not pull through in both of those losses.

The kid does have problems with his grades and that is a fact, who knows he may end up at JUCO but he shows up every game and if he ever makes it to USF he will be a star player for them.

UF never really considered Murray with Tebow there another 2 yrs.

Just three commitments? Seems like a low number to me. Also, is this just for football or all sports? I would think there are lots of athletes that have committed to colleges from the class of '09. What's the criteria for this blog, Keith?

[HEY 5:48]

5:48 = You have NO CLUE what you're talking about. Meyer and QB Coach Dan Mullins courted Murray as hard as anyone I've ever seen.

[Keith Niebuhr]

This is for all sports ... At this time of year, few juniors outside of football have committed. As the commitments start rolling in, we'll be adding everyone to this list.

The following students from the class of 2009 have been listed on your blogs as verbal commitments to schools: Baseball, USF, Jimmie Falla and Nick Lockwood (Jesuit), Ray Delphey (Alonso). Women's Soccer, Univ. of Florida, Jo Dragotta (Gaither). Womens' Gymnastics, LSU, Kaleigh Dickson (Academy of the Holy Names).

What about Delphey?

[douchie]

Look back at the various articles. I let it be known months ago that Jarvis would be at U of T! He loves Fulmer. Now take this to the bank, Coach K will eventually replace Billy Turner at Chamberlain. Bet the house, the kids and your Momma's dentures.

How could you hit under 300 in high school?

Yeah, there's NO EXCUSE for hitting under .300 at the high school level!

[under 300]

I am sure the only reason you can even consider a under .300 hitter is because they go to Jesuit. They must have great grades to be a 288 and 293 hitter or maybe thats why USF can't get out of the Tampa/Clearwater area for postseason play. They lost half of the team this season at the end of the season due to grades. The next best thing bring smart kids that hit under 300. maybe you can make them better. There are plenty of kids out there that are better then these two. Delphy can play but 288 and 300 in High School. There are at least 20 better players in Tampa with grades that are better then these two guys. It doesn't hurt to have rich Daddy's and your brother on the team either. Maybe they will have great senior seasons that will justify their ability but right now those stats don't prove it. Go USF !!!

the person who these coaches should be looking at is a kid from bogie (the freak jr)Mr. Forte keep a look at this guy this up-coming year

You have to pass the NCAA clearinghouse even to play at USF. With a 2.0 you need about a 1000 SAT score. Bellamy is trying to make up classes over the summer to get up to a 2.0. If he does not get there he wont play in the fall. He probably wont pass the FCAT and get a diploma (certificate of attendance) and will never get a qualifying SAT score. Most likely JUCO if he can pass the FCAT. He he cnat do that he is totaly out of luck. He should have stayed at Saint Pete Catholic where he would not have had to pass the FCAT.

Great wast of raw ability. But there are a bunch of them every year. Coaches and parents have to do a better job of getting them on top of their classes.

juco?

junior college

what about austin adams from zephyrhills. he commited to play baseball for usf back in december.

Just out of curiosity, how does this list get generated? There are a lot of kids from '08 who have committed and never had their name in the paper.

I know his brother has had a great season since being cut from Florida.

But these numbers are really not very productive when you really analize his Batting Average, On Base%, Base on Balls, hits, and strike outs.

This had to be a package deal to get his brother because there are several players who are leaving area to play ball that whould have played for USF if seriously considered.

Batting
GP 27
Avg .288
PA 92
AB 80
R 24
H 23
RBI 16
2B 5
3B 1
HR 1
SF 2
SH/B 1
BB 6
K 16
HBP 3
OBP .352
SLG .413

Also had 12 errors and was over matched in big games.

Date Opponent Result Avg PA AB R H RBI 2B 3B HR SF SH/B BB K HBP OBP SLG
2/13/2008 Tampa Catholic W 3-0 .000 3 3 .000 .000
2/15/2008 Jefferson W 9-0 .500 4 4 2 2 4 1 .500 1.000
2/19/2008 Leto W 9-8 .250 4 4 1 1 1 1 .250 .250
2/22/2008 Middleton W 6-3 .000 4 4 1 1 .000 .000
2/23/2008 Hillsborough W 12-8 .250 5 4 2 1 2 1 .400 .250
2/26/2008 Chamberlain W 5-3 .333 4 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 .500 .667
2/29/2008 Plant L 1-4 .000 3 3 1 .000 .000
3/1/2008 Blake W 26-0 .500 2 2 1 1 1 .500 .500
3/4/2008 Robinson L 0-7 .500 3 2 1 1 1 .667 1.000
3/7/2008 Hillsborough W 10-6 .600 5 5 3 3 1 1 .600 .600
3/11/2008 Jefferson W 4-3 .250 4 4 1 1 1 .250 .500
3/15/2008 Middleton W 9-1 .750 4 4 1 3 1 .750 .750
3/18/2008 Chamberlain W 2-1 .333 4 3 1 1 1 .500 .333
3/20/2008 Plant W 2-1 .000 3 3 .000 .000
3/22/2008 Blake W 22-2 1.000 3 1 3 1 1 1 2 1.000 4.000
3/25/2008 Regis W 14-4 .750 4 4 4 3 3 2 .750 1.250
3/26/2008 Regis Jesuit W 3-1 .000 3 2 1 1 .000 .000
3/27/2008 Fordham Prep W 7-0 .000 4 3 1 1 .250 .000
3/28/2008 Seattle Prep W 2-1 .333 3 3 1 2 .333 .333
3/31/2008 Leto W 11-6 .333 5 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 .400 .333
4/3/2008 Tampa Catholic L 2-14 .000 3 3 .000 .000
4/8/2008 Sarasota L 0-3 .000 3 3 3 .000 .000
4/10/2008 Robinson W 7-3 .000 1 1 .000 .000
4/15/2008 Land O'Lakes L 1-2 .000 4 3 1 1 2 .000 .000
4/17/2008 Clearwater Central Catholic L 3-9 .000 3 3 .000 .000
4/23/2008 Jefferson W 8-1 .667 4 3 2 2 1 .750 .667

On January 24, 2008 your paper listed Samantha Holle from Chamberlain as a verbal commitment to play softball for the University of Florida.

Falla hit .393 for Jesuit this past year not .293.

Kieth Niebuhr doesn't have a clue. He just puts names in the paper of the people HE likes. Their is a ton of kids that have commited that he didn't mention. It's like he did it on purpose so he can tell his boss that his articles get the most posts. Atleast that's what it looks like.

[Keith Niebuhr]

1. The 2008 kids already have been written about, either via blog or in print. Wanting to get a jump on the '09 class, we started this list. Hopefully it will be a good reference point for readers -- and writers.
2. Thanks for the heads up on Holle. I'm adding the softball commitments today.
3. If anyone is missing, shoot me an email -- kniebuhr@sptimes.com

There are several 2008 female commits in particular who never got recognized. This may be the coaches and athletic directors' fault. There is no way Mr. Niebuhr could possibly know about everyone.

Notice how the softball commitments don't have their names, schools, and positions in bold print like the others. Screams of discrimination....or maybe a typo.

[Keith Niebuhr]

actually it screems of me having been sick for a few days.

You all complained that Pinellas didnt have a list out for 2009 and now you complain you dont like the list??

[BayAreaFan]

Keith keep the LIST! The SP TIMES really stepped up in supporting/covering local Bay area sports..GIVE ME A BREAK HATERS..just tear down this MESSAGE BOARD!

Keith, I heard something about Delphey having surgery on his arm this summer. Do you know anything about this?

[A CCC Fan]

You might want to include baseball player James Dowdell fromm CCC on your list of committments. James orally committed to Boston College at the end of last seasn. Another studen/athlete from Central going on to a top D-1 program. Way to go Maruaders!!!

Might want to add Marlon Mitchell to your list. You reported him as verbally committed to North Carolina State on 8-8-08.

If you commit to USF - means you just didn't get any better offers. period.

UF never recruited Mitchell for baseball.

8:59...Is there a particular sport you're refering to? I would say the vast majority of kids attend the school that gives them the best offer.

Quite a few kids missing from the list. When will it be updated?

[Caleb]

Nobody from Freedom....not surprised.

Newsome Tennis player Andy Hersh committed to Elon, according to tennisrecruiting.net