Hillsborough County Recruiting List

UPDATED RECRUITING LIST

Here is a partial list of Hillsborough County's top football recruits, along with the schools they're considering or have already committed to. We will update this list regularly as more information becomes available, so check back often. The most recent player updates will be in bold print. (last updated 02/06, 8:46 p.m.):

Derek Winter, WR, Plant, 6-2, 190 Auburn
Sergio Joyner, DL, Armwood, 6-3, 210: Western Kentucky
Cass Couey, P, Freedom, 6-2, 200: Citadel
Rolando Fines, OL, Freedom, 6-2, 250: Jacksonville
Kevin James, WR, Plant, 6-1 180: Bethune-Cookman
Carlton Jones, RB, Middleton, 5-11, 215: FSU
Douglas Parker, DB, Middleton, 5-9, 180: South Dakota
Alex Matzkin,OL/DL, Berkeley Prep, 6-3, 265: Georgetown
Moses McCray, DL, Hillsborough, 6-3, 280: FSU
Corey Page, P, Sickles, 6-0 173: Holy Cross
Craig Plastic, DB, Sickles, 6-1 196: Wingate
Matt Patchan, OL, Armwood, 6-8, 275: Florida
Mark Popek, OL, Plant City, 6-7 300: USF
Andreas Shields, TE, Wharton, 6-6 220: USF
Wesley Skiffington, PK, Armwood, 6-4, 190: Stony Brook
Eric Smith, RB, Armwood, 6-0, 225: Auburn
Phil Smith, OL, Jesuit, 6-6 270: Georgia Tech
Fred Sykes, WR, Chamberlain, 6-2, 170: Illinois
Marc Thomas, LB, Hillsborough: Georgia Southern
Justin Bell, DB, Chamberlain, 5-10, 170: Eastern Kentucky
Jeremy Blount, WR, Middleton 5-11, 160: South Dakota
Adam Gieseking, TE, Brandon: Valdosta State
Zack Grossi, QB, Jefferson, 6-2, 210: California of Penn.
Gorby Loreus, LB Jefferson, 6-0, 210: Middle Tennessee
Lester Lewis, WR Jefferson, 6-2, 196: Eastern Kentucky
Deven Persaud, DB, Chamberlain, 5-10 182: Elon
Zachary Ford, OL Chamberlain, 6-4, 300 – Tusculum College
Iziah Wyche, RB, Hillsborough, 5-10, 190 - Webber International
Mario Gallon, DE, Hillsborough, 6-3, 220: Col. of the Siskiyous
Antonio McKay, OL, Hillsborough, 6-2, 270: Col. of the Siskiyous
Willie Francis, OL, Hillsborough, 6-1, 270: Col. of the Siskiyous
Mike Carter, DL, Hillsborough, 6-0, 265: Col. of the Siskiyous
Dan Mosquera, DB, Hillsborough, 5-10, 170: Col. of the Siskiyous
Zaki Grier, LB, Hillsborough 5-10, 175: Col. of the Siskiyous

DeAndre Presley, QB, Middleton, 5-11, 160: Appalachian State
Andreas Ashwood, DB, Hillsborough 6-1, 200: Toledo
Joe Clarke, WR, Alonso, 6-4, 190: Miami (Ohio)
Tyler Evans, OL/DL, Plant, 6-2, 305: Murray State
Chuck Grace, DB, Hillsborough, 5-10, 180: FIU
Max Holloway, DL, Jefferson, 6-3, 240: Boston College
Lovell Jackson, WR/RB, Plant, 5-10, 180: Wake Forest

Taylor Cabral, RB, Cambridge, 6-1, 185: Campbell
Roman Rodriguez, DL, Riverview, 5-9, 205: Carson-Newman
Jahleel Addae, RB, Riverview, 5-10, 175: Central Michigan
Jamal Crook, DL, Alonso, 6-1, 215: Murray State
Dion Price, DB, Alonso, 5-10, 160: South Dakota
Daniel Zychlinski, PK, King, 6-2, 213: Stanford
Vittorio Ottanelli, OL, Blake, 6-4, 275: Colgate
Josh Powell, LB, Wharton 6-2, 195: Army
Archie Barnes, DB, Berkeley Prep, 6-4, 200: Vanderbilt
Rhonne Sanderson, OL, Plant, 6-3, 280: FSU
Samir Baker, Util., Brandon: Georgia Southern
Quincy Barr, DL, Riverview, 6-4, 225: Hofstra

Signing Day Diary: Plant

Times staff writer Joe Smith will trek all around Hillsborough County for national signing day, catching the sights - and sounds - at cermonies at several schools on high school football's biggest day.

Stop Four: Plant

The joke was funny - and fitting.

Plant football coach Robert Weiner greeted the crowd of over 30 fans, friends and coaches at the Panthers fieldhouse Wednesday, introducing the five student athletes signing national letters of intent.

"We don't just have football scholarships," he said. "We've got a futbol scholarship."

Panthers sweeper Chelsea Hearne, who led the Panthers to the program's first undefeated regular season, signed a soccer scholarship with Gardner-Webb; she was flanked on her left by four Panther football players, a couple of which who have become, as Weiner said, "household names."

Plant senior tackle Rhonne Sanderson wore a tie with FSU logo as he realized a dream of playing for Bobby Bowden at Florida State. Panthers receiver Derek Winter donned a blue and orange striped tie, fitting for an Auburn signee, and had the best quip in his acceptance speech.

After Weiner glowed about Winter's accomplishments, calling him the "best player in the state of Florida," and the Picasso of the football" field, Winter paused - and smiled.

"I'd like to thank coach Weiner for talking me up a bit," Winter said. "I don't know if all that was true, but it was nice."

Winter then tried to squeeze his huge hair into his Auburn hat, drawing laughs from the crowd.

Nobody could top Lovell Jackson's style; the Panthers tailback/receiver wore yellow/baige pants akin to Panthers colors - and those of his future school - Wake Forest University.

The "less is more" award went to Plant senior lineman Tyler Evans, a Murray State signee, who gave the shortest acceptance speech. The man of few words was an unsung hero for the Panthers, Weiner said.

But one of the biggest surprises was senior receiver Kevin James, who found out Tuesday that his "preferred walk-on" spot was actually a full-ride scholarship to Bethune Cookman. James joins the alma mater of his father, Kevin Sr, who also served as a chaplain for the school.

So who was happier for the walk-on turned into scholarship money?

"Me, probably," Kevin Sr said with a chuckle.

The fieldhouse had plenty of personal touches, with signs posted everywhere about "One Heartbeat" and "Always a Link." A sign saying "Congratulations Panthers" was signed by everyone from band members to Dancero dancers.

There was catered food - pita-style sandwiches and cookies galore - and a big screen showing highlights of each one of the athletes; not to mention nearly a half dozen TV and print cameras.

Joked Panthers volleyball star Kellie Catanach: "My (ceremony) wasn't like this."

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Times photos by Carrie Pratt. From top, Plant's Lovell Jackson celebrates his signing, with senior Derek Winter trying to squeeze into his Auburn hat.

Signing Day Diary: Hillsborough

Times staff writer Joe Smith will trek all around Hillsborough County for national signing day, catching the sights - and sounds - at cermonies at several schools on high school football's biggest day.

Stop Three: Hillsborough

Leave it to Hillsborough senior Moses McCray to give signing day some drama.

The highly-touted defensive lineman, who had orally committed to Florida State before the season then appeared to waffle as the fall led to winter, opened up the Terriers signing day conference with a bit of a joke.

McCray had two hats - a bright orange Florida hat and a Florida State hat his late father, Ralph used to wear.

McCray first put on the Florida hat, drawing gasps (and later laughs) from the crowd - including his mother, Vanessa.

"When he put on that Gator hat, he scared me," she said.

McCray, who admitted he was just "trying to have fun," soon put on the red FSU cap, which fit perfectly. He said he was "honored" to wear the same hat as his father, whom Vanessa said would have always wanted Moses to land at FSU.

"It was always a strong (commitment)," McCray said. "I just wanted to see my options."

McCray is coming off an emotional week; he had to drive his mother to the hospital last week after she suffered a mild stroke. Vanessa, who used a cane at Wednesday's ceremony, said "I just pray it's my last."

It was a family affair at the Hillsborough auditorium. Eleven Terriers sat at a huge conference table, all signing with different schools. Seven are going to the College of the Siskiyous, a junior college in California.

Senior linebacker Marc Thomas will be reunited with his brother, former Terriers star Ricky Ponton, at Georgia Southern. The two will live together on campus, fulfilling a "dream that we'd be able to play together," Thomas said.

The one surprise was that defensive back Eric Fennell didn't sign with Siskiyous; Terriers coach Earl Garcia said Fennell received an offer from Murray State, and is just waiting on test scores. But it was a banner day for the program, with Chuck Grace (FIU), Andreas Ashwood (Toledo) also highlighting a near-record class.

Nine more than last year. That meant a larger sheet cake and more punch for the party.

Joked Garcia: "We could have done ours last year in a shoebox."

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Times photos by Kathleen Flynn. From top to bottom, Hillsborough senior Moses McCray tricks the crowd by first putting on a Gator hat, then putting on one for Florida State, where he signed with Wednesday.

Signing Day Diary: Armwood

Times staff writer Joe Smith will trek all around Hillsborough County for national signing day, catching the sights - and sounds - at cermonies at several schools on high school football's biggest day.

Stop Two: Armwood

Armwood coach Sean Callahan started a tie tradition a year ago, purchasing several Hawks' blue-colored ties so that his kids can look slick on signing day.

There were three Hawks wearing them proudly on Wednesday, with two noticeable absences. As expected, tailback Eric Smith (Auburn), kicker Wesley Skiffington (Stony Brook) and defensive end Sergio Joyner (Western Kentucky).

But the two empty placesettings - Matt Patchan (Florida) and Josh Alston (Air Force) -- were for different reasons. Patchan is already enrolled at Florida - his parents, Matt and Deanne, were in attendance, along with over 30 other Hawks fans and players. Alston, a defensive lineman, was battling a 103-fever and couldn't make it.

Callahan said Alston is still deciding whether to sign with Air Force or attend South Florida on a Bright Futures scholarship.

"But he came in here today to get his schoolwork- as sick as he was," Hawks line coach Matt Thompson said. "That's the kind of kid he is."

For Joyner, he's an athlete of little words, but his play speaks volumes. Joyner said he'll play linebacker for Western Kentucky, which he picked over Middle Tennessee.

"I just felt comfortable there," Joyner said.

Skiffington, who spent one year at Armwood after transferring from Brandon, has made up for lost time. An early graduate, like his buddy Patchan, Skiffington said he's been taking classes at Hillsborough Community College and working 30 hours a week as a delivery guy for Munchies, making over $400 a week.

"I'm going to start doing kickoffs for (Stoneybrook)," Skiffington said. "The coaches said the punting and kicking are my (jobs) to take."

The trio smiled for cameras as a large screen showed highlights of them.

Then, as expected, Callahan collected the ties.

"I'll need them for next year," he said with a grin.

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Signing day Diary: Chamberlain

Times staff writer Joe Smith will trek all around Hillsborough County for national signing day, catching the sights - and sounds - at cermonies at several schools on high school football's biggest day.

First stop: Chamberlain

"I thought the press was coming but I don't know."

Chamberlain assistant coach Brian Turner made a quip just as I walked in to a near-empty room.

There were four hats on the principal's conference table. One for Elon, Eastern Kentucky, another Tusculum College (Greenville, TN) and another Illinois.

But there were no kids. So much for the surprise.

Chiefs senior defensive back Justin Bell was one of the last remaining signing day "surprises" - not anymore. Bell said he was sold on Eastern Kentucky by its "players and coaches." Not until after he learned a hard lesson of recruiting - its a business.

Bell loved Eastern Kentucky, but got his hopes up two weeks ago when Colorado State offered him a visit. The CSU coaches told him, if he came, they would offer him. Bell didn't want to go unless they would offer, since he had a few other schools wanting him to visit.

"They flat out lied to his face," Turner said.

Bell went on his visit, loved the Rocky Mountains and facilities, told the coaches he'd commit on the spot. New coach Steve Fairchild told him before he left, "we'll tell you either way on Wednesday." A call never came.

"It's ok," Bell said. "My mother told me, God never closes a door without opening another one."

Bell realized EKU had wanted him since his junior year. It was like a second home. After all, his mother, Karla, is from Lexington. His father, Cheser, is from Winchester. His grandmother, Judy Parker, is close by.

"He'll always have a place to eat on Sunday," Karla said with a smile.

The one blip? Bell called the EKU defensive back coach who recruited him - who was part of a reason he's going there. One problem? The defensive back coach let Bell know that he was let go; he won't be coaching him.

"It's disappointing," Bell said. "But I'm looking forward to working with the new coach."

As for CSU?

"Let's play them the first game."

Chiefs defensive back Deven Persaud wore a big grin as well. He signed with Elon after a flirtation with New Hampshire. Persaud said UNH coaches were ready to bring him up for a visit; he had booked his flight, got ready to go. Two days before, the UNH coaches called to say they've got a couple other guys in mind.

"I was kind of bummed," Persaud said.

But everything worked out - except for Persaud barely being able to put his fitted red Elon hat over his large hair.

Chamberlain senior lineman Zachory Ford didn't want the recruiting business to bite him. So despite Turner advising him to wait until after signing day - when another college coach see him drop in their lap - Ford signed with Tusculum College in Greenville, Tenn - without ever seeing the campus.

One happy person was his mother Teresa, who gleamed as her 6-foot-5, 320-pound son signed.

"I just got a raise," she joked. "Someone else has to feed him."

Stay tuned for updates from Armwood....Hillsborough and on.

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com