Chase Griffiths, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound linebacker who helped Tallahassee North Florida Christian School to the state championship game as a junior, made an oral commitment to USF on Tuesday.
"It's a can't-miss," NFCS coach Tim Cokely said Wednesday morning. "A kid that size who can run and is a full qualifier, there's going to be a lot of interest. Florida State and Notre Dame were interested, but he knew he wanted to play down there. He can really run, so I'd say his best attribute is his agility."
Griffiths, recruited to USF by receivers coach Mike Canales, had 92 tackles in the regular season as a junior, including four sacks and eight tackles for loss. Including playoff games, Scout.com lists him with 120 tackles and four forced fumbles. According to Flavarsity.com, USF was Griffiths' first written scholarship offer, though he had verbal offers from Rutgers, N.C. State and East Carolina. You can see a highlight video of Griffiths on the NFCS website, nflchurch.com.
Griffiths is USF's second commitment for its 2009 class, joining Dunedin running back Adaris Bellamy. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas receiver Dwayne Difton had committed to the Bulls but has since re-opened his recruitment, though USF remains his top choice.
(Photo courtesy North Florida Christian School)
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
I talked to Justin Green last week, and he told me that he had completed his classwork and submitted his paperwork to USF. His understanding was that the same academic committee that had flagged him before would be reviewing his case again. He had thought he might hear as early as late last week, but nothing has happened yet. He believes he's done the things he needed to do to become a part of the incoming recruiting class.
Posted by: G.A. | May 14, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Greg, what happened with Justin Green, I know he turned in his new grades and classes and all that to USF and was waiting to hear back from them, have u heard anything on that?
Posted by: JR | May 14, 2008 at 11:59 AM
I'm not counting Ishmeal Grant as a commitment just yet, but he'd be an '09 guy if I did. He's completely on board, but I can't tell whether USF is or not.
Yes, Coach, he could definitely wind up a defensive end. His HS coach said he could add considerable weight to his frame, so while he's on his feet as a linebacker this fall, Cokely wouldn't be surprised if he winds up as a rush end in a few years.
Posted by: G.A. | May 14, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Will they move this guy to DE?
Posted by: The Coach | May 14, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Is Ishmael Grant technically part of the 2009 class as well?
Just wondering which class he counts toward.
Posted by: The Bull Gator | May 14, 2008 at 09:57 AM