Central will host an hour-long recruiting seminar for parents and athletes at 7:30 p.m. May 20 at its auditorium. The program by Dynamite Sports will instruct students from middle school to high school and their parents about academic requirements, eligibility and other issues pertaining to college sports and recruiting. The ...
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Fri. May 10, 2013 at 11:53 a.m. | Matt Baker
Five Springstead athletes signed with colleges this week, including all-Suncoast LB Luke McLeod. McLeod signed with NCAA Division-II Harding University in Searcy, Ark. He led the Eagles’ swarming defense with 149 tackles (11 for a loss) during Springstead’s district title run. All-around athlete Pedro Estrada signed to play football at ...
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Fri. May 10, 2013 at 11:19 a.m. | Matt Baker
Nate Craig, Pasco WR (6-3, 200) The latest: Rutgers became the seventh college to offer the sophomore-to-be, Craig announced Friday morning on Facebook. The Scarlet Knights regularly recruit the North Suncoast and landed Pasco star Janarion Grant in February. Later in the day, Craig received an offer from Vanderbilt ...
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Fri. May 10, 2013 at 9:47 a.m. | Matt Baker
The football vernacular is loaded with names — derby, duel, controversy, quagmire — for quarterback competitions. We’re not going to affix any such label to those occurring locally. Suffice to say, some county jobs are up for grabs. Here are some more prominent vacancies, and those vying for them. Alonso ...
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Thu. May 09, 2013 at 11:14 p.m. | Times Staff
Gibbs had some defections in the offseason, most notably safety Albert Laskett and quarterback Patric Jones. But during the first full week of spring practices, new coach Rick Kravitz said more than 50 players have participated. Track athletes Jacquez President and Maurice Hall have joined the team after last week’s ...
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Thu. May 09, 2013 at 10:06 p.m. | Times Staff
Led by Division I prospects Malik Johns and Nate Craig, Pasco could have a dozen athletes vying for playing time at running back or receiver and carrying on the Pirates’ tradition of standout skill players. • But one early story in spring is Pasco’s beefier, stronger offensive line that is ...
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Thu. May 09, 2013 at 8:29 p.m. | Matt Baker
Offers reported via Twitter, text or phone call on Thursday, May 9 Marcus Applefield, OT, Weeki Wachee Offer(s): Vanderbilt, USF, UCF, FIU Comment: Recruitment of Applefield is taking off. Vandy is his first SEC offer. Deiondre Porter, QB, Jefferson Offer: Coastal Carolina Comment: Porter, who threw for 2,700 yards and 27 TDs, ...
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Thu. May 09, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. | John C. Cotey
Weeki Wachee OL Marcus Applefield continues to be one of Tampa Bay’s biggest recruiting surprises after a hectic Thursday. The senior-to-be picked up offers from USF, UCF, FIU and Vanderbilt today, coach Mark Lee said. His only in-state offer before Thursday came from FAU. The Commodores are Applefield's first offer ...
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Thu. May 09, 2013 at 9:33 a.m. | Matt Baker
Five Plant seniors made their commitments official Wednesday, bringing the total of Panthers bound for college football programs in the fall to 15. The signees are: quarterback Kyle Groh (Ohio Wesleyan), defensive end Kareem Martin (Lindenwood University in Missouri), defensive lineman-linebacker Eliel Shines (Seton Hill in Pennsylvania), defensive lineman Gage ...
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Wed. May 08, 2013 at 11:33 p.m. | Joel Anderson
Where did all the yards go? • All but one of the county’s seven 1,000-yard rushers in 2012 will graduate and move on to college programs, leaving frustrated defensive coordinators and would-be tacklers in their wake. • Now, the game-day burden falls on their old coaches to figure out a ...
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Wed. May 08, 2013 at 10:23 p.m. | Times Staff
Clearwater Central Catholic had nine athletes who made their college commitments official during a ceremony Tuesday in the school’s auditorium. The biggest contingent came from football with five players who helped the Marauders advance to the Class 3A state semifinals announcing their commitments: David Ferry (Baldwin-Wallace), JJ Fitzpatrick (Methodist), Brett ...
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Wed. May 08, 2013 at 6:37 p.m. | Bob Putnam
ST. PETERSBURG Dixie Hollins running back Kabriel Jackson could not wait for spring practice. • After watching his teammates struggle to an 0-10 season in 2012, the junior wanted to get back on the football field in the worst way. • Jackson tore a ligament in his right knee in ...
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Wed. May 08, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. | Rodney Page
BROOKSVILLE One of Hernando’s biggest challenges this spring is to find a replacement for Tyrail Hawkins, the do-it-all athlete who lined up everywhere from quarterback to defensive back to returner and signed with Georgia Southern. • “We won’t have just that one guy,” Leopards coach Dwayne Mobley said. “We’ve got ...
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Wed. May 08, 2013 at 3:49 p.m. | Matt Baker
Another day, another big-name offer for Pasco WR Nate Craig. The standout sophomore-to-be picked up an offer from the Tennessee Vols on Wednesday morning, Pirates coach Tom McHugh announced on Twitter. Craig also has offers from Ohio State, Clemson, Mississippi State, Texas Tech and UMass. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Craig has ...
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Wed. May 08, 2013 at 11:03 a.m. | Matt Baker
Hernando County recruiting is having one of its biggest springs ever. Hernando lineman Connor Foradas is the latest piece of evidence. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound senior earned his first college offer Tuesday, from Purdue, Foradas said in a text message. Foradas was one of the top linemen for the Leopards last ...
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Tue. May 07, 2013 at 10:49 p.m. | Matt Baker