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Making A Name For Himself

Tribune photo by CLIFF McBRIDE

Armwood's Angelo Hadley has evolved into a big-time playmaker for one of Hillsborough County's top defenses

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By ADAM ADKINS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 12, 2008

SEFFNER - Angelo Hadley has never been a headliner. It's the unfortunate price he's paid for being a football player at Armwood.

On just about any other team, Hadley almost certainly would be a player in the forefront more often than not. The Hawks, however, are a different animal.

Armwood has been home to some of the nation's top recruits during Hadley's time in the program, with highly regarded players Torrey Davis and Matt Patchan headlining classes that produced multiple Division-I players. Even this year, the senior defensive back is a bit overshadowed by defensive counterparts Ryne Giddins and Petey Smith, mega-prospects in their own right.

"I've never been the main-attraction guy," Hadley said.

Nonetheless, Hadley has been attracting.

Hadley has gained the attention of those in the right places, mainly college recruiters. The senior defensive back has 30 scholarship offers, many from programs in college football's power conferences, including one from national power Southern California.

So, while the spotlight has eluded him, his dream of playing college football is very much alive. In fact, it's nearly a reality.

"It has been worth the wait," Hadley said. "You've got to be patient sometimes and good things will come.

"One thing, I just know that a lot of people don't get this opportunity, and I plan on taking advantage of it. I just got to make sure I do everything in the right way."

Hadley hasn't done much wrong on the field in quite some time, according to Hawks defensive coordination Matt Thompson. In fact, Thompson can't remember the last time Hadley got beat deep or missed an assignment.

What Thompson can remember watching the past two years is a young player evolve into a big-time playmaker for one of Hillsborough County's top defenses, one that has earned the trust of the Hawks' coaching staff to be in the right place at the right time.

"He's one that we don't have to coach as much," Thompson said of Hadley.

And Hadley is one Thompson can rely on to get the job done.

"He's an intimidating force back there," Thompson said. "He's going to come up and he's going to hit you."

Armwood coach Sean Callahan also has seen good things from Hadley on a regular basis. Callahan said Hadley has been at his best as a starter in the Hawks secondary the past two seasons at the most critical time - late in the year.

What Callahan is hoping for this season is to see Hadley perform like that on a consistent basis from the get-go. He wants to see more plays like the one Hadley made in Armwood's spring jamboree victory against Durant, when Hadley turned in the Hawks' biggest play by returning an interception for a touchdown.

"He's always made plays, but I'd like to see him make a bunch of plays and I think he's on the verge of that," Callahan said. "I think he's going to have a killer year."

If Hadley does that, he almost certainly will become a headliner.

Reporter Adam Adkins can be reached at (813) 657-4533 or aadkins@tampatrib.com.

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