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Cabral Commits To Campbell

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 4, 2008

Cambridge Christian senior RB Taylor Cabral has verbally committed to Campbell University in North Carolina.

Cabral, Hillsborough County's rushing leader during the regular season with 1,568 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, committed during his official visit to the campus this weekend, Lancers coach Rick Shears said Sunday. Campbell is a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) program slated to begin playing in the 2008 season.

"He said he loved it and they loved him," Shears said. "They had two running backs up there and they told Taylor he was No. 1 on their list and that if he signs with them on signing day they are 100 percent that he will be their starting tailback."

Shears said Cabral, a Tampa Tribune All-Hillsborough County second-team selection and a Florida Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Class 1B second-team all-state selection, plans to sign with Campbell on National Signing Day, which is Wednesday.

JOYNER CHOOSES W. KENTUCKY: Armwood senior DL Sergio Joyner has verbally committed to Western Kentucky, Hawks coach Sean Callahan said Sunday.

Joyner, who tallied 41 tackles and eight sacks this season for the Hawks and was a Tribune All-Hillsborough County honorable-mention selection, took an official visit to Western Kentucky, a Football Championship Subdivision program, this weekend. Callahan said he spoke to Western Kentucky coaches Sunday and they informed him Joyner accepted the offer.

STUBBS TO NICHOLLS STATE: East Bay senior RB Ryan Stubbs has verbally committed to Nicholls State, Indians coach Brian Thornton said Sunday.

Stubbs, a Tribune All-Hillsborough County honorable-mention selection who led the Indians with 811 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns this season, took his official visit to the campus in Thibodaux, La., this weekend, and committed during the trip.

"He really liked it," Thornton said. "He knew he was going to commit. He hadn't been there before but he was very familiar with the school. He thought it would be a good fit."

SHARKS DL COMMITS: Riverview senior DL Roman Rodriguez verbally committed to Carson-Newman on Saturday.

Rodriguez, who tallied 72 tackles and four sacks for the Sharks as a senior, took his official visit to the Division II program's campus in Jefferson City, Tenn., this weekend, and said Saturday afternoon it took him little time to realize Carson-Newman was the place for him.

"I had a real good time. Everybody was real nice," Rodriguez said. "They made me feel like I was at home, and I'm not even in the school yet."

Rodriguez said one of the main reasons he liked the school was its academic situation. Carson-Newman is a small private institution with less than 2,000 students enrolled, according to the school's Web site, meaning small class sizes and a lot of attention from professors.

FREEDOM DUO COMMITS: It came later than expected, but the Freedom football program finally produced a college commitment. Two in fact, when P Cass Couey committed to The Citadel while senior DL Rolando Fines committed to Jacksonville on Sunday.

"At first I wasn't too fond of the military aspect but when I got there, it wasn't what I thought it would be," said Couey, who also had interest from Charleston Southern and Division II Valdosta State. "They said they'd give me a chance to compete right away."

Fines, a two-way lineman for the Patriots, visited Jacksonville during the weekend. The Citadel was also interested.

"I wanted to stay in Florida," Fines said. "I have a lot of friends up there. The coaches were really cool. It felt like home."

MORE RECRUITING: Tampa Catholic senior DL Marco Mendoza returned from his first official visit to a college Sunday not prepared to make a commitment just yet.

Hillsborough County's sack leader last season visited Western Illinois during the weekend and liked the campus and the coaches, but not what his immediate role with the team would be.

"Their depth at defensive end is pretty deep," said Mendoza, who collected a Hillsborough County-best 23 sacks last year. "I wouldn't be on the field as soon as I would want to be."

Mendoza will continue exploring his options, which includes Sacred Heart University, which he might visit next weekend.

Jefferson QB Zack Grossi will sit down with his parents the next couple of days before he makes a decision on where he will play college football.

Grossi returned from his official visit to Division II University of California of Pennsylvania on Sunday excited about the possibility of playing for its program.

"I like the coaches a lot because everything is very family-oriented," said Grossi, Hillsborough County's second-leading passer last season. "They do a lot of the same stuff we do at Jefferson. It wouldn't be that hard of a transition."

Cambridge Christian senior LB Erik Shears had a great visit to Division III Hiram this weekend, but the FSWA Class 1B first-team all-state pick will weigh his options before making a final decision. Shears, who tallied 140 tackles and nine sacks as a senior, is scheduled to receive a home visit from coaches at Division II Quincy in mid-February, and unless Shears decides in the next few days to accept Hiram's offer, he won't sign on National Signing Day.

Chamberlain senior DB Justin Bell said Eastern Kentucky offered him a scholarship during his official visit, but said he will make his decision on signing day. Bell said his top two choices are Eastern Kentucky and Youngstown State.

Meanwhile, Wharton senior DL Aaron Afree did not receive an offer from Florida International during his visit during the weekend, but is still hoping to hear from Florida Atlantic and other schools such as Florida A&M, Alabama State and Tennessee Tech.

Armwood senior DL Josh Alston narrowed his list to one Sunday night. Now, it's just a matter of determining whether he will pursue an opportunity to play college football.

"If I do play football I will go to the Air Force Academy," Alston said Sunday evening after returning from his official visit to Air Force. "If I don't I'll just use my Bright Futures scholarship and I'll be going to USF as a student, possibly trying to walk on, but I'm not sure."

Alston, a Tribune All-Hillsborough County honorable-mention selection as a senior after tallying 44 tackles and five sacks for the Hawks, also had offers from Army and Navy but ruled out attending either of those military academies.

Nick Williams, Adam Adkins,

Katherine Smith

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