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A World Of Pressure

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By KATHERINE SMITH

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 22, 2008

Updated: 06/22/2008 12:12 am

TAMPA - There once was a time in Hillsborough County when the prospect of three area players signing Division I football scholarships was a big deal.

"Now we're getting three kids in a number of the schools alone," Hillsborough High School coach Earl Garcia said. "I think the whole atmosphere of football in Hillsborough County has grown leaps and bounds in the level of play and players."

How far has the county come in terms of football recruiting? Coaches such as Urban Meyer, Steve Spurrier, Nick Saban and their assistants are pretty much camped out here.

Several big Division I programs already have landed area talent from the Class of '09. In April, Plant quarterback Aaron Murray verbally committed to the University of Georgia. Armwood offensive lineman Justin Cabbagestalk committed to Vanderbilt this month. And Gaither running back Jarvis Giles committed to Tennessee last week.

Giles informed the Vols during a visit to the campus. Having grown tired and weary from the recruiting process, he was ready to make his decision.

"At the very beginning, it was fun," Giles said. "Then the calls started coming."

Beginning Tuesday, The Tampa Tribune will profile some of the top recruits in Hillsborough County in a series titled "Nine Lives." We'll take a behind-the-scenes look at the world of recruiting.

That world includes constant phone calls and text messages. It's visits from coaches, watching every move they make. It's weighing the pros and cons of every football program before making the biggest decision of their young lives.

"It is a lot of pressure on these kids, but there are a million kids that would be dying for that kind of pressure," Plant coach Robert Weiner said.

The players in the "Nine Lives" series garnering lots of collegiate attention are:

•Dontae Aycock, Chamberlain quarterback who helped lead the Chiefs to a 2007 Class 5A regional final. He has received more than 15 Division I scholarship offers.

•Orson Charles, Plant tight end who has been invited to play in the Army All-American Game. He has received 26 offers.

•Ryne Giddins, Armwood defensive lineman who set the school's single-season sack record with 21 last year and has been invited to play in the Army All-American Game. He has more than 20 offers.

•Angelo Hadley, Armwood defensive back who was a Tribune All-Hillsborough County first-team selection last season. He has more than 20 offers.

•Jairus Jones, Wharton strong safety who is a three-time Tribune All-Hillsborough County team selection. He has about 10 offers.

•Lindsey Lamar, Hillsborough running back who led the Terriers in rushing with nearly 1,000 yards last season. He has nearly 10 offers in both track and football.

•Demonte McAllister, Alonso defensive lineman who has been invited to play in the Under Armour All-America Game. He has 27 offers.

•Petey Smith, Armwood linebacker, a two-time Tribune All-Hillsborough County first-team selection who has been invited to play in the Under Armour game. He has more than 20 offers.

•Anthony Williams, Chamberlain wide receiver who led Jefferson is receiving last season. He has about 10 offers.

Others generating interest: Jesuit's Erick McGriff and John Plasencia, Gaither's Justin Lattimore, Middleton's Luis Polanco and Andreal Coleman, and Plant City's Denzel Drone and Duran Lowe.

"It used to be college coaches would come into town and make the usual stops, about five schools," Weiner said. "Now they are having to take a virtual tour of the county to see all of the talent."

And coaches, despite bitter rivalries and competitiveness on the field, don't mind steering colleges in directions other than their own school.

"I think that all the schools at the end of the day remember what we're here for. It's the kids," Garcia said. "We steer coaches to our big rival Armwood and Jefferson and Plant and any place we think there may be a prospect."

This year, those prospects are all over the county. The Class of '09, filled with an array of talented players, could go down as the best this county has ever produced.

"I think it's kind of a cycle thing but it's never been like this year," Weiner said. "It speaks to the ascension of Hillsborough County football."

Reporter Katherine Smith can

be reached at (813) 259-7860

or ksmith@tampatrib.com.

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