SARASOTA - Dozens of Suncoast student-athletes signed commitment letters for college Wednesday, deciding where they'll play college sports.
While Alabama had the top signing class, Florida State moved up to #2 in the nation with its incoming class, Florida was #4, and Miami was #10. But the ‘Canes did sign the top defensive back in the nation, Tracy Howard of Miramar.
40 athletes in all from the Suncoast signed letters of intent, headed by Brian Poole of Southeast High. One of the top DB’s in the country is going to play for the Gators. “Florida was a perfect fit for me, not only football wise, but awesome academics. And that is where my family wanted me to be,” said Poole.
He will be joined by Venice's OL/DL Omari Phillips, who also is going there. Phillips' teammate Danny Dillard signed with Miami. Venice QB Grant Flessner is going to FAU. Laura Hackett will play basketball at Florida Southern, Brittany Reed will play soccer at Florida, and Kevin Guthrie will play at Brown. “I'm blessed to have this opportunity to play at University Of Miami. I'm going to take advantage of it,” said Dillard.
Venice’s Forrest Lamp is going to Western Kentucky to play for Palmetto grad and head coach Willie Taggart, as is Manatee’s Leon Allen, Palmetto’s Da’Quall Randall and two other Suncoast players.
Booker High had the Big 10 connection, with Ricky Jones, Jr. going to Indiana, and Ezra Robinson going to Michigan State. “It's like a dream come true. As a kid you see these dudes on TV playing college ball…I feel blessed to be one of these guys,” said Robinson.
“I would never think that I was going to be here. Now I'm here, having a blast. I'm just overwhelmed by everything,” said Jones.
State champion Manatee High had six players signing, with DB Clinton Heaven going to North Carolina. Antonio Agurs and Ryan Taylor are going to Ferris State, and LB Daruis White is headed to Iowas State. “It's a new beginning, it's a new chapter in my life. It's a big start, it’s a good feeling. I'm happy with my decision,” said White.
Manatee LB Hershel Caywood is one of three Suncoast athletes going Ivy League. He is going to Brown with Conor Kruger of Riverview, while Josh Clark of Bradenton Christian signed with Dartmouth. “Tremendous opportunity to go to Brown; it's a great football program, and the academics is what I was looking for. Their open curriculum is what I want as a student. As a football player there's not much more to ask for,” said Kruger.
Riverview had nine signings in total, including Marquis Newell, who signed with University of Nevada. Three others will play at Robert Morris, Tater Williams is headed to Dean College, and Jeremy Jones will play at Butler Community College.
Palmetto seniors Tre Sanders and Trent Miller will both be preferred walk-ons at South Florida, Dallas Jackson heads to Jacksonville, and Kevin Healy will play for Massachusetts Maritime. Kevin O'Brien worked his way back from a devastating broken leg and signed with Florida Atlantic. “A lot of people had their doubts about my leg, and coming back this season. But we had a great season, now I have the opportunity to do big things in college. I’m really excited about it,” said O’Brien.
Sarasota’s Doug Mulhollen will play football at Liberty, and Hunter Barcumb is going to play soccer at Robert Morris.
In other signings, Davion Stuart of Charlotte High will play at South Alabama, Zach Hammond is headed for Charleston, and Marcus Gilchrist out of Port Charlotte is going to Marshall.
