College Football

Agiye Hall picks Alabama

Published

1 year ago

April 18, 2020

Bob Putnam

Bloomingdale receiver Agiye Hall, one of the most coveted recruits in the country, made his college decision by announcing his commitment to Alabama live on Instagram Saturday night.

LETS GO BABY !! ROLL TIDE!!! pic.twitter.com/F4AkkI8eSf
— ⁶ (@HallAgiye) April 18, 2020

Earlier this month, Hall announced he would be making his college commitment on Aug. 14 before bumping up the date to Saturday. He had more than 40 offers, including ones from Clemson, Georgia and LSU.

Hall is ranked as the 10th best receiver in the nation and the 11th best player in the state in the 2021 class according to 247 Sports. He already has decided to play in the Under Armour All-American Game in January.

This offseason was a busy one for Hall, who left Armwood to go to IMG, where he stayed less than three months. He is now enrolled at Bloomingdale.

This will technically be Hall’s fifth high school in the past four years.

With the Hawks, Hall developed into a dynamic deep threat. In the past two seasons, Hall had a combined 1,468 yards and 17 touchdowns as a receiver.

College Football

Wiregrass Ranch’s Rocco Becht commits to Iowa State

Published

1 week ago

April 9, 2021

Bob Putnam

Wiregrass Ranch quarterback Rocco Becht has committed to Iowa State.

The rising senior made the announcement on his Twitter page Friday afternoon.

Becht, the son of former Jets and Buccaneers tight end Anthony Becht, is listed as a three-star prospect by 247 Sports and had offers from 13 colleges. He is just the second recruit for the Cyclones in the 2022 class and the lone one from the area.

Iowa State has done well landing locals. In fact, this marks the fifth straight recruiting class the Cyclones have secured at least commitment from an area player.

Becht took over as Wiregrass Ranch’s starting quarterback in 2019. As a junior last season, he threw for 1,550 yards and 18 touchdowns and was named the offensive player of the year for the East Division of the Sunshine Athletic Conference.

College Football

Berkeley Prep’s CJ Hawkins commits to Florida

Published

1 month ago

March 14, 2021

Bob Putnam

Berkeley Prep’s CJ Hawkins committed to Florida, becoming the second area recruit to join the Gators’ 2022 class in the past week.

Hawkins publicly announced his decision on his Twitter page Sunday afternoon. His pledge to Florida comes three days after Carrollwood Day offensive lineman Tony Livingston committed to the Gators.

Blessed pic.twitter.com/Eiy5YgRHWO
— CJ Hawkins (@IHOOPCJ) March 14, 2021

Both are unique prospects. Hawkins, a 6-foot-7, 220 pound tight end, went out for football this season after concentrating on basketball his first two years at Berkeley Prep. In fact, he offers in basketball from IUPI, USF and Western Michigan.

His size and athleticism made football programs take notice. This offseason, Hawkins enjoyed a meteoric rise and held 29 offers from Division I-A schools.

Livingston also played basketball and plans to play both sports at Florida. It is unclear whether Hawkins would do the same.

College Football

Sickles’ Javohn Thomas commits to USF

Published

1 month ago

March 12, 2021

Bob Putnam

Sickles receiver Javohn Thomas has committed to USF, becoming the first recruit in the Bulls’ 2022 class.

“I love coach (Jeff) Scott, and it feels like a great place for me,” said Thomas, who picked USF over offers from Florida International and South Dakota.

Staying home @USFFootball @USFMBB pic.twitter.com/p2pkARTbwF
— Javohn Thomas (@JavohnThomas23) March 12, 2021

As a junior, Thomas had 37 receptions for 540 yards and four touchdowns.

The two-sport star also played basketball and was the Gryphons’ leading scorer this past season. Thomas said he talked to USF basketball coach Brian Gregory about joining the team and wants to play both sports in college.

If Thomas does, he will continue what has become an area trend.

Carrollwood Day’s Mike Trigg, one of the nation’s top tight ends, plans on playing football and basketball at Southern California as a freshman this coming season. Trigg’s teammate with the Patriots, Tony Livingston, announced his commitment to Florida on Thursday. The rising senior intends on playing football and basketball with the Gators.