Winners :
Valdosta State and Savannah State have found the formula for recruiting success in NE Florida. They land several great players who can impact their programs greatly in the coming years. Savannah State deserves lots of credit for looking in their back yard first to lock up impact players like Evan McGhee and Salik McRae. The Class 4A player of the year Ivory Durham IV will once again shine at the next level. This time it will be for VSU.
Miami: The Hurricanes found a diamond in the rough. Even though we mentioned Jordan Miller and his destructive ability on the football field in our coverage of HS football this year, no big time schools noticed his talent. Not until he was put on the map by the “U”. He’ll be wearing the turnover chain for sure in years to come for the Canes.
USF- My favorite school of late is USF. They’re ability to sign legitimate D1 talent from Northeast Florida is impressive over the years. Bowman and Davis are big, long and still growing. Watch out for them immediately on special teams for the Bulls.
FAU – Once again the Owls have swooped in and grabbed talented players with origins right here in Duval! Jaylen Joyner who moved to Orlando last year, was first put on the map here in Jacksonville. From First Coast, to Ribault his size and quickness was always evident on film. He’ll join big Doug Johnson from Fort White, who can move entire mac trucks, let alone truck tires.
Losers:
Florida and Florida State chose not to recruit heavily in the area and weren’t able to lure big time prospects such as Bartram’s QB Joey Gatewood (Auburn) or Union County RB Charles Strong ( Texas A&M).
Famu and BCU somehow allowed athletes that would be perfect for their rosters, sign elsewhere. Famu has had a particularly disappointing showing in Northeast Florida for several years, and after recruiting NE Florida heavily, BCU may have slacked off this year as well.
Updated as of 2/9/18
Edward Waters College– The Tigers did not sign one home town player to contribute to their collegiate program. With several to choose from in Northeast Florida, the Tigers instead focused on West, Central and South Florida talent.
