South Florida '17- The RBs

Feb 9, 2016

We got spoiled. Between 2009-2015, it seemed South Florida would produce a franchise back every year. The names speak for themselves: Lamar Miller, Gio Bernard, Duke Johnson, Alex Collins, Sony Michel, Dalvin Cook.

But the well has temporarily run dry. Travis Homer and Jawon Hamilton headlined last year's class, and I'm not sure anybody in this year's group is as good as those two. Robert Burns has a chance to be better, but he still hasn't put it all together. Overall, it is a thin group.

Robert Burns (Gulliver Prep)- 5'11, 206 pounds, 4.57 (Miami Commitment)

Burns is an enigma. At his best, he looks like a young Jonathan Stewart. His SPARQ numbers are through the roof. But the production just isn't there. Some of it is due to injuries, some of it is inexplicable. I wonder if he's too muscle-bound. Scarlett had a similar body type and struggled with his lateral quickness against SEC defenses. Bottom line: Burns is high risk with a very high reward.

Sophomore highlights:

[HUDL]athlete/2687493/highlights/208274376[/HUDL]

Bentavious Thompson (Southridge via Killian)- 6', 190 pounds (Miami Commitment)

Solid, tough runner who lacks any explosive traits. Athletically, he's closer to Charlie Jones than Alex Collins. He can be a productive player but I don't know if he's a star.

Bentavious Thompson - Hudl

Kyshaun Bryan (American Heritage- Plantation)- 5'10, 185 pounds

Of all of these backs, Bryan is the safest bet to be a good college player. His size limits his upside, but he has burst, quickness and toughness. Similar in style to Ahmad Bradshaw. Now that his running mate Khalil Herbert is off to Kansas, Bryan figures to have a big season.

Junior Highlight - Kyshaun Bryan highlights - Hudl

Alec Sinkfield (American Heritage- Delray)- 5'9, 180 pounds

Quick, versatile player who is also a missile at safety. May project as a slot receiver. West Virginia has offered and leads.

2015-2016 season - Alec Sinkfield highlights - Hudl

Clevan Thomas (Flanagan)- 5'11, 188 pounds

Thomas is being recruited as a receiver, but I think his best college position may be at running back. He is a stout, explosive player who lined up all over the field for the state champion Falcons.

Just the Start... - Clevan Thomas highlights - Hudl

Mike Epstein (St. Thomas Aquinas)- 5'11, 185 pounds (Illinois Commitment)

Epstein sat out last year with an injury and is poised for a big season with the Raiders. He has been on the radar since youth football and brings a nice combination of instincts and quickness (4.09 shuttle)

Sophomore highlights: Sophomore Varsity Highlights - Mike Epstein highlights - Hudl

Click to expand...

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Comments (47)

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d--1

Feb 9, 2016

As a Clearwater alum, and familiar with the talent in Pinellas, it's very difficult for me to believe a Tornado would be the best RB in the state. I think there was one kid in Pinellas that signed with Indiana and that was the only sniff of a Power5 conference in the 2016 class for the entire county. Oh wait, an OL from East Lake signed with Duke.

Regardless, it's nowhere close to the competition you'd see elsewhere in the state. I think MacArthur Burnett, formerly committed to UM, who signed with UF this year, could easily have produced as well as Lemons. No one would look at Burnett as anything elite.

I'd need to see Lemons dominate at some camps or a 5 star challenge, something more than his current competition, before putting him up with the best in the state.

plantcity3

Feb 9, 2016

d--1 said:
As a Clearwater alum, and familiar with the talent in Pinellas, it's very difficult for me to believe a Tornado would be the best RB in the state. I think there was one kid in Pinellas that signed with Indiana and that was the only sniff of a Power5 conference in the 2016 class for the entire county. Oh wait, an OL from East Lake signed with Duke.

Regardless, it's nowhere close to the competition you'd see elsewhere in the state. I think MacArthur Burnett, formerly committed to UM, who signed with UF this year, could easily have produced as well as Lemons. No one would look at Burnett as anything elite.

I'd need to see Lemons dominate at some camps or a 5 star challenge, something more than his current competition, before putting him up with the best in the state.

I said it in another thread. His competition is weak....

jerzeycane

Feb 9, 2016

brock said:
Burns has the most potential of anyone running back we recruited since Lamar Miller. He should be and remain the #1 priority for this class on offense at the skill positions

...

HurricaneUWW

Feb 9, 2016

2017 isn't much of a concern w me. I'm good w just Burns and Thompson(I like his north/south running style). If we get another kid from a different part of the state that's fine. Either way 2018 and 2019 is where we will make our money at RB. I really hope we get on Camron Davis from CC. That kid is a beast, not much further behind Wright IMO.

gogeta4

Feb 9, 2016

Camron Davis from Carol City has already committed to Oregon State...and he is the goods. CaroL cITY IS LOADED....would have been too loaded at rb as Cook, Davis, Nayquan Wright all should be at Carol City. Thats 3 div 1 rb that would be at the same school at the same time

S
San Amaro Dr

Feb 9, 2016

gogeta4 said:
Camron Davis from Carol City has already committed to Oregon State...and he is the goods. CaroL cITY IS LOADED....would have been too loaded at rb as Cook, Davis, Nayquan Wright all should be at Carol City. Thats 3 div 1 rb that would be at the same school at the same time

It's give and take though. Davis shouldn't be at CC.

RattlerCane305

Feb 9, 2016

I also agree with '17 being a down year for RB's down here. I'd be cool with keeping who we have and landing 1 more (McFarland, Bryan, etc.). Even Lemons looks as though he'd be serviceable and provide depth. But I'm also very excited to see who we can pull in '18 & '19. I'll gladly take either of the 3 cats you mentioned, but I'm partial to Lil' Cook and especially Nayquan. Don't get me wrong, 2017 as a class overall has some legit ballers, but mark my words, '18 & '19 in SoFla will be some of the most loaded classes in crootin' history.

INCaneFan

Feb 9, 2016

We really need an elite back. Perhaps Homer will provide that, but correct me if I'm wrong on this, he's from a small private school which concerns me due to competition. Then again, most schools want an elite back, I just wish it was in the cards locally.

Feb 9, 2016

I just don't see it with Burns. The last couple years Florida/sofla production has been down

W
wisecane

Feb 10, 2016

Is Otis Anderson's kid any good?

S
skeeter

Feb 24, 2016

I think Thompson took huge strides from his soph to junior seasons...Much more patient and polished. All he lacks his home run speed, but I actually wouldn't mind UM keeping him now. Was a little skeptical when first signed.

Has added patience and a little more RB feel to his violent, slashing style.

omaha

Apr 9, 2016

After watching Thompson and Burns video I think we need to go in a different direction. Both look slow.

G
GoldenTimes

Apr 9, 2016

White is legit. Watched him absolutely destroy my alma mater last year.

F
FINCHLION

Apr 9, 2016

omaha said:
After watching Thompson and Burns video I think we need to go in a different direction. Both look slow.

Burns is one of the fastest backs in Florida. If he would have competed he may would have won sparq this year. I am still high on him unlike some, if healthy he is easily a top 5 back in the nation.

INCaneFan

Apr 9, 2016

Top 5 back in the country? This year alone I'd take Davis, Lemons, and Felix ahead of him in the state alone. Never mind nationally.

Zbrod95

Apr 9, 2016

INCaneFan said:
Top 5 back in the country? This year alone I'd take Davis, Lemons, and Felix ahead of him in the state alone. Never mind nationally.

there's a reason why ESPN has him the 21st best player in the country btw get Davis out of your skull there's at minimum 6 back ahead of him. Priorities right now is Anthony McFarland, Darrian Felix, and Colin Wilson

flcanesfan

Apr 9, 2016

nvlahos said:
The next great SoFLa back has to be James Cook co 2019 right?

Nope, Dude is too slow to be elite.. He will be good but not elite

maurice3p

Apr 10, 2016

flcanesfan said:
nvlahos said:

The next great SoFLa back has to be James Cook co 2019 right?

Click to expand...

Nope, Dude is too slow to be elite.. He will be good but not elite

I like 2019 Nayquan Wright from CC. He's going to be special.

INCaneFan

Apr 10, 2016

Zbrod95 said:
INCaneFan said:

Top 5 back in the country? This year alone I'd take Davis, Lemons, and Felix ahead of him in the state alone. Never mind nationally.

Click to expand...

there's a reason why ESPN has him the 21st best player in the country btw get Davis out of your skull there's at minimum 6 back ahead of him. Priorities right now is Anthony McFarland, Darrian Felix, and Colin Wilson

Well that settles it then. ESPN has him at 21, it must be so. From God to ESPN to us.

Davis should be our top priority. Best junior tape of the bunch and it isn't even close.

Canemang

Apr 10, 2016

INCaneFan said:
Zbrod95 said:

INCaneFan said:

Top 5 back in the country? This year alone I'd take Davis, Lemons, and Felix ahead of him in the state alone. Never mind nationally.

Click to expand...

there's a reason why ESPN has him the 21st best player in the country btw get Davis out of your skull there's at minimum 6 back ahead of him. Priorities right now is Anthony McFarland, Darrian Felix, and Colin Wilson

Click to expand...

Well that settles it then. ESPN has him at 21, it must be so. From God to ESPN to us.

Davis should be our top priority. Best junior tape of the bunch and it isn't even close.