The All-Friday Night Lights team

Friday Night Lights has come and gone and edition four was certainly a showcase for some of the most talented high school football players in the country. Gator Country’s recruiting team was there to evaluate the participants and now that the dust has settled, it’s time to announce the first All-Friday Night Lights team. There were numerous big name prospects who attended camp but for reasons of their own didn’t participate, so the All-FNL team is restricted to players who actually participated.

This team is made up of 25 prospects headed by an impressive group of quarterbacks and wide receivers and as a bonus we’ve added some kids that will be among the best in the nation in 2010.

QUARTERBACK:

Morgan Newton, Carmel (IN)

Jordan Reed, New London (CT)

Denard Robinson, Deerfield Beach (FL)

This was clearly the most talented position on the field with the seniors and juniors in attendance. The three quarterbacks that made the team all have one thing in common — a very strong arm. Reed showed the most polished arm of the seniors. Newton brings the good mobility and intelligence to the position while Robinson was as elusive as anyone at any position in the entire camp.

RUNNING BACK:

Trent Richardson, Pensacola (FL) Escambia

Rodney Scott, Cross City (FL) Dixie County

Richardson was the star of the show at running back and it just very hard to believe a man that large can move the way he moves. He is also extremely versatile, but his size/speed ratio is hard to beat. Scott is very elusive and of the smaller variety, definitely the second best back in attendance.

WR

Emory Blake, Austin (TX)

Jheranie Boyd, Gastonia (NC) Ashbrook

Jeremy Jackson, Ann Arbor (MI) Huron

Nu’Keese Richardson, Pahokee (FL)

Richardson stole the show. He was pure electricity every time the ball was thrown in his direction. He made everyone including Dre Kirkpatrick look silly. Boyd is so fluid with long strides and he is deceptively fast. He also is extremely aggressive and attacks the defender. Blake is a thick body with excellent body control. Jeremy Jackson surprised a lot of folks with his play in the hot and humid Florida weather.

TIGHT END:

Gabe Holmes, Ft. Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas

Holmes performed well and the longer the tight end hole goes in this recruiting class the closer he gets to a scholarship offer.

OFFENSIVE LINE:

Jonotthan Harrison, Groveland (FL) South Lake

Ian Silberman, Jacksonville (FL) Fleming Island (2010)

Jose Jose, Miami (FL) Booker T. Washington (2010)

Brandon Linder, Ft. Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas (2010)

Jared Wheeler, Plantation (FL) American Heritage

The offensive line is where we see the first of the 2010 prospects make the All-FNL team because of guys like Nick Alajajian and Jon Halapio that showed but did not participate. Still the young guys represented here were very good and will sit on top of the board for the start of the next recruiting class. Harrison is beastly and played that way Friday night. He absolutely gets a hold of his man and does not allow them anything after it happens. Wheeler may have the most power in the bunch and knows how to punch. If he improves his jump off the snap, he will be something to really deal with at the next level. Silberman (2010) was the big story of the night committing to the staff before the event. He was great and will be a big time offensive tackle, probably tops in the state for 2010. Jose (2010) has extreme size and punch and uses his weight well, his weight isn’t as much of an issue as was reported by some. Linder is a new name that really performed lights out and had a good camp. He may be the next guy in the class behind Silberman for the state offensive line rankings in 2010.

DEFENSIVE LINE:

Gary Brown, Greensboro (FL) West Gadsden

Curtis Porter, Charlotte (NC) Victory Christian

Victor Gray, Orlando (FL) Dr. Phillips

Tavadis Glenn, Jacksonville (FL) Terry Parker (2010)

Brown is the Gator commitment and a real quick three-technique player that showed off his skills Friday. Porter is as powerful of a player as they come and looked equally as impressive practicing on either side of the ball. He absolutely manhandles people. Gray is a newcomer to Florida having played only his last three games of the season last year at Dr. Phillips. He averaged three sacks a game for Phillips in those games. He has great speed and quickness for a big guy but has to do a lot of work with his hands. Glenn is an excellent prospect at strong side defensive end or offensive tackle. He showed excellent power off the edge and was able to back his man down.

LINEBACKER:

Jon Bostic, Wellington (FL) Palm Beach Central

Sam Barrington, Jacksonville (FL) Terry Parker

Tyrone Cornilius, Stone Mtn. (GA) Stephenson (2010)

Bostic was the best linebacker by far at the camp. He has the size and speed and technique to be a very big time middle linebacker. His coverage skills lack, so the middle is where he probably belongs. Barrington showed glimpses of being good as did a young Cornilius, who needs to work on speed to get to Florida in a year.

CORNERBACK:

Dre Kirkpatrick, Gadsden (AL) Gadsden City

Travis Hawkins, Gaithersburg (MD) Quince Orchard

Kirkpatrick was definitely the star of the cornerbacks in attendance. The only one that got the best of him was Nu’Keese Richardson. He has great size and excellent wiggle from his hips. Hawkins is another big corner and also looked very good. Bystanders were saying he had three interceptions on the evening.

SAFETY:

Jairus Jones, Tampa Wharton

Marvin Robinson, Eagle Lake (FL) Lake Region (2010)

Jones needs to just wait his time on an offer to Florida, especially with the need and the not so clear picture as to who may want to commit at the position. He has good speed and good instincts for the position, the latter being the most important in my opinion. Robinson had a great night and is a true baller on the football field. He will be a high priority for 2010 and the staff has already verbally offered him.

ELEVEN MORE FOR 2010:

Here are 11 more prospects for the 2010 class that did very well Friday night and will be at the very top of the recruiting board for the 2010 class. The quarterbacks dominate the group.

WR Kadron Boone, Ocala (FL) Trinity Catholic

QB Trey Burton, Venice (FL)

RB Eduardo Clements, Miami (FL) Booker T. Washington,

QB Brandon Doughty, Coconut Creek (FL) North Broward Prep.

WR Chris Dunkley, Royal Palm Beach (FL)

QB Jeffrey Godfrey, Miami (FL) Central

CB Tony Grimes Hollywood Hills (FL)

RB Corvin Lamb, Miami (FL) Northwestern

QB Stephen Morris, Miami (FL) Monsignor Pace

CB Dale Trimble, Gadsden (AL) Gadsden City

CB Lo Wood, Apopka (FL)