Gator Country

Bradenton Southeast cornerback Brian Poole, a junior, will participate in Florida's Friday Night Lights. / Gator Country photo by Tim Casey

The pursuit is always on for the next great quarterback, left tackle, interior defensive lineman and lock-down cornerback. That goes for any great football team at any level. A high value is always placed on those players whether it be in the National Football League or at the local Pop Warner League down the street from you.

It should come as no surprise then that cornerback Brian Poole (5-10, 192, Bradenton, Fla./Southeast) is already gaining traction as one of the secondary recruits on the trail. The Class of 2012 prospect is only heading into his junior season, but having played alongside a highly regarded teammate in Jonathan Dowling, Poole is already receiving attention from colleges across the Southeastern Conference, including Georgia, South Carolina and Florida, where Dowling is currently enrolled and expected to play as a wide receiver this fall.

“Jonathan told me, ‘It’s the time of your life,’” Poole said. “But playing alongside him, I also saw how stressful it could be.”

While the recruiting process could prove to be quite stressful for Poole as well, one place he doesn’t find too much stress these days is on the football field. A tough, physical cover corner for the Southeast Seminoles, Poole has recorded eight interceptions in his first two seasons (four each in 2008 and 2009) on the varsity. Strong, tough and a hard-hitter, Poole uses his sturdy frame to his advantage in the secondary.

“That’s my game, really,” Poole explained. “I’m a physical corner. I get that weight behind me and use it to my advantage.”

Like many young cornerbacks in the game today, Poole is a big fan of New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis and his dominating abilities at the position. Poole studies Revis and tries to put some of Revis’ traits into his game as well.

“He’s the best out there,” Poole said, “so, of course, I want to be the best as well.”

Poole plans to bring his talents to Florida’s Friday Night Lights on July 23. There, he hopes to make an impact against some of the best prospects in the entire Southeast.

“I haven’t been going to any camps yet this summer,” Poole explained. “I do plan on going to Friday Night Lights camps in a couple of weeks.”

With his excellent athletic ability and superior strength, Poole figures to potentially make the type of impact that night that could earn him an offer from the Gators. If Poole gets an offer from Florida, the possibility of once again lining up with former teammate in the secondary is something that he admits is very attractive.

“Playing together again, that’s something we’ve talked about,” Poole said. “I think it would be nice. We were part of a secondary that had over 20 interceptions, so I think to reunite (with Dowling) would be good. I still have to find the best school for me.”

Of course finding that best school for Brian Poole could take some time. However, his list of suitors figures to grow quite long over the coming months. That’s just a fact of life for a burgeoning cover cornerback who can help shut down his side of the field.

More Football Recruiting | RSS