Gator Country

Although it is early and there are still a ton of young prospects who have yet to emerge in the Class of 2010, one who should have his fair share of offers is Daytona Beach Mainland linebacker Anthony Hamm.

The 6-2, 200-pound Hamm is a dynamic playmaker on defense for one of the top high school football programs in the state. Although the Bucs lost 21-20 last Friday night to Orange Park, ending an unbeaten season in the process, Hamm and his teammates have turned their focus to next season, a season they hope to carry Mainland much deeper than the second round of the playoffs.

Although he is just a junior, Hamm has emerged as a top player on one of the best teams in the state. “I play a linebacker/defensive end type (of position),” he said. “I’m one of the leaders on the defense. I just do what I have to do to help my team to win every Friday night.”

The Bucs have never hurt for talented prospects across the board. Hamm had a very good junior season, but one that might not grab your attention from a statistical standpoint.

“There’s a lot of athletes on defense, so everybody makes plays,” Hamm said. “I have about 60 tackles and four sacks on the season.”

Hamm has been timed at 4.65 in the 40-yard dash, has benched 255 pounds and has a 325-pound squat, all which should improve with diligent work in the weight room.

Hamm made just two unofficial visits for games this season, and both happened to be to Florida. “I came to the Miami-Florida game,” he said. “I felt the competition was better at the game between Miami and Florida (than between Florida and South Carolina, a game he also attended).”

It doesn’t hurt that Florida’s game day atmosphere is one of the best in the country, and this fact didn’t go unnoticed by Hamm. “I love the Swamp,” he said. “I love coming there.”

In the end, Anthony Hamm knows he has to make the best decision for him. While he has been a huge fan of the Gators, he does keep in mind that there is more to making a decision than what colors you wear on Saturdays as a kid.

“I always loved Florida. I really want to go there,” Hamm said. “But I see that Florida has a lot of athletes. I know I would have to compete very hard to play at Florida. There’s a couple of other colleges I’m looking at (Clemson, LSU and other in-state schools), but it could be the same there as it is at Florida.”

So it’s back to the drawing board for Anthony Hamm and the Daytona Beach Mainland Bucs.

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