OVIEDO – Prized quarterback prospect Jeff Driskel of Hagerty High School has already made a commitment to play college football for the Florida Gators. However, according to head coach Nate Gierke, the 6-4, 225-pound Driskel isn’t the only prospect worth checking out at a Huskies spring football practice this month.
One player who immediately stands out on the field is senior left tackle Victor Gaytan (6-3, 270), who immediately looks the part of a future BCS-level offensive lineman.
“He’s real raw,” Gierke said of Gaytan. “Not a whole lot of people know about him because this is only his second year playing organized football. I think he has a chance to be a good college football player.”
Looking ahead to 2012, the Gators could very well find themselves back in Oviedo taking a strong look at junior tight end prospect Hunter Boudreau (6-4, 230).
“Physically, he needs to improve his blocking skills,” Gierke said of the rising star junior. “But as a pass-catcher, he’s there (as a BCS-level prospect) right now. I think he will get attention similar to that of Driskel if he has the type of year I know he is capable of.”
The other pass-catcher at Hagerty who is starting to pick up some looks as well in senior wide receiver Tyler Thrift (6-2, 185), a favorite target of Driskel.
“He’s our leading all-time receiver,” Gierke said of Thrift. “He’s a good athlete and a lot of Division I schools have been showing interest in him early on.”
The other senior prospect on the Huskies’ roster is all-purpose player Zach Haywood (5-11, 195).
“Zach is probably the best athlete on our team along with Driskel,” Gierke noted. “Last year he led the team in receptions. We’re going to move him to tailback this year, and play him at some inside and outside linebacker. I think he really has a chance to play somewhere as well.”
Coaches from Wake Forest and Florida have visited Hagerty already, and plenty of other colleges will likely make a stop in the spring and fall as other prospects emerge for a program that has a bright future in front of it. Without a doubt, Jeff Driskel will have a talented supporting cast this year as Hagerty makes a push for the state playoffs for the first time in the program’s young four-year history.