A handful of Tampa area players commit to FCS schools as well.
After months of recruiting and 30-plus Division I offers, highly touted Jefferson (Tampa) linebacker
Ramik Wilson made an oral commitment to Georgia.
Jefferson High's Ramik Wilson.
Photo by Stuart Browning
A 6-foot-4, 230-pound versatile athlete, Wilson posted 18 sacks this season while helping Jefferson to an undefeated season and the Class 3A state championship. Along the way, Wilson also played tight end (where he caught 19 passes with five touchdowns) and even punted for the Dragons.
And as National Signing Day nears (Feb. 2), several other Bay area athletes have announced their college decisions.
Robinson (Tampa) linebacker
Tevin Newman (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) has verbally committed to New Mexico. Newman posted 150 tackles and 18 sacks during the past two seasons for the Knights.
Also, Clearwater Central Catholic quarterback
Nicholas Newton will play collegiately at Division I-AA Presbyterian (S.C.). A 6-foot-4, 195-pounder, Newton accounted for 1,000-plus yards and eight touchdowns during his senior season. He is projected to play safety in college.
Land O' Lakes teammates
Will Irwin (WR) and
TJ Chamberlin (OL) have both committed to Wofford College, a Division II school in South Carolina.
And, in a first for Steinbrenner (Lutz), wide receiver
Tobi Antigha will become the first Warrior football player to sign a college scholarship when he signs with Division I-AA Presbyterian (S.C.). Antigha, who scored two touchdowns as a senior, helped the Warriors to a 5-5 mark in their first full season at the varsity level.
Meanwhile, the recruiting has continued for Countryside (Clearwater) linebacker
Terry Johnson, who is being eyed by Colorado State. A 6-foot, 215-pounder, Johnson had 75 tackles as a senior.
And Robinson wide receiver
Ruben Gonzalez appears to have narrowed his choices to Purdue, South Florida and Iowa State. Gonzalez, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound athlete who also played safety, led the Knights with 43 receptions and five touchdowns.
Gonzalez's teammate, running back
Frankie Williams, continues to look at North Carolina State, Purdue, Cincinnati and Iowa State.
OTHER SPORTSGulf (New Port Richey) senior guard
Nicole Adams has verbally committed to Winthrop. A sharpshooter who is averaging a Tampa Bay-area best 28 points per game, Adams is nearing 2,000 career points.
Also, Land O' Lakes soccer goalkeeper
Kody Parker has committed to the University of Tampa. He allowed just 16 goals as a junior and has bettered that pace this season, posting 12 shutouts during the Gators' first 16 games this year.
