THE CLOCK IS TICKINGThe next four weeks could be a little stressful for a handful of other Division I prospects who have yet to make a decision, meaning the recruitment process will become more hectic as National Signing Day nears.
One of the most talented prospects still undecided is Glades Central (Belle Glade) 6-6, 220-pound wide receiver
Kelvin Benjamin, who is expected to remain in-state and sign with either Florida, FSU or Miami. Benjamin is almost 20 years old and was allowed to play only the first eight games this past season after he reached the Florida High School Athletic Association age limitation of 19 years, 9 months late in the season.
Video of Kelvin BenjaminTwo other Palm Beach County non-committed top prospects are running back
Tre Mason of Park Vista (Lake Worth) and defensive end/tight end
Robert Way of Glades Central (Belle Glade). Mason has numerous offers, including Auburn, Ole Miss and West Virginia. Miami and Syracuse are among the schools showing interest in Way, who was the South Florida Sun-Sentinel's small schools Defensive Player of the Year and could be a sleeper signing.
Stanford was the leader to snag talented Dillard (Fort Lauderdale) safety
Wayne Lyons before the rumors began that Cardinal coach Jim Harbaugh might be leaving for the NFL. Lyons also has made official visits to Michigan, Nebraska and UCLA. He's also considering Florida. Lyons, also in San Antonio for the Army All-American Bowl this week, has said he will not eliminate a program because of a coaching change, so Michigan still could be in the running despite the uncertain status of Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez. Lyons has indicated he might announce his decision Saturday during the all-star game's telecast.
Video of Wayne LyonsAnother Broward County standout still undecided is South Broward (Hollywood) running back
Kevin Grooms, who has offers from Florida State, Kansas, Louisville and Tennessee. Safety
Marcus Roberson of Class 5A state champion St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) has narrowed his choices to Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Texas Tech and Southern Cal.
Three highly rated prospects from Miami-Dade County also have not made verbal commitments yet — defensive back
Robenson Therezie of Jackson (Miami), defensive back
Jabari Gorman of Monsignor Pace (Miami) and linebacker
Denzel Perryman of Coral Gables. Therezie is considering Alabama, Auburn, Florida and Tennessee. Gorman's finalists reportedly are Florida, Miami and Ohio State. Perryman has offers from Alabama, Florida, FSU, LSU, Miami and Notre Dame.
NOTEWORTHYColumbus (Miami) wide receiver
Tacoi Sumler and coach Chris Merritt will represent South Florida for the 2011 U. S. Under-19 National Team, which will face players from four continents in the second Team USA vs. The World game Feb. 2 in Austin, Texas.
Steve Dorsey, who covers the South Florida region for MaxPreps.com, is a freelance writer based in West Palm Beach. He has covered the South Florida high school sports scene for the past 29 years. He also is a contributing writer for American Football Monthly and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
