Recruiting Notebook: January 24, 2013

Lots of activity going on today in the state of Florida in regards to college recruiting. Let’s get right to it.

Strawberry Crest will have its first Division I commit in school history

Karel Hamilton is not a name that has been circulated around Florida much, but he did accomplish something this season that no one has been able to do against a well-known rival, The Tampa Tribune reports.

This season Hamilton caught 12 passes – Twelve of them – against rival Armwood, known to have tough defenses. It was the first time that had happen in a very long time at least.

However, this past weekend though his hard work paid off and Hamilton finally committed to Samford University choosing them over Chattanooga and Coastal Carolina.

No, it isn’t Florida or Florida State, but Hamilton says he’s happy with his choice because, “Samford felt like an extension of my family, and I know I’ll get a great education there.” – Karel Hamilton to the Tampa Tribune

To read the full piece written by Tribune correspondent, Scott Purks, click here.

Orlando First Academy players getting attention

Colton Plante has been offered a preferred walk-on spot with South Carolina while Luke Ebbesmeyer has been getting interest from the Gamecocks as well, Bright House Sports Network’s Austin Lyon reported today. Both are seniors.

Plante will take an official visit in which he will be joined by Ebbesmeyer to check out the campus. Plante also has an offer for walk-on status by Rutgers and also has offers from Florida Tech and Carson Newman, the report indicates.

If Plante takes the walk-on with South Carolina, it would be in the role as a fullback and back-up long snapper.

Southeast DB commits to Youngstown State

Solange Reyner at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports that Eric Thompson, who is a 6-foot, 180-pound defensive back has made a verbal to Youngstown State University in Ohio.

The report indicates that Thompson committed over the weekend when he made an official visit to the campus and told Herald-Tribune that he stuck with Youngstown becuse of the coaching staff who stuck with him during the recruiting process.

Thompson also held other offers including Coastal Carolina, Wofford College and Western Kentucky.

Youngstown State is a Division I Football Championship Subdivision team that competes in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Four Jacksonville-area players announce commitment choices

Players from Fleming Island, Oakleaf, Atlantic Coast and Ponte Vedra made their commitments official over the last couple of weeks, Justin Barney at the Florida Times-Union reports

• LB Ervin Alston, Fleming Island – Western Michigan
  
• QB Austin Chipoletti, Oakleaf – Weber State
• RB Richard Montgomery, Atlantic Coast – Idaho
• OG Keegan Warwin, Ponte Vedra – Florida Tech

Catch the full scoop as to who is headed where.

No offers yet for a duo of Lake Highland Prep seniors

Tim Borcky is not sure why two of his top recruits in Mike Dorcely and B.J. Simpson have not received any offers – even Division I offers, Austin Lyon reports from Bright House Sports Network.

At one point, Simpson was generating interest from Division I programs including Indiana, but torn-ACL’s in the last two seasons and only playing four games has left things empty on the table for him.

Brocky did tell Lyon that he is confident that the senior duo will find a place to play with National Signing Day just two weeks away.

Cardinal Newman DB going JUCO

Matt Porter at the Palm Beach Post is reporting that Devonte Brown who rushed for over 600 yards last season is heading to play JUCO ball first.

Porter indicated that Brown would play defensive back at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College before heading off to play college ball.

Brown was a major contributor to the team this past season and also had offers from Western Carolina and Western Kentucky.

If you got any items you want us to include in the Recruiting Notebook email it to Joshua at joshua.wilson@floridahsfootball.com