Venice Has no proven RB

[Floridaatlantic1]

On 3/30/2024 at 8:15 AM, Longtime Observer said:

Antwan Raymond from Clearwater Academy. Ultimately, it's all about who's offering the most money. Venice will offer a nice compensation package, as will others. If you know some of the boosters for top programs, check who follows them on Twitter etc. That will offer an indication of who's been making offers. Mind you, the programs aren't "recruiting", as that is illegal. Instead, they are offering "NIL" deals in the event that it becomes fully legal in the state. Decisions aren't being made until clarity around "NIL" is clear.

I am sooooooo surprised anyone would say teams offer player anything and actually recruit players. The people who support these teams who cheat end up crying when you say they should be moved up to a open division or to 8A, they freak out and say dont punish winners when they really are cheaters.  

[Longtime Observer]

On 4/12/2024 at 5:27 AM, Floridaatlantic1 said:

I am sooooooo surprised anyone would say teams offer player anything and actually recruit players. The people who support these teams who cheat end up crying when you say they should be moved up to a open division or to 8A, they freak out and say dont punish winners when they really are cheaters.  

ALL programs wish to attract as many good players as possible. Yes, even including your team(s). Some are more appealing, and thus more able to attract players than others. 

[Floridaatlantic1]

On 4/13/2024 at 12:29 PM, Longtime Observer said:

ALL programs wish to attract as many good players as possible. Yes, even including your team(s). Some are more appealing, and thus more able to attract players than others. 

And some of the schools use other illegal ways to attract players like rent or cash.

[Longtime Observer]

11 hours ago, Floridaatlantic1 said:

And some of the schools use other illegal ways to attract players like rent or cash.

That claim requires evidence. It may or may not happen in some places. You can be certain that a school like St. Frances in Baltimore pays good money. Why else would kids pack up and leave somewhere like Central Florida to live and play in the 'hood of Baltimore for a "school" that doesn't have a home stadium?

[KeemD321]

Venice gets a 5 star receiver transfer in Winston Watkins Jr

[Perspective]

2 hours ago, KeemD321 said:

Venice gets a 5 star receiver transfer in Winston Watkins Jr

From where?

[nolebull813]

2 hours ago, Perspective said:

From where?

Looks like he bounced around. 8th grade at Evangelical Christian. 9th-11th he was with IMG Academy then transferring halfway through the season to Naples First Baptist. 
 

I don’t think guys that bounce around this much ever pan out. I would be hesitant if I was a top 25 college team recruiting him 

[Perspective]

8 minutes ago, nolebull813 said:

Looks like he bounced around. 8th grade at Evangelical Christian. 9th-11th he was with IMG Academy then transferring halfway through the season to Naples First Baptist. 
 

I don’t think guys that bounce around this much ever pan out. I would be hesitant if I was a top 25 college team recruiting him 

If I'm a college coach recruiting a kid and that kid left IMG, I'd dig deep to find out why.   The kid would have to have a really good excuse.  IMG is probably the closest thing to what things will be like for the kid when he arrives on a college campus. 

[KeemD321]

1 hour ago, Perspective said:

If I'm a college coach recruiting a kid and that kid left IMG, I'd dig deep to find out why.   The kid would have to have a really good excuse.  IMG is probably the closest thing to what things will be like for the kid when he arrives on a college campus. 

I don't think he was the number 1 or 2 option at IMG so he went to FBA to more than likely be the first option there

[Longtime Observer]

Venice doesn't have a proven RB because the rising senior who was their leading rusher left the program. Based on rumors I'm hearing, people are probably going to be pretty mad about where he ends up! Word is he won't be at Sarasota Booker, but at another, much more despised public school. A hint would be Jameson Williams a few years ago.

[Perspective]

14 hours ago, KeemD321 said:

I don't think he was the number 1 or 2 option at IMG so he went to FBA to more than likely be the first option there

So, IMG is so loaded that a 5-star recruit isn't one of their top two WR's?    I don't know whether to laugh or cry.  

[Longtime Observer]

13 minutes ago, Perspective said:

So, IMG is so loaded that a 5-star recruit isn't one of their top two WR's?    I don't know whether to laugh or cry.  

With the complete free-for-all that is high school super team building, IMG no longer holds the huge advantage over other Florida schools. The coaching staff is nothing special, and the whole living like a professional while being 16/17 years old isn't as appealing as some may assume. The facilities are good, but, then again they have no fans and thus no home field advantage or experience. They're going to get many good players to be sure. But, so are several other power programs.

That said, allowing them to play in state playoffs while being able to operate in ways no other schools are allowed to is wrong.

[Ray Icaza]

1 hour ago, Perspective said:

So, IMG is so loaded that a 5-star recruit isn't one of their top two WR's?    I don't know whether to laugh or cry.  

Actually a 4 star recruit by 247 and 3 star by On3 who have been guilty of overrating players at times especially if they haven't put up the numbers proving their worth on the field of play.  He doesn't appear to have done that. 

[KeemD321]

23 minutes ago, Ray Icaza said:

Actually a 4 star recruit by 247 and 3 star by On3 who have been guilty of overrating players at times especially if they haven't put up the numbers proving their worth on the field of play.  He doesn't appear to have done that. 

Rivals has him rated as a 5 now

[Ray Icaza]

46 minutes ago, KeemD321 said:

Rivals has him rated as a 5 now

 

46 minutes ago, KeemD321 said:

Rivals has him rated as a 5 now

Rivals has Jayvan Boggs rated as a 4 Star now.  Do you really believe based on production against topflight competition this guy is better than Boggs?  That is my only point. 

[Proseteye]

3 hours ago, Longtime Observer said:

With the complete free-for-all that is high school super team building, IMG no longer holds the huge advantage over other Florida schools. The coaching staff is nothing special, and the whole living like a professional while being 16/17 years old isn't as appealing as some may assume. The facilities are good, but, then again they have no fans and thus no home field advantage or experience. They're going to get many good players to be sure. But, so are several other power programs.

That said, allowing them to play in state playoffs while being able to operate in ways no other schools are allowed to is wrong.

Wow, pretty down on IMG a team that went undefeated last season and played some tough games out of state and a couple of the better in state teams. And, they have some of the top players just about every season without even trying. 

Where do you get that they don't have any fans? Are their stands filled with homeless people every home game? Do you even watch any of their games?

IMG doesn't play in the playoffs or championships as per an aggreement with the FHSAA not to. Strange you didn't even know that. 

 

[Longtime Observer]

7 minutes ago, Proseteye said:

Wow, pretty down on IMG a team that went undefeated last season and played some tough games out of state and a couple of the better in state teams. And, they have some of the top players just about every season without even trying. 

Where do you get that they don't have any fans? Are their stands filled with homeless people every home game? Do you even watch any of their games?

IMG doesn't play in the playoffs or championships as per an aggreement with the FHSAA not to. Strange you didn't even know that. 

 

Having spectators and having fans are two different things.

Word has been that IMG may be eligible for at least the 8-team playoff in the future. 

[KeemD321]

2 hours ago, Ray Icaza said:

 

Rivals has Jayvan Boggs rated as a 4 Star now.  Do you really believe based on production against topflight competition this guy is better than Boggs?  That is my only point. 

Not at all. But I know what you mean

[KeemD321]

Venice got Wilder back

[Longtime Observer]

1 hour ago, KeemD321 said:

Venice got Wilder back

It was definitely looking like a different story as of a couple of weeks ago.

With Wilder back, and the WR, mentioned above, Venice might be about as good as last year again. That'll probably be enough to win their classification.

[KeemD321]

9 hours ago, Longtime Observer said:

It was definitely looking like a different story as of a couple of weeks ago.

With Wilder back, and the WR, mentioned above, Venice might be about as good as last year again. That'll probably be enough to win their classification.

Definitely looking like they have the pieces but it depends on their QB play and defense

[Longtime Observer]

15 hours ago, KeemD321 said:

Definitely looking like they have the pieces but it depends on their QB play and defense

Their classification appears soft. Columbus is said to be in rebuilding mode. So, that means Lake Mary and Seminole (who share a district) may be the toughest roadblocks in the entire playoffs. Venice likely does not have to improve from 2023 to win 7A. They thought they'd take a step back in 2024, but if they don't, they're probably winning 7A.

[KeemD321]

15 minutes ago, Longtime Observer said:

Their classification appears soft. Columbus is said to be in rebuilding mode. So, that means Lake Mary and Seminole (who share a district) may be the toughest roadblocks in the entire playoffs. Venice likely does not have to improve from 2023 to win 7A. They thought they'd take a step back in 2024, but if they don't, they're probably winning 7A.

They don't have many teams that will challenge them. But I see a handful including a dark horse. Vero, Seminole, Apopka, Lake Mary and if the stars align Spruce Creek.

[Longtime Observer]

3 hours ago, KeemD321 said:

They don't have many teams that will challenge them. But I see a handful including a dark horse. Vero, Seminole, Apopka, Lake Mary and if the stars align Spruce Creek.

Venice tends to do very well against teams that aren't absolutely loaded athletically. It's really just the elite teams (top 7-8) in the entire state that they have a tough time with, which is a testament to the quality of their staff. None of those teams you mention hit the absolute elite level athletically, though Seminole and Vero are often fairly athletic. There are simply no really scary teams for them, particularly if Columbus is rebuilding. If the RB Wilder was very motivated by wanting to win a state title, it does make sense he'd choose Venice's path over a path that almost certainly involves STA.  

[Drogo]

15 hours ago, Longtime Observer said:

Venice tends to do very well against teams that aren't absolutely loaded athletically. It's really just the elite teams (top 7-8) in the entire state that they have a tough time with, which is a testament to the quality of their staff. None of those teams you mention hit the absolute elite level athletically, though Seminole and Vero are often fairly athletic. There are simply no really scary teams for them, particularly if Columbus is rebuilding. If the RB Wilder was very motivated by wanting to win a state title, it does make sense he'd choose Venice's path over a path that almost certainly involves STA.  

Vero is in rebuild mode this season after last years rather disappointing season, while they do have some D1 prospects sprinkled on both sides of the ball, they certainly don’t have them at the quantity needed to compete with teams at Venice’s level. They are probably a playoff team with a 2-3 round exit again. As others have mentioned, unless something happens internally, I just don’t see anyone out there to challenge Venice.