South Florida '17- The RBs

DMoney

Feb 9, 2016 3 min read

We got spoiled. Between 2009-2015, it seemed South Florida would produce a franchise back every year. The names speak for themselves: Lamar Miller, Gio Bernard, Duke Johnson, Alex Collins, Sony Michel, Dalvin Cook.

But the well has temporarily run dry. Travis Homer and Jawon Hamilton headlined last year's class, and I'm not sure anybody in this year's group is as good as those two. Robert Burns has a chance to be better, but he still hasn't put it all together. Overall, it is a thin group.

Robert Burns (Gulliver Prep)- 5'11, 206 pounds, 4.57 (Miami Commitment)

Burns is an enigma. At his best, he looks like a young Jonathan Stewart. His SPARQ numbers are through the roof. But the production just isn't there. Some of it is due to injuries, some of it is inexplicable. I wonder if he's too muscle-bound. Scarlett had a similar body type and struggled with his lateral quickness against SEC defenses. Bottom line: Burns is high risk with a very high reward.

Sophomore highlights:

[HUDL]athlete/2687493/highlights/208274376[/HUDL]

Bentavious Thompson (Southridge via Killian)- 6', 190 pounds (Miami Commitment)

Solid, tough runner who lacks any explosive traits. Athletically, he's closer to Charlie Jones than Alex Collins. He can be a productive player but I don't know if he's a star.

Bentavious Thompson - Hudl

Kyshaun Bryan (American Heritage- Plantation)- 5'10, 185 pounds

Of all of these backs, Bryan is the safest bet to be a good college player. His size limits his upside, but he has burst, quickness and toughness. Similar in style to Ahmad Bradshaw. Now that his running mate Khalil Herbert is off to Kansas, Bryan figures to have a big season.

Junior Highlight - Kyshaun Bryan highlights - Hudl

Alec Sinkfield (American Heritage- Delray)- 5'9, 180 pounds

Quick, versatile player who is also a missile at safety. May project as a slot receiver. West Virginia has offered and leads.

2015-2016 season - Alec Sinkfield highlights - Hudl

Clevan Thomas (Flanagan)- 5'11, 188 pounds

Thomas is being recruited as a receiver, but I think his best college position may be at running back. He is a stout, explosive player who lined up all over the field for the state champion Falcons.

Just the Start... - Clevan Thomas highlights - Hudl

Mike Epstein (St. Thomas Aquinas)- 5'11, 185 pounds (Illinois Commitment)

Epstein sat out last year with an injury and is poised for a big season with the Raiders. He has been on the radar since youth football and brings a nice combination of instincts and quickness (4.09 shuttle)

Sophomore highlights: Sophomore Varsity Highlights - Mike Epstein highlights - Hudl

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Marcelo2988

Feb 9, 2016

**** I remember when everyone was saying that Burns was the next great one down here....

Hopefully he puts it together

Geo305

Feb 9, 2016

Me & D$ were talking about this the other day extensively on the RBs.

Burns main tick is being injury prone. If he can stay healthy, sky is the limit. He missed part of his sophomore year and most of his junior year.

No point in even watching his junior film.

Wish he would have transferred to BTW or Westminister when he was considering it before sophomore year, because Gulliver is weak in the trenches. They also don't hold as much guys on the roster as other schools do.

If Burns can stay healthy, he can be very special. Needs a big senior year.(Staying healthy and recovering that shoulder is the key)

Thompson as we talked about. He's a bruiser, great in pass pro., good receiver. Not elite like Burns is/can be but a 4* prospect. Can see Thompson being like a Damien Berry for us as we talked about. We don't have a bruiser on the roster.

I like Bryan but as you said. Size limits him.

After those 3. It's a dropoff in the tri-county with Epstein being a wait and see for his senior year.

Sinkfield an athlete as you mentioned.

North of the tri-county throughout the state. Is strong. It's a strong year in the state for RBs. Tri-County has been weak for two years outside of a select two or three both years.

Last edited: Feb 9, 2016

Don Caneleone

Feb 9, 2016

Geo305 said:
Me & D$ were talking about this the other day extensively on the RBs.

Burns main tick is being injury prone. If he can stay healthy, sky is the limit. He missed part of his sophomore year and most of his junior year.

No point in even watching his junior film.

Wish he would have transferred to BTW or Westminister when he was considering it before sophomore year, because Gulliver is weak in the trenches. They also don't hold as much guys on the roster as other schools do.

If Burns can stay healthy, he can be very special. Needs a big senior year.(Staying healthy and recovering that shoulder is the key)

Thompson as we talked about. He's a bruiser, great in pass pro., good receiver. Not elite like Burns is/can be but a 4* prospect. Can see Thompson being like a Damien Berry for us as we talked about. We don't have a bruiser on the roster.

I like Bryan but as you said. Size limits him.

Sinkfield an athlete as you mentioned.

After those 3. It's a dropoff in the tri-county with Epstein being a wait and see for his senior year.

North of the tri-county throughout the state. Is strong. It's a strong year in the state for RBs. Tri-County has been weak for two years outside of a select two or three both years.

My understanding is that Burns was basically adopted by a very wealthy family that lives in Cocoplum. Probably why he stays at Gulliver. I was also told he is an exceptional kid, which hopefully means he doesn't play any recruiting games.

caneaddict

Feb 9, 2016

the whole Gulliver thing is strange, as D Money has stated several times, 24-0 loss to Belen with a team you'd think would be on a fast track to state, something off there..

Geo305

Feb 9, 2016

There is also Christopher "CJ" Henderson at Colombus as well but I think his money position is at DB.

Outside of the tri-county you have.

Colin Wilson - Clay

Adarius Lemons - Clearwater

A.J. Davis - Lakeland

Devan Barrett - Tampa Catholic (Think best position is DB)

Zaquandre White - North Fort Myers (Think best position is DB)

CJ Cotman - Clearwater Central Catholic (More of a WR or DB)

Michael Carter - Navarre

Trace Christian - Lake Brantley

Otis Anderson Jr. - University Christian

Rasheed Martin - Trinity Christian

Daequantae Showers - Fleming Island

You also have one of my personal favorite athletes this year. Darrian Felix from Fort Myers. Ran a 4.39 forty at Army Combine and has a 46" vert. Plays some RB but I think he would be a star WR or DB in college.

Last edited: Feb 9, 2016

Don Caneleone

Feb 9, 2016

caneaddict said:
the whole Gulliver thing is strange, as D Money has stated several times, 24-0 loss to Belen with a team you'd think would be on a fast track to state, something off there..

No quarterback and no OL is what I was told. I think Mullins was slated to play QB this year before he became ineligible.

nvlahos

Feb 9, 2016

The next great SoFLa back has to be James Cook co 2019 right?

01Canes

Feb 9, 2016

Aside from Burns, this year's South Florida RB group looks really underwhelming. I assume Thomas Brown will be going hard after Anthony McFarland Jr. from Maryland and Adarius Lemons from Clearwater, FL to join Burns in this class instead of staying in South Florida for lesser talent. Lemons might be the best back in the state in the 2017 class.

The durability concerns surrounding Burns seem legitimate, but I'll gladly bet on his talent and athletic upside. ESPN's Gerry Hamilton attended one of Gulliver's early-season games and mentioned that Burns looked very limited due to injury, so it's something that may have affected him all season. Only had 60 carries in 2015.

Geo305

Feb 9, 2016

Don Caneleone said:
Geo305 said:

Me & D$ were talking about this the other day extensively on the RBs.

Burns main tick is being injury prone. If he can stay healthy, sky is the limit. He missed part of his sophomore year and most of his junior year.

No point in even watching his junior film.

Wish he would have transferred to BTW or Westminister when he was considering it before sophomore year, because Gulliver is weak in the trenches. They also don't hold as much guys on the roster as other schools do.

If Burns can stay healthy, he can be very special. Needs a big senior year.(Staying healthy and recovering that shoulder is the key)

Thompson as we talked about. He's a bruiser, great in pass pro., good receiver. Not elite like Burns is/can be but a 4* prospect. Can see Thompson being like a Damien Berry for us as we talked about. We don't have a bruiser on the roster.

I like Bryan but as you said. Size limits him.

Sinkfield an athlete as you mentioned.

After those 3. It's a dropoff in the tri-county with Epstein being a wait and see for his senior year.

North of the tri-county throughout the state. Is strong. It's a strong year in the state for RBs. Tri-County has been weak for two years outside of a select two or three both years.

Click to expand...

My understanding is that Burns was basically adopted by a very wealthy family that lives in Cocoplum. Probably why he stays at Gulliver. I was also told he is an exceptional kid, which hopefully means he doesn't play any recruiting games.

Yeah, I doubt he will be going anywhere. Baez was the one who advised Dionte, Ced and Burns to stay at Gulliver instead of Booker T. They were looking to transfer to Booker T when Hardtime, Callaway and D. Davis transferred from Homestead to Booker T.

K
kperez4446

Feb 9, 2016

Wright from Carol City

Geo305

Feb 9, 2016

nvlahos said:
The next great SoFLa back has to be James Cook co 2019 right?

James Cook from Central & Nayquan Wright at Carol City.

I mentioned them over a year ago before they even got into high school. I was called crazy by a select few people. This is what recruiting has become now though. You have to be ahead of the game.

Keep an eye on in 2018 for Jordan Johnson from Plantation.

Another kid in 2020, Andre Stringfield. Was told he'll be going to Southwest(I expect big schools to try and poach him though)

Geo305

Feb 9, 2016

01Canes said:
Aside from Burns, this year's South Florida RB group looks really underwhelming. I assume Thomas Brown will be going hard after Anthony McFarland Jr. from Maryland and Adarius Lemons from Clearwater, FL to join Burns in this class instead of staying in South Florida for lesser talent. Lemons might be the best back in the state in the 2017 class.

The durability concerns surrounding Burns seem legitimate, but I'll gladly bet on his talent and athletic upside. ESPN's Gerry Hamilton attended one of Gulliver's early-season games and mentioned that Burns looked very limited due to injury, so it's something that may have affected him all season. Only had 60 carries in 2015.

I believe the two best RB prospects in the state are Burns and Lemons. IMO

Burns needs to get past being injury prone. Lemons needs to fill out his frame.

As on the note for McFarland. It seems he has a great relationship with Thomas Brown and was leaning to UGA because of him. Have noticed some pro canes tweets from him FWIW. I hope it's true because I would love to add him. Fast and explosive with some power, despite being smaller(5'8"-5'9"ish).

Feb 9, 2016

Kyshaun Bryan a layup with Rumph on staff?

Geo305

Feb 9, 2016

Don Caneleone said:
caneaddict said:

the whole Gulliver thing is strange, as D Money has stated several times, 24-0 loss to Belen with a team you'd think would be on a fast track to state, something off there..

Click to expand...

No quarterback and no OL is what I was told. I think Mullins was slated to play QB this year before he became ineligible.

Yes. Gulliver was going to put Dionte at QB this year.

They lost their QB for this past season when Mo Hasan decided to leave. The line was weak to begin with aside from Cody Bowes who ended up transferring to STA.

The team was basically JoJo and Ced this year, since Dionte sat out and Burns missed a lot of time with injury. (Mayfield and Shuman were good too)

B
bshaw28

Feb 9, 2016

I'm not putting too much stock in Burns. He has the look of a player that in their Freshman or Sophomore years you looked at and said, this kid is going to be REALLY good when they're a Senior. But it just doesn't happen. They got a reputation early, but they just don't make that progression you'd expect, and their star ranking is never adjusted.

I feel like the same thing happened with other So Fla RB's like Yearby, Walton, Rasul, and Eduardo Clements.

S
swdp12

Feb 9, 2016

westcoastcanes said:
Kyshaun Bryan a layup with Rumph on staff?

lol, good one

S
shayleon

Feb 9, 2016

Burns looks a bit beastie...

brock

Feb 9, 2016

Burns has the most POTENTIAL of anyone running back we recruited since Lamar Miller.( not including Dalvin cook). He should be and remain the #1 priority for this class on offense at the skill positions

Last edited: Feb 9, 2016

L
loreste

Feb 9, 2016

Otis Anderson Jr?? Can he play?

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South Florida '17- The RBs

Comments (47)

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