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"Cocoa 3" show U Respect & Love

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CandideCane said:
Stop projecting and start comprehending. No too far here dude. Enjoy the pic.
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Don't listen to the "too cool for school" crowd on here. This new generation loves that kind of attention. They were probably just happy somebody noticed them. When they go to rural area SEC schools there fans do the same **** and are probably worse. And the kids eat that stuff up.

Great pic btw. Yes CH looks small but his legs look HUGE. Not sure if that's the shadow or not but hes got grown man legs for such a small upper body.
 
TaylorCaneOrDie said:
Love how I thought your conversation ended but you kept going back to shoot your shot. The Cocoa kids will never read this but we want all you guys at the U. Breaks my heart to hear all about how Holmes grew up a Miami fan but isn’t feeling UM as much. Would love to bring in all 3.
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This will 100% get back to them. Holmes did grow up a fan and pretty sure the fam reads this board. Leonard and Freeman will hear thru Holmes.
 
Great story. We forget how rare it is for our coaches to be super aggressive with a recruit early in the process with a hard sell and committable offer. For 99% of the kids we pursue, the staff usually takes a gradual approach, often hot-then-cold. Not everyone is Evan Neal or Tyson Campbell with every D1 school after him, they're constantly being moved up and down boards and being (re)evaluated.

The Cocoa kids seem to fall in that category of good to really good but maybe not at that national elite level where we are ready to give a commitable offer right now. Gotta love that they're showing up and hoping for a stronger relationship. I certainly can't fault them if they commit to another program while we make up our minds. Just hope they all still go to Paradise and prove they deserve that hard offer.
 
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CandideCane said:
Was fortunate enough to attend the Spring Game in Orlando. The following is a detailed recollection of my encounter with the "Cocoa 3": Caziah Holmes, Richie Leonard and Marquize Freeman.

After game walking to parking lot look back and recognize CH (his cut/color easy to spot) with 2 other guys and they are each sporting different Cane Shirts in green. At this point, didn't recognize other 2 and only addressed CH.

I asked him smiling "are we going to get you?" and he looked at me, cracked a grin and gave me the "I dunno maybe" shrug we all know.

I said: "You have to admit, the energy you're seeing now is way better than last year right?" He cracked big smile and eyes "agreeing" nodded and said "Yeah".

I then started to turn away and said :"you know you were born to be a Cane!". I don't think I'm embellishing by saying that his chest puffed up on hearing this.

I crossed street and when got to other side realized the bigger guy had to be RL, still didn't recognize the 3rd guy.

I turned around looking at RL and said: "And we need the offensive tackle too". Swear to you, Leonard just about jumped (almost as high as his dunk) bump into CH, lighting up smiling big time, joyful for real. I don't know if because recognized and getting noticed (probably most?) and/or that U needed him too.

Not knowing 3rd guy didn't want to step into something so didn't address him and I kinda felt bad cause he sporting gear too.

At that point, feeling good vibes, I asked them: "you think I can get a pic, I post on CaneInSights"?

TBH, didn't expect yes or anything. Then, to my complete surprise, they not only say sure, but on their own, not only poise, not only shoot U's, but bunch up and coordinate the interlocked U!

Not expecting anything, I fumbled shooting only a few pics (can't upload cause of size, if somebody can help appreciate it) and didn't want to hold them up any longer.

I told them "Thank You and safe trip to Cocoa". CH said: "Thank You"

Then as they start walking away I say: "You know, you come to the U, you own a City like Miami!", reinforcing real lights vs hokey bs and turned around and walked to my car and they kept walking to theirs.

When got home hours later saw CIS thread where Knighton also there and our #1 choice, also that CH cb'd to FSu, and that RL had just decommitted from Ktucky (also saw his tweet and saw the other guy was MF).

Read TOS had post game interview with CH and he "named" FSu leader"? Well, my encounter had to have happened right after that and you read how that went.

I am no expert recruiting guy, just a lifelong U Fan. Having said that, the following stands out to me:

1. They drove to the game 3 hr r/t w traffic
2. They all wore Cane Gear. They could have shown up without colors, no biggie no coach contact, etc.
3. RL lighting up and joyful when "U needs him"
4. Finally, the Interlocking U! Ultimate respect imo.

You can debate whether a sub 4.5, 4 star athlete is a take. You can question if 3 star OL is tackle or not and if MF can develop into U offer.

But I don't think there can be any question that the Cocoa 3 came to Orlando and showed Respect and Love for The U!

Sorry for length but wanted you to have a full viewpoint.
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Awesome article. Been following these kids. Was hoping they would commit. My old high school too. Thanks for the heads up.
 
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