IHATETHISPLACE
Thunderdome
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The recruiting landscape in South Florida just changed, at least potentially speaking.
With USF's official announcement Thursday that Miami Central head coach Telly Lockett has accepted a position on the staff of new head coach Willie Taggart, the Bulls might actually begin to resemble their mis-directional name.
Tampa isn't exactly South Florida, but the the University of South Florida's roster might start to look as if it is.
In what was possibly the worst kept secret of all this offseason's coaching maneuvers, Lockette was named the Bulls' running backs coach today, which should give USF a leg up on recruiting the Miami-Dade County area.
USF currently has 15 South Florida players on the roster, but only three of those are from Miami-Dade, which is where veteran recruiting guru Larry Blustein says Lockette will be the most influential.
"Outside of the inner city, he really doesn't have that many connections, but as for the inner city that will help him a lot," said Blustein, who writes Blu's Blog for SouthFloridaHighSchoolSports.com and has his own Miami-area radio show.
USF has obviously done well in the Broward County area, where nine current USF roster members played. Most of that recruiting work can be credited to out-going USF assistant coach Larry Scott, who has moved on to the University of Miami as tight ends coach.
Miami head coach Al Golden appears to be trying to shore up concerns about the Hurricanes' inability to keep local talent at home. With the hiring of Scott and former FSU assistant James Coley, the Hurricanes could be answering those concerns. UM's 2014 class already has commitments from Central running back Joseph Yearby and teammate offensive lineman Trevor Darling.
What Lockett brings to the table, however, is the respect and trust of a Miami inner-city circle that is difficult to penetrate for outsider recruiters.
USF may lose a Broward connection in Scott, but if Lockette can land a couple of inner-city stars, the payoff for Taggart will be well worth the trade.
"I think they were doing pretty good and Larry Scott was all about South Florida," Blustein said. "Lockett's only ties are the inner city and it's not like he endeared himself to Broward and Palm Beach county coaches.
"One thing is for sure though. If Lockette can land Winky Flowers and Deatrick Nichols ... if he can get those two, that will be a huge, huge coup."
Winky Flowers is somewhat of an unknown. He is Miami Jackson dual-threat quarterback Quinton Flowers, who doesn't make the rounds much in offseason camps, combines or 7-on-7 tournaments, but his highlight film has certainly made the circuit.
Flowers is a highlight maker's dream and clips of what gets left out of his film would probably make most other players' A-roll material. Blustein said Jackson coach Antonio "De La" Brown "loves Telly Lockette," and so Winky might not be such a difficult catch.
As for Nichols, he's been coached by Lockette at Central for the past three seasons, and if the Bulls can get the 5-foot-10, 180-pound corner, it will be a big victory for USF in the inner-city recruiting war.
"Nichols will be huge. I think Nichols ends up being the No. 1 cover corner in the state this year," Blustein said. "If he can deliver Deatrick and Quinton Flowers, then he'll have done a good job.
He comes to USF after guiding Central to three straight state championship appearances during his five years. Miami Central won two state titles, defeating Orlando Dr. Phillips (2010) and Gainesville (2012), and lost to Seffner Armwood (2011).
Central was 60-10 during that span, although some of the wins have been vacated after FHSAA investigations determined the Bulls had used ineligible players in 2011 and 2010. Lockett also coached four seasons at Miami Northwestern, his alma mater, as offensive coordinator. He was a Division I-AA All-American at linebacker for Idaho State.
The Miami Central roster is currently loaded for another state title run this year. Two of the top running backs in the country lead the way with Joseph Yearby and Dalvin Cook, and offensive lineman Trevor Darling is also a highly touted prospect. Yearby, who was committed to Florida State, and Darling are both currently committed to Miami. It is, however, a long way to National Signing Day 2014.
Other Central 2014 prospects include OL Joshua Addison, DT Raul Diaz, LB Johnathan Harris and DE Christopher Reese. Another prospect, the coach's son WR Jakari Lockette, who will end up at a Tampa school — can anyone say Plant?
With USF's official announcement Thursday that Miami Central head coach Telly Lockett has accepted a position on the staff of new head coach Willie Taggart, the Bulls might actually begin to resemble their mis-directional name.
Tampa isn't exactly South Florida, but the the University of South Florida's roster might start to look as if it is.
In what was possibly the worst kept secret of all this offseason's coaching maneuvers, Lockette was named the Bulls' running backs coach today, which should give USF a leg up on recruiting the Miami-Dade County area.
USF currently has 15 South Florida players on the roster, but only three of those are from Miami-Dade, which is where veteran recruiting guru Larry Blustein says Lockette will be the most influential.
"Outside of the inner city, he really doesn't have that many connections, but as for the inner city that will help him a lot," said Blustein, who writes Blu's Blog for SouthFloridaHighSchoolSports.com and has his own Miami-area radio show.
USF has obviously done well in the Broward County area, where nine current USF roster members played. Most of that recruiting work can be credited to out-going USF assistant coach Larry Scott, who has moved on to the University of Miami as tight ends coach.
Miami head coach Al Golden appears to be trying to shore up concerns about the Hurricanes' inability to keep local talent at home. With the hiring of Scott and former FSU assistant James Coley, the Hurricanes could be answering those concerns. UM's 2014 class already has commitments from Central running back Joseph Yearby and teammate offensive lineman Trevor Darling.
What Lockett brings to the table, however, is the respect and trust of a Miami inner-city circle that is difficult to penetrate for outsider recruiters.
USF may lose a Broward connection in Scott, but if Lockette can land a couple of inner-city stars, the payoff for Taggart will be well worth the trade.
"I think they were doing pretty good and Larry Scott was all about South Florida," Blustein said. "Lockett's only ties are the inner city and it's not like he endeared himself to Broward and Palm Beach county coaches.
"One thing is for sure though. If Lockette can land Winky Flowers and Deatrick Nichols ... if he can get those two, that will be a huge, huge coup."
Winky Flowers is somewhat of an unknown. He is Miami Jackson dual-threat quarterback Quinton Flowers, who doesn't make the rounds much in offseason camps, combines or 7-on-7 tournaments, but his highlight film has certainly made the circuit.
Flowers is a highlight maker's dream and clips of what gets left out of his film would probably make most other players' A-roll material. Blustein said Jackson coach Antonio "De La" Brown "loves Telly Lockette," and so Winky might not be such a difficult catch.
As for Nichols, he's been coached by Lockette at Central for the past three seasons, and if the Bulls can get the 5-foot-10, 180-pound corner, it will be a big victory for USF in the inner-city recruiting war.
"Nichols will be huge. I think Nichols ends up being the No. 1 cover corner in the state this year," Blustein said. "If he can deliver Deatrick and Quinton Flowers, then he'll have done a good job.
He comes to USF after guiding Central to three straight state championship appearances during his five years. Miami Central won two state titles, defeating Orlando Dr. Phillips (2010) and Gainesville (2012), and lost to Seffner Armwood (2011).
Central was 60-10 during that span, although some of the wins have been vacated after FHSAA investigations determined the Bulls had used ineligible players in 2011 and 2010. Lockett also coached four seasons at Miami Northwestern, his alma mater, as offensive coordinator. He was a Division I-AA All-American at linebacker for Idaho State.
The Miami Central roster is currently loaded for another state title run this year. Two of the top running backs in the country lead the way with Joseph Yearby and Dalvin Cook, and offensive lineman Trevor Darling is also a highly touted prospect. Yearby, who was committed to Florida State, and Darling are both currently committed to Miami. It is, however, a long way to National Signing Day 2014.
Other Central 2014 prospects include OL Joshua Addison, DT Raul Diaz, LB Johnathan Harris and DE Christopher Reese. Another prospect, the coach's son WR Jakari Lockette, who will end up at a Tampa school — can anyone say Plant?
