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Top FLORIDA Defensive Prospects of the last 5 years

LuCane

LuCane

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Randomly came up in another thread, but thought this would be a fun exercise. Larry and a few others who like to look at these historical views can chime in here. Also, when I wake up tomorrow, I'll take a closer look at the databases and my recruiting notes to see who I missed. For now...

Off the top of my head, here's how I'd rank the state of Florida's defensive prospects (coming out of high school) in the last 5 years:

1. Matthew Thomas
2. Corey Lemonier
3. Haha Clinton-Dix
4. Tim Jernigan
5. Christian Jones
6. Aaron Lynch
7. Matt Elam
8. Artie Burns
9. Leonard Williams
10. Karlos Williams

Tracy Howard, PJ Williams, Dante Fowler and a few others could be argued in. I also almost undoubtedly forgot a few guys. I'd need to go back to a database to see all the names.

Let's see if we can expand this list and I'd love to see others' lists.
 
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If Artie is that high then what about Deon? I know it's splitting hairs or whatever.


I hope Artie really is that great because if he's that much better than Deon Bush we're in for a treat having both. And Matt Thomas most likely to boot.
 
What about the DT that went to Illinois....Corey Liguet? Also, Forston was a beast coming out.
 
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UMcanesfan420 said:
If Artie is that high then what about Deon? I know it's splitting hairs or whatever.


I hope Artie really is that great because if he's that much better than Deon Bush we're in for a treat having both. And Matt Thomas most likely to boot.
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Coming out of HS, I liked Deon a lot, but he'd be closer to 20-30 than 1-10 over the last 5 years. What Deon put together in his Freshman year, mostly in his aggression and ability to play in space, was a pleasant surprise to many.

I'm trying not to "cheat" by letting what they've done in college influence where I put them on the list. I made the list as what I'd have ranked them coming out of HS. That's the only way it'd be fair to Matthew Thomas.
 
BigCaneAl said:
What about the DT that went to Illinois....Corey Liguet? Also, Forston was a beast coming out.
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Corey Liuget falls out of the 5 year range or he'd be right around a top 10.

Forston also falls out of the 5 year range, but he'd be nowhere near my top 10. I was never a Forston fan because I watched him live too many times. Most notably, I watched him get consistently stalemated by a bunch of fat Cuban kids from Columbus.
 
LuCane said:
BigCaneAl said:
What about the DT that went to Illinois....Corey Liguet? Also, Forston was a beast coming out.
Click to expand...

Corey Liuget falls out of the 5 year range or he'd be right around a top 10.

Forston also falls out of the 5 year range, but he'd be nowhere near my top 10. I was never a Forston fan because I watched him live too many times. Most notably, I watched him get consistently stalemated by a bunch of fat Cuban kids from Columbus.
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Lol at the fat cuban kids...I just remember his highlights and his Army practice film. But fair enough. So sad that Lynch is at USF ...what a waste.
 
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So starting with the 2009 class, or else obviously PP/PJ would be on there. Demar Dorsey was a stud, just couldn't keep it together off the field.
 
BigCaneAl said:
CanesAreAble said:
VHIII
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Damnit, was about to post that....lol. Maybe best CB since PP
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It wasn't an oversight. I like him and think he'll be extremely solid, but I've mentioned that I think a number of guys will "catch up" to him as they develop their skills. Doesn't mean he won't be good and doesn't mean he won't play in the NFL, but for someone who some people have as the #1 defensive player in the state, I think he's probably closer to like the #8 best defensive prospect in the state. For example, I think Artie Burns is a level above. Also, hold on to your butts, but I think Grace is a better prospect (long-term) than VHIII. We shall see.
 
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Other names that can hover around the range are Louis Nix and (maybe) Brandon Jenkins. I didn't think Jenkins was going to be as good as he became, though. Would've missed on him.
 
For those asking where PP would be on a list like this...

He'd be #1.

Perryman wouldn't be on this list. I liked him. I straight up liked him more than our own staff liked him. I've compared him to Dexter Coakley. But, it'd be unfair to say, in hindsight, I'd have put him in or around a top 10ish list. He'd have been in the 30-40 range as a WLB. I thought he'd have to RS and we'd see development from him in years 2 and 3.
 
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