I was able to attend the Elite Scouting Services High School Combine last weekend in Tampa and wanted to share a few notes regarding some of the players that were there. I did my best to follow guys who were on Florida State's radar for the 2011 recruiting class.
Zach Debell - OL - Tarpon Springs - Video
Debell showed pretty good size and quickness for 260lbs. Ran 40 times of 5.12 and 5.28 on wet grass, did the 3-cone shuttle in 8.16 and ran a Pro Shuttle of 4.73 and 4.78. Zach cleaned up in 1 on 1 drills as well. When asked about FSU he said that he enjoys speaking with coach Trickett and would love the opportunity to play at FSU but still needs to evaluate all of his opportunities.
Ja'Juan Story - WR - Nature Coast - Video
Story is a great athlete with excellent speed. I saw him run two 40s, 4.37 on his first and 4.41 on his second despite a bad start off the line. Juan also ran the 3-cone drill and pro shuttle but it is unfair to hold some of the kids to their time this early in the recruiting process. It is quite evident that some of these athletes have never run these drills before and lack the proper technique at this point in their career to properly evaluate them. Story looked very good in 1 on 1 drills, he was explosive off the line of scrimmage and also showed the ability to go up and get the ball at its highest point. When asked about what he though of FSU's offense he said that he really liked what Jimbo Fisher was doing in Tallahassee.
Keith Lewis - LB/S - Tampa - Video
Lewis is a quick kid out of Freedom High School who recently attended FSU's Spring Game. At 6'0" 200 lbs Lewis ran a 4.56 and a 4.53 40 time but probably lacks the size to play linebacker at FSU. In 1 on 1 drills he primarily played DB as that is a position he plans on playing more in his Senior year. When asked about his experience during the spring game Lewis said it was an electric feeling and he would love the opportunity to play for the Noles.
There were a few other players that really stood out who could benefit FSU in future classes.
Matt Jones (2012) - RB - Tampa - Video
At 6'3" 220lbs Jones is a back that I would love to see at FSU. Had two good 40 times of 4.6 and 4.56. Looked very fluid in 1 on 1 drills and caught the ball well out of the back field. Currently holds offers from Georgia, Florida and South Carolina.
Adam Lane (2013) - RB - Winter Haven - Video (RB highlights start at the 5:50 mark)
He is the brother of current Rutgers TE D.C. Jefferson and despite his 5'6" height Lane is a solid 200lb and runs very well. Lane was in the earliest group to run and despite the wet grass he ran two 40 times of 4.56 and 4.44. In the pro shuttle he ran a 4.47 and a 4.25 while posting a 7.56 in the 3 cone. Lane currently has interest from FSU, UF and VT but at this point there is no leader.
Congratulations to Charles Fishbein and Josh Newberg of ESS as they put on an excellent combine. Over 200 kids showed as did FSU greats Dexter Carter and Chris Weinke who provided inspirational talks as well as on field instruction.