Does Steve Spurrier have a realistic shot at Middleton High receiver O.J. Murdock ?
According to Murdock, yes.
Murdock visited South Carolina last weekend and lists it and Florida as his front-runners with Florida State third.
"There's a big football buzz right now," Murdock said of South Carolina. "It's a football town. They love it."
Murdock is scheduled to visit Florida on Jan.28 then make his choice. He scratched the Gators off his list after Ron Zook was fired, but new coach Urban Meyer persuaded Murdock to reconsider during a visit to Tampa last month.
Murdock said he disagrees with the notion that Spurrier dislikes recruiting. The former Florida coach visited him in Tampa a few weeks ago, and the two spent time together in Columbia last weekend.
"He's a cool man, very open-minded," Murdock said. "He tells you straight forward how it is."
COMMITTED: Jason Harmon , who led Riverview in receiving, punt returns and kickoff returns, accepted Florida Atlantic's scholarship offer during a visit last weekend. ... Armwood receiver Kareem Royal committed to the Citadel.
BRAINS AND BRAWN: Middleton lineman Will Bergen visited South Carolina two weeks ago and Illinois State last weekend. Bergen, who carries a 5.3 weighted grade point average, also is considering Iowa State and Pittsburgh.
GETTING CLOSE: Armwood lineman Chad Peterson has narrowed his choices to Army and Navy. He has received appointments to both, which comes as little surprise because he carries a 5.38 weighted GPA and scored 1,310 on his SAT (in 10th grade).
Peterson was at West Point two weeks ago and is scheduled to visit the Naval Academy on Jan.28.
Neither school has an edge, he said, but it's worth noting Navy's option offense is similar to Armwood's.
ORANGE AND BLUE BLOOD?: The Gators are in hot pursuit of Darryl Gresham , a prized linebacker from Virginia. His father, Darryl Gresham Sr ., played basketball for the Gators during the mid 1980s and shared the backcourt with future NBA standout Vernon Maxwell .
Gresham is a Virginia commitment but said he won't make anything final until signing day Feb.2.
IN DEMAND: Six members of Wesley Chapel's playoff squad have received interest. Offensive lineman Danny Tolley orally committed to USF on Friday.
Lineman Khalil Madani visited the Citadel last weekend and hosted Army coach Bobby Ross at the player's home Monday. Madani, who already visited Air Force and Army, is scheduled to travel to Wofford on Friday and Dartmouth on Jan.28.
Running back/defensive back Nigel Bryant has visits set up for Lafayette (Easton, Pa.) on Friday and Truman State (Kirksville, Mo.) on Jan.28.
Receiver/defensive back Jeff Reamer , running back/defensive back Aaron Dickler and lineman Jacob Simmons are considering McDaniel (where former Wildcat Derek Zabko plays) in Westminster, Md., Ohio Dominican in Columbus and Taylor in Upland, Ind.
Quarterback/defensive back Anthony Rawson , a two-sport standout, will wait until after baseball season to consider his options.
WALKING TOGETHER: Springstead quarterback Ian Wald , the Times Citrus/Hernando Player of the Year, probably could have his pick of Division II or III schools after rushing for 900 yards and passing for 690 while leading the Eagles to the Class 4A region semifinals.
But Wald would rather walk on at USF, and he figures he might get his best shot as a punter, something he did at Springstead. He has sent letters and tapes but not spoken to USF.
Springstead kicker Justin DeMutiis , fullback Tim Dow and linebacker Nick Belavilas also hope to walk on with the Bulls, Wald said.
ODDS AND ENDS: Crystal River kicker Matt Pepito received a scholarship offer from Missouri Valley in Marshall but has not accepted, his father, Tas , said. ... Hernando lineman Windham Rotunda is exploring options in Texas and junior colleges in the Midwest.
