Sports: Tampa Bay High School recruiting digest

Tampa Bay High School recruiting digest

By DEBI JONES

As a junior in the fall of 1999, Mike Lynche was a 6-foot-2, 220-pound fullback for a Gibbs team that passed the ball almost exclusively.

After the season, Lynche attacked the weights and made an Incredible Hulk-like transformation.

"I didn't feel different until I stepped on the scale at the start of spring practice and it said 260," Lynche said. "It totally surprised me. I still felt the same and I still ran as fast, but I was much bigger."

Lynche packed on another 20 pounds in the summer before trimming back to 270 and becoming a Times first-team All-Suncoast selection this season at defensive tackle.

Sunday, at the end of his official visit, Lynche orally committed to Central Florida over Tulane and Florida Atlantic. Commitments are non-binding until players sign letters of intent. The signing period begins Feb. 7.

"I got a really good feeling when I stepped on campus," said Lynche, who plans to major in elementary education and play defensive line. "I clicked with the coaching staff."

Lynche made an unofficial visit to Miami in the fall and was arranging an official visit to Coral Gables this month. However, the Hurricanes had yet to offer him a scholarship in writing. Before they did, Lynche found his match.

"I'm happy with UCF," Lynche said. "It's not a second choice to me. It's a first choice."

USF EMERGENCE: South Florida has made little impact on Florida, Florida State and Miami in recruiting the area's blue-chip prospects. However, the Bulls are beating many schools on the next tier.

Cedric King, a wide receiver from Gibbs, chose the Bulls over Tulane despite his brother, Buccaneers quarterback Shaun King, being one of Tulane's all-time great players.

Marcus Edwards, a first-team all-state wide receiver from Clearwater Central Catholic, was set to visit Illinois and Minnesota, but canceled those trips and committed after a visit to USF. The option to stay near home -- and stay warm -- outweighed the chance to play in the Big Ten.

Chris Carothers, a 6-4, 290-pound offensive lineman from Clearwater, was getting feelers but no offers from Big East schools Boston College, Syracuse and Pitt, so he decided to snap up USF's scholarship.

"If Syracuse had offered, I wouldn't have minded going there," Carothers said. "USF has good facilities, and the other advantage is it's right around the corner, so my family and friends can see me play."

ONE OUT, TWO IN: Wharton cornerback Dwight Ellick, a Times all-Hillsborough selection, canceled his visit to Florida and will focus his interest on Syracuse and Notre Dame.

"Florida probably hasn't called me in a month," Ellick said. "I wouldn't say they are out, but they're dissing me."

Antoine Sharp of Jacksonville Bolles committed to Florida. Sharp, who played running back and defensive back, chose UF over Miami, Georgia Tech, Wisconsin and Notre Dame.

The Gators also received an oral commitment from offensive lineman Jonathan Colon, who signed last year but did not receive a qualifying test score. Colon is enrolled at Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville.

"He is just waiting," said his mother, Neida. "I'll have to check myself into a hospital I'll be so happy when everything gets settled."

COACHING CONTINUITY: Virginia coach George Welsh resigned at the end of the season, leaving the Cavaliers with no coach as recruiting picked up steam during December.

Last week, Virginia hired Al Groh from the New York Jets. However, that was too late for East Lake tight end Bobby Williamson, who had committed to Clemson over Virginia and Oklahoma a week before.

"I didn't like that whole (coaching uncertainty). I didn't want to be in the middle of that," said the 6-4, 240-pound Williamson, who lived near Clemson from fourth through eighth grade. "I wanted to go someplace where the coaching staff was stable."

DO I HAVE TO CHOOSE?: Hernando linebacker/fullback Dee Brown (6-1, 235) also is a school-record setting, power-hitting outfielder. He'd like to play both sports in college, though he could play college football and pro baseball.

Brown has visited Miami and UCF. He will visit USF (Jan. 12) and Tennessee (Jan. 19) and perhaps Georgia (Jan. 26). All have said he could play both sports except Georgia. Brown awaits word from new coach Mark Richt on the matter.

SNUB: On the rivals100.com recruiting Web site, USF is not listed among Conference USA schools or among Division I-A independents. The Bulls are listed as a I-AA independent though USF is a full-fledged I-A program this season. The Bulls join Conference USA for football in 2003.