Recruiting expert likes Pirates star

By CAREY FREEMAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published January 28, 2001

At least one recruiting expert thinks there is a football future for Nate Madison.

Larry Bluestein, who owns and maintains the floridakids.net Web site and specializes in recruiting in the state, considers Madison one of Florida's uncut gems.

"I think he is a tremendous prospect," Bluestein said. "He is an underexposed football player, and that may have to do with the fact he didn't play a high-profile schedule. But he will be a great find for someone.

"In my opinion, he's one of the top 10 or 12 most underrated players in the state," Bluestein said. "He's a gamer, and he runs well. I've seen him play both ways, and he's a strong kid. I saw him at two camps this summer and thought he was a tremendous football player and a good kid."

Bluestein is aware of Madison's off-the-field troubles. He admits the incidents hurt Madison with NCAA Division I programs, but he doesn't think it has ended any chance the Crystal River star might have to play at the college level.

"Kids will be kids," Bluestein said. "But I think you've got to give people a chance and an opportunity to mature. That's the only thing keeping people away because he's a player. There's nothing wrong with (going to junior college) for two years. I know of 30 to 40 kids who have taken the JC route and gone to major college programs.

"Not everybody is cut out to be a student, and not every kid has a perfect life. But I believe you can't penalize them for that. There are a lot of kids out there who haven't been given the opportunities that some other kids have."

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