Fab 5 Films
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The "Fab 5 Films" is FlaVarsity.com's avenue of providing media exposure for under the radar recruits. High school coaches, parents, and the prospects themselves submitted their films and information to FlaVarsity.
There were over 60 submissions and it was extremely hard to pick just five to showcase. I also added a "just missed the cut" list and several honorable mentions. I really enjoyed reviewing all of the submissions, and I can truly say that all of the submissions were fabulous! There were a few submissions from prospects with FBS offers, and those prospects were not considered. The prospects in the Fab 5 are not necessarily the best college prospects, but were chosen because they stood out most to me.
The Fab 5
Tyler Castillo - 5-foot-10, 160-pounds - athlete - East River - highlight tape
Singer's take: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds? It doesn't matter. Castillo can flat out play football. He's best at free safety where he covers a lot of ground and comes up to make the big hits, but also is a capable receiver - even had some nice plays at quarterback! It's just incredible to watch how hard this young man hits for his size. He has great instincts - reading the quarterback's eyes and making a play on the football. You might want to watch his tape yourself instead of taking my word for it.
Stats: 3 interceptions, 80 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles, 2 pass breakups, 1 touchdown ... 17 receptions, 408 rec yds, 4 touchdowns
Hamp Cheevers - 5-foot-11, 150-pounds - athlete - Trenton - highlight tape
Singer's take: Cheevers is a playmaker. At cornerback he returned three of his six interceptions for touchdowns and had several special teams touchdowns. If you take a look at his highlight, you'll see him (fifth play) make a ridiculous series of jukes against three defenders. Cheevers is just a rising junior so has plenty of time to get noticed by colleges. He made some just flat out nasty plays and was a big part of Trenton winning the 1A state title.
Stats: 27 catches, 574 yards, 10 touchdowns ... 6 interceptions - 3 returned for a touchdown. 4 kick return touchdowns and 1 punt return touchdown
James Crider - 6-foot-2, 195-pounds - wide receiver - Apopka - highlight tape
Singer's take: Crider doesn't have the big highlight plays, but he does a lot of things that really impress me. Apopka used Crider a lot as a pass-eligible tackle and made a lot of big plays down the seam. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder blocks like a tight end, is great over the middle of the field, and reads defenses well to find the soft spot in the zone defense. Crider also has a nice looking receiver stance and catches the ball away from his body on the deep ball. Crowder could be a split out tight end in a spread offense at the next level and could make an impact at a division one school that puts their trust in him.
Taeler Porter - 5-foot-7, 183-pounds - running back - Immokalee - highlight tape
Singer's take: Porter was the back up running back to Rivals250 and USF signee D'Ernest Johnson in 2013. Now as the featured ball carrier, Porter should have a breakout season and the Immokalee coaching staff has strong confidence that he'll do so. At 5-foot-7, 183-pounds, Porter has a very strong lower body and is very quick in and out of his cuts. Porter is also a capable slot receiver and return man. He blocks well downfield and even blocked a punt last year! He's small, but very quick and shifty. Porter is a definite player to watch in the 239.
Stats: 76 carries 459 yards 7 touchdowns. 9 catches 81 yards 2 touchdowns
Kurt Schleicher - 6-foot-2, 280-pounds - offensive tackle - Lakeland - highlight tape
Singer's take: Schleicher is definitely one of the last offensive lineman I'd want to line up against if I'm a high school defensive end. He's a huge body at about 6-foot-2, 280-pounds but moves really well. He was used as a pulling tackle a lot at Lakeland and delivered big blows to the opposing defense. He will likely slide over to guard or center at the next level, but this young man looks to be a division one talent. Schleicher plays with a mean streak and will take the opposition to the ground until the whistle is blown.
Just missed the cut
Cannon Thompson - Thompson has a really fun to watch tape. He has legitimate duel-threat ability. Mini-Manziel on his first highlight tape play!
Tony Pitt - Pitt has great speed and makes a ton of plays at wildcat quarterback, running back, and slot receiver.
Drew Frederic - Frederic might be the best prospect of the group. Great safety who will hit you with some pop.
Aaron Willis - Nice playmaking wide receiver in a spread offense at Niceville. Should have a solid year for the Eagles.
Austin Yeloushan - Runs downhill hard and makes a ton of hits - really nice size as well.
Willie Parker - He looks like he's playing on a different level than the competition. Fast and very shifty.
Ellex Davis - Do-it-all athlete for a high flying Monarch squad.
Honorable mentions
Kevin Dawson - North Florida Christian
Chris Linares - Braddock
Evan Cruz - Viera
Regis Steighner - East Lake
Michael Harris - Monarch
Edgardo Mendez - Eddison
Andres Saldivar - Coral Gables