Niceville WR commits to UA All-American Game
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The Panhandle isn't the first region of Florida that comes to mind when thinking about the powerhouses in the sunshine state.
However, the boys in northwest Florida definitely can play some ball.
The most notable prospect in the Panhandle in recent memory is former Escambia running back and 2009 five-star Trent Richardson. He was an Under Armour All-American.
The Panhandle has a prospect that will be participating in the 2016 Under Armour All-American Game, Niceville wide receiver Elijah Stove.
"It definitely gives my teammates and the entire panhandle more exposure," Stove said about playing in the prestigious all-star game. "It lets college coaches and recruiting analysts from the various services know we can play ball up here too."
Being in the UA game is an honor for Stove, the nation's 4th rated receiver and 29th overall prospect in the country, but he's staying level headed.
"It's a great opportunity to play against some of the best players nationally, however, nothing is like playing with my teammates at Niceville High School," he said.
Assistant football coach and Niceville recruiting coordinator Adron Robinson has been around Stove for years and raved about his four-star playmaker.
"Eli is just a kid you love to coach," said Robinson. "He is very unassuming and just one of the guys. Although humble, he is a tremendous competitor. He truly is a person the younger players can look up to.
"From a football standpoint, his offensive abilities give our team an opportunity to score from anywhere on the field, and defensively we can match him up with the top wide receivers in the state."
Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell has high praises of the 6-foot-1, 178-pound athlete.
"He's an explosive athlete but plays very under control, and doesn't seem to be going full speed at times but still outraces the competition," Farrell said. " Stove has excellent hands and body control and elevates very well for the ball. He uses the sidelines well and runs very precise out routes. Stove is a threat to score from most places on the field."
Stove rushed for 325 yards and two touchdowns his junior season, as well as catching 54 passes for 719 yards and ten touchdowns for the Niceville Eagles.