Spring Spotlight: Godby
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The Godby Cougars, located in Tallahassee, Florida, cruised throughout their regular season - only losing to DeMatha High School in Maryland in a road contest. As far as their in state foes, Godby's closest game was a 28-13 win against New Smyrna Beach.
Godby was matched up against a tough West Florida squad and lost 41-40 in the first round of the 5A state playoffs. The Cougars are looking to bounce back in a big way in 2014.
The Cougars will be losing eight seniors that signed with division one schools with Jacob Pugh (Florida State) and De'Eric Culver (Louisville) being the headliners. Godby still returns a solid 2015 class that has a lot of talent, and will send several players to division one schools.
No one knows those prospects better than Godby recruiting coordinator and secondary coach Chad Hatfield - and FlaVarsity.com spoke with Hatfield about his team. Hatfield listed several Godby players that have stepped up in a big way this spring.
LB Jim Jones - "Transfer from FAMU High. He has great size, explosive, physical, and relentless Worker. He's going to open a lot of eyes this spring. He's already picked up offers from USF and Cincinnati in the Spring - stepped right into a leadership role here."
RB P.J. Simmons - "He's going to get the workload out of the backfield. He's Packed on 15 pounds since the season ended - fast, great change of direction, and power. In my opinion, he stacks up with the Top RB prospects in the country."
DE/OLB Tim Faison - "Sat behind Jacob Pugh (FSU) and Kris Harris (FAU) and had limited playing time. He's a high motor kid with great frame - picking up a lot of FBS interest this spring."
WR Del'Dre Lewis - "Receiver with great speed and exceptional blocking ability. He definitely has FCS/FBS talent - just not enough film because of the guys in front of him last year."
DB Derrick Sampson (Sophmore) - We lost a lot of guys in the secondary from the fall and teams will be trying to attack the secondary. Worked hard in the weightroom, 4.4 guy, great ball and man coverage skills."
Hatfield also broke down several of the Cougars' top returning players.
ATH Jaylin Hayward - "Elite speed, natural talent could probably play any skill position."
OL Brendan Loftus - "Big, physical, and nasty. He really has not even reached his ceiling yet but we anticipate he will in the fall and really open some eyes."
DL Cedric Wood (2016 FSU commit) - "He has great size, and is physical - able to hold the point of attack and really throw offensive lineman around. One of the leaders on the team despite being a younger 2016 guy."
LB Albert Cannon - "He's really the heartbeat of our defense - great leader (vocally and by example), great nose for the football, and very explosive."
DE Danny Thomas - "Although he is not really a returner since he transferred to us, he is going to give teams real problems. He has a great first step, quick, high motor - able to play DE or OLB."
Godby won the 5A state title in 2012, and four overall titles in the schools history. The Cougars are considered a state power, and will face several top schools in the sunshine state in 2014.
"Our main goal is to try and advance in the seventh hardest district (ranked by maxpreps) in the country - only combined 5 losses in the district last year between us, Rickards, and Wakulla. Not only getting through the district will be tough, but we also play a tough schedule outside the district with teams like Marist, IMG Academy, Trinity Christian, Lincoln. We have to be able to take it one game at a time and not look ahead."