{"id":394959,"date":"2026-09-09T17:30:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T17:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/394959\/"},"modified":"2026-09-09T17:30:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T17:30:11","slug":"southwest-florida-tampa-bay-recruiting-notebook-alabama-fsu-duke-among-latest-offers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/394959\/","title":{"rendered":"Southwest Florida, Tampa Bay Recruiting Notebook: Alabama, FSU, Duke Among Latest Offers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-[18px] md:mt-0 mb-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6n\">Recruiting activity across Southwest Florida and the Tampa Bay area has picked up as the 2026 high school football season moves through its first month.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6s\">Several young prospects have added major college offers while continuing to produce on Friday nights, including Hardee edge rusher James Cherry, Cardinal Mooney cornerback Amarian McRae and Bayshore lineman Braylon Smith.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-2\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6x\">Others, including Sarasota wide receiver Evan Larrick and Armwood running back Rondai Dile, have added to already-growing offer lists.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-3\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"72\">Here are six area prospects whose recruitments have continued to develop early in the season.<\/p>\n<p>James Cherry, Hardee, 2029 EDGE<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-5\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7c\">Hardee sophomore James Cherry has seen his recruitment accelerate over the past two weeks.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-6\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7h\">Cherry added offers from Kentucky and Missouri on Aug. 31 before Ole Miss offered on Sept. 2. Syracuse followed on Sept. 3, and Alabama became the latest program to offer the 2029 edge rusher on Sept. 7.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7m\">The recruiting attention has come alongside a productive start to his sophomore season.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-8\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7r\">Through three games, Cherry has recorded 22 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and six sacks. He finished with four tackles for loss against Fort Meade and added another four against LaBelle.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-9\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7w\">Cherry\u2019s emergence is also notable because it is happening at Hardee, a program that does not receive the same recruiting spotlight as some of the larger schools around the state.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-10\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"81\">Major programs are finding him anyway.<\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Alabama <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/crob45?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@crob45<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AlabamaFTBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@AlabamaFTBL<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CoachAlexMathis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@CoachAlexMathis<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Coachsmothers16?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@Coachsmothers16<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TheHardeeHuddle?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@TheHardeeHuddle<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/HardeeMade?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@HardeeMade<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/On3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@On3<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ChadSimmons_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@ChadSimmons_<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Andy_Villamarzo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@Andy_Villamarzo<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/5ABX4yip0H\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/5ABX4yip0H<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 James cherry (@JCherry50149) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/JCherry50149\/status\/2097135094041284645?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">September 8, 2026<\/a>Evan Larrick, Sarasota, 2028 WR<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-13\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8g\">Sarasota wide receiver Evan Larrick has continued adding offers while putting together one of the stronger statistical starts among area receivers.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-14\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8l\">Larrick received an offer from Ole Miss on Aug. 31 after previously receiving a game-day invitation to USF\u2019s season opener against FIU.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-15\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8q\">Through three games, the junior has caught 15 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 18.6 yards per reception.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-16\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8v\">He opened the season with six catches for 107 yards and a touchdown against Bayshore, then followed with seven catches for 128 yards and another score against Palm Beach Lakes. Larrick added his third touchdown against Hudson.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-17\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"90\">The 2028 prospect now holds 10 offers, including Arizona, Ole Miss, Cal and Tulane.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-18\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"95\">His early-season production gives college programs additional varsity film to evaluate as his recruitment continues to grow.<\/p>\n<p>Amarian McRae, Cardinal Mooney, 2029 CB<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-20\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9f\">Cardinal Mooney cornerback Amarian McRae added Florida State to his growing offer list on Sept. 7.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-21\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9k\">McRae, rated as a four-star prospect by Rivals, already holds offers from programs including Miami, Notre Dame, Auburn, Nebraska, UCLA, Stanford, Georgia Tech and Boston College.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-22\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9p\">According to 247Sports, McRae has also taken an unofficial visit to Florida State.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-23\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9u\">The sophomore has already played significant varsity football despite being in the 2029 class.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-24\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9z\">Through three games this season, McRae has recorded 16 tackles, seven pass breakups and one tackle for loss.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-25\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"a4\">As a freshman, he appeared in 13 games and finished with 35 tackles, two interceptions and 19 pass breakups.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-26\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"a9\">That experience has given McRae a larger varsity sample than many prospects his age while his offer list continues to expand nationally.<\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Blessed &amp; Honored to receive an offer from Florida State University <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/GoNoles?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">#GoNoles<\/a>\ud83c\udf62<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/agtG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">#agtG<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Coach_Norvell?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@Coach_Norvell<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DBcoachadams?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@DBcoachadams<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CoachManion_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@CoachManion_<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Mooney_FB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@Mooney_FB<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/FSUFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@FSUFootball<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/JaredClark2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@JaredClark2<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Coach_Brady?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@Coach_Brady<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Mooney_FBRec?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@Mooney_FBRec<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CoachJonHaskins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@CoachJonHaskins<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TomLoy247?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@TomLoy247<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/kolby_crawford?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@kolby_crawford<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Noles247?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@Noles247<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ChadSimmons_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@ChadSimmons_<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ZBlostein247?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@ZBlostein247<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/GdL8QNIIZq\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/GdL8QNIIZq<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Amarian McRae 29\u2019 (@AmarianMcRae) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AmarianMcRae\/status\/2097092135384199438?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">September 7, 2026<\/a>Braylon Smith, Bayshore, 2028 OL\/DL<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-29\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ao\">Bayshore junior Braylon Smith added two more major college offers when Mississippi State and West Virginia offered on Sept. 1.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-30\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"at\">Those offers brought Smith\u2019s total to 17 after USF also entered his recruitment on Aug. 22.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-31\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ay\">At 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds, Smith has developed into a heavily recruited lineman in Manatee County. His offer list also includes Miami, USC and Notre Dame.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-32\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"b3\">Smith contributes on both sides of the ball for Bayshore, giving the Bruins size along the offensive and defensive lines.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-33\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"b8\">Smith contributes on both sides of the ball for Bayshore, giving the Bruins size along both lines while college programs continue evaluating where he projects best at the next level.<\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I am blessed to have received my 17th offer from Mississippi State!<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/mac_____9?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@mac_____9<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/WhyNot8Teen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@WhyNot8Teen<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CoachUno1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@CoachUno1<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/247Sports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@247Sports<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/On3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@On3<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/KGrWbMcuGb\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/KGrWbMcuGb<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Braylon Smith (@BraylonSmi99242) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/BraylonSmi99242\/status\/2094956318205325439?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">September 2, 2026<\/a>Rondai Dile, Armwood, 2028 RB<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-36\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"bn\">Armwood running back Rondai Dile became the newest Tampa Bay-area prospect on this list to add an offer when Duke offered him on Sept. 8.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-37\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"bs\">The offer was the eighth for Dile, a three-star prospect whose recruitment also includes Minnesota, Appalachian State and Florida Atlantic.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-38\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"bx\">Dile has rushed for 297 yards and two touchdowns on 46 carries through Armwood\u2019s first three games, averaging 6.5 yards per carry.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-39\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"c2\">He opened the season with 126 yards on 20 carries in a 17-7 win over Lennard.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-40\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"c7\">Against Don Bosco Prep, Dile rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown before adding 98 yards and another score in Armwood\u2019s 35-0 victory over Plant City.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-41\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"cc\">Armwood is 2-1 through three games, with its only loss coming on the road against Don Bosco Prep.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-42\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ch\">Dile\u2019s early schedule has already provided college programs film against both local and out-of-state competition.<\/p>\n<p>Wyatt Eagans, Riverview, 2027 TE<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-44\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"cr\">Not every recruiting story comes from a player already holding a major varsity role.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-45\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"cw\">Riverview tight end Wyatt Eagans added an offer from Daytona Beach Christian University on Aug. 31 while continuing to develop in a crowded tight end room.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-46\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"d1\">At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, Eagans is currently playing behind senior Miles Prezkwas, a Navy commit.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-47\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"d6\">That has limited his opportunities, though he continues to develop behind a senior Division I commit.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-48\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"db\">His situation is different from some of the nationally recruited underclassmen in this notebook, but it is another example of the recruiting process continuing even when immediate varsity opportunities are limited.<\/p>\n<p>Recruiting Continues to Build Across the Area<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-50\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"dl\">The first month of the season has already given college staffs new film on several prospects across Southwest Florida and Tampa Bay.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-51\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"dq\">For younger players such as Cherry and McRae, major programs are entering early. For Larrick, Smith and Dile, current production is reinforcing interest already established before the season. And for Eagans, development behind an experienced starter is still creating opportunities.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-52\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"dv\">With most of the season still ahead, more offers and visits are likely as college staffs continue evaluating prospects across the region.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\" class=\"shrink-0\"\/>Add us as a preferred source on Google<a aria-label=\"Follow si.com on Google News\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=si.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" preventdefault:click=\"\" class=\"flex h-[30px] w-[30px] shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary font-group-large text-sm font-medium text-white transition-colors hover:bg-secondary focus:bg-secondary md:w-auto md:gap-2.5 md:px-4 md:py-[5px]\" on:pointerenter=\"q-BpOLQORF.js#s_1NOcOpHWmT0\" on:touchstart=\"q-C02KUlcx.js#s_R8AiGTDeM28\" on:focus=\"q-4HuWJVLT.js#s_gxiTM6qMMu8\" on:click=\"q-gAC8BGLP.js#s_lDqay9E5m5g[0]\" q:id=\"e1\">Follow<\/a><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Recruiting activity across Southwest Florida and the Tampa Bay area has picked up as the 2026 high school&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":394960,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[135,137,136],"class_list":["post-394959","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tampa","tag-tampa","tag-tampa-headlines","tag-tampa-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/394959","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=394959"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/394959\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/394960"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=394959"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=394959"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=394959"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}