Posted by JC Shurburtt
Two players on a high school team that is no stranger to producing talent have emerged as legitimate Division I talent for the Class of 2011.
Defensive end Norkethius Otis and linebacker Zeek Bigger from Ashbrook High in Gastonia, N.C., follow Under Armour All-American receiver Jheranie Boyd from last year's class.
Othis is a 6-foot-3, 200-pound defensive end with the frame to add the weight and Bigger is a 6-foot-3, 205-pound linebacker. Both are expected to be among the top prospects in the Tar Heel state in the next recruiting cycle.
South Carolina has offered both verbally. Michigan, Clemson, Alabama, Tennessee and other schools have checked on the pair during the spring evaluation period.
Juniors can't receive written offers until Sept. 1.
Other 2011 stuff
• Linebacker Denzel Perryman (Coral Gables, Fla./Coral Gables) is already created a buzz in South Florida and was one of the better linebackers at the Miami Nike Football Training Camp. Florida, Florida State and Miami (Fla.) have offered, along with Tennessee and others.
• ESPN affiliate InsidetheU.com reports that cornerback Tim Burton (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons) holds an early scholarship offer from Alabama.
• Athlete Tacoi Sumler (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep) already is on his way to becoming a national prospect. He claims verbal offers from Southern California, Clemson, West Virginia and South Carolina and says he's been timed as fast as 4.29 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
• The attention has continued to roll in for linebacker/defensive end A.J. Johnson (Gainesville, Ga./Gainesville) as Ole Miss, North Carolina State, Tennessee, Clemson and others have jumped in with early offers. Johnson impressed at the Athens Nike Football Training Camp a couple of weeks ago.
JC Shurburtt
JC Shurburtt has been covering recruiting in not only the Southeast, but across the nation for nearly a decade. He can be reached at jcsespn@aol.com.
