5. Brandon Linder, OT, 6-6, 280, St. Thomas Aquinas: From the first time we watched him play as a sophomore, it was easily to tell that this was going to be a national recruit. His quickness, strength, knowledge of the entire line of scrimmage and work ethic puts him in a class with former Raiders Sam Young (Notre Dame), Andrew Datko (FSU), Daniel Wenger (Notre Dame) and Marcus Gilbert (University of Florida).

6. Jeff Luc, MLB, 6-0, 230, Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast: The advantage of watching football year round helped us to see this up-and-coming star from the time he played tight end and linebacker as a sophomore. In a year that has a number of quality linebackers, here is one of the most gifted. He is very explosive in a short area. You don’t see too many linebackers run through the opposition like this young man. Remember, at this time last year, nobody had ever heard of him. Now, he’s a household name in recruiting circles!

7. Christian Jones, LB, 6-4, 200, Winter Park Lake Howell: Another football player we have been watching since the ninth grade. Comes from an athletic family that competed at a high level. He has the size, speed and athletic ability to be a monster at linebacker. He also has the bloodlines to become something special, following in the footsteps of his brother, Willie, and father, who both played college ball. Yet another talent we have had the pleasure of watching for three years, now.

8. Gio Bernard, RB, 5-8, 200, St. Thomas Aquinas: The true measure of this impressive back came last year, as a junior for the national champion Raiders. His quickness, strength, durability and breakaway speed gives him the chance to become one of the nation’s premier backs. Like so many quality players who come from athletic families, he is following in the rather large footsteps of his brother, Yvenson, a standout runner at Oregon State.

9. Jonathan Dowling, S, 6-3, 185, Bradenton Southeast: When his head coach Paul Maechtle talks about some of the greats he has had the pleasure of coaching through the years, here is one that would rate right at the top. Speed, athletic ability and a knack of always being around the football makes him very tough to throw against. While he is considered a ball hawk by those who have watched and played against him, he is still a work in progress as a run-stopper. (Committed to Florida).

10. Ivan McCartney, WR, 6-2, 175, Miramar: They call him “sticks” because of his slender build. They say he looks a lot like his cousin, Chad Johnson, who has carved out quite a niche in the National Football League, but any way you break this quality football player down, it adds up to a tremendous football player. Has tremendous hands, runs great patterns and has the ability to catch the ball against anyon. Was the catalyst in the Patriots’ run last year in the playoffs, and is expected to do much of the same in 2009!

11. Gerald Christian, TE, 6-3, 220, Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer: Ever since his ninth grade year, here is a player we have been following, waiting for him to mature into the package he is today. A truly gifted prospect who can get it done on offense as well as on the defensive side of the ball for head coach Jack Daniels and the Panthers. Maybe one of the best overall big men in the state this year, and the best is certainly yet to come! (Committed to Florida).

12. Chris Dunkley, WR, 5-10, 160, Pahokee: Another athlete who burst onto the scene in a major way last year as a game-breaker at Royal Palm Beach. His move to nearby Pahokee for his final season not only gives this tremendous athlete a major spotlight to perform in, but also will give the Blue Devils an arsenal that you just may not find anywhere in the country. While he needs to continue to get bigger and more physical, he can rely on his blazing speed to more than get by.

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