Gators, Canes showing interest in recruit Hosley

Some players possess great cover skills, such as former Atlantic defensive back-turned-NFL draft pick Brandon Flowers.

Other players display great return skills, like ex-Atlantic standout-turned-Florida State player Preston Parker.

But some combine those and others, becoming -- in the simple term of Atlantic coach Andre Thaddies -- ``an all-around football player.''

This year, for Thaddies' squad, that all-around player is Jayron Hosley.

''You don't see kids like that all the time,'' Thaddies said.

Apparently not.

The 5-10, 175-pound defensive back runs a 4.49-second 40-yard dash. He scored in almost every way imaginable as a junior last year: running, catching and throwing, plus returning interceptions, kickoffs and punts. Recruiting analyst Larry Blustein ranks him the 10th-best prospect in Palm Beach County, calling Hosley ``far too good for colleges to pass him by.''

Looks like they won't.

Hosley picked up his first offer, from none other than Southeastern Conference power Georgia.

'I was hanging out, I got a call from coach, [who said], `Georgia wants to offer you,' '' Hosley recalled. ``It was really exciting for me.''

That excitement grew. Seven more schools have extended offers: Auburn, South Florida, Wisconsin, Vanderbilt, Iowa State, Florida International and Florida Atlantic. The University of Miami, Florida, Michigan and Virginia haven't offered, but are showing ``deep interest.''

The reasons go beyond the cornerback position, where Thaddies often compares Hosley's cover skills to Flowers, a former Virginia Tech player who was drafted early in the 2008 second round by the Kansas City Chiefs.

They also go beyond the return game, where Hosley draws comparisons to Parker, who posted a 10.6-per-punt-return average for the Seminoles last season.

They even go beyond the football field.

''You don't have to beg him to come to the weight room,'' Thaddies said. ``He's a self motivator. That's probably what separates [him] from just the average kid being recruited.''

Hosley also has academics in mind; among his interests are engineering and business, and he hopes to find a school that has ''good, solid education system'' in place, along with a top football program.

Thaddies is confident that will happen, but also has a few warnings in picking a school.

''Don't do that shiny red car approach -- you know, the school with the shiniest helmet may not be the best school for you,'' Thaddies said. ``Take your visits, take your visits. That way you get to know.''

Hosley will. He plans to attend some camps, then will visit a few campuses this summer. He isn't sure which ones, but the possibilities include Georgia -- the first school to extend an offer -- along with Auburn, USF and UF.

A choice might come soon after.

''I'm going to take my first three visits,'' Hosley said, ``and I'm going to go from there.''