FIU, South Carolina recruit Singleton has size, ability

As American Heritage was winding down spring practice late last month, senior linebacker Brent Singleton was being his usual loud self on the football field.

Only this time instead of popping ballcarriers with bone-crushing tackles, Singleton had the help of a loudspeaker.

Singleton was out because of a hamstring injury and on this day he was in charge of calling out the practice periods on the loudspeaker for the Patriots.

While the strained hamstring limited Singleton in May, come August he should be back to his noisy ways.

''Coach Robert Gillespie from South Carolina and FIU [Florida International] assistant coach Jeff Popovich both watched the film on him and both said there's just something about him,'' Patriots assistant coach Brandon Walker said. ``He's got great pop -- how he hits and his explosion to the ball. That's Brent. You don't really notice him, but then bam. He's right on top of you.''

Teams started taking notice of Singleton during his sophomore season when Heritage coach Byron Walker received a call from Ole Miss inquiring about his linebacker.

Since then South Carolina, FIU, Syracuse and Wisconsin have all shown interest in the 18-year-old, who has also seen duty at running back and safety for Heritage.

''I've played both linebacker and safety my whole life,'' said Singleton, who is 6-1, 203 pounds. ``But I want to play linebacker in college. That's what everyone is recruiting me at. I'm trying to get my speed even faster because I'm already fast. Right now I'm at 4.45 in the 40. I'm just trying to get my time down. Just trying to get bigger, faster and stronger. I get to the ball so quick. My arms are very long. I got a love for the game and you could see that when you watch film on me.''

What the colleges that are recruiting Singleton have seen on film is a player that can help a Division I team in a variety of ways.

''I think Brent is an outside linebacker/strong safety,'' Brandon Walker said. ``A lot of college teams are using what they are calling the hybrid kids. It's the outside linebacker, who can get up to 225-230 pounds that can drop back into coverage. All the schools that have shown interest that's what they've said that they like him because he can do that.

``Now he's the size of a strong safety. He can be 225 and as athletic as he is, still play strong safety or they can drop him down and play outside linebacker. It just gives you a versatile kid. Most colleges now are recruiting cornerbacks, not safeties because they figure if you're athletic enough to play corner, then you can play safety. Then they are recruiting the outside linebacker kid that if he doesn't get as big as they need they can move him back to strong safety.''

One knock that Singleton could encounter at the next level is his pass rushing ability because of his size.

Lucky for Singleton, he's got a Division I college-sized wall to practice going through or around.

Each day in practice, Singleton makes sure to try and rush by or at Patriots mammoth offensive tackle Jared Wheeler (6-6, 305), who has just about every Division I team after him.

''That's what you're going to have to face in D-I so it helps me to go up against him,'' Singleton said. ``I'm getting extra work. He's at D-I size now and he's D-I potential. He has the potential to start his freshman year so I'm getting that advantage in practice every day to go up against him. He makes me use my hands more. Usually I'm more physical. I just like throwing my hand at people. He makes me have to use my hands and swing move and dip. I have to use more technique.''

So who wins these head-to-head matchups between two of Heritage's best players?

''Noooo. Brent doesn't get by me,'' said Wheeler. ``He knows better. He keeps his distance; he respects me. He's a good player. He's a hard-headed linebacker. He doesn't care he'll knock you straight up.''

Said Singleton: ``Of course, I try to go by Jared. Of course, I've succeeded, a couple of times, but nah. he gets me most of the time, but I keep fighting back.''