Plantation American Heritage’s Marvin Jones Jr., Earl Little Jr. sign with SEC schools
Plantation American Heritage edge rusher Marvin Jones Jr. saw the potential to play early for a team that’s “on the path to win right now.”
His teammate, Earl Little Jr., saw the chance to be the next star defensive back at one of college football’s perennial powers.
With that, two more blue-chip football recruits from South Florida are heading to the Southeastern Conference.
Jones — the highest-ranked prospect in Broward County this recruiting cycle — signed with the Georgia Bulldogs on Wednesday, while Little signed with the Alabama Crimson Tide, giving two of the top teams in the SEC their latest infusion of high-end South Florida talent.
Jones, a five-star prospect ranked as the No. 4 recruit in the state of Florida and No. 22 nationally according to the 247Sports composite ranking, chose Georgia over Alabama and Florida State. Little, the No. 101 prospect nationally and a four-star recruit, chose the Crimson Tide over FSU and Miami.
They are the latest in a long line of top South Florida prospects to join their respective teams.
Georgia and Alabama have combined to sign 14 five- or four-star recruits from Broward and Miami-Dade counties over the past five recruiting cycles.
For Georgia, that list includes wide receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint from St. Thomas Aquinas in 2020, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson from Miami Southridge (Stevenson has since transferred to Miami) and University School running back Kenny McIntosh in 2019, and the trio of American Heritage cornerback Tyson Campbell, Miami Northwestern running back James Cook and Northwestern cornerback Divaad Wilson in 2018.
Alabama, meanwhile, signed St. Thomas Aquinas edge rusher Dallas Turner and IMG Academy receiver Ja’Corey Brooks (whose high school career started at Booker T. Washington) in 2021, Miami Carol City wide receiver Thaiu Jones-Bell in 2020, St. Thomas Aquinas safety Jordan Battle in 2019, and American Heritage cornerback Patrick Surtain II as well as Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna wide receiver Xavier Williams in 2018.
While Little and Jones were the headliners, they weren’t the only players from American Heritage to sign Wednesday.
Five others also officially singed their letters of intent, including three who are heading to Football Bowl Subdivision schools.
Four-star cornerback Jacolby Spells, ranked as the No. 24 player in the state for this recruiting cycle, is going to West Virginia.
Three-star defensive lineman Richard Thomas, who tallied 58 tackles, a team-high-tying 16 tackles for loss and a team-best eight sacks as a senior, signed with Indiana. Fellow defensive lineman Belizaire Bassette II (42 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks and a fumble recovery this year) will play for Syracuse.
Linebacker Jaeden Kinlock, who led Heritage with 88 tackles this season, is going to Harvard. Three-star offensive lineman Miguel Cedeno rounds out the group as he signed with Rice University.
This story was originally published December 15, 2021 at 4:41 PM.
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