Florida recruiting: Undersized? Maybe, but these prospects shouldn't be overlooked

A lot of high school football fans like to argue that height and weight shouldn't matter in recruiting.

That's a fine perspective, but it's not realistic. There's a reason why colleges look for players who fit a size profile. It's hard for a 5-foot-9 edge rusher to have success against a 6-foot-7 offensive tackle or a 160-pound linebacker to shed a 300-pound lineman and take down a 195-pound running back.

Height and weight are important, but that doesn't mean that colleges shouldn't recruit players who don't fit the mold. Some players are special and have abilities that will translate at the next level regardless of size.

Here are five rising seniors who have been somewhat underrecruited but shouldn't be overlooked.

Keep in mind that some schools are, let's say, generous when listing player's heights and weights, so what's listed below may not be completely accurate.

Sincere Edwards (Wekiva DT)

Listed height/weight: 6-foot-2, 240 pounds

Power 5 position average: 6-foot-3 1/8, 273 pounds

Edwards, a UCF commit, doesn’t fit the height profile that some teams want but multiple Power 5 coaches told USA Today this spring that he has many traits similar to Calijah Kancey. Kancey (6-foot-1, 281 pounds) was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ first round pick in April after earning All-American honors at Pitt. Edwards has a quick first step to get in the backfield as well as the strength to occupy blockers to just move them out of the way. In the past two seasons, Edwards has 27 sacks and 39 tackles for loss. He has a consistent motor and has the athleticism to play a tight end/H-back role in Wekiva’s offense. UCF has Edwards’ commitment, but several other schools are still pursuing him.  

Recruiting: DL Sincere Edwards, Preston Watson put on show in spring game

Rodney Hill (Mainland LB)

Listed height/weight: 5-foot-11, 205 pounds

Power 5 position average: 6-foot-1 1/2, 226.6 pounds

Multiple Power 5 coaches had similar things to say about Hill this spring. It all boils down to this: They don’t doubt his ability, but they’re concerned about his height. What’s obvious from watching Hill is all the things working in his favor. He’s a classic middle linebacker, a thumper in the run game and has the ability to blitz – evidenced by his two sacks against West Orange's Elite 11 finalist Trever Jackson in the spring game. Hill also is solid dropping into coverage, especially in a zone scheme where he can punish mistakes in the middle of the field. He also was one of the fastest players tracked by Catapult Sports at the 2022 FHS7v7A state tournament last year at 21.73 mph.

Recruiting: Mainland's LJ McCray impresses during spring game win

Edward Louis (Dillard WR)

Listed height/weight: 5-foot-7, 160 pounds

Power 5 position average: 6-foot-0 5/8, 192.13 pounds

The conventional thinking with wide receivers is undersized players line up in the slot and bigger players line up outside. Then there’s Louis, who routinely lined up as outside receiver – and won – against taller defensive backs last season. It’s worth pointing out that seven of Dillard’s eight in-state opponents advanced to the playoffs, including state champions Chaminade-Madonna, Miami Central and St. Thomas Aquinas. Louis wins off the line with an exceptional first step and is able to get separation from cornerbacks. Considering Louis racked up 800 yards in South Florida last season, it’s easy to project him as a productive receiver at the next level.

High School Football: Rising seniors who could see their recruiting pick up this spring

Darnell Rogers (Trinity Christian RB)

Listed height/weight: 5-foot-9, 184 pounds

Power 5 position average: 5-foot-10, 204.75 pounds

A quick two-season comparison of two teammates: RB1 plays 21 games, averages 7.85 yards per carry and scores 31 touchdowns; RB2 plays 26 games, averages 7.4 yards per carry and scores 25 touchdowns. RB1 (Treyaun Webb) is entering his freshman year at Florida; RB2 (Rogers) is verbally committed to Valdosta State. The biggest difference? Webb is a legit 5-foot-11, 205-pound power back with breakaway speed. But there’s no denying Rogers’ durability and productivity for one of the state’s premier programs. When Webb missed the start of Trinity’s 2021 state championship season with an injury, it was Rogers who carried the load. He runs hard between the tackles, has good balance and is dangerous in the return game.

Sean Sevillano Jr. (Clearwater Academy International DT)

Listed height/weight: 6-foot-2, 300 pounds

Power 5 position average: 6-foot-3, 273 pounds

Sevillano, who committed to Notre Dame on Friday, had an interesting recruitment. His offers included Ohio State, Auburn and Miami but many other programs stayed away because he’s probably closer to a shade over 6-foot. Sevillano’s production and motor aren’t up for debate. He finished 2022 with standout performances against quality opponents (13 tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack against Class 4S champion Lakeland; seven tackles and two sacks against Class 4S state runner-up Venice; three sacks against Miami Palmetto). Sevillano’s game is similar current UCF freshman defensive tackle John Walker – quick off the ball, twitchy, gets in the backfield, doesn’t take plays off.