for TT - "Pryor puts Florida near top"

[radbag]

There is no reason for Lonnie Pryor not to be smiling. As of late last week, the Okeechobee running back is up to 23 offers including ones from Florida, Florida State, Miami, LSU, Tennessee, Georgia and many other top programs.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound prospect with 4.5-second speed in the 40-yard dash never thought his recruitment would pick up so fast. He's happy it did and Pryor, rated as the No. 84 prospect in the Rivals.com top 100 of 2009, is enjoying the ride.

"My coach sent my highlights out to a lot of people and that's how some of them got interested," Pryor said. "I'm still only a junior. My senior year everybody will know about me.

"I never thought I'd have this many offers. It's pretty cool to get offered by this many schools. I have a lot to pick from. I want to go to a school that runs the ball and I want to have a chance to start my first year."

Pryor rushed for 1,735 yards and 20 touchdowns on 216 carries this past season and is widely regarded as one of the best running backs in the state. As a sophomore, he finished with 1,061 yards and eight scores on 131 attempts.

Florida State is his top school but he said Florida is second on his list. Pryor said he picked up new running backs coach Kenny Carter's card and should be calling him shortly. Auburn and Clemson are two other schools that stand out because of how those schools utilize the running back.

"I got (Carter's) card the other day but I haven't called him yet," Pryor said. "He wanted me to give him a call. I'll probably give him a call in the next week. They're my second school right now. Florida State is No. 1. I think everyone knows that."

Even though Pryor has not contacted Carter yet, he's familiar with the Gators. He said he's been to campus three times including a trip in the last few months for a junior day. On his most recent visit, Pryor, who was one of the top running backs at the U.S. Army National Combine, said he talked a lot with coach Urban Meyer.

One of his most recent offers came from Miami and it caught him by surprise. As far as Pryor knows, his high school coach was not in contact with the Hurricanes' staff and he never communicated with anyone either but an offer arrived to add to the ever-growing list.

"That's new and it's kind of crazy because I never talked to them," Pryor said. "Out of nowhere this offer came up and still nobody has called us. We don't have numbers there to call anybody. I'm sure we'll talk at some point though."

[TTBHG]

I said it before and I will say it again. I am not saying he won't go to FSU, but it isn't the slam dunk that most people think he is. I think we have a great shot at him.