Written by Manuel Deleon
Here is an overview of the players from Florida Universities that took part in the East vs West Shrine Game.
WR. FSU Kermit Whitfield- One of the fastest wide receivers in the class of 2013, Whitfield was clocked at a 4.37 in the 40-yard dash, making him the fastest player in the ESPN recruiting database. The Orlando native (Jones High) burst on the scene in 2013 as a freshman leading the nation in kick return average (36.4) breaking a 59 year ACC record. After making a name for himself as a game changer in the return game, his play at WR has been inconsistent to say the least. His most productive year came in 2015 when he ranked 2nd on the team with 57 receptions for 798 yards and 6 touchdowns. Standing at only 5’8, 182 Lbs his NFL career will be mostly spent in the slot and as a return man. One things you can’t teach is speed and Whitfield has plenty of it, making him a homerun threat every time he has the ball in space. The All-ACC WR, due to his small stature and production is a projected 5th rounder by many analysts.
DE. FAU Trey Hendrickson- While a pleasant surprise to most, Trey Hendrickson has gotten consistently better year after year for the Owls. After staring at state power Apopka High, Hendrickson played sparingly as a freshman, but made an impact as a sophomore when he ended the season with 5 sacks, 32 tackles and 2 forced fumbles. The final two years of his career the coaches looked to Hendrickson to step it up and become a leader and lead he did. 2015 saw his sack total jump to 13.5 with 24 QB hurries to go along with his 5 forced fumbles creating pressure on 24% of his rushes well above the average of 10% for edge rushers. 2016 saw his production drop getting to the QB for 9.5 sacks. Causing havoc like he does, he saw his fair share of double and triple teams, but still ended the year with 50 tackles. He’s projected as a 7th rounder but many see his stock rising after a great week of practice where he laid waste to higher caliber athletes from bigger colleges.
WR. USF Rodney Adams- The 2016 All-AAC wide receiver made the best of his playing career at USF setting single season records for yards and touchdowns in 2015 (822 yards and 9 Tds). After playing his freshman year at Toledo Adams transferred to USF where he ranks 2nd all-time in all major receiving categories and 4th all time in all-purpose yards (3,459). After catching only 2 passes as a freshman his production had risen every year in a Bulls uniform. In 2016 Adams, could fully display his speed and versatility as he was used as a runner on jet sweeps and reverses for the USF offense (23 Att. 231 yards 5 Tds). Some analysts believe he’s better suited as an undrafted free agent but he could surprise whoever picks him up based on his versatile skill set.
Safety Miami Jamal Carter Sr.- Rated a four-star safety coming out of Miami Southridge High, Carter had to wait until his senior year to become a full-time starter for the Hurricanes where he tallied 85 tackles and 3 pass breakups. As a Junior, Carter was rotated and saw action in every game ending the season with 48 tackles a forced fumble and 1 interception. Carter would end his career with 165 tackles, 2 interceptions and 10 pass break ups. Carter is projected as an undrafted free agent, but could find his way on a NFL team as a special team’s player, as he was primarily used as such at Miami.
DE. FAU Trey Hendrickson- While a pleasant surprise to most, Trey Hendrickson has gotten consistently better year after year for the Owls. After staring at state power Apopka High, Hendrickson played sparingly as a freshman, but made an impact as a sophomore when he ended the season with 5 sacks, 32 tackles and 2 forced fumbles. The final two years of his career the coaches looked to Hendrickson to step it up and become a leader and lead he did. 2015 saw his sack total jump to 13.5 with 24 QB hurries to go along with his 5 forced fumbles creating pressure on 24% of his rushes well above the average of 10% for edge rushers. 2016 saw his production drop getting to the QB for 9.5 sacks. Causing havoc like he does, he saw his fair share of double and triple teams, but still ended the year with 50 tackles. He’s projected as a 7th rounder but many see his stock rising after a great week of practice where he laid waste to higher caliber athletes from bigger colleges.
WR. USF Rodney Adams- The 2016 All-AAC wide receiver made the best of his playing career at USF setting single season records for yards and touchdowns in 2015 (822 yards and 9 Tds). After playing his freshman year at Toledo Adams transferred to USF where he ranks 2nd all-time in all major receiving categories and 4th all time in all-purpose yards (3,459). After catching only 2 passes as a freshman his production had risen every year in a Bulls uniform. In 2016 Adams, could fully display his speed and versatility as he was used as a runner on jet sweeps and reverses for the USF offense (23 Att. 231 yards 5 Tds). Some analysts believe he’s better suited as an undrafted free agent but he could surprise whoever picks him up based on his versatile skill set.
Safety Miami Jamal Carter Sr.- Rated a four-star safety coming out of Miami Southridge High, Carter had to wait until his senior year to become a full-time starter for the Hurricanes where he tallied 85 tackles and 3 pass breakups. As a Junior, Carter was rotated and saw action in every game ending the season with 48 tackles a forced fumble and 1 interception. Carter would end his career with 165 tackles, 2 interceptions and 10 pass break ups. Carter is projected as an undrafted free agent, but could find his way on a NFL team as a special team’s player, as he was primarily used as such at Miami.