2014 Texas Safety Arrion Springs Looking Out Of State For College

For some recruits, proximity is a major factor in their recruitments, as mothers often like to keep their sons close.

For prospects like 2014 San Antonio (TX) Roosevelt safety Arrion Springs, the opportunity for a significant change in scenery is, in fact, appealing.

Part of a loaded 2014 defensive backs class in the state, Springs is lagging behind many of his peers in terms of offers -- he is yet to receive his first -- but his talents on the field are indisputable, and he has been tearing up the spring and summer combine circuits with some impressive feats of athleticism.

At a NUC Combine, Springs ran a blazing 4.37 40 and recorded a 30.7-inch vertical at another event.

A trip to Gainesville allowed Springs to give Florida coaches a first-hand look at his abilities, and Springs came away believing that the Gators are close to extending him an offer. A scheme-versatile defensive back who often lined up at cornerback in San Marcos on Tuesday, Springs said that he worked out at cornerback for head coach Will Muschamp, the position at which Florida likes him best.

Springs did grow up a USC fan, an allegiance that stretches even further back than the 2006 National Championship game that pitted the Longhorns and Trojans. In recalling that night, Springs grimaced and clutched his heart, the pain still too real all these years later. Sometimes those childhood traumas don’t fade easily.

A summer trip out to Los Angeles is in the works for Springs, but is not yet firmly scheduled. As for the Trojan’s opponent that night in early 2006, Springs declined not to camp in Austin earlier this month.

Why not? Well, the reason was simple. “I don’t like Texas,” said Springs in a simple and matter-of-fact statement.

So, far to the east and far to the west Springs looks, waiting for that first offer and ready to leave his home state behind.

In-person evaluation: The versatile Springs and his Roughrider teammates suffered an early exit from the tournament, but he did show off his ability to play both safety and cornerback on the day. Physical as a tackler and in coverage when the pads are on during the fall, Springs showed off his speed on Tuesday, with the ability to flip his hips and transition to blanket wide receivers.

At his best in press coverage -- his physicality drew the ire of Stony Point coaches in Roosevelt’s first game -- Springs understands how to use his hands and natural strength to his advantage.

The greatest area for improvement with him is his ability to track the ball in the air, as Springs gave up several completions when he had good coverage, as the ball fluttered heading into the stiff southeastern breeze. When Springs spends more time working at cornerback, he may be able to improve that facet of his game.

For more on Trojans football, visit USC blog Conquest Chronicles, plus Pac-12 blog Pacific Takes and SB Nation Los Angeles. For more on Gators football, visit Florida blog Alligator Army, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills and SB Nation Tampa Bay.