It’s a rough year to be a three-star running back in the state of Florida. After all, six of the top 20 running backs in the entire country hail from the Sunshine State. As a result, 2013 Miami (FL) Columbus running back Lorenzo Woodley is a little bit on the outside looking as it regards the top school both in the state and the schools that heavily recruit Florida.
Lorenzo Woodley Discusses His Recruitment
The Miami native is still completely open in his recruitment and plans to take official visits in the fall.
All that isn’t to say that Woodley is underrecruited. The 6-0, 210-pounder, who is a consensus three-star recruit, has invitations to play at 15 schools, including offers from Cincinnati, Florida State, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Rutgers, South Florida, West Virginia, and Vanderbilt.
When pressed about which of those schools stood out, Woodley said they aren’t any schools standing out to him at this time.
“No, not really,” he said in an interview with SB Nation on Sunday following the second practice of the day in preparation for next weekend’s World Championship opener against American Samoa.
The Miami native has taken several visits this summer, including camp stops at Alabama, Ole Miss, Florida State, and South Carolina.
He had a plan for what he wanted to do at those camps.
"This summer I was planning on going around to certain schools and check out the campus and the school life and just see if I can see myself at those schools," said the impressive-looking back with good speed. "I haven't really found a school that I think is perfect and would cause me to commit right away. I haven't found that school yet, so I'm still continuing to explore my options and check everything out."
Woodley enjoyed his experience at the Alabama camp and was satisfied with his performance, but hasn’t been hearing much from the Crimson Tide, who already have a commitment from one of the top backs in the country, Little Rock (AR)‘s Altee Tenpenny.
Still, Woodley is holding out some hope after a positive camp visit.
"That's a big program. When I first arrived, it was amazing to me," he revealed. "It was beautiful. I hope they contact me in the future."
The big back also enjoyed his visit to Oxford.
"Ole Miss has a nice school and great facilities. I liked how the camp was run. They are a very good program."
However, the visit wasn’t enough for the Rebels to seriously stand out to him.
One school does really stand out, though he has yet to receive an offer from them.
"I'm from Miami and grew up a Miami fan. If Miami decides to come around, I think I would just be done, end it right there."
The only problem? The ‘Canes already hold a commitment from Plantation (FL) South Plantation back Alex Collins, making an offer from his hometown school unlikely.
What about Florida State, his most impressive offer so far? Woodley’s face visibly brightened when asked about the Seminoles.
"I like everything about Florida State," he gushed." Beautiful campus, stadium, everything. They have a great history, especially at running back."
Woodley doesn’t have any set visit plans for the rest of the summer, but does have an idea of what the fall will hold.
"I plan on taking all five of my official visits. As soon as I find that right school, I'm not going to stretch it any further, just make the decision right there."
Analysis: According to those who follow Florida State recruiting closely, Woodley does not currently have a committable offer from the Seminoles and is not the top target at his position. As a result, it’s questionable whether or not there will ever be a point in the process that Jimbo Fisher would accept a commitment from the Columbus product.
South Carolina could be a serious contender if they offer, as would Miami, clearly, given that he would commit on the spot with an offer from the latter.
What will the fall hold for Woodley? It’s hard to say, but if he doesn’t receive an offer from one of his top schools, he may have to “settle” for one of the schools that would accept a pledge at any time.
For more on FSU football, visit Florida State blog Tomahawk Nation and SB Nation Tampa Bay.
For more on Rebels football, visit Ole Miss blog Red Cup Rebellion, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.
For more on Cocks football, visit South Carolina blog Garnet And Black Attack, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.
For more on Canes football, visit Miami blog The 7th Floor.
