TAMPA, Fla. -- Florida-bound tight end A.C. Leonard (Interlachen, Fla./Interlachen) had a dominant two-day performance and was the top overall prospect at the Badger Sport Elite 7-on-7 tournament at the University of South Florida this past weekend.
Leonard was unstoppable as his team, Pro Impact I, which was comprised of prospects from Central Florida and the Jacksonville area, won the championship.
Leonard was impressive at the Jacksonville Under Armour Combine on Feb. 14, but appeared to be on an even higher level against better competition during this event. The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder showed the ability to run excellent routes, had great body control in timing his jumps and displayed good hands throughout the tournament. He was by far the top weapon for his team and did all this with a nagging groin injury.
"I have just been working hard during the offseason," he said. "(My teammates) and I have been working out every day after school, pushing sleds and lifting weights on our own so we can get stronger."
Leonard reiterated he was strong in his commitment to the Gators, which appears to be a great fit for him. Athletically, he should be able to do the types of things that recently-departed tight end Aaron Hernandez, and before him, Cornelius Ingram, were able to do in the Florida offense.
It's a great year in the Sunshine State for top-tier tight end talent, so naturally Leonard wasn't the only elite prospect at his position on display over the weekend.
Brandon Fulse (Fort Meade, Fla./Fort Meade) is a prospect that jumped out at the National Under Armour All-American combine on New Year's Day at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The 6-4, 250-pounder impressed again with his size, athleticism and pass-catching ability. Like Leonard, he took it a step further this past weekend against great competition. His team, Big Timers, which was made up primarily of prospects from the Orlando/Central Florida area and was coached by Lo Wood Sr., the father of 2010 Notre Dame signee Lo Wood, finished third in the event.
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Fulse's size/athleticism combination, ball skills and route-running ability really jumped out. He also was extremely effective in the red zone. Florida, Georgia, Florida State, Miami, Auburn, Michigan, Louisville, Clemson, South Carolina and others all have jumped in with offers and more are on the way.
Nick O'Leary (Palm Beach, Fla./Dwyer) has some of the best hands you can ask for and when the quarterback gets it anywhere near him, he catches it. This is something that has been impressive about the 6-3, 250-pounder for some time. He will be an absolute weapon on third-and-short for whatever team signs him (we believe Georgia and Ohio State are both programs to watch and he has offers from teams across the country). He proved that during the weekend with his team, SOFLA, which was made up primarily of players from Palm Beach and Broward Counties.
Here's a look at the other top Class of 2011 prospects at the event in alphabetical order.
Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Belle Glade, Fla./Glades Central
The 6-6, 220-pounder has a tremendous ceiling and can jump up over most cornerbacks and come down with the ball. He's still got some developing to do, but many of the top programs that recruit South Florida, including Florida, Florida State and Miami have offered.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB/ATH, Miami/Northwestern
He was the best quarterback at the event and led his team, South Florida Express, to a second-place finish. This setup is perfect for Bridgewater, who also led a 7-on-7 team with his Miami Northwestern teammates to a championship last summer at the Nike 7on in Portland, Ore. Bridgewater remains open to multiple schools.
Jeremy Cash, S, Plantation, Fla./Plantation
He was outstanding in coverage all week, which was impressive because he is more highly-regarded as an in-the-box safety that is excellent in run support. He had several outstanding pass break-ups as his team, South Florida Express, reached the finals. You also have to admire all the passion he competes with. Cash continues to pile up the offers, including Ohio State, Miami and Florida State, among others.
Anthony Chickillo, DE/TE
Tampa, Fla./Alonso
Like Burton, he is going to be much more impressive in pads, but you got a sense of his size and athleticism on Sunday, the day he competed with his team (Sarasota/Bradenton). He is up to nearly 40 scholarship offers and plans to check out Florida, Florida State and Miami, where his father and grandfather played.
Hasean Clinton-Dix, S/CB
Orlando/Dr. Phillips
After reviewing his film, one of our scouts recently said Clinton-Dix was "one of the most impressive safeties he's seen" and he showed that during this event. He has size, but like other bigger safety prospects in recent years, like LSU signees Craig Loston (Class of 2009) and Chad Jones (Class of 2007), he's athletic/fast enough to play in coverage. Admittedly though, he's not quite as big as those two. Alabama is the early leader here and should he end up in Tuscaloosa, it would not surprise us at all to see him get a look at cornerback in certain situations.
Dallas Crawford, CB/ATH, Fort Myers, Fla./South Fort Myers
Crawford is athletic, fast and could potentially do a lot of different things on the collegiate level. His explosiveness was impressive during the times we watched him and it's not surprising that programs like Iowa and South Florida have offered. However, when all is said and done we expect him to end up at Miami.
Andre Davis, WR, Tampa, Fla./Jefferson
Davis is impressive from a physical standpoint and just flat-out makes plays. He is wiry, has long arms and is fast enough to get open and almost always catches the football. Florida State, Miami, South Florida, Texas Tech, Purdue, Central Florida and West Virginia, among others have offered.
Demetrius Hart, RB, Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips
He was outstanding in the passing game, using his speed and hands to make several great plays for his team. The 5-9, 182-pounder is a complete back. He's thick enough to run between the tackles and fast enough to play well on the perimeter. Auburn, where he unofficially visited last week, is the team to beat at this point.
Gerrod Holliman, S, Miami/Southridge
He made a game-saving interception for his team, South Florida Express, and showed excellent coverage ability over the weekend. Some believe Holliman, who is also physical and tough in run support on film, is the top safety prospect in all of South Florida for the 2011 recruiting cycle and we are not so sure that won't end up being the case. Louisville, Kansas State, Maryland, Minnesota and Nebraska all have offered. If Miami offers, then the Hurricanes would be tough to beat. If not, the Cardinals and head coach Charlie Strong are a program to watch.
Aaron Lynch, DE, Cape Coral, Fla./Island Coast
Like the other top defensive ends at the event, Lynch wasn't really able to show what he is all about. But, we can clearly see, from his size, athleticism and intensity, why he's one of Florida's fast-rising prospects for the 2011 recruiting class. Alabama, Iowa, Florida State, Miami, LSU, Notre Dame, Kentucky, Ohio State, South Florida, Texas Tech, Purdue and North Carolina also have jumped in.
Ryan Shazier, LB, Plantation, Fla./Plantation
The quick-rising Shazier continued to show off his ability to play in space, which will be important as he transitions from defensive end to linebacker on the collegiate level. Florida, Florida State, Ole Miss, Louisville, Connecticut, Ohio State, Oklahoma and others have offered.
Keelin Smith, CB/S, Port Saint Lucie, Fla./Treasure Coast
Smith is tall, long, skilled and was impressive the entire weekend as his team, Treasure Coast, reached the semifinals. The Florida State commit could play cornerback at the next level or could be an outstanding free safety. Also impressive was the intensity and competitiveness that he played with during the event. That's something that's going to contribute greatly to the revitalization of the Seminoles' program down the road.
Ja'Juan Story, WR, Brooksville, Fla./Nature Coast
Story was only there on Sunday, but you can't argue with what he brings to the table in terms of size (6-3, 190 pounds) and speed (sub-4.5 second 40-yard dash) and he was impressive during the times we saw him play. The Seminoles have offered and are recruiting him hard. North Carolina, Pittsburgh and others also are in the mix and his stock is rising daily.
Tacoi Sumler, WR, Miami/Columbus
There may not have been a faster prospect on the field than Sumler, who played some running back for South Florida Express during the event. That worked well as he was able to use his speed to gain more yardage than most of the backs that were there. Sumler has offers from many of the top schools in the Southeast. Clemson is a team to watch here and the Tigers should be getting an unofficial visit from the speedy Sumler (4.35 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the Miami Under Armour Combine) at the end of the month.
Nick Waisome, CB, Groveland, Fla./South Lake
Waisome had three interceptions in one game for the Big Timers and made multiple big plays throughout the two days. The Under Armour All-American also got the best of Benjamin once by jamming him at the line of scrimmage. The only receiver/tight end that got the best of him on a consistent basis was Leonard, who was unstoppable. You really get a sense of how good Waisome is in a setting like this and as always, his competitiveness is impressive.
James Wilder II, RB/LB, Tampa, Fla./Plant
Wilder, an elite prospect, competed on Saturday, but was unable to go on Sunday because of some soreness in his leg that has been nagging him for some time. Also, like the others, you won't get a true sense of what Wilder is all about until the pads come on. However, he looked very good playing in space at linebacker on Saturday and also moved well when he was on offense. Wilder recently said that he wanted to remain in the Southeast to play college football. Florida, Florida State, Miami, Georgia, Alabama and others were the schools that he said were in the mix for his services.
Karlos Williams, S, Davenport, Fla./Ridge Community
Williams was one of the first invites to the 2011 Under Armour All-American game and it was easy to see why after watching his size/speed/athleticism combination during the course of two days. Williams is a versatile prospect that could be a strong safety or grow into an outside linebacker on the collegiate level. Committed to Florida State, where his brother Vince plays, Williams is one of several big early pickups in this class for the Noles.
JC Shurburtt covers recruiting for ESPN.com. He can be reached at jcsespn@aol.com. Gerry Hamilton contributed to this report.