TROJAN SPOTLIGHT SHINES ON **CAMERON LANG**



Senior DB/RB Cameron Lang

When you look at a player like Cameron Lang, you see a player that has been entrenched in the game for a long time. He just knows how to play. Defensively, you will always find Cameron around the football. Versatile enough to transition from CB to FS to RB to PR to KR, yet because of the star studded line up at Lincoln, this kid has slipped under the radar. There is 4 star Gator commit James Hearns, and 4 star Georgia commit Reggie Davis, and 4 star WR Taj Williams, and 2 star Yale commit Myles Gaines, and there is 2014 Kendall Randolph, and 2014 Jeffrey Williams, and 2015 John Burt, etc... So it is easy to get lost in the shuffle.

I personally, LOVE what I see in this kid. He is not the fastest, but can cover and works hard. He is not the biggest, but doesn't get beat physically and he works hard. He is not the strongest, but doesn't get bullied and he works hard. At 5'10" and 175 lbs Lang has decent size to play at the next level and is awaiting his first offer. Cameron has palyed on varsity since the 10th grade. As the Trojan season gets under way, it will be interesting to watch how this kid pans out. My gut says that Cameron will be ok in the end.

Click here -> Cameron Lang's Highlights

HURRICANE ISAAC CHANGES PLANS for LINCOLN

The Lincoln Trojans are all set to begin their quest for another State Championship. Up first was Pensacola High School, a team that they faced to open last season. Enter Hurricane Isaac... the storm which made landfall in New Orleans this morning, but spreads its effects all the way to Tallahassee. The top right quadrant of a storm dumps tons and tons of rain to the affected area, so on Isaac was on its way to New Orleans, Pensacola High has been unable to practice all week due to rain and wind. Enter another possiblity, Pine Forest also affected by Isaac, was supposed to travel to Atlanta for a game against Stone Mountain's Stephenson High School. Stephenson & Lincoln make contact and schedule a quick match up for Saturday at 3pm. A match up with national attention, a match up with TV coverage, a match up that we'd love to see. This match up is soooo close, yet soooo far. Stay tuned for more updates.

LINCOLN CHECKS IN AT #51 - Rivals 100

With all of the top notch talent at Lincoln High School, it is easy to see why they are one of the top programs in the country. Other key players not mentioned are WR Myles Gaines, DB/RB Cameron Lang, QB/DB Kendall Randolph, LB Jeffrey Williams, WR/QB John Burt and OL Dakota Deyent.

LINCOLN WINS 7 on 7 CHAMPIONSHIP

Lincoln coaches Jacquez Green & Yusuf Shakir hold the 7 on 7
Championship Spear with FSU's Jimbo Fisher as the Trojans celebrates

Teams came from far and wide to attend Jimbo Fisher's 7 on 7 team tournament held on June 16, 2012. The format is tough. Teams must play back to back to back until the championship round without much rest in between. Teams from Alabama, Georgia and South Florida made the trek to compete for the crown, but in the end it was Tallahassee's Lincoln High School vs Amos P. Godby for the Championship. Godby faced a very tough Deerfield Beach team in the semis and an extra point decided the outcome. For Lincoln the opponent was a very disciplined Holmes County, and after a tough battle early, Lincoln was able to get some breathing room. Throughout the day some of the players that stood out were QB Cameron Joseph, WRs Taj Williams, Reggie Davis, Myles Gaines, and a sure D1 prospect in WR John Burt. Defensively, James Hearns & another sure D1 prospect Jeffrey Williams consistently made plays at linebacker as did DBs Cameron Lang, Kendall Randolph, and Greg Fishburn. Over all it was a team effort and all the players had good highlights. In the Championship game however, Myles Gaines made catch after catch including a spectacular diving catch in traffic for the score that would seal the deal against Godby. The Trojans will gladly give this championship back for the one in December, but right now the mentality is one game at a time.

TALLAHASSEEE LINCOLN GETS 3 ALL-AMERICAN NOMINATIONS

Taj Williams, Reggie Davis, James Hearns are all smiles with Lincoln Head Coach Yusuf Shakir

The Army All-American game is the oldest and most prestigious post season game that features the nation's top high school football talent. The selection process includes the nomination of 400 players from all 50 states, and thousands of High Schools nationally. So when the Army All-American committee selects three different players from a small city like Tallahassee, it is an impressive testimonial of the quality of football in the area. However, when that same committee selects three players from the same High School (LINCOLN), that is a monumental accomplishment. Never before, in the history of this game, has this occurred.

James Hearns, a linebacker and University of Florida commitment, is a 6'3" 235 lbs rising senior who can play middle or outside. Has excellent speed for a guy his size. He reads the plays well and is a ferocious hitter.

Reggie Davis, a speedy wide receiver, is a 6'0" 170 lbs rising senior who is an amazing return man in addition to a very good wide receiver. Teams have been kicking away from Reggie since last year, which is the ultimate sign of respect (fear). Reggie has over 30 offers.

Taj Williams, a very athletic wide receiver, is a 6'4" 185 lbs rising senior who is tall, fast, and adjusts well to the ball when it is in the air. He can get to balls that other receivers can't. He is versatile and also has 30 plus offers.

Head Coach Yusuf Shakir is thrilled to see his players receive such attention, but he knows that there is a lot more work to do. A nomination to the U.S. Army All-American game does not get you in, however, it is an honor for these three young men to be nominated. With hard work and a solid season, maybe we see them in the game in January 2013.

ANDRADES - THE ROAD TO GAINESVILLE



L to R Cousin Durell Queen, RAPH, mother Aundrea Andrades, grandmother Janie Powell & Dad Raphael Andrades on National Signing Day

 Tallahassee Lincoln WR Raphael Andrades started his love affair with the Gators during his Freshman year in High School. He grew up a Miami Hurricanes fan largely in part because his Dad's love for the Canes. Dad (Raphael, Sr.) grew up in Miami. Attended Miami Northwestern. The same school that produced the number one class in 2008 for the Canes that included Jacory Harris, Sean Spence, Marcus Forston, Tommy Streeter, etc... Dad went to school with a few of the fathers of these players: Rodney Harris, Sam Spence, and Tommy Streeter, Sr. Dad also went to high school with a few recognizable University of Miami  names like Melvin Bratton (Denver Broncos), and Brett Perriman (Detroit Lions). So the love for the Canes for Dad, and Raph's uncles was huge.

One day Raph and his dad were riding in the car together and Raph tried to conceal the screen picture on his phone, but Dad caught a glimpse of it. It was something related to the Florida Gators. It was a kind of sad moment for dad, but he knew that he had to teach Junior a life lesson about choices. Dad said, "Raph, I love the Canes. Just because I love the Canes, doesn't mean that you have to love the Canes or even like them. You are allowed to like which ever team you want, but just stay away from me when they are playing my Canes." Raph now relieved replied, "Dad, I want you to know that I like the Gators and I want to play there after high school." Dad's response was, "Well, if you want to become a Gator, you have a lot of work to do. Which school you choose to attend after high school is your choice, I will only help as an advisor, but it's 100% your choice, but you have to work hard."

Fast forward to the recruiting. Raph received offers from Illinois, Stanford, Arkansas, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Middle Tennessee, FIU, and a few other schools. As the process went along Raph wasn't "feeling" some of the schools. Stanford was attractive but just too far. Arkansas had an exciting offense, but he didn't know enough about them. Vanderbilt was a great institution, they have solid everything (but it wasn't like Florida). Kentucky was a perfect blend of "family & opportunity", and he really wanted to go there, he felt very comfortable there, but somehow that didn't happen. Notre Dame comes on the scene late and offers an official visit then takes it back. Arkansas sets up a visit, then takes it back. All of the schools are putting their eggs in one basket. They all want Dorial Green-Beckham, or Nelson Agholor, or Stephon Diggs, or this guy or that guy. They all are good programs, they all have great things to offer, but these players can only attend one school, yet they have 3, 4 maybe 5 teams to choose from.... what are the odds. Now it is time to make a choice. With a few offers taken away, and a few coaches calling saying please wait I may have something. Raph has a HUGE decision to make. Will he wait and be disappointed, or will he take an offer from a smaller school and just get an education and play.

Enter the Florida Gators. When Aubrey Hill asked Raph to call him, all of Raph's attention turned to the Gators. Raph was telling his Dad, "I'm going to Gainesville and just walk-on." Dad said, "No you are not! You will accept the scholarship offer that you have on the table." Next thing you know things are going 100 miles per hour. Now Raph had been to Junior Day at Florida, attended summer football camp there as well. Went to "Friday Night Lights" at the Swamp. Attended several games as a recruit. Called the coaching staff and spoke to them regularly. He made it no secret that his desire was to play at Florida. Now comes "the call". "Raph, this is coach Will Muschamp of the Florida Gators. I want you to know that we are working very hard to make you a Gator, but I can't let you know until maybe 9 am tomorrow if I have that scholarship available, although I may hear something tonight". Just the thought of that brought a huge smile (Raph has that Million Dollar Smile) and tears of joy to not only Raph, but his Dad who was with him at the moment. He was so close to his dream.

It was the day before National Signing Day. Several coaches are putting in their last minutes calls. Some trying to jump back on the scene after "dissing" Raph. Others calling claiming that they finally found a way of getting a hold of Raph. Yet another trying to make sure that all would go well for him on signing day. But at around 11:15 pm, the only call that mattered to him came in. This was it. It was the Florida Gators. Raph was in the shower when his phone rang, so Coach Muschamp called Dad. "Great news", he said. "We were able to work everything out and we are offering your son a scholarship, but we called Raph and couldn't get a hold of him... is he available?" Dad said, "He's in the shower, but he is definitely available, please hold". Dad went to the bathroom opened the door, asked Raph to turn the water off and put the phone on speaker. "Raph, this is Will Muschamp... ARE YOU READY TO BE A GATOR?" Raph replied, "YES SIR, I ACCEPT, I COMMIT, ALL OF THAT... YES SIR!" And the tears of joy began to flow.

On National Signing Day, while everyone was beaming about their recruits, there was one recruit(er) who's smile was shinning brighter. Now that recruit(er), who has always had the respect of his teammates has added one teammate to the fold 2013 LB James Hearns. 2013 WRs Reggie Davis & Taj Williams may soon add their names to the Gator committed list as well. Taj prior to his final regular season basketball game on Saturday wore a Gators T-shirt and Hat. Signing Raph gave the Gators a very solid receiver, but it also gave them a ring side seat to the Tallahassee Lincoln Football class of 2013 recruiting battle.

TROJAN SPOTLIGHT SHINES ON ** RONALD BUTLER **

Lincoln Senior QB Ronald Butler

Click here to see -> RONALD BUTLER SENIOR HIGHLIGHTS

We caught up with Tallahassee Lincoln Senior QB Ronald “Beezy” Butler to talk about this past season and to see how his recruitment was going. Here’s what he had to say:

Q: Finished your Senior season with only two losses, how do you feel that the Trojan season went?

A:  “I’m totally disappointed. I really expected to win out after we beat a tough Pensacola team. We loss by 3 to Valdosta, but I feel we were the better team & the Fleming Island game? We shouldn’t of lost that one. I was shocked.”

Q: If you win that game do you feel that you could have beaten First Coast?

A: “It would have been a real good match up, but we will never know.”

Q: Do you feel that this team should have gone back to back?

A: “I feel that this team was better than last year’s team offensively and over all, but a few injuries down the stretch kind of hurt. Winning back to back? I was hoping to do it… especially since we didn’t have to face Armwood again. (smile)”

Q: Switching over to recruiting. Who has offered you?

A: “Jacksonville State, Southern Miss, UNLV, Georgia State, Tennessee State, and Bethune-Cookman University.”

Q: Of those schools, who has been on you the hardest?

A: “Early on, it was Jax St., but recently it has been Tennessee State, and Bethune.”

Q: What is standing out about those programs?

A: “The Coaches have really been reaching out. They have done in-home visits… just regular recruiting stuff.”

Q: What’s going on with Southern Miss, UNLV, and Georgia State?

A: “Southern Miss is recruiting me as an ‘Athlete’, UNLV is my most recent offer and they are kind of far from home, and Georgia State… they offered but…”

Q: If you had to name a top three, what would you say?

A: “In no particular order, Jax State, Tennessee State, & BCU.”

Q: Have you or are you taking any visits?
A: Actually I am visiting Bethune-Cookman this weekend and Tennessee State next weekend.

Q: When will you make your decision?
A: After my visits, I will decide.

Ronald Butler finished the season with 121 attempts with 187 completions (64.7% completion), 1809 yards, 26 TDs and  7 ints.

Click here to see -> RONALD BUTLER SENIOR HIGLIGHTS