re: Class of 2015 Recruiting MEGATHREAD - Twilight Edition

quote:

---

A CHANGE OF ITINERARY FOR FIVE-STAR COWART
Corey Bender
Florida Recruiting Analyst

Five-star Seffner (Fla.) Armwood defensive end Byron Cowart was presented with his Under Armour All-American jersey on Tuesday morning, but has a change of plans as far as his official visits as well.

Byron Cowart, who's nabbed as the nation's No. 3 defensive end and the No. 10 player overall on Scout.com out of Seffner (Fla.) Armwood, was rewarded with the prestigious honor of playing in the Under Armour All-American game in January.

On Tuesday afternoon, the physically-imposing senior witnessed his dreams become a reality when he was presented with his No. 15 jersey at his school with his mother, fellow teammates and coaches on hand. Joining Leon McQuay (USC) and Alvin Bailey (Florida), Cowart is the third Armwood Hawk in the past three years to have the opportunity to suit up for the festivities in St. Petersburg.

"It means a lot," Cowart said. "I watched it on TV growing up as kid, and to actually be in it this year is going to mean a lot.
"It's big to follow in Leon's steps. I feel like he did everything the right way. He told me it was going to be stressful and all that staff, but it's worth it at the end to say I played in the Under Armour All-American game and I committed on TV and just doing things the right way. It means a lot to actually keep the tradition going with our school."

Cowart can attend any institution across the map, but has frequently mentioned Florida, Florida State, Alabama, Maryland and Oregon as the schools in the thick of his recruitment. The defensive lineman was set to officially visit the Gators on Nov. 15, but will return to Tuscaloosa for the second time in the past month on an unofficial visit instead.

"(The visits have) been kind of shook up a little bit," Cowart said. "I should be going to Alabama on the 15th for when they play Mississippi State."

The standout out of Hillsborough County has been intrigued by the stability of Nick Saban's program at Alabama, and would have the opportunity to hit the ground running if he proves his worth to defensive coordinator Kirby Smart.

"It was consistent," Cowart said of his time at Alabama. "That's the biggest thing with me, consistency in the coaching staff (and) stability with the coaching staff. I know how it is at 'Bama, they're going to put their best 22 guys on the field. I don't mind redshirting, but they said they're not recruiting me to redshirt.
"If I come in and do what I'm supposed to do, I'll have the opportunity to start at Alabama as a freshman, so that was great to hear. But all-around, the trip was great."

Despite some of the uncertainty that's been hovering around the Florida Gators program, as well as the job status of head coach Will Muschamp, Cowart holds the SEC program in high regard and isn't going to compare his suitors on how many wins and losses they have at this point of the season.

"I'm in a position where all schools, if it's Alabama, Florida State or Florida, I think I can come in and not redshirt and play," Cowart said. "So, my perception of Florida State and Florida, anything that happens is not going to affect how I feel about the school.

"I've said this before, but if Florida doesn't win or doesn't do good or have a good season; say I do go to Florida and they're still not doing good, you can't tell me I still wouldn't go first round. I feel like it's the player. Yeah, you want to win national championships, but those scouts that come to the games look at you individually and what you can do to help a NFL team or what you are doing to help your college team. Both of those schools have a great shot at getting me."

At this point, Cowart says he's not sure if he'll be officially visiting the Gators prior to National Signing Day.

---