So. Fla. DB names leader

Another standout safety from the Sunshine State is Vladimir Emilien Emilien, 6-1 and 193 pounds, is from Lauderhill (Fla.) Plantation High School. According to Emilien he is sitting on 30 scholarship offers. Right now one stands above the crowd.

“Ohio State is my current favorite,” Emilien said. “I went for their spring game. It was a cool environment and a cool atmosphere. The team was good to me and treated me like part of their family. I love the coaches. They are down to earth. I talk with them and feel comfortable with that staff. I feel a bond with everyone at Ohio State. They have an edge over everyone right now.”

Despite the Buckeyes holding a lead he has some big time programs on his radar like Michigan, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Stanford, USF, USC and South Carolina. They have all offered him.

“I really like Michigan. They are so much like Ohio State. I like the tradition, the way they always have played ball. They have always been a balls to the wall type of team. I love their competitiveness and they always seems like they are competing for a championship. I like the new coaches. They are coming after me hard.

“With West Virginia I am creating a bond with Doc Holliday. I haven’t been there but it looks like a great school. They have die hard fans.

“I love coach (Charles) Partridge at Wisconsin. It’s a city school in Madison. They have been after me hard since the spring.

“Stanford speaks for itself. The major thing with them is academics. You get a degree from Stanford and you have a guaranteed future.

“I love the way South Florida plays defense. I love the way they were nobody last year and then they were somebody. They produce defensive backs and they are NFL prototypes. If I go there they can mold me into an NFL player that I want to be.

“USC is just a national championship team. They have been like that for five or six years now. They have great players and they put them in the league. I hear they have the best atmosphere there.

“With South Carolina I like the coaches, especially (Robert) Gillespie. I mean I like him a lot. He really talks to me because he was a big recruit at one time. I have really bonded with him.”

So far Emilien has seen Ohio State, Miami and South Florida. This summer he plans on visiting all the schools he likes in the South plus LSU. Tennessee, and North Carolina.

“First and foremost I am looking at the academics. It’s all about the education. My mom always preached that I have to get my degree. Playing time will be big too. But I also have to play for a coach that I like. I also need to know if I can play because I don’t want to sit on the bench and watch. I want to play because I am a playmaker out there.”

Emilien is a versatile safety prospect that can play either safety position. That is one thing the college coaches like.

“I have the ability to play both safety spots. Some schools like me at free and some schools like me at strong. I can come up and hit you and support the run and I can also cover. I just have to keep my head on straight and have a great senior season.”

Emilien did sprain his right knee late in spring and was held out of their jamboree.