Interview: Florida 2017 RB Jamari Peacock Announces Top 3 Schools

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Fans of Yulee High School have seen this moment coming for a couple of years now. That moment when one of their own becomes a national standout on the gridiron wanted by teams across the country. Seventeen different Division-I programs have extended an offer to Class of 2017 running back Jamari Peacock making him one of the more sought after players in the state of Florida. The 6’0”, 230 pound, talent has done his due diligence on the recruiting trail with an ultimate decision seemingly looming.

Peacock started delivering his brand of punishment to the opposition and thrills to Hornets fans right out of the gate as a sophomore. He rushed for 777 yards with 14 scores as a sophomore then bumped up his yardage to 1,239 on just 24 more carries (169) than the year before sporting a 7.3 yard per carry average. Peacock found the end zone 16 times in 2015 and showed his all-purpose back abilities pulling in 10 passes for 79 more yards.

Offers have flowed in from top teams like Stanford, Mississippi State, Indiana, East Carolina, Central Michigan, Navy, South Alabama, Appalachian State, Oregon State, Miami, and Florida. Peacock previously announced a Top 5 of Louisville, Virginia, Nebraska, Florida State, and Georgia Southern. The list has dwindled down to three after taking some unofficial visits in the off-season.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Peacock for a catch-up interview discussing his recent unofficial visits and his Top 3 schools.

Interview

Jamari, what was the last college camp you attended?

“Nebraska.”

How did that camp go for you?

“It went good. I had a lot of one-on-one time with Coach (Reggie) Davis. We talked a lot in between each play. He coached me a lot during the camp.”

What were some of the tips you learned while working with Coach Davis?

“More about running the ball, being a better route runner, and how to catch the ball better in one-on-one matchups.”

Was that at a satellite camp or a camp on Nebraska’s campus?

“I flew to Nebraska for the camp.”

How did the visit to the campus go? What all did you see while you were there?

“I loved it. Coach Davis and some of the other recruits took us on a tour. We saw the basketball arena, the locker rooms, and the football offices. He pretty much gave us a personal tour.”

How was everything left, recruiting wise, with Nebraska?

“They are only taking one back. They are really hoping it is me. They want that versatile every down back that can take a pounding. Coach (Mike) Riley (head coach) and Coach Davis talked to me about that when I was there.”

What other college camps have you attended this off-season?

“I’ve been to Louisville and Virginia.”

How did the Virginia camp go for you?

“It went good. I spent a lot of time with the players. I wanted to see what they had to say and what they see day to day. Some of the seniors were upset about the program changing. They wish the coaching staff had been there since their freshman year. They are excited about the new staff.”

Did you take a tour of the campus while you were there?

“Yes sir. A close friend of mine plays football there. I got to see the campus with him.”

Where was everything left with Virginia?

“I’m their No. 1 back that they are recruiting. They have two other running backs committed but they want one more. They are asking me to commit.”

Have you started to narrow your list of offers down?

“Yes. I released my Top 5 of Louisville, Virginia, Nebraska, Florida State, and Georgia Southern a while ago – in no order.”

Have you started to mentally trim that list down?

“Yes. My top three schools, in no order, are Louisville, Virginia, and Nebraska.”

Switching to your workouts, how are your off-season workouts going?

“Actually the workouts are going pretty good. We are transitioning to outside workouts getting used to the Florida heat. We’ve been going hard in the weight room and on the track. Our weight lifting and everything is outside now so we can get use to the heat.”

Have you maxed out on any of the football lifts lately?

“Yes sir. I am squatting 525, benching 375, and power-cleaned 325.”

Impressive. Have you ran a 40-yard dash this off-season?

“I ran a 40 with our track coach. I ran a 4.68. We have an Olympic sprinter as our coach, Almon Gunter.”

How does the team look at this point of the summer?

“We have a really young team that is starting to buy in. This program continues to get better with the younger guys stepping up. Everyone is leading in something. Everyone is picking each other up.”

When do you guys start making contact on the field?

“We are doing a camp right now with a bunch of other schools. We are in shells making full contact but not below the waist. We are testing out a few positions, getting our underclassmen offensive linemen ready to play. They are starting to click and everything is coming together.”

Is it nice to get some contact in a little early?

“Yes sir. We have not been in pads since the spring. The camp has been really fun. A lot of the guys are getting hyped for the season. The camp is a wonderful thing for us right now.”

Jamari, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of the camp.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Husker Online; Jamari Peacock works out for the Nebraska staff

Photo credit: Peacock family; Jamari Peacock with Mike Riley