Florida 3-Star RB Jamari Peacock is Running Over and Past Defenders to Next Level

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The term “every down back” gets floated around when a tailback can play all three downs. The underlying meaning is a back that can catch out of the backfield and pick up blitzes on passing downs. The term every down back, which is limited normally to three downs, seems to take away from what Class of 2017 running back Jamari Peacock does for Yulee High School. Perhaps “four down back and then some” would better describe his all-around talents.

If the diehard fans scour various football recruiting sites looking up information on Peacock, there is a wide array of information or misinformation out there not updated. His height and weight ranges from 5-11 – 245 pound to 6-1 – 220 pounds. The higher weight may take Peacock out of the I-formation as a tailback and into the role of a fullback at the next level, something he could easily do if one has ever watched him be the lead blocker on a sweep but might be a waste of his talents. His actual height and weight is 6-0, 230 pounds, making him an ideal sized collegiate tailback.

The next piece of proof about Peacock’s next level ability is his production on the field against Florida 5A competition. Peacock started making a name for himself during his sophomore season rushing 145 times for 777 yards with 14 scores. He upped his overall production and yard per carry average from 5.4 to 7.3 during his junior campaign. His ending stat line included 1,239 yards off 169 carries with 16 touchdowns through the Hornets’ 10 games played. He added 10 receptions for 79 yards showing more of that “every down” ability.

Game film shows Peacock having that sneaky kind of speed that is a different type of elite speed. He will outrun the opposition but not in a track speed kind of way. He sees you, and just keeps on going – right past some of the best athletes in the state. On the rare occasion when Peacock is used as a decoy calling his number to open up holes, he takes on the role like a true fullback looking to get that pancake block or de-cleat an unsuspecting defender in a punishing style coaches love.

The fourth down aspect to Peacock’s game is his ability to pick up tough yards in-between the tackles. The Yulee area standout has great field vision to make the right cut at the right time and can lower his shoulder driving past first, second, and third contact seemingly always falling forward for more yards.

The prevailing thought among college coaches across the nation is Peacock is one of the really good ones in the 2017 class. The list of offers for the 3-star ranked back includes Florida, Florida State, Indiana, Miami, Louisville, Appalachian State, Central Michigan, East Carolina, Navy, Oregon State, South Alabama, Virginia, Mississippi State, and Stanford.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Peacock for an in-depth one-on-one interview covering his junior year, offseason workouts, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Jamari, I really like the way you run the ball and your overall speed.

“Thank you.”

If I was filling out an evaluation sheet on you I would describe your speed as deceptive and game speed. Is that close to how you would describe your speed?

“Yeah, I feel like my game speed is way different from my 40. There is more pressure in the game to score. To me, if you can take to the house every time it does not matter what your 40 speed is as long as you can put six on the board.”

What is your best 40-yard dash time?

“I have a hand-held time of a low 4.6.”

You lined up some as the quarterback in the Wildcat offense last year. Will you do more of that in 2016?

“Yes sir.”

Do you like running the Wildcat?

“Yes sir. It gives me a chance to put an extra fullback and/or a lineman in on the line. The drawback is it brings extra people in the box so it is kind of 50-50 on that end.”

Other than playing quarterback in the Wildcat offense and at running back, will we see you in different positions during your senior year?

“I’m pretty sure as the season progresses the coaches will use me more as an athlete. I might line up in the slot, at linebacker, as a kick returner, at quarterback, and stuff like that.”

One of the things that jumped out at me on your tape is your willingness to plant guys as the lead back on running plays.

(Laughs)

What is your mentality as the lead blocker – or as a bell ringer?

“I try to catch them off-guard. I want to see them before they see me. I’m always aware of where my running back is to make sure I do not push the defender towards my running back. I like ringing the other team’s bell, especially early in the game when the other team gets mouthy. That is a good way to shut them up for the rest of the game.”

What are some of the things you feel you do well as a running back with the ball in your hands?

“I can lead an offense downfield. I can get my team hyped off one run – a big run can be a mood changer in the game. The defense gets hyped off a big play by our offense and then they want to go take the other team’s offense out. I’m a good team leader and a game changer.”

Your field vision and ability to make cuts and moves seems spot on. Do you practice that?

“I do practice my moves and cuts. Our coaches have taught me that. A lot of the coaches on the team have been coaching me since Pop Warner. That has helped. Some of the top stuff we work on is cuts, field vision, and watching film.”

Which game was your best game last season and why do you consider that your best?

“My best game when we lost was against Suwannee (Live Oak). I had 12 carries for 200-something yards and two to three touchdowns. I also had two or three two-point conversions. The best game I had when we won was against Paxton (Jacksonville). I had 230 yards off a few carries three or four touchdowns, and a couple two-point conversions.”,

Have you set any goals for the 2016 season?

“I’m just trying to be in a comfortable position to take my team to the playoffs then game by game to the championship.”

What are you working on in the offseason to prepare for your senior year?

“I’m working on communication with my team. I’m working on helping build them up. I’m working on the track getting my top end speed up. I’m working on my body getting my body fat down and getting ready for the season.”

Do you have a weight goal you want to hit for the season?

“Not necessarily. I want a weight where I can play comfortably and not get tired. I want to be fresh and stay fresh so I can take it to the house on any run.”

Have you maxed out in the offseason on any of the football lifts?

“Yes sir. I’m benching 375, squatting 545, power cleaning 315 – that was a while ago I’m at 325 now, and deadlifting 505.”

Wow. Impressive.

“Thank you.”

How many offers do you have right now?

“I think I have 16 or 17 offers.”

Of the teams that have offered, which programs are pushing a little bit harder than the others?

“Virginia, Nebraska, Louisville, USF (South Florida), Georgia Southern, and Indiana.”

Which schools are recruiting you hard but have not offered you yet?

“Iowa State, Georgia, and Auburn – those are the ones I can remember right now.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?

“I took a couple visits last summer and during the school year. I went to Stanford, Cal, Florida, Auburn, Georgia Southern, Miami, and USF.”

How did your trip to Florida go?

“It was a good trip. I grew up a Florida fan. I am comfortable in the area and I played against some of the guys on the team and went to camps with them. It is nice to be around people I know. Coaching wise, they showed me a good time. We joked around and had fun. They check in on me.”

How did your visit to Miami go?

“I have not communicated with the new coaching staff much. One of the coaches came by asking me to come down this summer. I’m not familiar with the new staff. Chances are I will not make that trip.”

What about your trip to Auburn, how did that go?

“I went down there last summer. I camped there and then stayed around. I was there for the whole weekend with Coach (Gus) Malzahn (head coach) and their running backs coach, Coach (Tim) Horton. We spent the whole day watching film. They showed me what I can do in their offense.”

Do you have any upcoming visits planned?

“Next weekend I’m going to Louisville. June 10 through 12 I’ll be at Virginia, and at the end of June I’ll be at Nebraska. I’m going to Indiana sometime this summer.”

Are you camping at any schools this summer?

“Yes, I’m camping at Louisville, Virginia, and Nebraska.”

You have a lot of offers, enough where visits take on a more serious tone. What are you looking at or wanting to learn when you take the various visits?

“I want to see the depth chart and find out how comfortable I am with the team and the area. Can I get used to it all over the next four years?”

Do you have a timeframe in mind on when you would like to commit?

“Right now I’m planning on being an early enrollee, so sometime in December.”

How is everything in the classroom?

“I have a 3.2 GPA.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“Yes. I took the SAT and got a 990.”

What is your favorite subject in school?

“I’m a math and science type of person.”

Do you know what degree you’d like to pursue in college?

“Sports management and business.”

What other sports do you play for Yulee?

“Track and weight lifting.”

Which track events?

“The 100, 4×1, shotput, and discuss.”

Which event is your best?

“County wise, I’d say the 100. To make it to state, the shotput and discus.”

What is your PR in the 100?

“An 11.5 or 11.6. Somewhere around there.”

What about in the shotput? What is your best distance?

“48-feet and a couple of inches. I really don’t remember the inches just the 48-feet.”

Last question. What is your favorite part of playing football?

“Scoring touchdowns. I like running over defenses too.”

Jamari, thanks for your time today and good luck at all the upcoming camps.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: jacksonville.com; Jamari Peacock drags a defender for more yards.

Photo credit: Peacock family; Jamari Peacock at Auburn with Tim Horton.

Photo credit: Peacock family; Jamari Peacock at Florida.