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Five-star DE Byron Cowart in a class of his own as SEC schools ramp up recruitment

Drew Laing

By Drew Laing

Published:

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Under Armour All-America Game is full of star-studded recruits, but it’s hard to miss No. 99.

Five-star defensive end Byron Cowart stands at 6-foot-4, 250-pounds, but he plays like a monster on the field. And this week, all throughout practice during the week and in the game on Friday, Cowart was virtually unstoppable.

He recorded four tackles, two QB hurries, one sack and forced one fumble, but Cowart was a constant presence in the opposing backfield all game long. On several occasions, it was Cowart’s pressure from one side that helped other players make a big play.

Cowart’s Under Armour performance garnered MVP honors following the game.

If you listen to Cowart talk about his play on the field, he speaks in a way that oozes in confidence. Not in a cocky way, either, but more as if both you and him know he’s going to make plays and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.

RELATED: Under Armour All-America game SEC scouting report

He’s yet to make a decision in regard to a college, but his success has led to others wanting to play with him and Cowart knows he’s got to keep making plays on the field.

“If I want guy to play with me, I have to dominate,” Cowart said earlier in the week. “I’m not going to lead someone down a road and then not produce … I’m serious about this. I’m hungry. I just love the game.”

As of now, Florida, Auburn and Florida State are his three finalists.

For a while the Gators appeared to be the leader, but the dismissal of Will Muschamp and his subsequent return to Auburn has made things interesting, especially because of the relationship between Cowart and Muschamp were when he was at Florida.

“He’s crazy, yelling and gets out there and I loved that,” said Cowart, who will officially visit Auburn on Jan. 16. “[Gators DE Dante] Fowler told me that everything Muschamp told him in his recruitment, it came true. Everything came to life. [Auburn] is up there. There in there for sure now with [Muschamp] there.”

Cowart couldn’t resist playing with the feelings of Florida and Florida State fans, however, upon arriving at the Under Armour registration on Sunday. He came in FSU shorts, but holding a “Chucky” doll, a tradition made popular by Florida defensive linemen Dominique Easley and Dante Fowler.

“Me and Chucky have a great connection as far as like he’s violent, I’m violent … this game is 100 percent. This is a season game for me,” Cowart said on Monday. “When I get on the field, nothing is personal. But yeah, that Chucky doll is just a tradition that I learned from Fowler and Easley and those guys.”

New Gators head coach Jim McElwain made it a priority to speak with Cowart, one of Florida’s top remaining targets, shortly after taking the job. According to Cowart, McElwain is a guy he can trust to better his football career.

“His pitch to me was he has the key to success in his back pocket. He’s done big things … I trust that guy. He’s very enthusiastic. Crazy guy, get outs there. He knows he’s getting into it late, but he’s getting into it late the right way.”

“I want to be out of college in three years. I will be out of college in three years,” he added. “That’s my goal and I’m determined and we’re going to get it crackin’ if I go to the University of Florida.”

Cowart will make his much-anticipated decision on National Signing Day. As the days pass, it’s becoming clearer that Cowart is a can’t-miss prospect who could become an immediate contributor as a freshman in 2015.

Drew Laing

Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.

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