Chris Cox covers high school sports and tennis in Beaufort County. | Shameik Blackshear still has two more years to enjoy life in high school. But major college coaches continue to get an early jump on the defensive end's bright future at the next level.
The Florida Gators became the latest FBS school to offer the rising prospect Thursday afternoon, as co-defensive line coach Brad Lawing stopped by Bluffton High School to make the news official.
"FULL RIDE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA Grades+weights=SUCCESS," Blackshear posted to his Twitter account, @Blackshear_7.
The Gators become the fifth major college football team to offer the rising junior. South Carolina was the first to offer around Thanksgiving before Clemson, North Carolina and N.C. State soon followed. The Wolfpack was the latest team to offer before Florida jumped into the fray.
Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier visited the 6-foot-5, 235-pound prospect on Wednesday before flying out on more recruiting trips. The Ole Ball Coach also stopped by Hilton Head Island High to visit rising senior defensive tackle Poona Ford, whom the Gamecocks have also offered.
Blackshear, who has the inside track to become the No. 1 player in-state in the class of 2015, finished his sophomore season with 97 tackles, 17 TFL, five sacks, 19 quarterback hurries, two pass deflections, three forced fumbles, one blocked kick and two defensive touchdowns.