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Football-wise, I haven't seen the gift he has in a lot of NFL players. And that's saying a lot.
I love the fans here. They make you feel comfortable. They come out and support you. It made me feel good to see people wearing (No. 7, his number) my jersey, supporting me.
North's 63-7 shellacking of Estero High began with the opening kickoff, which Devine returned 84 yards for a touchdown. His first rushing attempt went for 54 yards and a score. His second carry went for 44 yards and a score. Three touches, three touchdowns with 1:38 remaining in the first quarter. He carried the ball just twice more, none in the second half. This comes on the heels of last week's game against Riverdale, in which he carried just nine times...for 365 yards and six touchdowns. And he's a sophmore people.
That's what I like to do is prove everybody wrong... the people who doubt me, that's what I work for.
He has quicker lateral movement than I do. When he makes up his mind, he can stop on a dime -- he can stop on pennies -- and then he's gone.
I've never seen a kid his size who looks the way he does. Everything about him is thick and hard. It's unbelievable that he weighs 165. You wouldn't think it just to look at him. It's not even close to anything I've ever seen.
Noel is a rare talent. He reminds me of a young Barry Sanders.
His junior tape is nothing short of extraordinary. The Class of 2007 marks my fifth class of scouting in the field, and this is the best high school player I've seen.
He's had a tremendous spring. He's so fast. He's 175 pounds and he bench-pressed - bench-pressed! - 405 pounds. He took 405 down, off his chest, paused and blew it up. I saw him at 350 and I was going to stop him. Then, when he got to 365, I was distracted by pro scouts. Then this little cat went 405.
He looks good now. We'll see what happens when the pads are on.
Noel was quick as lightning. Guys were falling down just trying to two-hand-touch him.
He's the best high school player I've ever seen, and that includes Reggie Bush.
You look at him on film, your jaw drops. It's like watching Barry Sanders.
He's an enigma within an enigma.
He can make quick decisions, he has outstanding change of direction skills, he can cut on a dime and he does an excellent job of making defenders miss. He is also an unusually patient runner and will take time to let his blocks set up.
He does an outstanding job of reading blocking angles and as a result, he doesn?t take a lot of straight-on hits. His change of direction and ability to plant and cut are absolutely exciting and will make you hold your breath for what's coming next.
He can run away from defensive backs, and when he runs inside, he has the ability to bounce it to the outside and make a lot of big plays. Takes little time to reach top speed, has the burst to turn the corner and gets through holes quickly. His ability to accelerate is elite, and when he gets to the second level, he is a threat to take it the distance each time he touches the ball.
His balance and low center of gravity make him extremely difficult to get a beat on through the line of scrimmage. He almost gets lost behind the line and bam, he is gone! He is extremely productive on screens and check-downs, and with some route work, he will be an absolute mismatch for linebackers and safeties in space.
He's electric, and lightning in a bottle and one of the quickest kids I've ever seen out there...
Noel is an athlete. He makes plays. A few players from Maryland said they can’t see him behind the offensive line.
There is speed, and then there is Noel Devine. Some players can accelerate out of cuts to show their cat-like quickness; Devine actually accelerates through his cuts. I've never seen a player continue to get faster while he is changing directions.
If there's ever a highlight film hall of fame, Devine will be in on the first ballot.
Absolutely impossible to knock off his feet, the best balance since Barry Sanders, Devine has the uncanny ability to bounce off of tacklers, run through arm tackles and make people miss in space. Not the biggest, just maybe the best.
Takes little time to reach top speed, has the burst to turn the corner and gets through holes quickly. His ability to accelerate is elite, and when he gets to the second level, he is a threat to take it the distance each time he touches the ball.
Noel is an amazing athlete. Everybody has seen his highlights. He is the real deal. What makes him even better than that is he’s a great person, too. He’s the total package.
A recruit who's that notable and has that much exposure ... would normally generate tremendous interest, but the recruiting world has been literally held at bay by our inability to ever speak with him. It's his right to do that, but it's very unusual. Usually kids want publicity.
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From the Grapevine
"You look at him on film, your jaw drops. It's like watching Barry Sanders."
Featured Photo
Noel Devine of North Fort Myers High School breaks away from Ida Baker's Patrick Pierre (30) to score his fourth touchdown during a 2005 game.