JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Five-star junior running back Sony Michel rushed for 154 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries in a 30-27 loss at Jacksonville (Fla.) Bolles. Even in defeat for he and his Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage squad, Michel is happy to be back on the field playing alongside his teammates after losing his sophomore season to a knee injury.
“Getting back onto the field is a blessing to me,” Michel said. “Just to be out there with my teammates. They are very caring and uplifting. They are great guys to be around. I am just happy to just be out there with them.”
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound running back showed that he is feeling no ill effects from the injury, as he utilized power, speed and shiftiness on the evening racking up numerous impressive rushes. His evening was highlighted by a 73-yard touchdown run.
Before his injury, Michel was arguably the most heavily recruiting prospect in his class. The attention hasn’t subsided over the past year. Since colleges could increase contact with juniors at the start of this month, Michel has been the center of attention in the Sunshine State.
“I get stuff from Miami, Florida State, Georgia, Alabama, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Notre Dame – a lot of schools,” Michel said. “I was getting a lot of mail from all types of schools – Florida, Miami, Florida State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Alabama, Georgia, USF – a lot of schools.”
The Top247 prospect hasn’t begun to narrow things down at this point in the process.
“I am still working on my top five probably until next summer,” Michel said.
“Everybody is still in the mix,” Michel added. “I am just trying to weigh out my options as much as I can before I make a decision.”
The first two schools that were in the picture with Michel were Florida State and Miami. Their long-standing relationship with him is paying dividends as more schools enter the picture.
“It gives (them) a big advantage because there is a relationship built with the coaches,” Michel said. “That gives them an advantage.”
With regards to Florida State, Michel has established a strong relationship with running backs coach Eddie Gran. He is one of the top two recruiters for Michel at this stage of the process.
“I would probably say him and Coach (Terry) Richardson at Miami,” Michel said.
Michel talked about what he likes about Gran.
“Everything,” Michel said. “He is a coach that you can get along with. That is the type of coach you need. He is a coach that can relate to a lot of kids. That is the good thing about him.”
Gran is not the only factor that has the Seminoles in the thick of it with him. He is a fan of the school after taking a number of visits, including most recently a summer camp visit in July.
“FSU is just a great atmosphere, period, to be around,” Michel said. “Campus-wise, football-wise, facility-wise, they have some good facilities. It is a well-rounded environment.
“Everybody wants a great atmosphere around them,” Michel added.
Michel is also a fan of the offensive attack utilized by Jimbo Fisher and his staff.
“It is pro-style, that is the type of offense I am looking for, and that is one of the biggest things,” Michel said.
While Florida State has made a strong impression upon Michel, his recruitment will be a marathon, not a sprint.
As for upcoming visits, Michel mentioned that he plans to attend Clemson at Florida State, Florida State at Miami, and Miami vs. Notre Dame, which will be held at Soldier Field in Chicago. He said other visits remain a possibility.
