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The 2022 recruiting class is loaded on the defensive side of the ball in South Florida, and one of the players that is catching Miami’s eye is 4-star cornerback Jacolby Spells out of American Heritage in Broward County.
Check out my highlight - https://t.co/8nQM6TLyuc
— Jacolby Spells (@drippy4k_) December 21, 2020
Spells is part of a very talented defensive roster on American Heritage, which includes other high-profile recruits like Earl Little Jr. and Marvin Jones Jr. All three players helped the Patriots capture a 2020 state championship in the state of Florida this past fall.
State champs ‼️ #blessed pic.twitter.com/yEh9Ut9l5F
— Jacolby Spells (@drippy4k_) December 19, 2020
247 Sports has Spells ranked as the #15 athlete in the 2022 recruiting cycle, #29 player in the state of Florida, and #228 2022 player nationally. What makes Spells such an exciting prospect is his ability to play both sides of the ball, lining up at wide receiver mostly up until 2020, where he started to play more on defense at cornerback.
QB @EdwinRhodes8 finds Sophomore Jacolby Spells over the middle for a @AH__Athletics touchdown. Score 7-3 in second quarter kickoff classic against Chaminade. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/giweuawt6P
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 17, 2019
Throughout his junior season in 2020, Spells was faced with defending against top-notch wide receivers in the South Florida area, and definitely held his own. In a playoff game against Miami Northwestern, Spells went up against 2021 UM signee Romello Brinson, and played exceptionally well, snagging an interception in the Patriots win.
Northwestern tries to go to Miami commit Romello Brinson in the end zone before half, but pass is intercepted by 2022 4-star Jacolby Spells. pic.twitter.com/EnmSLITLWW
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) November 21, 2020
Watching him this past season and his highlights, you can see Spells is usually lined up on the outside, and has solid ball skills. Spells is a raw prospect at cornerback, but his potential is through the roof. He needs to improve on his tackling, but he isn’t the type of defensive back that is afraid of contact. With proper development, Spells can be a very exciting player in the next few years.
American Heritage @AH__Athletics 2022 4 ⭐️ ATH Jacolby Spells @drippy4k_ receives an offer from @RazorbackFB. Spells (6’ 170) has impressed at WR in big moments but transitions to CB where he becomes a premier prospect. He has ability to attack the ball & has next level length.
— The Crib South Florida (@TheCribSouthFLA) April 2, 2020
If you’ve been reading my recruiting articles over the last couple years, you know that I’m very big on athleticism, and the athletic traits that these prospects bring to the table. Well with Spells, he’s got that. He also has great speed, and as a sophomore, Spells was a regional qualifier in the 100-meter dash.
Private 1 on 1 (DB) Session w/ 2022 American Heritage Patriots (CB) Jacolby Spells fresh off his University of Oklahoma Sooners Offer this week. #work #dbtraining #hardwork #thegrinddontstop
— gogetityft (@gogetityft) January 26, 2020
Let’s Go Get It...!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/S31DLxyhIE
As Spells continues to develop at cornerback prior to and during his senior season at American Heritage, I expect him to rise in the recruiting rankings, and become a big target for many schools throughout the country.
Blessed to receive another offer from university of Miami #blessed @CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/S67abUlVBV
— Jacolby Spells (@drippy4k_) December 5, 2019