Powerhouse Programs Joining the Race for Speedy Santana Fleming
Santana Fleming is playing at a new high school in 2021 but his offseason performances continue to be more of the same -- dominant.
The class of 2023 south Florida two-way prospect, who can play defensive back in addition to wide receiver, had the talent on display over the weekend in leading South Florida Express to the Pylon Tampa 7-on-7 championship. He caught a pair of touchdowns and added a critical conversion in the 21-18 win over 24K Saturday (video above).
The offer list for the Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage standout seemingly grows by the day. Thursday represented his 30th scholarship offer as Purdue joined the race. March featured several national brands doing the same, from in-state Florida to SEC East rival Georgia and even USC.
Fleming has yet to visit Gainesville but that will change at some point soon, he says.
"Coach Tim Brewster and Coach Billy G (Gonzalez) said they could see me in a Florida uniform, scoring touchdowns for them," he told SI All-American. "That I'd be a great fit for the program. It's a great, traditional school and definitely a big-time program. They're definitely one of my top schools going down the line as an in-state school that's continuing winning.
"They run Florida right now."
With the Bulldog extension, he was impressed by Kirby Smart and his coaching staff's recent track record on and off the field.
"Georgia, big-time school," Fleming said. "Big-time offense and they're constantly recruiting five-star and four-star quarterbacks. They throw the ball so I could see myself in that offense, too."
The Trojan extension was the most surprising of the bunch.
"I got it from the receivers coach (Keary Colbert) through a Facetime call," he said. "It was exciting for me, knowing a school from across the country wanted me and would give me a chance. It's a great school, worthy of making it to the playoffs into the future. Also a great receivers coach, very energetic, he knows what he's doing."
Flashing a big smile in between 7-on-7 games, Fleming admits he is content with his options but would like to add from more of the nation's top programs like Alabama, Clemson, LSU and Oklahoma. These, in addition to the Sunshine State programs, will potentially host the rising-junior on campus once the NCAA dead period lifts this summer.
Fleming, who will attend Florida State's spring game on Saturday, plans to cap his prep playing career at the 2023 Under Armour All-America Game. He is the second national wide receiver recruit to join the American Heritage program of late, as Brandon Inniss announced intentions to do the same this week.
As a sophomore at Miami Gardens (Fla.) Carol City, Fleming amassed 565 yards on just 31 receptions, good for 18. 2 yards per catch, including eight touchdowns during the condensed campaign.
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