Two-Sport Star Antonio Kite Knows Trio of Programs to Make Next Cut

The state of Alabama produces top college and NFL football prospects on routine, but there has been a surge of two-sport stars from the state in recent years. Whether it be the obvious like Jameis Winston to the late De'Runnya Wilson, Henry Ruggs, Robby Ashford, or most recently SI99 prospect Ga'Quincy McKinstry, it's become quite the trend.

Over the weekend, at the Under Armour All-America Game football camp in Atlanta, multiple Yellowhammer State natives who get it done in more than one sport showed up to compete. Hoover (Ala.) High's RJ Hamilton took home the headlines, but his intention to likely stick with a Vanderbilt baseball commitment over football despite dominating as a wide receiver seems all but set.

Antonio Kite, on the other hand, isn't as far along. The Anniston (Ala.) High football and basketball star is still navigating multiple layers of the decision-making process. The junior kicked off the month in helping the program to a state championship on the hardwood while football offers from the nation's top contenders continue to come in.

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Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, Penn State, Tennessee, South Carolina, Florida State and others dot the growing offer list. Several have offered in basketball as well.

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Kite told SI All-American he will soon release his list of top programs, including a trio he knows will make the cut in Alabama, Georgia and Florida State.

"Alabama has Coach (Nick) Saban there, also Coach (Doug) Marrone, I have great relationships there and feel comfortable there," he said. "Georgia has coach (Jahmile) Addae, plus other coaches, so I feel comfortable there, too.

"Florida State, I love their defensive backs coach (Marcus Woodson), I have a great relationship with him. I feel like I can ball out there."

The defensive back projection is in no rush to make the final decision and he is planning on making considerable campus visits in the summertime. At this time he envisions ending the process late in the class of 2022 recruiting cycle, possibly in December.

Kite does know what he wants in the ideal program.

"Relationships," he said. "With this COVID thing going on, we don't know when it will really open up, so if I have to make a decision while it's going on I have to go off of relationships."

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound prospect, known for defensive back and wide receiver work in football and stat-stuffing in hoops, is still very much considering the potential to play each in college.

On Sunday he was banged up at the camp event, his first coming off of basketball season. It limited his participation.

"It's very hard," Kite said of the transition. "If you can do it, you're a great athlete. It's kind of difficult, though, because of the different types of shape you are in. Basketball, you're running up the court, back to back. In football there are breaks in between plays."

Alabama and Mississippi State are among the known basketball offers for the two-sport star at this time. The opportunity to play each at the highest level is on his mind as much as trimming his list of options at this point.

"It could be both," Kite said with a smile.

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