Recruiting Trail: FAMU wastes no time, offers Creek's Bland after spring game

PORT ORANGE, Florida -- Jelani Bland picked an opportune time to turn in a breakout performance.

With several college coaches in attendance, Bland returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown and added a blocked punt and a sack in Spruce Creek's 35-14 loss to Viera. Following the game, Hawks defensive coordinator DJ Mayo said, the rising senior linebacker picked up his first Division I offer from Florida A&M.

"It just shows that hard work does pay off," Bland said after the game Wednesday. "I'm going to keep putting in more work to be the best I can be."

Coaches from Florida, Lehigh and Valdosta State stood along the sidelines in Viera.

Bland (6-foot-1, 188 pounds) could be one of a handful of seniors to monitor when the football season rolls around. Spruce Creek has produced three Division I signees the last two seasons — Collin Olsen (Florida International), Lawrence Edwards (Georgia Southern) and Bradley Osborne (Navy).



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