Tampa Bay Buc's James Lee (SCSU), Muck City and a better Belle Glade

BELLE GLADE, FL - Muck City doesn't sound like a welcoming place. No, pass a sign that says "Welcome to Muck City," and you start looking for an exit pronto. Also, known as Belle Glade, Florida, Muck City's signs read "Her Soil is her Fortune." That's where the name comes from, the rich "muck" or soil that the city lies on which is known for producing sugarcane. In fact, most of the elders in the town of 17,000 make their money off what grows from that muck, working in the local sugar mill.

Aside from the sugarcane, "Muck City" is also known for its powerhouse prep football team, Glades Central, and the number of football players that have made it out of town - former Eagles safety Andre Waters, star tailback Fred Taylor, former Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes and former S.C. State offensive tackle and current Tampa Bay Buccaneer James Lee .

24 year old former South Carolina State University's Offensive Tackle James Lee, 6'4"/305; 3 years NFL experience with Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Yes, "Muck City" can also live up to the negative connotation that the name can give off. Lee, the 2007 MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year, knows that well. "(Growing up) it was a rough neighborhood," Lee said Monday. "Football basically ... it was every young kids' dream to get out of there and play football." Lee did that much, escaping to Orangeburg where he prospered under Buddy Pough. But, just because he got out didn't mean he was ready to forget where he came from. Instead, Lee, who has spent the summer touring Florida speaking to children about the importance of education, has embraced "Muck City," starting his very own "Muck City Fest."

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Hampton U. lures two prize Florida products

Glades Central starting quarterback Leron "L.J."Thomas is a Pirate early commitment.

Florida has long been recognized as a fertile recruiting ground, and Hampton University is now mining that prime territory as well. The Pirates have landed early commitments from two products of Glades Central High in Belle Grade, Fla., where first-year recruiting coordinator and running-backs coach Stephen Field once coached. Johnnie Dixon, a Rivals.com four-star defensive back/athlete, signed with Auburn out of Glades Central in 2007, but didn't qualify academically. He landed at traditional junior-college power Pearl River (Miss.) Community College, where he had 22 tackles, two sacks and four interceptions in 10 games in 2008.



Dixon said he kept in contact with Field, who sold him on an HU program that includes two other former Glades Central players in freshmen running back Antonio McCloude and fullback Vincent Harper. Dixon, 6-foot and 195 pounds, said he's a better player after two years at Pearl River, which finished 6-3 in 2009 and where he played cornerback and wide receiver.

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Blogger Notes: L.J. comes from a very talented Glades Central program...He is the fifth Raider to commit this season, joining DB Travis Bell (West Virginia), DB/WR Greg Dent (Miami), TE Clive Walford (Miami) and DB/RB Antwon Chisholm (Mississippi State). The 6-2, 175 star was the best quarterback in the region last season and has had several discussions with Florida International. Hampton is the only program so far, to offer him a scholarship during the early recruitment period.

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Glades Central (FL) expects 12 football players to sign

Excerpt:

Last year Glades Central only needed one table on the stage for national signing day. The Raiders might need three or four for the football team when they sign letters of intent next Wednesday.No fewer than 12 seniors from the 2008 football team are expected to sign., and nine of them already are committed.

Alabama State has verbal commitments from defensive back James Melton (5-11, 200) and linebacker Emmanuel Rackard (6-3, 230). The Hornets got a verbal from Pahokee offensive lineman Jaquan Bentley during the season and have a shot at landing undeclared Raiders offensive lineman Vincent Harper (6-3, 285). Harper also has an offer from Hampton.

Hampton is one of several schools making a run at diminutive running back Antonio McCloude. McCloude is listed at 5-8, 165. Both of those numbers seem generous, but his speed and his elusiveness helped him pick up offers from Ball State, Alabama State, FIU and Hampton. McCloude is set to visit Hampton this week and there is a growing belief in Belle Glade that he will sign with the Pirates. Hampton has been one of the MEAC’s top teams this decade and sent five players to the NFL combine in 2007.

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