While many of you are elated over the news of the recent Jeremy Cash commitment, there is another player in the Sunshine State who is flying a little bit more under the radar. That player is North Broward wide receiver and 7-on-7 teammate of Jeremy Cash, AJ Sebastiano.
Sebastiano, who goes by the nickname "Cinco" (thus why Cash has become "Ocho"), was not a well known name on the recruiting front through his first three seasons in high school, but recent success in the spotlight against big named players has put this speedster on the map.
Originally from Ohio, Sebastiano has the Buckeyes on his mind and will be making a visit this weekend to Columbus for the OSU Spring Game. Although he doesn't have an offer in hand just yet, the staff has been talking to Cinco lately and pending room in the class and pressure from his friend Cash, AJ might have Scarlet and Gray in his future.
We caught up with Sebastiano to talk about the latest in his recruitment, his skills as a wide receiver, where he'd like to play his college ball and more. Highlights showing you why Cinco has caught the staff's eyes follow the interview, so be sure to check that out too.
Your recruitment is now just starting to heat up after some excellent camp performances. Why do you think it has taken so long to get noticed?
Well I know colleges really look at numbers such at your 40-time and your vertical jump and they gage you off that. That’s one of the main reasons why (things have been slow), just because I don’t have that 4.3 speed and 40 inch vertical. But what people are starting to see is that it flat out doesn’t matter, if you can play, you can play…just ask some of those ranked DB’s at those past few camps (laughs).
What is your current offer list and who do you expect to offer in the near future? What has Ohio State said to you in regards to getting an offer? Do you have a list of favorites?
I have no offers right now and I'm hoping for that to change real soon. OSU has been talking to my 7-on-7 coach and a reporter friend, and they’ve been relaying on some nice things to me. A lot of it is that they really want to see me in action before they can offer so I'll be going up to their summer camp and I think they’ll be coming for my spring practice. For a list of favorites, OSU, Florida, South Carolina, Boston College, ECU, Northwestern and Illinois are the ones who I've heard from and are excited to potentially bring me on to be a part of their program.
What do you hope to get out of your Spring Game visit to Ohio State?
When I get up there I really hope to get a good feel of the atmosphere, meet the coaches, see the campus, but most of all really get a feel for the school and if I could fit in-see if I'm right for them and if they're right for me.
What do you like most about Ohio State? How did your interest in the Buckeyes begin?
I grew up in Youngstown and moved to Florida when I was 12, so I have been born into a family that bleeds Scarlet and Gray. I just love their passion, heritage, and the whole history of the program. Amazing fans and stadium, and a passion for winning doesn’t hurt either.
We've heard some nicknames for you such as "Cinco" and "White Lightning". Any other nicknames people calling oyu these days?
My step dad likes to call me the “Great White Hope” (laughing), but Cinco has been basically my actually name for the last few months now. The confident name such as Cinco matches my swagger on the field because I always compete, so I guess it fits nicely.
What current/former NFL and college players does your skill set compare to?
I've been compared to Robiskie, Wes Welker, and Riley cCoper from Florida, which are all the upmost of compliments in my opinion, but who I strive to be is Jerry Rice. He never was the fastest or jumped the highest, but he wrote the book on route running and competed every single day.
What are you looking to get out of the school you will choose at the end of your recruitment?
My big thing is the atmosphere and passion that a program has. I want a place where everyone, coaches and players, want nothing but winning and will put in the work to make it to the promised land. If I can find a place that has all of that, and great fan support and academics, I'm in.
What current OSU recruiting targets have you spoken to? Do you guys ever talk about possibly becoming Buckeyes together?
My best friend, who is also on my 7-on-7 team, is Jeremy Cash and he has been pushing for an offer for me so we both can go to OSU. He actually got his name “Ocho” after me and we’ve been “Ocho-Cinco” ever since.
What do you feel are the strengths of your game? What do you feel you need to improve on for the next level?
The strengths to my game are my ability to run perfect routes, be able to make all the catches every time, and most of all, just play football. That’s the most important thing because I feel that I have a great football IQ and I know where I need to be and when to get there. Some of my weaker points that I've been improving are my break away speed and quickness. I want to be able to take it to the endzone everytime I catch it.
If you could tell Buckeye Nation, one thing, what would it be?
If I could tell Buckeye Nation one thing it would be that I can flat out play against anyone you're bringing in and anyone your recruiting right now. I don’t care about 40s, verticals, or any of that testing, I compete with the best down here in Florida everyday and I know I can play at a national championship level. Oh, and I forgot to mention, I would crawl to Columbus if I had to.
HIGHLIGHTS
Can't fault his attitude. He seems to have pretty good ball awareness on both sides of the ball, and I love his route-running and broken field running. Make an offer.
Seems like a good kid- made some good adjustments on some of those clips and seems to have good ball skills. I say we offer him because he's not out getting shot and then posting it on his facebook.
I agree that he has the intangibles--he just flat out plays ball. And you can't teach that. If he is in fact the hard worker he claims to be, I am sure he could knock another tenth or so off his 40 when he gets to college and gets some "professional" coaching (with all due respect).
I kid who can really play ball, and run a legitimate 4.55 40 will always have a place in a Div. 1 program.
He's not Gonzo. Gonzo was one of the fastest dudes in the nation. AJ looks a lot like Sanzenbacher. Hope he comes to camp and impresses. He has a great attitude.
LOL. Show me some stats or combine numbers that say he was one of the fastest guys in the nation. He was most definitely quick - probably ~4.3 - 4.4 40 - but he isn't even close to one of the fastest guys in the nation. I've seen him get caught from behind plenty of times.
good news on both fronts! 68 teams will preserve the first round, just as awesome as it was before, and I love that CBS got the contract again - having all the games live on the internet has been amazing.
If that's the case then guys like Sanzenbacher, Shipley, Cooper, would've never been noticed. It goes for other posistions too. We should all know by now that 5 in highschool doesn't always mean best in college.
I would like to propose changing this duo's nickname from Ocho & Cinco to Tango & Cash. Great big screen duo and movie with Stallone and Kurt Russell. Google it.
Source? Supposedly Tedd Ginn Sr. also said that Ray Small was a better wide receiver than Ted Ginn Jr. Gonzales has never been a deep threat, not even in college.
Great hands and appears open frequently, so great route running at the high school level. Saw a lot of arm tackling and I am curious what level competition he was playing against. Every kid thinks they played against the best. I definitely see potential in him and see him as a possession receiver. He certainly needs to work on his quickness and speed if he wants those athletic moves he used on the field to work against the defenses of the BigTen. Side note: What happened to the days of people giving you your nickname instead of naming yourself? Seems a little ehhhh...... Get rid of the entitlement, come to the shoe, and earn what your teammates give you kid. I would offer. I also agree that quarterback looked pretty darn good.
Sorry I can't cite it for you in MLA form, but I remembered seeing that. Ray Small may have been better we never actaually saw what he could do because his head was lodged up his ass his whole career.
Ginn's fastest official 40 time was what 4.28 and combine time was 4.38. Gonzalez was 4.44 at the combine. Is 6 or even 18 hundreths of a second that much more to make you a much more viable option as a downfield threat? Maybe it is, but I just don't see it.
I'm not saying Gonzo isn't fast but if Usain Bolt runs a 4.3 40, Gonzo is on the same level as him? Let Gonzo run a 100 meter dash against some of those Olympic sprinters and we'll see how "fast" he is. Hell, let him run it against other wide receivers or defensive backs. He's quick, he's explosive, and pretty fast. Saying he's one of the fastest guys in the nation is bunk.
I'm not saying he's one of the fastest guys in the nation, but I'm saying that he wasn't mch different than Teddy Ginn or Santonio Holmes the year before.
Funny, was thinking the exact same thing. The video showcased a QB who gets it out quick and has mastered both the 3-step and 5-step drops. AJ was catching alot of the balls in stride. Who is that QB for N. Broward?
Comments
He reminds me of Anthony Gonzalez. Very good route runner and going across the middle on a lot of those clips.
i like him, sounds like he has a good head on his shoulders, and like julius erving said, good route runner
I'll be in the Horseshoe in 2011 to watch Ocho & Cinco in action.
".. I would crawl to Columbus if I had to."
Can't fault his attitude. He seems to have pretty good ball awareness on both sides of the ball, and I love his route-running and broken field running. Make an offer.
Seems like a good kid- made some good adjustments on some of those clips and seems to have good ball skills. I say we offer him because he's not out getting shot and then posting it on his facebook.
Not explosive but very smooth. He reminds me of Sanzebacher and I'll always take someone like that on my team.
He's got a little bit of both Gonzalez and and Sanzenbacher. I shall name them Cash & Sebas...
Hearing that, coupled with some of that footage, makes me think that he'll get an offer when Tress and Co. get a chance to see him in person.
Love his attitude.
Seems his go to move in the open field is to give a shoulder, then take it away. Seemed to make defenders miss everytime.
Am I the only one the likes the QB, too? Have no idea who he is but like his footwork, release and velocity on the throws we saw.
You have a great point. Something to be said for not being a target.
I agree that he has the intangibles--he just flat out plays ball. And you can't teach that. If he is in fact the hard worker he claims to be, I am sure he could knock another tenth or so off his 40 when he gets to college and gets some "professional" coaching (with all due respect).
I kid who can really play ball, and run a legitimate 4.55 40 will always have a place in a Div. 1 program.
No, I meant to mention that in my 1st comment. Who's the QB and whatare his plans?
i know its early and all, but its kind of odd that he doesnt have any offers at all yet.
He's not Gonzo. Gonzo was one of the fastest dudes in the nation. AJ looks a lot like Sanzenbacher. Hope he comes to camp and impresses. He has a great attitude.
LOL. Show me some stats or combine numbers that say he was one of the fastest guys in the nation. He was most definitely quick - probably ~4.3 - 4.4 40 - but he isn't even close to one of the fastest guys in the nation. I've seen him get caught from behind plenty of times.
Damn. This boy can play. GO BUCKS~
re: tournament expansion
good news on both fronts! 68 teams will preserve the first round, just as awesome as it was before, and I love that CBS got the contract again - having all the games live on the internet has been amazing.
Have to differ this one to the experts -
OLD adage - Good is the enemy of the best. Best was not built on good alone.
Jim Tressel Please Offer This Kid A Schollie
I loved that part of the interview. He's confindent too. This guy could be a really good player. I have a feeling he'll get an offer over the weekend.
I remember Tedd Ginn Sr. saying Gonzo was the fastest guy on the team.
If that's the case then guys like Sanzenbacher, Shipley, Cooper, would've never been noticed. It goes for other posistions too. We should all know by now that 5 in highschool doesn't always mean best in college.
I would like to propose changing this duo's nickname from Ocho & Cinco to Tango & Cash. Great big screen duo and movie with Stallone and Kurt Russell. Google it.
Source? Supposedly Tedd Ginn Sr. also said that Ray Small was a better wide receiver than Ted Ginn Jr. Gonzales has never been a deep threat, not even in college.
Great hands and appears open frequently, so great route running at the high school level. Saw a lot of arm tackling and I am curious what level competition he was playing against. Every kid thinks they played against the best. I definitely see potential in him and see him as a possession receiver. He certainly needs to work on his quickness and speed if he wants those athletic moves he used on the field to work against the defenses of the BigTen. Side note: What happened to the days of people giving you your nickname instead of naming yourself? Seems a little ehhhh...... Get rid of the entitlement, come to the shoe, and earn what your teammates give you kid. I would offer. I also agree that quarterback looked pretty darn good.
Sorry I can't cite it for you in MLA form, but I remembered seeing that. Ray Small may have been better we never actaually saw what he could do because his head was lodged up his ass his whole career.
Ginn's fastest official 40 time was what 4.28 and combine time was 4.38. Gonzalez was 4.44 at the combine. Is 6 or even 18 hundreths of a second that much more to make you a much more viable option as a downfield threat? Maybe it is, but I just don't see it.
Sorry, 4.26 was his fastest official.
I'm not saying Gonzo isn't fast but if Usain Bolt runs a 4.3 40, Gonzo is on the same level as him? Let Gonzo run a 100 meter dash against some of those Olympic sprinters and we'll see how "fast" he is. Hell, let him run it against other wide receivers or defensive backs. He's quick, he's explosive, and pretty fast. Saying he's one of the fastest guys in the nation is bunk.
I'm not saying he's one of the fastest guys in the nation, but I'm saying that he wasn't mch different than Teddy Ginn or Santonio Holmes the year before.
Funny, was thinking the exact same thing. The video showcased a QB who gets it out quick and has mastered both the 3-step and 5-step drops. AJ was catching alot of the balls in stride. Who is that QB for N. Broward?