North Fort Myers (Fla.) High School RB Noel Devine isn't exactly media friendly.
"He doesn't even talk to the local press around here," North Fort Myers High coach James Iandoli said.
The reason?
Devine has been under intense media scrutiny throughout his career, and it reached a head with reports of his possible adoption by NFL star Deion Sanders and his subsequent spurning of Sanders and return home.
"He's not a big fan of the media because of the whole Deion scrutiny," Iandoli said. "People either love or hate him."
Most college coaches love him.
Devine is already raking in the offers.
Iandoli says UF and FSU have offered, but that Devine is still waiting on a Cane offer.
"My ties have been with (fired UM coach) Art Kehoe, so I haven't met the guy recruiting this area because obviously it's going to be a new guy," Iandoli said. "It's new coaches and they're trying to get their ducks lined up.
"It's still early, there's so much time."
Iandoli says early indications are that Devine may remain in-state.
"He's interested in all the major Florida schools -- he's very interested in them," Iandoli said. "He's considering his options, but he does the Florida majors high up."
In the past, Kehoe and Dan Werner had recruited the North Fort Myers area.
"Noel is a fan of Miami," Iandoli said. "He grew up liking them, obviously it's Tailback U. I befriended Art Kehoe, he's well-known in this area, and I've worked the down and dirty camp with him."
Iandoli says he thinks Kehoe no longer being on UM's staff could hurt Miami's chances with Devine.
"And with (Don) Soldinger not being there, too," Iandoli said. "I don't know how these kids always think, but Noel did bring that up to me. He just asked and I said yeah, he's no longer there. He was like, hmm. He's considering other schools too if things go well grade-wise."
Devine has some work to do if he wants to qualify.
But he's immensely qualified on the field.
His highlight film has circulated and always draws the same response: "Wow."
There he is spinning out of tackles, emerging almost impossibly from a crowd of defenders, making defensive backs look like they're standing still.
"And that's his freshman film," Iandoli says. "Anytime he touches the ball, you don't necessarily know what's going to happen. You just hold your breath. He's an explosive type back."
This past season as a junior Devine rushed for almost 2,000 yards on 173 attempts with 24 touchdowns. And that was behind a sub par offensive line.
His sophomore year he had 1,800 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns.
As a freshman Devine played behind a Division I tailback. Devine was only 150 pounds at the time (he's now up to 175 pounds), and he rushed 74 times for 1,200 yards with 11 touchdowns.
The first-ever carry of his high school career?
"He ran for a 90-yard TD against Barron Collier," Iandoli said.
The best game of Devine's career?
He had nine carries for 392 yards and six touchdowns against Fort Myers Riverdale.
His football talent is unquestioned.
But some in the press have questioned his character. Iandoli says Devine's portrayal in some reports as a troubled youngster is way off base.
"He's a wonderful kid," Iandoli said. "He's got a big heart. He just wants to be liked and be with his friends. Unfortunately, the media has brought this upon him. He's not an adult, and they are treating him like an adult professional athlete, and that should not be the case. I did everything I can in his earlier years to steer away the media, protect him as much as I can. People have to remember he's a kid. Let him do your taxes if you think he's so much of an adult."
