Starke, FL is the home of Old Sparky, Florida’s electric chair for condemned criminals from 1924-2000. It’s also part of a notorious speed trap on US 301. And it’s where you will find shutdown corner Dontae Balfour (6-2 170) working on Friday night’s in the fall for Baldwin County High School. Balfour had 7 interceptions last season, along with 65 tackles, and USC was the first SEC program to recognize his skills with an offer last month.
“They’ve been recruiting me for about two months now,” Balfour said. “I’ve been talking to Coach (Mike) Peterson. It’s a school I’ve always wanted to go to. It’s a very nice school and and has a very nice education system.”
Balfour also has offers from Virginia, Coastal Carolina, FIU, Akron, Tennessee State, Georgia State and Austin Peay. And what do recruiters say they like about his ability to defend the pass?
“How I find the ball and jump for the ball, and how long I am and tall,” Balfour said.
Balfour has not yet visited USC, but he wants to visit there along with Virginia and Georgia State. And the Gamecocks stand a good chance to land him when he’s ready to make a decision.
“I want to go there,” Balfour said. “I’m not sure when I’ll commit.”
Balfour is rated as a three-star safety by 247Sports but he said the Gamecocks like him as a corner. He’s ranked as the 105th best prospect in Florida for this season. USC has one corner committed for the 2021 class at this point.
You really thought going with the electric chair opening was the way to go on this one?