Four-Star CB Cai Bates names Top 10

Four-star cornerback Cai Bates of Orlando (FL) Edgewater High has narrowed his list to 10 schools.

The 6-foot-2, 185 pounder is down to the following: LSU, Alabama, Tennessee, Maryland, FSU, Colorado, Florida, Texas A&M, Ohio State, and UCF.

Bates quickly discussed his finalists with On3.

LSU

“LSU has a great culture and the staff really makes you feel welcomed there, especially with me being number one on their board. And on top of that being DBU as well having a lot of legends come back and give tips to the future of the program. I have a good chance to come in and make an impact early on as well.”

Alabama

“Alabama has one of the most legendary college football cultures ever, and me being tied to the state with my dads side of the family being from Alabama I feel like Alabama is sort of a home away from home. It’s a great place for me to be developed and coached by one of the greatest .”

Tennessee

“Tennessee is an up and coming program in the SEC and I feel like the door is wide open for me to come in and make an early impact. The staff is really family oriented as well and I have great communication with them.”

Maryland

“My reason for Maryland being is the hospitality between the coaches and the relationships being built with most of the staff being from Florida. Coach Bake has produced great talent as well.”

Florida State

“FSU being an in-state school and having a great staff from coach Fuller to coach Surtain.  Having a great relationship with those guys and having them come out to check on me a lot throughout my recruitment.”

Colorado

“Having the opportunity to be coached by one of the greatest defensive backs to ever play the game is why Colorado is in my top schools.”

Florida

“Coach Raymond at UF has a great track record with DBs and the culture of UF being close to home is a big factor for me.” 

Texas A&M

“The opportunity for me to be able to come in and play right away at A&M and my position coach being from Florida is big for me.” 

Ohio State

“Ohio State is a staple in the BIG10 and the opportunity to practice against the best receivers every day in practice and get better is a big thing for me.”

UCF

“UCF being close to home and the hospitality from the whole staff makes it feel like a priority to stay home.”

Bates ranks as the No. 161 player in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also tabs in as the No. 19 cornerback and the No. 26 player in the state of Florida.

He currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $79K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.