Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/109499
RB Tarean Folston 5-10 ✦ 190 ✦ Cocoa H.S.✦· Cocoa, Fla. Notable: Has been clocked at 4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash, can bench press 325 pounds and has a 500-pound squat … Runs track and competes in the 100 meters, 200 meters, long jump and 4x100 relay … Played free safety for three seasons for the Cocoa defense and also served as punter, punt returner and kickoff returner in his final two seasons. Rankings: Rated as a four-star player, the No. 18 prospect in Florida, the No. 9 running back in the land and the No. 122 recruit in the nation by 247Sports … Tabbed as a four-star player, the No. 19 recruit in Florida, the No. 14 running back nationally and the No. 119 overall prospect in the class of 2013 by Rivals.com … A four-star talent, the No. 24 running back in the land and the No. 198 player in the country according to Scout.com … Ranked as a four-star prospect, the No. 17 recruit in Florida, the No. 6 running back in the land and the No. 66 overall player in the country by ESPNU … Listed as the No. 16 running back nationally by Tom Lemming. Statistics: Rushed for 1,260 yards and 13 touchdowns and caught 10 passes for 118 yards as a sophomore … Tallied 1,286 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground and caught 12 passes for 324 yards and two scores as a junior … Ran for 1,722 yards (7.8-yard average per carry) and 16 touchdowns, and caught nine balls for 103 yards and two touchdowns his senior season. Honors: Was a three-time all-conference and all-district selection … Selected to the all-state Class 4A first team as a junior and senior … Named the district player of the year as a senior … Florida Today's Offensive Player of the Year in 2012. All-Star Games And Camps: Participated in the Under Armour All-American Game, where he intercepted a pass, broke up another and made one tackle in his team's 16-3 victory. Cocoa High Head Coach John Wilkinson's Comments: "He's a very grounded person, but very driven. He knew what it took to get there, and he's our hardest worker in the weight room." Tom Lemming Of Prep Football Report: "Folston is perfect for Kelly's offense. He's a very creative guy in the open field. … I think he's a bit underrated. He is very good, and has great vision and great open-field moves." Recruitment: Had offers from 15 schools, including Auburn, Oregon, Nebraska, South Carolina, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Virginia Tech … Recruited by Notre Dame assistant Tony Alford … Visited Notre Dame on Oct. 19, 2012, Oregon on Nov. 16, 2012, and Auburn on Jan. 18, 2013 … Committed to the Irish on Jan. 2, 2013 … Auburn and assistant coach Dameyune Craig made a late push for his services. Why He Chose Notre Dame: "Notre Dame is just a home feeling. There are a lot of guys fighting for the same goal — to get to the championship and winning. I guess I got that gut feeling." Jason Sapp's Scouting Report: Possesses a stop-and-go ability that makes him a threat both in the running and passing game … Hits the edge quickly and makes good choices against the grain … He can take a handoff, line up in the slot to run bubble screens and find ways to get open in the flat … A true home- un threat that can lower his head and run through contact. 2013 Projection: Folston has been at the top of Notre Dame's board as a running back/slot receiver for some time, and there's a reason why — he fits the mold of departing senior Theo Riddick and has an excellent opportunity to contribute as a freshman.