2018 5-Star Taron Vincent Dishes on Recruiting, Advice from NFL Father
LOGANVILLE, Ga. — Most players transfer to Florida prep powerhouse IMG Academy to learn in an atmosphere similar to elite college programs and even NFL clubs.
For 2018 5-star defensive tackle Taron Vincent, he's been exposed to that type of environment his whole life.
The son of former NFL defensive back Troy Vincent—who currently serves as the NFL executive vice president of football operations—Taron acknowledges the benefits of being able to have his father as a resource when he has questions about any issues on or off the field.
"It's a great experience to learn from him and to have him be able to guide me along the way," Taron told Bleacher Report. "He’s been there every step, and he lived it during his career, so he usually has all the answers to my questions, and that's a cool thing. It's a blessing."
Originally from Baltimore, Vincent transferred to IMG before the start of his sophomore season.
Among the benefits of becoming a part of the Ascenders program has been the chance to compete against an offensive line featuring the likes of 4-star Cesar Ruiz, 4-star Notre Dame pledge Robert Hainsey and 2018 4-star Curtis Dunlap, among others.
"Physically, mentally, it's gotten me better," Vincent said. "Going against elite competition each and every day in practice, it helps me to become great and also develops the guy I'm going against every day."
College coaches around the nation are among those who have taken notice, as Vincent racked up more than 25 offers heading into his junior season.
While he maintains that he's still open in his recruitment, he admits three schools have done a good job in building a strong relationship with him in the early stages of his process: Florida State, Ohio State and UCLA.
He had a chance to visit each of those programs in the summer, and he spoke on his attraction to those three programs.
Florida State: "[Defensive line] Coach [Odell] Haggins. I like his philosophy in the game and how he really cares and looks after his players. He's one of the best defensive line coaches in the nation."
Ohio State: "Coach Larry Johnson, the D-line coach. He recruited my older brother, so I've pretty much been around him my whole life."
UCLA: "Coach Angus [McClure], the defensive line coach, and Coach [Tom] Bradley, the defensive coordinator. I've really connected with them, and they do a great job in developing their players."
Even though he has another year left on the prep level, he has identified a plan for his recruitment.
He wants to major in sports medicine, and he has a career in mind for when his playing days conclude.
"I kind of want to be a physical trainer on a football team," Vincent said.
He also plans on becoming an early enrollee for whichever school he chooses, and a decision will likely come after he takes his official visits next fall.
When it comes time for him to make his final choice, a few factors will take precedence in his thought process.
"Academics," he said. "I want the school to have my major. I want to get along well with the coaching staff. I also want to make sure I fit into the environment there and just to get along with the players there."
Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand, and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
