Florida Fire: Diamante Howard and Taiwan Mullen Are Cut From The Same Cloth'
By Jerry Williamson
Coconut Creek cornerback Taiwan Mullen, the younger brother of Clemsons Trayvon Mullen, and Miami Southridge "projected" linebacker Diamante Howard, the cousin of University of Miami star Sean Taylor, are two phenomenal recruits that share a ton in common. Mullen and Howard both hold over ten verbal scholarships and are both recognized as 3-stars and ranked within the 40th range in America at their assumed positions according to 247sports. These two Florida Fire football brothers share one additional thing in common that may have limited there recruitment a bit. Incorrect comparisons and even possibly positional misnomers have thrown off many recruiters.
Mullen is a completely different player than his brother, and may end up playing inside for a long time (like 10 years in the league). His speed and technique may make him the best nickel corner in America! He is as perfect as it gets with technique on inside receivers, and his speed naturally places him in EVERYBODYS hip pocket.
As a two year starter for Florida Fire, competiting in competition play that has taken place on both the east (Tennessee and Florida) and west coast (Nevada), Mullen has yet to allow a touchdown this off-season, and has 27 career interceptions in 7v7 play. In a very pro offense setting, this is unheard of. His film on the gridiron is breath-taking. He literally locks down one side of the field. And many experts feel his man-to-man coverage skills is just as good or better than his older brother.
Howard is even more of a misnomer. Rated as a top outside linebacker, but might actually be more Sean Taylor than people originally thought. His early growth made recruiters lable him an outside linebacker, but in actuality, Howard is highly respected by peers and coaches as one of the top strong safeties in this recruiting class.
He currently stands 6'2 185-pounds with a growth potential of 6'3 205-pounds which will catch NFL scouts attention as a potential early round pick in the future.
Howard, a consensus Max Preps All-American and state champion as a sophomore, is seeing his recruiting process appear at a standstill. The once projected linebacker has blossomed into the prototypical BIG defensive back and has delivered take-a-ways in both fall and spring action. He's responsible for 12 tournament championships, 1 state championship, and 19 career interceptions between organized football and starting for Florida Fire for two years. The duo are hoping the misperceptions and comparsions are put to rest and also hope both the recruiting services and college football coaches can take a deeper look at their actual game. These are undoubtedly two of the best recruits in America, and will both make instant impacts on the BCS campuses that they eventually choose. These are champions with EVERY great attribute that you look for in a young man preparing for the next challenges in football and in life! Not all of the so-called experts can figure out these dynamic players true assets, but BIGTIME college coaches will.
