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TAMPA — Webber International College doesn’t get much attention when it comes to college football programs in Florida, but perhaps it should.

The Warriors are an NAIA school but have a schedule loaded with three Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) teams, two NCAA Division II teams and three Division III teams, in addition to three NAIA teams.

More significant to Southwest Florida, the Babson Park school is now home to eight local products, including WR Adam Caballo (Lely), DB Tito Torres (Cypress Lake), RB Nick Garcia (Estero) and WR Chris Ferreira (Estero). In Webber’s incoming recruiting class includes Cypress Lake grad Jake Rohde and Barron’s Jacob Marsh.

Coach Kelly Scott credits Webber’s participation in high school summer camps as a major tool in reeling in so much area talent.

“We had over 200 kids from the Fort Myers and Naples area come to our camps this summer,” Scott said Friday at the Florida Sports Writers Association college football media days. “I think with our relationship with (Barron coach) Mark Ivey and other schools from coming to participate in our ‘Down & Dirty’ camp, we are able to see these kids.”

* * *

Naples High graduate Cory Hogue has reached the big time as far as the University of Central Florida’s media guide is concerned.

Hogue is one of seven players featured on the cover of the publication after being named an All-Conference USA candidate this season.

Last year, the middle linebacker broke out against rival South Florida with 10 tackles. He added to his tackle total with 13 against UTEP and was subsequently named conference player of the week.

* * *

Southeastern Conference associate commissioner Charles Bloom’s most provocative statements Friday came when discussing the state of the SEC’s television presence.

The league’s contracts with CBS, ESPN, and FSN South/Southwest all expire at the end of this year, but Bloom said he’s confident the conference will have something to report about renewing those deals by the end of August.

Bloom also mentioned that a proposed “plus-one” format was hastily vetoed in the most recent meeting regarding the direction of the Bowl Championship Series.

The “plus-one” system would theoretically determine a more clear-cut national champion with an additional game following the major bowls.

* * *

Jacksonville coach Kerwin Bell is looking to establish a greater presence this season in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly NCAA Division I-AA), and will have his chance should the Dolphins defeat Appalachian State in their home opener.

“The vision I have is to one day be an App State,” the former Florida Gators quarterback said. “We talk about playing a powerhouse I-AA every year and hopefully we can do that, but if we are full scholarship we can go get big payouts from anyone in Division I, and that would be a great opportunity for us, too.”

Bell is also hoping that Gulf Coast High product Aaron Frye, who is heading into his junior season with the Dolphins, can step up and become more productive.

Through two seasons at

Jacksonville, Frye has seven career tackles.

“Aaron’s got a lot of ability. We’ve really been trying to get him mentally to a point where he realizes how good he can be,” Bell said. “Once he gets it, he’s got all the ability in the world. We’re looking for great things this year, and I think he’s really in that stage where he’s ready to step up.”