Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
U-School star CB mulling college options
Hallman discusses his recruitment and says he plans to commit in the ‘near future’
Although the coronavirus pandemic has put a halt to all spring sports in Florida, recruiting has not stopped.
The NCAA has instituted a national dead period through June 30 because of the coronavirus outbreak, but coaches and players can still communicate over the phone and electronically.
Players can also still receive verbal scholarship offers, plot their futures and verbally commit to programs.
With Broward and Palm Beach counties still boasting dozens of future college football players, we’re checking in with various prospects to see how their recruitment is going despite the sports disruption.
The series continues with University School defensive back Ricardo Hallman.
Hallman, who was a firstteam All-County pick as a junior, had 17 tackles and eight interceptions for the Sharks.
Hallman is rated a threestar prospect in 247Sports’ composite ranking. He is listed as the No. 41 cornerback and No. 573 overall player in the 2021 class. Hallman holds 16 scholarship offers.
Here is what Hallman had to say:
What are you looking for most in a college program?
“For me, I’m just looking for really the best fit for me. I take academics seriously, so I’m looking for that. I’m looking [to] put myself in the right environment, making sure it’s an environment that I like around good people that I know.
I just want to be making sure I’m handing over my next three or four years into the hands of people that I trust. … I’m just looking for
an atmosphere and environment that is just the best fit.”
Who would you say are your top teams right now?
“Right now, I would say Wisconsin, Penn State, Louisville, Ole Miss, Miami and Iowa State.”
What about those teams has really stood out to you, if it’s different than what you said earlier?
“Just everything with all those schools. Those schools kind of preach what I go by. It’s a great environment at those schools. Obviously, I didn’t get a chance to get up to all of those schools, and from what I’m seeing and what I’m hearing — I’ve seen a couple virtual visits and were like awesome schools. They [have] everything that I like.”
What schools have you taken virtual visits to, and what were those like?
“I took a virtual visit to Iowa State, a virtual visit to
Louisville. I’m taking a virtual visit [Wednesday] to Wisconsin. … I’m supposed to take a virtual visit to Penn State sometime this week, too. The virtual visits are awesome. Especially the Louisville one. The Louisville one was amazing. Just got a chance to see all the campuses of these schools and what they have to offer in terms of academics and football and facilities and just everything, and it’s all up-to-date. It’s a really nice experience. I loved it.”
You mentioned not getting a chance to get up and visit some schools. I’m assuming that’s because of the coronavirus pandemic. How else has the coronavirus pandemic and the shutdowns affected your recruitment?
“I think it’s affected my recruitment, but I don’t think it took like a huge blow in my recruitment because I’m satisfied. I’m content with the schools I have. I’m happy with the schools that want me, and I love all the schools that want me. But I think, maybe, it ruined not getting up to places, not getting up to summer camps — maybe getting a little a workout so the coaches can see me in person — and also with the spring, how we couldn’t have spring football. Coaches would come like every single day to the school. So that kind of ruined it, so coaches cant see you in person. But I’ve adjusted to it. It’s not too bad. I’m just waiting for all of it to clear up.”
Do you have a timetable for when you’d like to commit?
“I think it’s actually going to be soon. Probably sooner rather than later. So I would say sometime in the near future, actually.”
What goals do you have for your senior season?
“For my senior season, I would say the same goals. I want to be that guy, make first-team All-County, I’ve got to make first-team AllState, lead my team to a state championship, finish the season healthy and just have a better season than I did last year. I had about eight picks last year, so I want to up that total. And yeah, just play good and win the state championship.”