Prep football: Kinnan commends Florida for handling of Blakely

Mike Blakely wouldn't be heading to Auburn without the consent of the University of Florida and its head coach, Will Muschamp.
For that, Manatee coach Joe Kinnan is thankful.
A former star running back at Manatee, Blakely is enrolled at Auburn after transferring from Florida earlier this month. Muschamp helped make it possible by allowing Blakely to sign on with another school in the Southeastern Conference.
"They have a class program," Kinnan said of Florida. "Their coaching staff did what was in Mike's best interests, and Mike should be very thankful."
Blakely, who did not respond to a phone call or text message Wednesday, chose Florida over Auburn when he verbally committed in October. But he took his lone official visit last fall to Auburn.
He also took an official visit to USF earlier this week.
For more on Blakely's story, check out Thursday's edition of The Bradenton Herald and bradenton.com.

Prep football: Blakely to Auburn, according to reports

According to numerous reports on the Internet, former Manatee High running back Mike Blakely has enrolled at Auburn University.

Auburn's Rivals.com website has an article entitled "Enrolled at AU" on its front page, along with a big picture of Blakely, who transferred out of the University of Florida earlier this month.

Jeffrey Lee, AuburnSports.com's publisher, wrote that Blakely enrolled at the school and began taking classes today, according to a source.

I called Blakely's cell phone this afternoon and left a message.

Though he took an official visit to USF last week, Blakely strongly considered Auburn before committing to the Gators last October.

"At one point, it was Auburn 90 (percent) to 10," Blakely said last fall. "I started to talking to all the coaches and weighing my options, looking at what was best for me. That's where I felt the best, at Florida."

Stay tuned to Prep Rally and bradenton.com for more on this breaking story.