It is hard to believe that 17 years have passed since Noel Devine became the first football recruit of the modern era to go viral. And now Devine has a son who is being recruited by Rich Rodriguez at Jacksonville State.
It was Rodriguez who landed Devine at West Virginia as a five-star recruit in the class of 2007.
Devine’s highlight tape out of Fort Meyers High School (Fort Meyers, Florida) was the first to take the internet truly by storm, a combination of pure speed and cutback moves that made every single touch of the ball a highlight play. It was football’s answer to the And1 mixtape, with play after play showing Devine blowing past would-be tacklers.
One move, two moves and was through their grasp and into the open field. On some plays, he was barely touched.
In what was still the nascent days of high school football recruiting coverage on the internet, Devine’s film was arguably the first to go viral.
He would go on to play four seasons at West Virginia and was getting Heisman buzz ahead of the 2010 season. In 2011, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles.
And now, his son was at Jacksonville State this weekend, on a recruiting trip where he was getting recruited by Rodriguez.
Had a great unofficial visit at Jacksonville State with my sons. Life a full circle I played for coach Rod at WVU my freshman year now he’s recruiting my son Dre. Coach hasn’t changed still love his players and treat them like family. #RichKnowsTalent pic.twitter.com/6hgFGUBWK2
— Noel Devine (@noel_devine7) February 4, 2024
Andre Devine is a class of 2024 running back out of North Fort Myers High School (North Fort Myers, Florida).
He has an offer list that includes Florida Atlantic, Marshall, UMass and West Virginia among others.