Prospect Profile: Stranahan's Sincere Rodriguez
FORT LAUDERDALE – There are a ton of great running backs in South Florida. One you need to recognize is Sincere Rodriguez. The 5-foot-10, 210-pound prospect out of Stranahan High School might be one of the more underrated backs in the area.
Rodriguez carried the ball 114 times for 661 yards (5.8 ypc) and three touchdowns as a junior. This season, he rushed for 105 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown versus Plantation. He also caught three passes for 50 yards against the Colonials. His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield showcases his versatility.
Sincere Rodriguez is one of the more underrated running back prospects in South Florida, but the Stranahan High senior is on the rise.
“I played for the Miami Gardens Ravens before I went to the Chiefs,” said Rodriguez on his upbringing. "I was always a O-lineman, so that’s why I’m familiar with O-lineman. And I also played D-lineman. When I got to high school; I was at Western High School on junior varisty playing running back.
"When I got moved up to varsity I was really a safety. Then 10th grade I made a switch to running back permanently because I knew I wasn’t it for safety. I wasn’t as fast so I had to make that switch. Then obviously COVID came and I got way bigger than what I was supposed to be so running back was just my main thing."
Anyone attending a Mighty Dragons’ game will quickly notice Rodriguez. His talent measures up to any rivals at his position. Rodriguez has helped Stranahan to a 3-2 record this season.
“I’m a physical running back,” said Rodriguez. “I always finish the runs; if its 3rd-and-1, 3rd-and-2. You can count on me to get the first down. 4th-and-3, 4th-and-long; if you give me the ball, I’m just going to shine with it.”
Rodriguez is determined to be great. His drive and work ethic can be seen every time he puts on the pads. Still, Rodriguez knows he has a long way to go. His adjustments the rest of the season should help him prepare for the next level.
“As my coach always says, there is always room for improvement,” said Rodriguez. I’m not perfect, so I know there is a lot of stuff I can work on. Most things I can work on is probably my pad level most of the time. I know my pad level is not as low as it should be; but then sometimes it is. There is always room for improvement from me, that’s just how I go about it.”
Rodriguez isn’t the only talent on Stranahan’s roster. The Mighty Dragons also have wide receiver Hykeem Williams. The consensus 5-star recruit recently announced his commitment to Florida State. Former Stranahan linebacker Omar Graham Jr. is also currently with the Seminoles.
“When I first came here, I obviously knew Hykeem and Omar; when we had Omar,” said Rodriguez. "The best thing that coach was telling me was If I shine with them, I can make myself a name. Usually that’s what I use as motivation because they bigger, so I looked up to them two.
"Then obviously Omar left. And with Hykeem here he taught me how to be a leader. He just took me under his wing. We play different positions, but If I can’t go hard, Hykeem won’t go hard. That’s just how it is. Because I make him go harder and he makes me go harder.”
Rodriguez currently lists his top four as Akron, Bowling Green, Campbell and Navy. The 3-star back already took a visit to Campbell University. He has yet to take a trip to Akron or Bowling Green. The Midshipmen are waiting on Rodriguez’s SAT scores. UConn and Florida Atlantic have also recently shown him interest.
“Those top four schools have been with me since day one,” said Rodriguez. “That’s why I made them my top four. I didn’t know the other coaches were coming, but if anything switches we won’t know until maybe until last week of October or the second week of November. That is when I will make my choice.”
