Miami Northwestern High School quarterback Teddy Bridgewater did this summer what most South Beach-area football players dream of doing — he committed to the University of Miami.
The Scout.com five-star gunslinger was set to once again inherit Jacory Harris’ position. He followed the current Miami junior quarterback to Miami Northwestern, which Harris led to state titles in 2006 and 2007.
 
Bridgewater, dubbed the crown jewel of the Hurricanes’ 2011 recruiting class, would join eight other players from his high school at “The U.”
But the usually consistent 12-mile prospect pipeline from Miami Northwestern to Miami may have a leak.
Shea Dixon, managing editor of TigerSportsDigest.com, said Bridgewater is not completely sold on Miami and is planning on visiting other schools, including LSU.
“Bridgewater is still committed to Miami, but Miami hasn’t had the best season,” Dixon said. “He’ll probably look at some schools in December.”
Bridgewater’s top target on Friday nights, Miami Northwestern wide receiver Eli Rogers, recently decommitted from Miami.
Dixon said Bridgewater, Scout’s No. 4 overall quarterback for 2011, has plans to visit LSU after his senior season with Miami Northwestern. Louisville, Florida and South Florida also remain on his radar.
“Before he committed to Miami, he always talked about LSU and the national exposure it gets,” Dixon said. “He always said that if he was going to go out of state, LSU would be one of the top on his list.”
Derek Ponamsky, Bayou Bengals Insider recruiting analyst, said the feelings were mutual between LSU and the blue-chip recruit.
“LSU recruited him early on,” Ponamsky said. “Once he made his commitment, they still remained in contact. Once a player commits, it doesn’t mean his recruitment stops.”
Bridgewater has filled in nicely for Harris at Miami Northwestern, throwing for 2,546 yards and 32 touchdowns as a junior.
The 6-foot-3-inch, 192-pound quarterback also got it done on the ground, using his 4.6 40-yard dash speed to earn 400 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground as a junior.
Ponamsky said Bridgewater’s interest in the Tigers stems from an opportunity to compete early for playing time at an elite Southeastern Conference school.
LSU’s only scholarship signal callers this season are juniors Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee. Athens, Ala., quarterback Stephen Rivers has committed to LSU’s 2011 class.
“These guys all look at depth charts,” Ponamsky said. “If you’re going to a place with two senior quarterbacks, you see a clear path to the field.”
LSU wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator Billy Gonzales, who served as Florida’s wide receivers coach from 2005 to 2009, has been in charge of Bridgewater’s recruitment as well as other Sunshine State prospects.
“[Gonzales] is well-respected in the recruiting circles,” Ponamsky said. “He came in late and swayed [freshman wide receiver] Kadron Boone to join LSU. He’s got a reputation as a tireless recruiter.”
Rivals.com recruiting analyst Mike Scarborough said Bridgewater’s final decision, which is likely to come closer to National Signing Day on Feb. 2, will be heavily based on junior college quarterback Zach Mettenberger.
Mettenberger, a former Georgia gunslinger, will visit LSU the weekend of the Tigers’ Nov. 20 game against Ole Miss. His decision could come soon after the game because he plans on being an early enrollee and attending spring practices.
“If Mettenberger commits, it’s over,” Scarborough said. “Some people think LSU may take three quarterbacks. There could be a scenario if one of those guys would want to come, but I don’t think those guys would want LSU.”
Scarborough said LSU offensive coordinator Gary Crowton and recruiting coordinator Frank Wilson visited Mettenberger last week in El Dorado, Kan.
Mettenberger also has offers from Arizona, Troy and Cincinnati and will visit Texas A&M this weekend.
Alabama joined the Mettenberger sweepstakes Wednesday, extending an offer to the 6-foot-5-inch pocket passer, according to Scarborough.
Scout three-star recruits Cardale Jones and Jacoby Brissett, who will be on campus for LSU’s game against Alabama, are two other main quarterbacks LSU is still recruiting for 2011.
 
 
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Contact Michael Lambert at [email protected]