In recent weeks, Sharrif Floyd, George Washington's mammoth two-way lineman, has mingled with USC's Pete Carroll, Florida's Urban Meyer, and Ohio State's Jim Tressel.

If Floyd's ego has swelled to gigantic proportions, he is doing a terrific job, at least on the outside, of keeping his sizeable feet firmly planted on the ground.

"Even though he's one of the top high school recruits in the county, he's a real humble guy," Aaron Wilmer, Washington's quarterback, said. "He hasn't let it go to his head. To us, he's just 'Sharrif.' "

Wilmer laughs when he remembers the time he was riding a SEPTA bus with the 6-foot-3, 305-pounder. "It had been raining, so the aisle floor was all wet," he said. "When the driver had to make a sudden stop, Sharrif slid all the way up the front of the bus. It was hysterical."

James Fowler, a guard and linebacker for the Eagles, appreciates the Sharrif Floyd who can joke around as well as anyone at a pasta dinner.

"Yeah, he can be pretty outgoing," Fowler said. "He doesn't act like he's different from anyone else. That's one of the things we like about him."

Floyd, projected to be a defensive lineman in college, is the most recruited player in the history of Washington's program and, arguably, the Public League. The attention on him has brought with it increased exposure for teammates and strengthened the reputation of public-school football in Philadelphia.

Two of Washington's juniors, two-way end Brandon Chudnoff and 6-4, 180-pound receiver Joe Clayborne, sidelined this season with a knee injury, were invited to the U.S. Army All-American Combine in January.

That means at least three Eagles will be heading for the Alamodome in San Antonio. Floyd was selected to play in the prestigious event's East-West game on Jan. 9, 2010.

"It's because of Sharrif that these things are happening," Fowler said. "He's kind of put the school on the map."

$Proving his mettle

An erstwhile basketball player, Floyd hit the combine trail in earnest during the offseason. "A lot of people didn't think that I was really that good, so I wanted to prove them wrong," he said.

The mammoth lineman turned heads in emphatic fashion. At his first stop, the U.S. Army All-American Combine, he was tabbed as the defensive line's most valuable player.

He also earned MVP honors at the Scout.com combine, at Baltimore's Ravens Stadium, and Penn State's Nike Camp.

In June, Floyd was selected as Most Valuable Big Man at the Rivals.com Premier Showcase at Kean University in Union, N.J. "My friends started calling me, 'Mr. MVP,' " the 18-year-old said with a laugh.

Floyd, ranked as the No. 1 defensive tackle in the country by Rivals.com, also wowed onlookers at the Football University Combine and the Top Gun Camp in Paisley, Fla.

"In the Public League, we're kind of stigmatized," Ron Cohen, Washington's 25th-year head coach, said. "Nobody thinks the players are big enough, strong enough, quick enough. Players like Sharrif help put an end to that perception."

Said Floyd: "It's more than just me in the Public League. There are a lot of top performers in this league that deserve their due."

$Overcoming the odds

It's hasn't been a bed of roses for the player that has the likes of USC, Florida, Ohio State gushing over him.

Floyd said his biological father, shot outside of his grandmother's home, died a few days before he was born. He said he talks to his mother regularly by phone, but does not see her on a regular basis. She came out to watch the Eagles' 28-6 win over archrival Frankford at Northeast on Oct. 10.

"Yeah, it was kind of emotional," he said of his mother's presence, "but I wasn't going to show it. I didn't want to see her cry."

Bouncing from home to home for much of his young life, Floyd now lives with his grandmother in the Summerdale section of Northeast Philly. "It's been a little rough," he said. "I would like to be more settled. I try not to think too much about it. I just try to concentrate on school and football."

Of not having his biological father in his life, Floyd said, "I just know that when I become a father, I'll be ready to be a father."

Floyd has been able to lean on Cohen, a father figure for many, and the close-knit "GW family." Dawn Seeger, a school counselor, has joined him on recruiting trips, and former Washington players like Jameel McClain, now a linebacker for the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, have readily offered advice.

"Sharrif has matured tremendously in high school," Cohen said. "He's handled the recruiting process with a lot of poise. I'm very proud of him."

$A weighty decision

Floyd, who has bench-pressed 435 pounds and squatted 600, says he will announce his college choice at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, a game which will be televised live on NBC.

His finalists include, in no particular order, USC, Florida, Ohio State, South Carolina and North Carolina. He has taken official visits to the first three. Cohen said that Nebraska has shown late interest and that the stalwart may wind up taking a trip there.

Of the glitz and glamour that would go along with USC, Floyd said, "That really doesn't matter to me." And what was his impression of Florida's Ben Hill Griffin Stadium? "They say it's the loudest college stadium in the country, and I think that's true," he said.

At last count, the blue-chip recruit had 38 Division I-A offers. "I feel blessed," Floyd said. "It won't be easy, but I'm confident I'll make the right choice."

So far, he certainly has made the right ones.   

Contact staff writer Rick O'Brien at 610-313-8019 or robrien@phillynews.com.