In middle school, Vernon Hargreaves III couldn't have ever imagined what would become the norm today.

Lights, cameras, letters, and not to mention nearly every major college in the country wanting the Wharton defensive back to wear their colors.

"I never thought this was going to happen, I only started playing football in eighth grade," Hargreaves said, who currently holds over 30 offers from some of the top football programs in the nation. "I saw [former Plant running back] James Wilder Jr. when I first moved here, and then a few years later, it was me. It kind of shocked me at first, but now I'm kind of used to it."

The constant phone calls from coaches, media, and not to mention twitter followers is all but normal for the Wildcats star, but he has one thing most high-profile recruits don't: someone in his corner to help him through it.

His father, Vernon, is an assistant coach at USF and spends most of his time recruiting athletes just like his son.

"If I have any questions, I can always just ask him," Hargreaves said. "Most kids, they will go to a coach who they think is telling them the truth...but I know my dad will always look out for me. I know he's going to tell me what's right."

Yes, the Bulls are one of the schools recruiting Hargreaves, but no, his father is not pressuring him to go there.

"A lot of people don't understand that coaching, it's not like a secure job," Hargreaves said. "He can get fired and go to somewhere like Western Kentucky and, before you even know it, I'd be stuck at USF. A lot of people don't understand that. I like [South Florida], the head coach and the coaching staff, but just because he is there doesn't really mean anything."

Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Stanford and USC are just some of the schools interested in luring Hargreaves to their campus. He's rated a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, and the second-best player at his position in the country. ESPN has tabbed him the fourth-best player in their top 150 recruits in the nation.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder has visited just about every Florida school on his list, including, most recently, Miami, a place he used to call home when he was a little boy.

"I loved [my visit]," Hargreaves said. "My dad coached down there for nine years. Nothing has really changed, but they have a lot of stuff going on down there.

"They are rebuilding everything, really. I just loved it, it brought back good memories."

Hargreaves will be participating in Nike and ESPN's "The Opening" camp in Oregon next week, and then will hit the recruiting trail. USC, Stanford, Ohio State, Michigan, Clemson, Georgia, Auburn, Alabama are on the agenda, before taking a second look at all the in-state schools again. For now, there is no leader for the senior cornerback.

"I can't really count all of the out-of-state schools out, because I haven't been there," he said. "I like all the Florida schools. I like Georgia and Clemson. I'm going to go out to USC and Oregon. I'll have more when I get back."

Despite all the attention, Hargreaves continues to remain grounded, all with a little advice from pops.

"He's just told me to stay humble, in a way," he said. "Don't get too excited about one program and count others out, just see everybody and see which one you like. You don't have to make it a big deal, just relax and take it all in."

Ryan Bass is a reporter for Bright House Sports Network. Find him on twitter, @Ry_Bass.