ORLANDO, FLA -- Cedric Baxter Jr. is a what you call a two-highlight player. It takes two clips on his tape to realize he's a special talent. 

At 6'2, 215lbs Edgewater's rising senior running back is one of the most coveted recruits in the state. Ranked the 11th best prospect in Florida by 24/7 Sports, he's widdled his list of potential landing locations down to five; Texas, Texas A&M, Alabama, Florida, and Miami. 

At just 16 years old, his focus is on his future beyond the college game. 

 “I mean the end goal after all is to get to the league, have a great career, and be able to take care of my family," Baxter Jr. says. "Every time I feel like given up I think about my family.”

The kid nicknamed "C4," is motivated by defeat.  

“I think about the two state championships we lost," he says. "I just want to get back to one and win one. I just want to get back to one and win one. That’s why I push them because I’ve been there and a know how it feels to lose on that stage.”

Not many people know what its like to experience the circus that is big-time college football recruiting. 

It's hard not to laugh as Cedric dumps an entire dresser drawer of letters and pieces of mail from major programs around the country. 

“It’s the craziest thing I’ve experienced in my life," he says. "A lot of people say it’s the hardest decision you’re going to make besides from the person you’re going to marry.”

It's been a whirlwind for the Baxter family. Add in significant changes to the sport, his father, Cedric Baxter Sr., reiterates what's most important for his decision. 

“I want him to pick a school where he feels like he’s the right fit, his major and is with the right coaching staff," Baxter Sr. says. "I don’t want him picking a school based on NIL.”

It'd be pretty simple to look at the letters, stats and recruiting rankings and think Cedric Baxter Jr. has it all as a four-star prospect. Nothing about his journey or his motivation has been easy. 

“I pray every night so I just think of him," he says pointing to a picture hanging around his neck. "Especially with how much football is on my mind. Every time I think of football, I think of him.”

'Him' would be his childhood best friend, Keiondre Waters who died at just eight years old after suffering an asthma attack. 

“I just broke down. That was the first death I’ve actually experienced.”

Unfortunately it wasn't his last. Next to Keiondre is a chain with the #4. It's a remembrance to his friend and mentor Greg Bryant Jr. Over Mother's Day weekend in 2016, the former Notre Dame running back was shot and killed. 

“Shoot I thought the world ended. When my dad told me I think that’s the hardest I’ve ever cried in my life.”

Tears that have turned to a tribute. 

"It's like motivation," Cedric says looking through old pictures. 

Cedric Baxter Jr is a prized-recruit, and a talented football player with a bright future. That's how the masses know him. 

How he wants to be remembered is a man whose future honors his past. 

“I probably do it for Greg and him more than I do it for myself. I know they wanted to do it. I just want people to know I do it for a reason.”

Cedric does not have a timeline for his college decision.