Over the last four months Bryant Holtmann went from a relatively unknown prospect to one of the most coveted left-handed pitchers in the country.  Holtmann’s rapid ascension culminated over the weekend when the 6-foot-5, 180-pounder from Breese Central HS verbally committed to Florida State University. The last Illinois player to attend Florida State was Rauiri O’Connor from Oak Park-River Forest, when the slugger controversially skipped his senior year in 2005 to enroll early at FSU.

Long and loose, Holtmann went through a significant growth spurt and soon after his fastball’s velocity climbed to 88-92 mph, to go along with a cutter, curveball and changeup. …

And speaking of hot prospects, Austin Bossart, a C/RHP from O’Fallon HS, is off the board. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Bossart committed to the University of Pennsylvania over the weekend. Bossart emerged this spring as a prospect to pay close attention to. An athletic catcher with a plus arm behind the plate, he helped lead the Panthers to the supersectionals before falling to eventual state champion Naperville Central. In the summer, Bossart also showed an 86-88 mph fastball at the Prep Baseball Report Southern Illinois Top Prospect Showcase in June. As a sophomore, Bossart was stuck behind 2009 PBR Player of the Year Nick Tindall, who was drafted by the Minnesota Twins.

Bossart wasn’t the only O’Fallon standout to commit recently. INF Sam Summerlin, a three-year starter for the Panthers, has committed to Cedarville University in Ohio. Summerlin was the starting second baseman on O’Fallon’s third-place squad in 2009 as a sophomore, and moved over to shortstop last spring. …

John A. Logan JC landed another ranked prospect when it received a commitment from Bradley-Bourbonnais LHP Austin Denault.

For complete list of player commitments, Click Here.