Southwest Florida Talent Grabs The Spotlight

The days of being an afterthought may be over for southwest Florida. When the pandemic is more under control, and college coaches can actually come out and see these young men standing right next to them, the landscape for the communities that run along the Gulf of Mexico and inland to Immokalee, will change. <img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-105982" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/02/Florida-Player-Spotlight-2-300x188.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="188" />The coaching, talent and organization down to the youth leagues in Naples, Fort Myers, Estero, Cape Coral and other cities and towns in that region have made the difference – and you saw it the past few years – as programs such as Fort Myers, Dunbar and the great run that Naples Palmetto Ridge team that had a dream season that came to an end in the playoffs. Like many areas of the state that had problems kick starting certain programs, this area of the state has used solid youth programs to set the table for the future. Today, we continue our non-stop tour of south Florida, bringing you prospect who are finding the spotlight out of southwest Florida: <strong>2023 – Jaden Booker, RB, Naples Palmetto Ridge. </strong>After a 1,227-yard, 12-touchdown performance as a sophomore, this impressive standout is back – and will once again be a huge force for this surprising program. Watch him play and you are simply impressed by his strength, vision and knowledge of the position at such a young age. His ability to pick up blocks and catch the ball out of the backfield when needed will only thrust this quality talent in with some elite company over the next two years. <strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13157979/Jaden-Booker">https://www.hudl.com/profile/13157979/Jaden-Booker</a> <strong>2022 – Nathan Castor, RB/DB, South Fort Myers. </strong>Watch this young man play this game and you are impressed. His speed, vision and ability to make plays on both sides of the ball are what sells this young man to colleges and universities across the country. This track standout also happens to boast a 3.0 GPA in the classroom and continues to elevate his game for head coach <strong>Willis May</strong> and the Wolfpack. <strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11706947/Nathan-Castor">https://www.hudl.com/profile/11706947/Nathan-Castor</a> <strong>2022 – Chris Graves Jr., CB/Athlete, Fort Myers Bishop Verot. </strong>Here is a football talent we have definitely watched over the past year – and as he started to get bigger and mature – and also have that important opportunity to showcase his skills, colleges from all over the nation began to find out about this 6-2, 185-pound standout who can play all over the field for a program that showed plenty of improvement in 2020. Is also showing his skills this off-season, playing 7-on-7 against impressive football talent. <strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11286942/Chris-Graves">https://www.hudl.com/profile/11286942/Chris-Graves</a> <strong>2023 – Shawn Russ, DB, Fort Myers Dunbar. </strong>This early University of Florida commitment is indeed one of the most talented prospects in this class – having an opportunity to showcase his many skills. In addition to everything he does for this school, he is also a standout point guard on the basketball court. At 6-2, he has the size to get to balls that many defensive backs just cannot come up with. Solid athlete who also works hard in the classroom. <strong>TAPE:</strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12806255/Shawn-Russ-Jr"> https://www.hudl.com/profile/12806255/Shawn-Russ-Jr</a> <strong>2023 – Josiah Sessler, Athlete, Bonita Springs. </strong>Originally from California, this versatile talent is yet another young football player in a region that is now producing some impressive athletes. His speed and ability to break tackles and run away from the defenders has this play-maker on plenty of lists already. His 3.1 GPA in the classroom is certainly something that will help keep him in the spotlight over the next two years. <strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13415621/Josiah-Sessler">https://www.hudl.com/profile/13415621/Josiah-Sessler</a><strong> </strong> <strong>PHOTO COURTESY OF VEROT LIVE</strong> <strong>Y<em>ou Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Foridakids1@aol.com. We are also on </em></strong><strong><em>Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.</em></strong>