Tampa Jefferson Is Ready Once Again

If that 18-14 playoff loss to Palm Bay Bayside doesn’t serve as motivation for Tampa Jefferson players, coaches and fans, maybe nothing will. That loss not only stopped a six-game winning streak for head coach <strong>Joe Midulla</strong> and his Dragons, but it was a wake-up call for this very talented team. That four-point setback to Bayside in the playoffs and four-point loss to Tampa Hillsborough ruined would could have been a banner season for this program. Even those wins against Tampa Middleton (6-0), Riverview Spoto (53-0), Tampa King (40-30), Brandon (57-0), Gibsonton East Bay (25-19 – 2OT), Tampa Blake (49-15) and Tampa Alonso (34-31) were great and very important, but this program wants more – and they have the talent to do it. The senior class will be stacked with talent in 2021 – with several players returning to help with experience and leadership. Prospects such as <strong>Eric Felder</strong> (DB/WR, 5-11, 165 – 3.0 GPA), <strong>Gabriel Laughlin</strong> (DB/WR, 5-10, 165 – 3.0 GPA), <strong>Tarus Mitchell</strong> (OL/DL, 6-2, 255), <strong>Mikol Mackey</strong> (RB/LS, 6-0, 185 – 3.0 GPA), <strong>Noah Miles </strong>(OL/DL/LS, 6-4, 285 – 3.0 GPA), <strong>Jori Phanord </strong>(OL/DL, 6-2. 250 – 3.18 GPA), <strong>Marcus Plair</strong> (OL/DL, 6-0, 225 – 2.6 GPA) and <strong>Ernest Williams </strong>(OL/DL, 6-1, 265 – 2.9 GPA) The Class of 2022 also has<strong> Antonio Alfaro</strong> (LB), <strong>Enzo Garcia</strong> (WR), <strong>Alex Gonzalez</strong> (WR),<strong> Jaylin Lucas </strong>(RB/LB), <strong>Radames Santiago</strong> (FB/LB) and two-way lineman <strong>Anthony Urban.</strong> <strong>THE CLASS OF 2023 HAS PLAYERS THAT ARE READY</strong> While the Class of 2022 certainly has some impressive talent, the rising junior class (2023) is stacked as well. Leading the way in this class are <strong>Jaylin Burden</strong> (LB/TE, 6-0, 185), <strong>Cameron Campbell</strong> (LB/TE, 5-10, 185 – 4.0 GPA, 1110 SAT), <strong>Gary Hargrove</strong> (RB, 5-10, 175), <strong>Sykhi Madison</strong> (WR/DB, 6-2, 175 – 2.6 GPA), <strong>Ezekiel Mills</strong> (LB/RB, 5-11, 195 – 2.8 GPA) and <strong>Ekryi Williams</strong> (LB/FB, 5-11, 205). The Dragons also have <strong>D.J. Santiago</strong> (OL/DL) and <strong>Anthony Simon</strong> (WR/DB) <strong>2024: THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT</strong> One look at these rising sophomores in the class of 2024 and you can see that this program is indeed in it for the long haul – with <strong>Mike Coley Jr </strong>(WR/DB, 6-1, 175 – 3.5 GPA), <strong>Jayden Cummings</strong> (QB, 6-2, 180 – 2.8 GPA), <strong>Ibrahim Diallo</strong> (DL/TE, 6-4, 245 – 2.7 GPA), <strong>Ladainain Ferrell</strong> (WR/DB – 3.2 GPA), <strong>Otis Grant</strong> (DL/OL, 6-2, 275 – 2.8 GPA), <strong>Tre Jack</strong> (OL/DL, 6-1, 205 – 3.0 GPA), <strong>Zycarl Lewis</strong> (WR/DB, 6-0, 165 – 3.2 GPA), <strong>Ken Norman</strong> (DL/OL, 6-3, 335 – 2.7 GPA), <strong>Tavarius Patterson</strong> (OL/DL, 6-0, 215), <strong>Tyler Pruitt</strong> (DL/FB, 6-1, 275 – 3.0 GPA) and <strong>Derrick Walden</strong> (RB/LB, 5-10, 165 – 2.8 GPA). In addition the Class of 2024 also has depth with <strong>Camden Allen</strong> (WR/DB), <strong>Mekhi Anderson </strong>(RB/DB), <strong>Jeremiah Bellemy</strong> (LB/FB), <strong>Jio Hodges</strong> (WR), <strong>Carmine Morton</strong> (OL/DL), <strong>Curtis Rodgers</strong> (WR/DB), <strong>Alloyius Tyson</strong> (DB/WR) and <strong>King Witchard </strong>(OL/DL) <strong>PHOTO COURTESY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOLS</strong> &nbsp; <strong><em>You Can Contact [player_tooltip player_id="111610" first="Larry" last="Blustein"] with prospect or team information at: Foridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.</em></strong>