Jacquez Green, Manatee Have A Bright Future
In this article:
By now, if you follow high school football in the state of Florida, you know that there was a coaching change made in the off-season at Bradenton Manatee. After an 8-2 year, which included a one-point loss to rival Bradenton…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingBy now, if you follow high school football in the state of Florida, you know that there was a coaching change made in the off-season at Bradenton Manatee.
After an 8-2 year, which included a one-point loss to rival Bradenton Southeast, and a season-ending 45-0 loss to eventual 7A state champion St. Thomas Aquinas, Coach Yusuf Shakir was let go.
During his time with Manatee, he won his 100th career game, leading the Hurricanes to back-to-back District 7A championships and won five playoff games. He was 29-16.
Enter Jacquez Green. The University of Florida Hall of Fame receiver had groomed himself to one day become a head football coach, serving as an assistant at St. Petersburg Gibbs, Tallahassee Lincoln, Valdosta (Ga.), Tallahassee Godby, and for the past two years as the Offensive Coordinator for Manatee.
After a spring in which he had the chance to start rebuilding several positions, Green and the Hurricanes know that their work will be cut out – even though district rival Venice had moved to 8A.
What the Hurricanes need to do this season is rely on a seniors class. One that has athletes coming back with leadership and experience.
Among those Class of 2022 standouts who are expected to make a major impact include Tyreak Allen Tyreak Allen 6'0" | 185 lbs | DB Bradenton Manatee | 2022 FL (DB, 6-0, 180), Jayce Berzowski (QB, 6-1, 180), Carlo Caceres (OT, 6-3, 230), Stanqualin Collins (DT, 6-3, 300), Jaleel Duncan Jaleel Duncan WR Bradenton Lakewood Ranch | 2022 FL (WR, 5-10, 170), Sonny Jenkins (CB, 5-11, 175), Kyree Jones Kyree Jones RB Bradenton Manatee | 2022 FL (TB, 5-8, 228) and standout Trent Lepoil (TE/H-Back, 6-1, 200).
The Hurricanes also will look to Derick Lewis (DL, 6-1, 250), Alex Lubbs (OL, 6-5, 300), Cameron McCloud Cameron McCloud DL Bradenton Manatee | 2022 FL (OL/DL, 6-4, 260), Christopher Perry (WR, 6-3, 165), Elijah Stewart (WR, 6-0, 165) and linebackers Cornell Thomas (6-0, 200) and Samu Vave (6-2, 230).
PLENTY OF TALENT COMING UP
While the Class of 2022 has the experience, the underclassmen are loaded with athletic ability and skill. Class of 2023 prospects like Roy Burchett (Athlete, 5-6, 150), Wesley Choate (LS, 5-11, 195), Bruno Gutschow (DL, 5-10, 250), Koby Keenan (TE, 6-6, 225), Daniel Dunbar (DB, 5-8, 170), Marcellous Ponder (LB/DE, 6-0, 235), Hayden Ridgley (OL, 6-2, 330), Nico Rodriguez (OG, 6-0, 315), Nathaniel Schofield (DE, 5-11, 200) and offensive lineman McKinney Xavier (6-4, 260).
As the Class of 2023 will be impressive, Coach Green and the Hurricanes will certainly use prospects such as B.J. Bean (WR, 5-8, 155), Daron Jean (DB, 5-9, 160), Jaden Judge (Athlete, 5-8, 170), Tez McDowell (LB, 5-11, 190), Andrew Morris (OL, 6-3, 325) and defensive lineman Tyreek’e Robinson (6-1, 280) from this rising sophomore class.
Also, the Class of 2024 will boast Cory Sanders (Athlete, 5-7, 160), Johnathan Squiteri (QB, 5-8, 165), Thamar Liafortune (Athlete, 5-10, 170), Keyvon Reddick (WR, 5-8, 150) and promising tight end Cade Weiskopf (5-11, 190). The Hurricanes are also excited about incoming freshman (2025) defensive tackle Ean Johnson-Kelley (6-0, 250).
PHOTO COURTESY OF BRADENTON MANATEE FOOTBALL
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.