Orlando University Off To Fast Start

Prior to last Friday night’s season-opener against Orlando Cypress Creek, head coach <strong>Zach Barrett</strong> knew that his team improved, but how much better did the Orlando University Cougars get? With a 22-7 win, and a game against Cedar Grove, N.J. coming up this week, this is a program that should start getting more answers – with several prospects showing promise and improving during a summer that saw this team get around and compete. While working in the off-season will never guarantee wins, it will certainly provide results from those who took advantage of camps, clinics and 7-on-7 events that are there to help athletes grow and mature on and off the football field. What University has done is tap into the central Florida area football craze – where many of the athletes are being recognized nationally, along with coaches and teams. The region has exploded on the scene, bypassing several other talent-rich regions, and the Cougars are very much in line with that sudden burst of athletes who fill the many programs throughout the area. What this team will provide this season are athletes who have been willing to understand that without hard work and competition, you have nothing – and while they haven’t been the football juggernaut in the past, things could definitely be changing for a program that -along with Colonial – have been the cornerstone of east Orlando football for over 40 years. <strong>LAYING A FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE</strong> While some programs have 20 and 30 prospects to get out, University is building for the future – and with seniors <strong>Frederick “KJ” Thomas</strong> (DB/Athlete, 5-10, 160 – 2.65 GPA), <strong>Graylann Holland</strong> (RB/LB, 5-10, 203 – 4.7 GPA, weighted) and <strong>Elijah Ortiz</strong> (LB/TE, 5-10, 205), the experience and leadership is in place to help bring the underclassmen along. <strong>WHAT ABOUT THOSE UNDERCLASS PROSPECTS?</strong> The future, for many of the Class of 2023 football players at this school, is now. Prospects such as <strong>Josiah Mongiello </strong>(OL, 6-4, 305 – 2.63 GPA), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="128457" first="Tyrell" last="Gainey"]</strong> (WR/Athlete, 6-0, 155 – 2.6 GPA), <strong>Brian Burton Jr.</strong> (DL, 6-0, 240 – 3.1 GPA) and <strong>Daishon Douglas</strong> (Athlete, 5-9, 155 – 2.6 GPA) will be looked upon this year to step up their game. <strong>UNIVERSITY SCHOOL SCHEDULE</strong> 9/3  CEDAR GROVE, N.J. 9/10  OAK RIDGE 9/17  at Winter Park 9/24  at Olympia 10/7  FREEDOM 10/15  TIMBER CREEK 10/22  HAGERTY 10/28  At Colonial 11/5  LAKE BUENA VISTA <strong>TRACKING FLORIDA: Teams Look At 2021 Season. </strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/tracking-florida-teams-look-at-2021-season/">https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/tracking-florida-teams-look-at-2021-season/</a> <strong>PHOTO COURTESY OF ORLANDO UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL</strong> <strong><em>You Can Contact [player_tooltip player_id="111610" first="Larry" last="Blustein"] with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.</em></strong>