5 For Thursday: Southwest Florida Is Overlooked

Over the past six decades, there are so many high school programs and regions that are getting a rather bright spotlight on the athletes. While there are so many hotbeds for talent statewide, there is one region that is overlooked, and while many believe it’s because of the “remote location”. Southwest Florida doesn’t get the attention that it deserves. Several prospects – over the years – have come from Naples, Fort Myers, Charlotte and so many other destinations in this region. While attending camps and combines at various locations throughout Florida, the young men who are usually singled are those talented football players from that region. As we do each and every Thursday throughout the course of a year, we bring you our “Five For Thursday” segment that has introduced hundreds of prospects into the competitive world of recruiting. Here are 5 Southwest Florida standouts to keep an eye on: <strong>2023 – [player_tooltip player_id="128295" first="Konner" last="Barrett"], QB, 6-2, 195, Naples Gulf Coast. </strong>Watch this quality talent play and you can see why college coaches have been on him the two years he’s been a starter. His size and arm strength are the first two things you notice and them watch him lead his team, using outstanding reads and a knowledge of knowing where the play is headed. Already a two-year starter that is among the top passers in the state with another year left to go, which will be huge as his development continues. <strong>TAPE:</strong> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10538290/Konner-Barrett">https://www.hudl.com/profile/10538290/Konner-Barrett</a> <strong>2023 – Anthony Benjamin, WR, 5-10, 175, Fort Myers Dunbar. </strong>On a team that so many weapons, here is one of those slot performers who is not just a pass-catcher, but get him in space on a “jet sweep” and he becomes lethal and a healthy balance for this impressive program that will be a force in the playoffs among 6A schools. Give him another full year – plus an off-season and this young man will become a must get player for colleges. <strong>TAPE:</strong> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12913584/Anthony-Benjamin">https://www.hudl.com/profile/12913584/Anthony-Benjamin</a> <strong>2022 – Kirill Bykov, DE/OLB, 6-2, 217, South Fort Myers. </strong>When coaches talked about this impressive football talent during the summer, they told anyone who would listen that this is a talent that has a chance to be special – and with hard work put in to getting better, this is one of the premier football players in the southwest Florida – and many college coaches have no clue about this talented football player. He is among the sack and tackle leaders for a reason. He is strong, athletic and a very instinctive performer. <strong>TAPE:</strong> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12726727/Kirill-Bykov/">https://www.hudl.com/profile/12726727/Kirill-Bykov/</a> <strong>2022 – Tyler Coleman, RB, 5-11, 205, Naples Golden Gate. </strong>One of many seniors who needed to have a banner season to get the attention in his direction, and as we are heading toward the finish line, this is a gifted runner, who has power, size and enough quickness for him to give any defense problems. Changes directions and will get you those tough yards, running tackle-to-tackle. <strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/8788457/Tyler-Tyquad-Coleman">https://www.hudl.com/profile/8788457/Tyler-Tyquad-Coleman</a> <strong>2023 – Tyre Cunningham, LB, 5-10, 190, Lehigh. </strong>If you want to talk about a playmaker, who has safety size, but a linebacker mentality, this is your man. Patrols the middle of the field, is a solid tackler and someone who understands what the Lightning are doing on defense. He plays this game with plenty of emotion and has a motor that does not stop. Will be fun to watch over the next year, which includes off-season events. <strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12827120/Tyre-Cunningham">https://www.hudl.com/profile/12827120/Tyre-Cunningham</a> <strong>Catch More Florida High School Football. </strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/">https://prepredzone.com/florida/</a> <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>