FBU Orlando Camp: Top Middle School Performers

Since 2007, Football University (FBU) has been one of the mainstays in the recruiting camp circuit as they have worked to promote high school and middle school talent across the country, and especially in the Sunshine State. In what has now evolved into a one day, multiple session showcase held at locations all around the country, student-athletes at the youth and prep level work to earn the prestigious "Top Gun" Showcase invites, FBU Freshman All-American selections, and chances to compete and bring exposure to themselves at the National Combine, FBU National Championship Tourney, and potentially play in the All-American Bowl on NBC as seniors. The organization's Orlando regional camp & team has helped produce the likes of Clyde Pinder Jr., Trayvon Mullen, Jerry Jeudy, [player_tooltip player_id="50067" first="Mario" last="Eugenio"], and most recently, [player_tooltip player_id="128018" first="Derrick" last="Leblanc"] and [player_tooltip player_id="128041" first="Payton" last="Kirkland"]. A couple days ago at West Orange High School, I got to represent PrepRedzoneNEXT as I watched both sessions of competition to try and find the next superstar out of Central Florida. There was a ton of impressive middle school talent in attendance, and I got to scout some familiar faces as well as new names to the youth football and PRzNEXT recruiting scene. Below, I've named some of my top middle school performers from the FBU Orlando Camp, and believe me when I say this won't be the last time you hear about them. Congrats to these ballers! Offense [player_tooltip player_id="195703" first="Anthony" last="Miller"] (Venice) QB. 5'10, 180 lbs. C/o 2026. @AMillerQB_D1 In today's day and age, it's never too early to begin recruiting football talent. In the youth ranks this rings especially true at the QB position, where we are beginning to see 7th and 8th grade gunslingers earn big-time offers at a much higher frequency than ever before. With all that in mind it shouldn't shock anyone to hear that class of 2026 Central Florida QB [player_tooltip player_id="195703" first="Anthony" last="Miller"] was one of the more higher profile prospects in the FBU Orlando middle school ranks. Miller is heading to the defending 8A state champion Venice High School in the Sarasota suburbs next season and already looks the part of a big school standout as he's a stout 180 pounds with definition in his arms and chest and some broad shoulders for a young buck which set him apart from his peers in terms of the eye test. He's got a rocket attached his right shoulder with a quick, smooth release and obvious arm talent for a prospect entering the high school level. He'll be a fun one to keep an eye on going forward as he looks to replicate the success he earned in his middle school career. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-310095" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Anthony-Miller-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="195703" first="Anthony" last="Miller"] - 2026 QB [player_tooltip player_id="241226" first="Elija" last="Mason"] (Ben Hill Middle School) RB. 5'8, 150 lbs. C/o 2026. @emason813 The most impressive recruit among the youth competitors at West Orange High School also comes out of the Tampa area and the explosive RB/SS [player_tooltip player_id="241226" first="Elija" last="Mason"]. Coincidentally, Mason was also a very exciting attendee of our winter PRzFL Showcase at IMG Academy, where he more than held his own against high school opponents and flashed a well-refined and high-ceiling game for his age. He's a cut up 150 pounds that wouldn't surprise me to hear he's a high school sophomore and made him look like a man amongst boys doing RB positional drills as well as 1-on-1 reps. He's got quickness, burst, and balance and was lethal in the open field against his peers. Was also a threat out of the backfield as a RB and had the physical edge needed to potentially play defense at the high school level. He's going to get varsity reps sooner rather than later and could have easily competed against the high schools at the FBU Orlando event. Name to remember! Jordan Jackson - WR. 5'10, 140 lbs. C/o 2026. Caught my attention during 1-on-1s after Jackson went up and over a DB to "moss" the defender in exhilarating fashion. Good height and length for a middle school wideout with a ton more room to grow and fill in. Can high point the football and showed off ball skills and a solid vertical leap for his age. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-310096" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Jordan-Jackson-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Jordan Jackson - 2026 WR David Coleman - WR. 6', 140 lbs. C/o 2027. @DavidLColemanJ2 The Orlando product was already on my radar thanks to a strong showing at a previous FBU event and once again showed up and showed out this past weekend. One of the most physically gifted athletes among the middle school competitors, Coleman was incredibly shifty in and out of his breaks and possessed great timing and the ability to start and stop. He also had great speed and could stack DBs after his smooth releases. He was a threat to get open at any point in the route and a technician in his separation skills. He's bringing an already advanced route running ability to the high school level and is dangerous on every route on the tree. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-310103" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/David-Coleman-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> David Coleman - 2026 WR Zhiyerre "Magic" Kennedy - WR. C/o 2029 As previously mentioned, it's never too early in the recruiting world, and as a testament to that I present to you current fifth grader Magic Kennedy. He's an up-and-coming superstar who plays and competed like an eighth grader last Sunday. Naturally explosive, fast, and shifty with soft hands and the disposition of a prospect far from done in his football career. Class of 2029 represent! <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-310093" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Zhiyerre-Magic-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Magic - C/o 2029 Braylon Cave - QB. C/o 2029. It's almost unnerving watching fellow fifth grader Braylon Cave operate as a quarterback so far above his age. I got to see the c/o 2029er a time or two before this past weekend at FBU Orlando tryouts and practices, but it's still a heckuva sight as he carries himself and has the arm of a player years older. He can snap the ball out of his hand especially impressively on the run and outside of the pocket. A true natural with some really high potential. I'm not one to normally buy stock in young QBs but after watching him play a couple of times it's hard not to think he's bound for D1 football. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-310094" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Braylon-Cave-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Braylon Cave - 2029 QB [player_tooltip player_id="212286" first="Sabby" last="Meassick"] - QB. 6', 165 lbs. C/o 2026. @SabbyMeassick Holds an offer from the Florida Gators. Another super high-profile quarterback at the FBU Orlando stop came out of Kissimmee and the uber-talented [player_tooltip player_id="212286" first="Sabby" last="Meassick"]. Is consistent in his accuracy and ball placement on a variety of routes and has a clean, quick release with impressive timing as well. Solid arm strength for his age who can stretch the field vertically and drop the ball into the breadbasket. Also carries himself with the confidence needed as a high-level QB and leadership ability that shows itself during drills and even the athletes downtime. The Gators will be far from his only offer. Defense Joshua Bussey - LB. 5'10, 185 lbs. C/o 2026. @bussey80 My favorite LB of the bunch was new to my radar in 8th grader Joshua Bussey. He possesses a solid frame that holds the 185 pounds well and definitely has room to grow and add muscle. He was outstanding during the 1-on-1, open field, RB vs. LB drill who played with good leverage and closed space very quickly to disallow RBs from making a move. He didn't have any problem playing physically either and looked balance and quick in coverage as well. He's got the makings to be an accomplished high school linebacker in a few years. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-310100" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Joshua-Bussey-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Joshua Bussey - 2026 LB [player_tooltip player_id="222904" first="Trenton" last="Gummer"] (Lake Highland Prep) DB. 5'7, 135 lbs. C/o 2026. @trentongummer Earned a Top Gun invitation after a strong showing at DB against a talented group of wideouts among the crop of middle schoolers. Gummer was a natural at shadowing WRs thanks to some very loose hips, quick feet, and strong body control that helped him start and stop well and accelerate out of his breaks with burst. Utilized speed turns well and got his head around quickly to stay in the receivers pocket at the top of the route. Also displayed the speed to hang with WRs downfield and played with nice eye discipline. Consistently could close on the ball with speed and undercut routes in man coverage. Devin Jackson (West Orange) DB. 6'1, 155 lbs. C/o 2026. Possesses length for days and was probably the most physically imposing CB at the FBU Orlando Showcase. Used that length and his hands well at the LOS and held a competitive attitude which allowed him to take - and win - a ton of reps last Sunday in man coverage. Is still growing into his body but has a very intriguing frame that is far from done growing and filling in and should flourish in a high school S&C program. Also is physical and has solid ball skills for a young cornerback. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-310101" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Devin-Jackson-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Devin Jackson - 2026 DB Tony Brown - DB. C/o 2028. A coaches favorite during both positional and competitive drills, Brown could drop his hips and cut on a dime that helped him look years ahead of his peers in terms of route running and natural ability to separate. Also took reps at DB and was sticky and tough in coverage all afternoon long. Natural athlete who was competing against players a couple of years older than him and never was shy or hesitant to compete. I don't know if I saw him lose a rep all day. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-310102" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Tony-Brown-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Tony Brown - 2028 ATH Caleb Barnes (Beachside) DL. 5'11, 225 lbs. C/o 2026. Carries his 225 pounds well for an eighth grader who could impose his dominance on opposing lineman thanks to his noteworthy lower body power and strong initial punch. He also played with a low pad level who could get up and under the pads of tackles and guards and basically have his way with him in route to the backfield. Had one of the best 1-on-1 performances of any lineman on either side of the ball. Roberto Castillo (Sanford Seminole) LB. 5'4, 175 lbs. C/o 2026. @rcastillo9_2026 I came into the FBU Orlando event already well aware of the thumper from Sanford and he once again lived up to the hype in his performance last Sunday. Castillo plays with great leverage when pursuing the ball and closes space impressively against RBs. Also was dominant in coverage thanks to that closing speed as well as how active he kept his feet. He's got solid start-and-stop ability for his size and is improving on his game as a potential three-down LB. Still does his best work in pads. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-310105" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Roberto-Castillo-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Roberto Castillo - 2026 LB