VSN Media Day Splashes Down In Orlando

ORLANDO – As colleges have their own Media Days and spotlight their teams, players and coaches, the state of Florida and its many high schools is now firmly on the map.

As the Varsity Sports Network moved into Orlando at Exploria Stadium, it was more than evident that this idea is now something that will only get bigger and better.

Over 60 Orlando area programs headed to the downtown arena with little knowledge of what to expect, and by the end of the day, there wasn't one player, coach or fan that didn't walk away shaking their collective head – in a great way.

As they had done in the Panhandle, Tallahassee, Gaineville, Polk County, the west coast and yesterday in Viera, the Media Day blew everyone away.

“This is an amazing opportunity and a first class event that came to Orlando,” said Groveland South Lake head coach La Quentin Taylor Quentin Taylor 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Lake Minneola | 2024 State FL . “I don't see how this could have been any better.”

As the players had the opportunity to take photos and speak with the many media members on hand, this brainchild of VSN has now established itself as something special.

Programs such as Windermere, Orlando Bishop Moore, Ocoee, Kissimmee Tohopekaliga, Winter Garden Horizon and Orlando East River came out. So did power Orlando Edgewater, Orlando Lake Highland Prep, Cornerstone Charter, Orlando The First Academy.

Schools came from Orlando Boone, Orlando Lake Buena Vista, St. Cloud, , Winter Garden Foundation Academy, Celebration and state power Apopka.

Harmony head coach Simon, who has been around this game for three decades left impressed as his players had the chance to get publicity and put themselves in the spotlight.

“I cannot say thank you enough for the opportunity to be a part of such a first class event,” Don Simon explained. “My players loved it and we all enjoyed this experience.”

Unlike media events that are slapped together at the last minute, VSN which partnered with Josh Wilson and Florida High School Football, made sure that everything ran smooth from 8 a.m. until it ended at 4 p.m.

“We put our heart and soul into this with people who are respected by everyone in the state,” said Wilson. “From a live stream to podcasts, interviews and opportunities for exposure, all of our media day events have been like this.”

With “Team VSN” headed to Broward County on Tuesday, Palm Beach (Wednesday) and talented Miami-Dade on Friday, it was vital that the Orlando stop went smooth and met with the standards this event has enjoyed over the past two weeks.

Programs such as Winter Garden West Orange, Orlando Olympia, Orlando Freedom, power Orlando Jones, Orlando Timber Creek, Kissimmee Osceola and Orlando Christian Prep spoke to local and statewide media – via video and print as well as fan recruiting websites.

The exposure was also fun for programs such as Orlando Cypress Creek, Lake Minneola, Clermont East Ridge, Kissimmee Gateway, Kissimmee Poinciana, Windermere Prep, Winter Park and Orlando Dr. Phillips – where veteran head coach Rodney Wells showcased some of this quality talent.

Orlando Faith Christian, Orlando Oak Ridge, Orlando Evans, Orlando West Oaks Academy, Apopka Wekiva, Orlando Colonial and head coach Mark Barrett and Orlando University also took part.

“How great was this event,” said Orlando Edgewater head coach Cameron Duke. “To have all these great programs and hard-working coaches recognized was something really special.”

THE STARS WERE OUT

Like every stop, elite talent stole the spotlight. Prospects like heavily-recruited running C.J. Baxter (Orlando Edgewater), recent Florida commitment Aidan Mizell (Orlando Boone), UCF commit Kaven Call Kaven Call 6'2" | 230 lbs | DL Apopka | 2023 State FL (Apopka), gifted running back Tyler Emans (Harmony), Wekiva junior defensive end Sincere Edwards Sincere Edwards 6'1" | 245 lbs | DL Apopka | 2024 State FL , Evans safety Brandon Jacob, West Orange recent commitment Jordan Castell Jordan Castell 6'2" | 195 lbs | DB West Orange | 2023 State FL and Orlando Freedom LB Anthony Famularo Jr Anthony Famularo Jr 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Freedom | 2023 FL . and QB Khari Rennie.

Kissimmee Osceola had recent UCF commitment John Walker John Walker 6'3" | 310 lbs | DL Osceola | 2023 State FL and Oklahoma-bound Derrick Leblanc Derrick Leblanc 6'4" | 270 lbs | DL Osceola | 2023 State FL among several others were in the spotlight as well.

UPDATED CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS. https://prepredzone.com/florida/rankings/2023-rankings/

Tracking Florida's Football Teams For 2022 - https://prepredzone.com/2022/04/tracking-florida-football-teams/

You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com.