Top Underclassmen Shine At State
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With the 2022 high school football season now finished and the first National Signing Day completed, much of the attention is starting to focus on the future. After watching the five state title games last weekend at DRV PNK Stadium,…
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Continue ReadingWith the 2022 high school football season now finished and the first National Signing Day completed, much of the attention is starting to focus on the future.
After watching the five state title games last weekend at DRV PNK Stadium, there was so much talent that was on display in all classes – especially the underclassmen who figure to make an impression.
With 10 teams in action after the opening weekend in Tallahassee, there were some impressive players who not only made an impact in the senior class, but some very talented 2024, 2025 and 2026 prospects as well.
Among those juniors, who are ready to take that next step include quarterbacks Joshua Townsend (Homestead) and Alberto Mendoza Alberto Mendoza 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Miami Christopher Columbus | 2024 FL (Miami Christopher Columbus), running backs Markell Johnson (Lake Wales) and Jordan Lyle Jordan Lyle 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2024 State FL (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), tight ends Benjamin Blackburn Benjamin Blackburn 6'6" | 230 lbs | TE Miami Christopher Columbus | 2024 State FL , Miami Christopher Columbus and Lawal McCray (Daytona Beach Mainland) and receivers Fadrelle Andrus (Miami Christopher Columbus), James Madison II James Madison II 6'3" | 175 lbs | WR Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2024 State FL (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Lawayne McCoy Lawayne McCoy 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Miami Central | 2024 State FL (Miami Central), Amare Sanders Amare Sanders 6'1" | 165 lbs | DB Miami Gulliver Prep | 2024 State FL (Lake Wales) and Chance Robinson Chance Robinson 6'2" | 190 lbs | WR Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2024 State FL (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas).
Kicker Jacob Gettman (Daytona Beach Mainland) was also solid.
Speaking about solid, the group of linemen are also prospects to watch this coming year. Standouts such as Jameel Carter (Homestead), Ethan Korkas (Apopka), Jaelin Long Jaelin Long 6'1" | 260 lbs | OL Daytona Beach Mainland | 2024 FL (Daytona Beach Mainland), Matthew Peavley Matthew Peavley 6'2" | 300 lbs | OL Venice | 2024 FL (Venice), Madden Santiago (Daytona Beach Mainland),Teko Shoats Jr. (Miami Central), Luke Moise Luke Moise 6'2" | 300 lbs | OL Miami Central | 2024 FL (Miami Central), Charvis Williams (Apopka) and Jimmy Williams III (Plantation American Heritage).
DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE
As solid as this year’s offensive underclassmen were at the large school state championships, defensive players were also quality and impressive as well. Linemen such as Timothy Burroughs-Love (Plantation American Heritage), Ramon McCollough (Daytona Beach Mainland), Lorenzo Payne IV (Apopka), Jack Proctor (Lakeland), Kevin Roberts (Apopka), Daylen Russell Miami Christopher Columbus) and defensive end Dylan Stephenson Dylan Stephenson 6'4" | 220 lbs | DL Miami Christopher Columbus | 2024 State FL (Miami Christopher Columbus).
The linebackers were also worth checking out. Carter Dalton Carter Dalton 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Venice | 2024 FL (Venice), Bowen Drews (Plantation American Heritage), Eduardo Nunez (Homestead), Johnquae Richardson (Lake Wales), Nicholas Rodriguez Nicholas Rodriguez 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2024 State FL (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas) and Eli Seed (Venice).
Secondary prospects Jeff Bandy (Miami Christopher Columbus), Malachi Davey Malachi Davey 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB FL (Apopka), Zavier Mincey Zavier Mincey 6'3" | 190 lbs | DB Daytona Beach Mainland | 2024 State FL (Daytona Beach Mainland), Deylen Platt Deylen Platt 6'3" | 175 lbs | DB Venice | 2024 State FL (Venice), Antwone Robinson (Apopka), Dylan Simmons (Lake Wales) and Jancent Wallace Jancent Wallace 6'0" | 165 lbs | WR Miami Christopher Columbus | 2024 FL (Miami Christopher Columbus).
Michael Kern (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas) and Gavin Greathouse (Daytona Beach Mainland) are among the best in the state.
HOW ABOUT THOSE 2025 AND 2026 STANDOUTS!
While the rising seniors will be promising, those rising juniors and sophomores will also turn heads – like they have all season.
Class of 2025 prospects like offensive lineman Trenton Turner (Venice), defensive lineman Randy Adiricka (Miami Central), linebackers Hector Chavez Hector Chavez 5'10" | 210 lbs | LB Miami Christopher Columbus | 2025 State FL (Miami Christopher Columbus) and Ezekiel Marcelin Ezekiel Marcelin 6'0" | 190 lbs | LB Miami Central | 2025 State FL (Miami Central) and defensive backs Jordan Rich Jordan Rich 5'10" | 170 lbs | DB Plantation American Heritage | 2025 FL (Plantation American Heritage), Nick Acosta Nick Acosta 6'2" | 300 lbs | OL Lantana Santaluces | 2025 FL (Miami Central) and Drayden Wood (Daytona Beach Mainland).
The Class of 2026 also showed up at the state championships with Apopka quarterback Tyson Davison Tyson Davison 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Apopka | 2026 FL , running back Nicholas McCall Nicholas McCall 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Miami Central | 2025 State FL (Miami Central) receivers Anjuan Coleman Jr. (Miami Central) and Malachi Toney (Plantation American Heritage) and offensive lineman Caleb Harris Caleb Harris 6'3" | 265 lbs | OL Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2025 State FL (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas). St. Thomas Aquinas defensive back Justice Fitzpatrick is also solid.
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com.