863Showcase: Instant Takeaways

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"18px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:18px"><strong><em>The high school football offseason has brought about anticipated showcases around the state of Florida. Polk County hosted an event on Wednesday</em> <em>with some of the top prospects in the area to showcase their skills in front of college coaches and scouts.&nbsp;<em><em>Prep Redzone Florida will always promote everybody in hopes of them getting the opportunity of playing college football at the next level.</em></em></em> <em>Prep Redzone scout Andrew Johnson attended the event to provide insights and takeaways. </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1.) <strong>Showcase recap: </strong>This was the second annual event hosted in the Polk County area where nearly 200 prospects showed up to compete and develop their technique. The showcase began with stretching drills to get the kids warmed up followed by pep talks coming from various coaches. The action came with quarterbacks throwing routes on air drills to tweak chemistry and timing with the receivers. On the opposite side of the field were the offensive linemen exhibiting their skill sets against some of the top edge rushers in the county. Linebacker coaches preached proper tackling technique and tips for getting downhill. In the end, we were treated with a 25 min 1v1 session to put everything learned from throughout the day to the test. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2.) <strong>Top Standout:</strong> No doubt the prospect who had the most impact on both sides of the ball Wednesday night was Lakeland High School's [player_tooltip player_id='404260' first='Jamar' last='Taylor Jr']. I was eager heading into the showcase because I hadn't watch much of Taylor play agaisnt similar competetion. The 6'1, 187-pound junior impressed scouts and coaches with the ability to run by defenders and line up to cover someone the next rep. Passes the eye and measurable test. Has good play speed and length to pair with it to make him a valuable athletic prospect. Taylor said he excels on both sides but wants to play receiver at the next level. Holds multiple Division 1 offers including Pittsburgh, Colorado and UCF. Will be someone to keep an eye on during his senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3.) <strong>New Faces:</strong> There are always players you have highlighted going into an event but it's the new faces or underclassmen that allow an opportunity to provide needed coverage. The future is bright in the area. Below will be a list that includes names and films of the notable class of 2025 and 2026 prospects that impressed during the showcase. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='401419' first='Joel' last='Morris']&nbsp;| 2026 QB | Lake Gibson | @1_Joel_Morris</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dathan Glover | 2025 ATH | Santa Fe Catholic | @7_pingg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Film:</strong> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16228383/636bd47532e77d047ccda590">end of sophomore season highlights - Dathan "aquil" Glover highlights - Hudl</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1230854' first='Darian' last='Kirkland'] | 2025 WR | Avon Park | @ap_bound</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Film</strong>: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16891875/63ab70abb53ee408500da983">Sophomore Season Highlights - [player_tooltip player_id='1230854' first='Darian' last='Kirkland'] highlights - Hudl</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ben Beymer | 2025 OT | Auburndale | @BenBeymer</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Film:</strong> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17394420/6377380038637c0cf0b46873">(2022 SEASON) SOPHOMORE YEAR - Ben Beymer highlights - Hudl</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='401418' first='Jerry' last='Thomas'] | 2026 WR | Lake Gibson | @JerryBeast2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bryce Levidiotis | 2025 QB | Lake Wales | @LevidiotisBryce</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Film: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16326229/631d7dd564df200af0c8fd13">Brycen Levidiotis 2025 QB 6' 180 - Brycen Levidiotis highlights - Hudl</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Damareion Smith | 2025 LB | Bartow | @damareion_smith</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18013749/Damareion-Smith">Damareion Smith - Hudl</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->