863Showcase: Top Offensive Standouts

The high school football offseason has brought about anticipated showcases around the state of Florida. Polk County hosted an event on Wednesday with some of the top prospects in the area to showcase their skills in front of college coaches and scouts. Prep Redzone scout Andrew Johnson attended the event to provide a list of top prospect standouts from various position groups with notable names to know. This list will include players of the day and standouts from the QBs, RBs and WRs groups. Make sure to follow PrepRedzoneFL for more player evaluations from various position groups.     Stars shine: The state of Florida is known for producing talented football players and Polk County is an example of a hotbed area for high school athletes. The event featured prospects from various classes and positions with hopes to play college football at the next level. There were a number of standouts from Wednesday's showcase and this list will provide the names of those that shined brighter than the competition.   Players of the Day:   [player_tooltip player_id='404260' first='Jamar' last='Taylor Jr'] | 2024 ATH | Lakeland | @JamarTaylorJr1   Taylor was outstanding throughout the showcase earning him my Player of the Day honors after dominating on both sides of the ball. He is listed as our<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/01/863showcase-instant-takeaways/"> showcase standout</a> in a previous article because of his measurables, speed and overall play at the receiver position. He holds multiple Division 1 offers including Pittsburgh, Colorado and UCF. Will be someone to keep an eye on during his senior season.   Joshua Porter | 2024 WR | Fort Meade | @PorterJoshuaWR2   If it wasn't for the impressive showing of Taylor, it was Porter whose name was next on the list for Player of the Day honors. This kid is flat out a baller. I'm not sure how local college coaches have missed this prospect but showcases like this are a perfect opportunity to get eyes on under recruited players. Porter is a lengthy receiver that gets out of his break well and runs crisp routes to get by defenders. Whenever he doesn't completely win a rep, he beats out defensive backs for the ball with strong glue-like hands and basketball-esque vertical ability.   QB:   Zachary Pluess | 2023 QB | Lakeland | @ZacharyPleuss   Pluess was voiced by other receivers to be the No. 1 quarterback throughout the showcase. He has really good arm strength despite the smaller frame and understands how to throw his receivers open. The 6'0, 180-pound state champion was throwing accurate dimes during the route on air sessions that garnered a few reactions from the viewing crowd. Holds an offer from Iowa Wesleyan University and Allen University.   Trent Grotjan | 2023 QB | Lake Wales | @GrotjanTrent   Grotjan was the gunslinger of the day because of his torching throwing power and good ball placement. The state champion quarterback immediately caught my eye with a thicker frame for his stature. At 6'0, 195 pounds, Grotjan displayed excellent technique and footwork along with completing some big-time throws over the top of defenders. I doubt he doesn't earn an offer shortly after the event or sometime during the offseason.     RB:   Dee Rucker | 2024 RB | Lakeland | @Dee3_Rucker   I almost mistook Rucker for another prospect because I first saw him locking up receivers as a defensive back. Rucker is really athletic with the ability and skill sets to excel at multiple positions on the field. He is a gadget chess piece that can run the ball between the tackles or line up in the slot. The 5'9, 185-pound running back has natural instincts with elite breakaway speed and body control. The three-star back received an offer from Liberty before the showcase and currently holds offers from Tennesee, FAU and South Carolina.    Rashad Orr | 2024 RB | Victory Christian Academy | @RashadOrr4   This was my first time watching Orr go to work in person and I left the showcase impressed with a few positives. Firstly, he passes the eye test. Watching film is one thing but nothing beats putting your eyes on prospects. Orr has shifty speed for the position and lined up as a receiver to display his versatility. The junior finished with solid numbers on the season, recording five 100+ yard games for Victory.      WR:   Rick Penick | 2024 WR | Ridge Community | @rick_p7   Penick is a really exciting and fun prospect to watch because he walks with confidence on his sleeve and isn't afraid to show it. Penick looked impressive from the start in route on air drills while displaying tremendous body control, fluid route-running and strong hands. When it came time for 1v1s, Penick was still able to dominate some of the completion. Despite his smaller frame, I think Penick will develop even more and make an impact at the Division I level.   Damarion Mitchell | 2024 ATH | Lake Placid | @4waymari_   Mitchell earned his way on the list and was arguably one of the more impressive prospects throughout the day. He's a versatile athlete that can play on both sides on the ball. What was most imposing about his play was the ability to simply out jump defenders in jump ball situations. There was more than once that Mitchell came down with an eye-opening catch against some of the top defensive backs at the event.   TE:   Omari Mixon | 2024 TE | Lakeland | @omarimixon   I had a chance to watch Mixon during the regular season so it was nice to see him perform well on Wednesday. Mixon was lined up with the receivers for majority of the day but shined in his own right and dropped zero passes that I know of. He is already an excellent blocking comment on a Lakeland Dreadnaught offense that was littered with skill talent. Eager to see him put everything together. Potential Divison I or mid-level tight end.   Notable Names:   [player_tooltip player_id='401419' first='Joel' last='Morris'] | 2026 QB | Lake Gibson | @1_Joel_Morris   One of the more intriguing young prospects attending this showcase because of his potential upside. At 6'2, 180-pounds, Morris passes the eye test and has developed a technique for the position at his age.   [player_tooltip player_id='1230854' first='Darian' last='Kirkland'] | 2025 WR | Avon Park | @ap_bound   Kirkland was one of the first names written down on my notes list. Easy to notice because of the bright yellow and red all-start he wore but even more because of the tangibles. Kirkland has long arms and a lengthy frame for his age. Runs routes with speed and explosiveness but understands body control.   Keveun Mason | 2025 RB | Lake Placid | @Keveunmason7   Mason is fluid and twitchy for his position. I was only able to watch him go through reps a few times but came away impressed with his agility and potential upside.   Dathan Glover | 2025 ATH | Santa Fe Catholic | @7_pingg   I was able to watch Glover line up on both sides of the ball while his coach and I watched him compete. Decent coverage skills but excels at the receiver position. Plenty of time to develop.   Quantavious Callaway | 2024 RB | Lake Region | @CoveBoiiQue   Callaway wasn't afraid to compete against some of the better defenders despite being a running back. Immediately noticed him because of his size. Led Lake Region in rushing yards last season.   Dawson Reid | 2024 TE | Lake Region | @dawon3k

The high school football offseason has brought about anticipated showcases around the state of Florida. Polk County hosted an event on Wednesday with some of the top prospects in the area to showcase their skills in front of college coaches and scouts. Prep Redzone scout Andrew Johnson attended the event to provide a list of top prospect standouts from various position groups with notable names to know. This list will include players of the day and standouts from the QBs, RBs and WRs groups. Make sure to follow PrepRedzoneFL for more player evaluations from various position groups.