Regular Season Review: Polk County Tackling Machines
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It’s time to give the Tackling Machines some recognition as high school football coverage has been swamped with skill players and quarterback standouts. Throughout the week following Friday HS Football Game Day, Prep Redzone scout Drew Johnson will be highlighting…
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Continue ReadingIt’s time to give the Tackling Machines some recognition as high school football coverage has been swamped with skill players and quarterback standouts. Throughout the week following Friday HS Football Game Day, Prep Redzone scout Drew Johnson will be highlighting some of the standouts and notable performances from the weekend and we will now be listing various position groups. Teams around the state wrapped up the regular season and there were certainly some Notable Standouts to note.
Johnquae Richardson | LB | 2024 | Lakes Wales | @stayhumble_quay
2023 stats: 99 total tackles, 26.0 TFL, 4.0 sacks, 11.0 TPG
Richardson is a beast in person who flies all over the field and was one of the primary reasons teams couldn’t get anything going in the run game on Friday night. One of the top linebacker prospects is beginning to emerge as an interesting prospect for the next level. He led the state in total tackles last season and is on track to be in the top total tackles again this year though he plays with two other dominant tacklers.
Quinton Moore Jr Quinton Moore Jr 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Lake Gibson | 2024 FL | LB | 2024 | Lake Gibson | @QuintonMooreJr2
2023 stats: 103 total tackles, 7.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 9.3 TPG
Moore has developed into one of the top linebacker prospects in the Polk area and is finally starting to get the college attention he deserves as he received a couple of recent offers. A sure tackler who plays with his heart on his sleeve week in- week out. Senior season has concluded for Moore but he has the off-season to generate even more interest before signing.
Elijah Dias Elijah Dias 5'11" | 175 lbs | LB FL | LB | 2026 | Auburndale | @twin_frmpolk
2023 stats: 101 total tackles, 27.0 TFL, 5.0 sacks, 12.6 TPG
It’s nice to watch young high school football players fly around the field and put it on the line to make game-changing plays and when you do, it must be highlighted.
That’s seemingly all Auburndale’s 2026 linebacker Elijah Dias Elijah Dias 5'11" | 175 lbs | LB FL has put on film for college coaches to evaluate. He’s continuing to stay humble throughout the recruiting process but is determined to leave as one of the greats out of Polk County.
Jaydon Williams | ATH | 2024 | Bartow | @863_jayy1
Williams has developed into one of my top defensive back prospects in the Polk region. He can do it all: reliable tackling/coverage, advanced football IQ, and a high motor and engine to get things done on both sides of the ball. Impressed with his development and upside.
Malik Morris | LB | 2026 | Lakeland | @MalikMorris43_
Morris is a RISING STAR who has a nose for the ball and has been my standout linebacker this season. I’ve watched Morris fire off into his gap to finish off back-to-back tackles throughout the year and sure Morris will be one of the hottest names in the Polk County area next season.
Timothy Jones | LB | 2024 | Mulberry | @timothyjones_jr
2023 stats: 107 total tackles, 20.0 TFL, 4.0 sacks, 11.9 TPG
The tackle leader of the Mulberry Panthers defense has shocked the city this season with how well-coached and passionate the team has played together despite many tough seasons. Jones is another sleeper linebacker prospect who has a decent frame and has continued to produce good stats.
Trey’On Ellington | LB | 2024 | Winter Haven | @TreyEllington
2023 stats: 63 total tackles, 6.0 TFL
Ellington has been the engine of the Blue Devils’ defense this season and had a big-time performance against Auburndale on Friday night. For sure a player who can contribute at the next level for some of the local Florida schools.
Nate Gabriel Nate Gabriel 6'3" | 285 lbs | DL Auburndale | 2024 FL | DT | 2024 | Auburndale | @nathangabriel7_
The West Virginia commit has been the top defensive line prospect in the county. A state champion wrestler with tremendous upside at the next level.
Jaylen Evans | DL | 2024 | Lake Gibson | @JaylenE4412
2023 stats: 38 total tackles, 11.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks
Evans has proved to be one of the top defensive tackles and best available 2024 prospects in the Polk area with double-digit tackles for loss through week 8. He’s a 6’3, 250-pound versatile lineman who can cause havoc on opposing offensive lines. College coaches, check the film. He’s a good upside prospect with room to add weight.
Ladarrius Davis | DL | 2024 | Bartow | @LadarriusD25
2023 stats: 61 total tackles, 12.0 TFL, 8.0 sacks
An underrated production piece for the Yellow Jackets’ defense is a tackle-for-loss machine who finds himself in the opposing team’s backfield more than often. Decent size but plenty of upside to play the game at the college level.
Trey Berry Trey Berry 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB Lakeland Christian | 2025 FL | DB | 2025 | LCS | @Trey_berryy2
2023 stats: 90 total tackles, 8.0 TFL, 4 INTs
The Player of the Year for LCS this season is second on the team in total tackles as a defensive back while leading the team with 4 interceptions. He’s a decent-sized versatile athlete that can provide good coverage and solid tackling abilities.
Messiah Marlow | LB | 2024 | Lake Wales | @MarlowMessiah
2023 stats: 53 total tackles, 16.0 TFL, 5.0 sacks, 8.8 TPG
Marlow has had a productive session as he is constantly in the backfield or assisting on a tackle. It was good to see Marlow in person, he has a good frame and motor that will help him produce for a college at the next level. Plays the game fearless but has decent technique, impressed with his upside.
Keon Young | DB | 2025 | Lakeland | @keonyoung_55
Young was the co-Player of the Game in a big-time #863 showdown win against Bartow. He finished Thursday night with a huge momentum-shifting 83-yard pick-six and followed it up with 2 forced fumbles. That’s a game-changers college coache’s who will only continue to develop in his junior season. He provided good coverage and solid tackling as well throughout the night.
Jamal Williams Jamal Williams 6'2" | 230 lbs | DL Davenport Ridge Community | 2025 FL | DL | 2025 | Haines City | @espnmall34
This kid has the potential to be a Power 5 commit out of Polk County. Not much media love playing for HC but the size, numbers, and upside are there.
Quavion Bird Quavion Bird 6'1" | 265 lbs | DL Bartow | 2024 FL | DT | Class of 2024 | @bird_quavion
Bird is a beast in the trenches that has made it known to opposing offenses. He was an anchor on the defensive line to help Bartow complete a much-needed district comeback.
TJ Lane | DL | 2024 | Lake Gibson | @Tj73_
Ashton White | LB | 2024 | Fort Meade | @Ashtontofye23
White is the leader and head hunter of the Miners’ linebacker core and he showed that throughout the season. He’s some big-time tackles and the numbers show that.
Cedric Townsend | DB | 2025 | Mulberry | @Gokrazi_cool
Talk about wanting to put your name on the map. Townsend has made the most of his love for Mulberry and had a breakout game against Santa Fe, totaling 3 interceptions with a 108-yard pick-six. He also added 3 tackles, 1 PBU, and 1 TFL. They 80+ total tackles for a defensive back is why he made the list.
Best of the Rest:
Darian Kirkland Darian Kirkland 6'1" | 165 lbs | ATH Avon Park | 2025 FL | ATH | 2025 | Fort Meade | @d1_kirk10
Treston Ward | LB | 2024 | Frostproof | @Trestonnward1
Dylan Simmons | LB | 2024 | Lake Wales | @D1dilll
Wade Tyer Wade Tyer 6'1" | 200 lbs | LB Lakeland Lake Gibson | 2024 FL | LB | 2024 | Lake Gibson | @WadeTyer1
Robbie Gaskin | 2025 | ATH | Winter Haven | @Robbie2goated
2023 stats: 46 total tackles, 3.0 TFL, 2 INT
Dontavius Purdy | DL | 2026 | Lake Wales | @DontaviusPurdy6
2023 stats: 53 total tackles, 17.0 TFL, 6.0 sacks
Mikeyon Bruce | DL | 2024 | Bartow | @MoneyMike_96
2023 stats: 35 total tackles, 5.0 TFL
Jaden Gray | DB | 2025 | VCA | @GrayJaden_
2023 stats: 59 total tackles, 12.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks
Nazir Hayes | LB | 2024 | Winter Haven | @NazirHayes_45
2023 stats: 48 total tackles, 9.0 TFL
Markell Baker | ATH | Class of 2025 | @markellbaker
2023 stats: 44 total tacklesHudl: Markell Baker – Hudl