Polk Spotlight: Must-Watch Rising Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before the dust settles heading into the new fall season, new talent has emerged and established players have stepped up their game. There are plenty of notable stock risers who deserve recognition. These athletes have put in the work and have seen an uptick in offers/interest. Let's take a closer look at some top performers ready to shine this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='833712' first='Keveun' last='Mason'] | RB | Class of 2025 | Fort Meade | @keveunmason07</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since transferring to Fort Meade, Mason has been stamped as a true riser and has moved into my top 5 running back prospects in Polk. He will pick up some D1 offers during the offseason as he has totaled over 1,000 yards rushing while showing his versatile skill sets throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tavares Murray | DB | 2025 | Bartow | @TMurr_JR</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the premier risers in the Polk area has been the 2025 Bartow DB product, T Murr! He's growing more into his frame heading into his senior season and has displayed solid technique during the offseason 7v7 period where he's been noted as a standout at various tournaments. Look out for his name to pop on college coaches radar in the spring period.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kavon McKinney | DB | 2025 | Lakeland | @KavonMckinney</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Recent offers: USF, EKU, Rhode Island</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This kid has been one of the fastest-growing names in the Polk County area because of his immense upside to make an impact at the defensive back position. McKinney has a long frame at 6-1, 165-pound with a triple jump, 110 hurdles, and 4x relay track experience. That's what college coaches are looking for in next level athletes. Really impressive spring for this kid who is positioning himself for college interest.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='830612' first='Jamal' last='Williams'] | DL | 2025 | Haines City | @espnmall34</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1209647' first='Trey' last='Berry'] | DB | 2025 | LCS | @Trey_berryy2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 stats: 90 total tackles, 8.0 TFL, 4 INTs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cassidy Ervin | 2026 | WR | Winter Haven | @CassidyErvinn</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This kid just continues to develop elite route running skills and the confidence to execute against any competition. As noted, Ervin is an electric athlete that can be used all over the field. He should rack up yards in the slot position and in screen pass / end around offensive sets. One of the better and quicker rising prospects in the area who deserves the recognition.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>De'Coryian Stanley | 2025 | LB | Bartow @DeCoryianS&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Recent offers: Alcorn, EKU, FIU</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The head hunter and sure tackler for the Bartow defense will be rising senior linebacker DeCoryian Stanley. He just picked up a deserved D1 offer from Albany. He's a physical player with a decent frame and IQ to make plays at the position. I came to Bartow's practice with a question mark for the LBs but left impressed with Stanley's ability to be a leader in the middle of the defense.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Charles Calhoun | RB/LB | 2027 | Auburndale | @4_wayyyzz</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looks like this kid will be the bell cow for the Bloodhounds offense. Calhoun is a physical 2027 prospect with Dog mentality for the workload that'll come with the position this season. He has the size to be a blocking component as well but look for him to get between the tackles for hard-nose running.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cory Butler | 2025 | WR | Bartow | @whoiscb10</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Butler finished as my DOG of the day. This kid is a playmaker and can back it up in various aspects. I've already been impressed with his strong hands and decent route running but the blocking ability and flat-out killer 1v1 session have locked him in on the real deal breakout list.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1583333' first='Dontavius' last='Purdy'] | DL | 2026 | Lake Wales | @DontaviusPurdy6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 stats: 53 total tackles, 17.0 TFL, 6.0 sacks&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->