Melbourne Has The Talent To Contend
In this article:
Nobody needs to tell first year Melbourne High head football coach Jeff Pannucci, his coaches and players, that the 2024 season was indeed a disappointment.
The Bulldogs did make the state playoffs, but that came after a season that watched this team finish 0-2 in District 5-6A play and some setbacks that should never have happened.
While losses to state powers Eau Gallie, Kissimmee Osceola and Seffner Armwood in the opening round of the playoffs are going to happen, there were some other games that this program has way too much talent to be on the losing end of.
There is no secret to success on the football field. This program has been at the top recently, and if they are going to get back to that position, it will start with this rising senior (2026) class. This is a group that has the talent, experience and leadership that will be needed.
Here are some of those prospects to keep an eye on:
Jaylen Daley Jaylen Daley 5'10" | 165 lbs | ATH Melbourne | 2026 FL , RB, 5'10, 160 – 3.2 GPA.
Ty Field, WR, 5'11, 160 – 3.8 GPA.
Josh Fils-Aime, OL, 6'4, 260 – 3.0 GPA.
Tyler Gagen, LB, 6'0, 200 – 4.3 GPA.
Isaac Jenkins, DB, 6'0, 180 – 2.6 GPA.
James Knolmayer, WR, 6'2, 170 – 3.65 GPA.
Mike Rogers, QB/Athlete, 5'8, 160 – 3.2 GPA.
Kevin Thorpe, DB/Athlete, 6'0, 175 – 3.3 GPA.
THE FUTURE WILL BE ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESS
As the rising seniors will be valuable, it's the younger prospects – the underclassmen who will be counted on heavily to bring this program back to a level that this team should be at.
CLASS OF 2027
Dean Baker, OL, 5'11, 230 – 3.6 GPA.
Fallon Battice, NT, 6'2, 300 – 2.5 GPA.
Carter Black Carter Black 6'3" | 295 lbs | OL Melbourne | 2027 State FL , OL, 6'4, 305 – 3.4 GPA.
Kamarre Jennings, LB/TE, 6-0, 190 – 3.2 GPA.
Kymarion Johnson, RB, 6'1, 180 – 2.5 GPA.
Jeremiah Thomas Jeremiah Thomas 6'1" | 160 lbs | WR Melbourne | 2027 FL , WR, 6'2, 155 – 3.2 GPA.
AWAITING SPRING VIDEO
Nate Alba, LB, 6-2, 185
Ethridge "EJ" Hall, WR, 6'3, 165 – 2.5 GPA
Eli Laporta, OL, 6-0, 240
CLASS OF 2028
Andrew Springstroh, OL, 6-3, 225 – 3.5 GPA.
Silas Walters, TE/DE, 6'3, 195 – 3.9 GPA.
AWAITING SPRING VIDEO
Eddrick "CJ" Hall, QB, 6'1, 180 – 2.7 GPA
Michael Wellman, OL, 6'2, 230 – 3.0 GPA
Florida March Class of 2026 Updated Rankings. https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/updated-2026-florida-rankings/
Statewide Coverage Daily. https://prepredzone.com/florida/
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com.
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