Newsome Learned From Competitive 2024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moments after losing to eventual 7A state champion Venice in the second round of the state playoffs, Lithia Newsome head coach <strong>Jeff Turner</strong> and his team looked toward 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finishing 8-4 and 2-2 in a competitive District 7-7A, there was a feeling that the corner had been turned, and while they were soundly beaten by the Indians in the playoffs, this is a program that believes it has laid down the foundation needed to make a run in a tough classification.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While that loss to Venice – and earlier in the year to Plant City in a district matchup, which got away, the Wolves were in every game. Only a 21-14 setback to Palmetto and a 17-14 district contest to Riverview Sumner showed how competitive the district was.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As they hit the off-season, the focus was squarely on 2025 – and while several prospects return – the focus was on those players, in each class, that would help to elevate this program even further.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at some of those student/athletes, who not only produce on the football field, but are giving colleges something positive with what they achieve in the classroom:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Christian Mastendrea, OL, 6'3”, 315 – 3.3 GPA. </strong>This is one of those players this coaching staff was talking about when having rising seniors with talent and leadership. Great size, strength and leadership at a position that this team will definitely need.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18534997/674773c4155bc86e992332a8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18534997/674773c4155bc86e992332a8</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marc Smith, OL, 6'5”, 350 – 4.11 GPA. </strong>Versatile prospects like this will be essential. The first thing you notice about this young man – obviously – is his size. He is indeed large but has tremendous footwork and will open holes for the running game while providing pass protection. He also has the talent to play on the defensive side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/2913675/676d92843665c7256d09391a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/2913675/676d92843665c7256d09391a</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tre Curateli, DB, 5'11”, 175 – 4.3 GPA. </strong>Yet another of the players on this team who not only gets it done on the football field but also happens to be one of the top students on this team. The more you watch him play this game, the more you are impressed by everything he brings to the game. Tremendous open field tackler who will stick his body in there on pass coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22383391/6744edf8443c3d89b0694949" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22383391/6744edf8443c3d89b0694949</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gianni Flore, FB/LB, 5'10”, 220 – 3.4 GPA. </strong>When you have a student/athlete who will roll up their sleeves and play anywhere you ask them to, it is indeed something special. As a runner he will get those tough yards needed for first downs and touchdowns. As a linebacker, he will sacrifice his body to help this team win games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9982076/6757b6d1dd682ed32cd64bb5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9982076/6757b6d1dd682ed32cd64bb5</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaikim Haggans, RB, 5'9”, 180 – 3.5 GPA. </strong>This young man is a very smooth runner who has vision, a burst and a knack of where the flow of the play is headed. Whether it's in the middle of the field or down near the endzone, this is a player you want to give the ball to. Super balance and will filter out of the backfield to block and catch is needed. Is become a well-rounded back that colleges are watching this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19759495/677e93fc300fd8b162fa59b8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19759495/677e93fc300fd8b162fa59b8</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jeremy Tolliver, OLB/WR, 6'3”, 177 3.5 GPA. </strong>This is one of those young players that college coaches will need to put on their radar. A big body receiver who can catch and run. In some offenses at the next level, he could become a tight end or large slot player. Defensively, he has long arms and will get after it – perhaps an outside linebacker or even an Edge Rusher, but he has two full years to grow and mature.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/23050989/Jeremy-Tolliver-jr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/23050989/Jeremy-Tolliver-jr</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AWAITING SPRING VIDEO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Derrick Muse, Athlete, 6'4”, 180</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Max Urbanek, WR/RB, 6'5”, 160</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ryan Moran, DE/TE, 6'3”, 238 – 4.0 GPA. </strong>Hard to believe after watching him play that he was just a freshman. He's young and has a lot to learn but plays more maturely than his years. You just sit back and watch him grow into a position. He has a frame that could handle 40 plus pounds, but at this age, it is never easy to be sure. He is one of Florida's top 2028 prospects right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22569235/675b19885a7cb1198143daf7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22569235/675b19885a7cb1198143daf7</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Florida March Class of 2026 Updated Rankings. <a>https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/updated-2026-florida-rankings/</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Statewide Coverage Daily. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/">https://prepredzone.com/florida/</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>COACHES, PLAYERS: Do You Have A Subscription? Contact us for a savings code so you can see what everyone has been talking about! Floridakids1@aol.com.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->