Spring Tour — Bartow | New Energy, Don’t Sleep

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As spring football ramps up across Florida, we made our second stop on the tour at Bartow High School—a program rich in tradition and now under new leadership. First-year head coach <strong>Grady Morrell </strong>is already making waves with a fast-paced tempo, renewed energy and a young core that's quickly taking shape. The Yellow Jackets are building something, and I was on hand for a second-week practice that had plenty of emerging talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Josiah White | DB | 2026 | @3_strapz</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there's a DB in Florida this spring with a Sunday frame, it's Josiah White. At 6-3 with length and fluid hips, he's a true matchup corner who just dropped a top five list that includes USF and Liberty. Still developing as a tackler, but the coverage traits are there. He's on a clear D1 track.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1258693' first='Ethan' last='Brous'] | QB | 2026 | @d1_e_9</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brous looked the part of a rising QB1. He's gaining confidence, and it showed with some dimes during 1v1s. What surprised me most was his mobility—he's not just a pocket guy. With his arm and athleticism, Brous could be the piece that makes this offense click.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1681626' first='Jaiziah' last='Battle'] | ATH | 2027 | @JaiziahBattle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top 2027 athletes in the county. He's starting to settle in at Bartow and looks comfortable in the scheme. I could see him excelling on either side of the ball, but he projects best long-term as a defensive back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carmello Harden | DL | 2028 | @Mello_da1_</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One word: problem. Harden is one of the most vocal and dominant underclassmen I've seen this spring. He's only a 2028 but already plays with a grown-man motor. With continued technical refinement, he's got real P5 potential. Stamp it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakout Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1681633' first='Vanshawn' last='Burch'] | OL/DL | 2027 | @Vanshawn495</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burch is one of the more versatile trench players on this roster. He's typically an anchor on the OL, but his flashes at DT stood out. At 6-3, 280, if he tones up and keeps developing, he'll be a real two-way force.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shemarie Collins | WR | 2027 | @Grindontstop03</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Collins brings that dog energy and got plenty of meaningful reps. He's physical, coachable, and clearly competing to carve out a role in this offense early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212279' first='Caleb' last='Bell'] | DE | 2026 | @CalebBell44</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bell has the tools you want in a young edge: quick get-off, active hands, and a high motor. With added strength, he could become one of the more productive pass rushers in the county.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ja'Kobie Terry | ATH | 2027 | @Kobie_863</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Terry is a versatile chess piece who can be used all over the field—screens, jet sweeps, or even taking carries. He's one of the more polished skill guys in this group and should be a key playmaker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Levi Peoples | OL | 2026 | @levipeeples77</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peoples brings a wrestler's grit to the offensive line. Strong base, solid frame (6-3, 285), and the mentality you want in a trench guy. With technical refinement, he's got college-level potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Major McBath | WR | 2027 | @Majormcb</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DOG of the day. McBath showed off sticky hands, crisp routes, and a competitive fire during 1v1s. He and Brous already seem to be building chemistry—don't be surprised if he becomes one of the top producers in this offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Messiah Borders | ATH | 2027 | @Messiah2borders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Borders didn't suit up due to injury, but the buzz around him is real. Coaches love his versatility and upside as a spark plug type once fully healthy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Le'Derrian Adams | ATH | 2027 | @LaDerrianAdams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adams impressed with his competitive edge—stepping up for extra reps after practice. He's physical and instinctive and could rack up stats in the secondary this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alijah Galva | ATH | 2028 | @AlijahGalva04</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top 2028s in the program. Has football bloodlines and is already showing promising footwork and awareness for his age. He's one to track over the next few years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1727718' first='Jarus' last='Simmons'] | DB | 2026 | @Jarussimmons</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Solid build and fluid in coverage, Simmons has the tools to contribute. Needs to keep tightening up his fundamentals, but he's in the mix for reps this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->