Polk County Trenches Spotlight Series

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1524509' first='James' last='Tilus'] | DE | 2026 | Auburndale | @JamesTilus8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6-3, 230 and a problem. Tilus is buzzing with D1 upside and now looks like a natural off the edge. He's got the frame, the burst, and it'll about refining the technique. If he locks it in mentally and cleans up his handwork, he could be one of the top edge rushers in Polk County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1695051' first='Ty' last='Montsdeoca'] | OL | 2027 | Fort Meade | @Ty_Montsdeoca&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Already standing 6-3, 235, Montsdeoca is turning heads as one of the best young linemen in the county. Plays physical, anchors well, and has the frame to keep growing. Starting to really generate some college interest heading into the fall. One to track. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elijah Byers | OL/DL | 2026 | Lake Gibson | @ElijahByers18</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Byers continues to anchor the line at 6-4, 310 pounds. He's put in the work to be fluid with his size and flashes power in the run stop game. What stood out this offseason was his improved hand strength, quick burst and overall upside in the trenches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carmello Harden | DL | 2028 | Bartow | @Mello_da1_</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This kid has immense potential. Harden is one of the more vocal and dominant underclassmen I've seen throughout the offseason. He's only a 2028 but already plays with a grown-man motor. With continued technical refinement, he's got real P4 potential. Stamp it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1143144' first='Riley' last='Cooper'] | OL/DL | 2026 | Auburndale | @Rileyfrmpolk</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most intriguing Polk linemen in the 2026 class. Cooper brings raw power in the trenches and surprising agility for his size. A hidden gem who could really take off with the right exposure and camp circuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1681633' first='Vanshawn' last='Burch'] | OL/DL | 2027 | Lakeland | @Vanshawn495</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burch is one of the more versatile trench players in the county and just transferred over to the Dreadnaughts. He's typically an anchor on the OL, but his flashes at DT stood out this offseason. 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>Walter Davis III | EDGE | 2026 | Lake Wales | @WalterJDavis11</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top edge defenders on the Lake Wales roster. Davis has twitch, hand usage, and effort. At 6-2, 205, he's tough to block and should be a key piece in this front seven.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Najee Reynold | OL | 2026 | @wbnajee</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A steady force on the offensive line with college experience and leadership. Reynold looked solid in both pass pro and run game reps. He anchors a strong returning unit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212279' first='Caleb' last='Bell'] | DE | 2026 | Bartow | @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>Levi Peoples | OL | 2026 | Bartow | @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>[player_tooltip player_id='1597326' first='Mason' last='Desandolo'] | DE | 2027 | Lake Gibson | @MDesandolo12</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Desandolo has flashed some real grit and motor this offseason. He's a developmental prospect, but the effort, physicality and steady improvement are noticeable. Definitely a kid who's trending up and could find himself a lot in the rotation this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='928360' first='Jordan' last='Jenkins'] | DL | 2026 | Lake Gibson | @jordann3jenkins</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jenkins remains one of the more intriguing trench prospects in the area. At 6-3, 315, he's got a college-ready frame, and if he keeps sharpening his footwork and pad level, it's only a matter of time before D1 schools take notice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='283767' first='Berny' last='Acosta'] | OL | 2026 | @berny_acosta56</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Acosta was one of the top-performing linemen when I came out to practice. He plays with a strong base, finishes blocks, and communicates well on the line. He may not be flashy, but he's dependable and has upside for the next level with more technical polish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267790' first='Nathan' last='Black'] | OL | 2026 | @nathan_black863</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6-5, 280, Black brings serious size to the offensive line group. He's raw in some areas, but the physical tools are there. If he commits to improving his footwork and leverage, he could become a key anchor for Lake Gibson's front five.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jonathan Michael | OL | 2026 | Lake Region | @LakelandMade863</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Michael is representing Lake Region the right way and is really trending towards a college developing prospect. Good size at 6-2, 280 pounds but he's fluid and understands how to use his hands and leverage already.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->