The Talented Lennard Longhorns Are No Longer A Big Secret

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Through the first seven weeks of the 2025 football season, the Ruskin Lennard Longhorns were the talk of Florida football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Under the direction of head coach <strong>K.B. Belton</strong> and a quality staff this team rolled out seven consecutive wins while overwhelming the competition, 286-19 with three shutouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Then came the back-to-back district games against Parrish Community (14-6) and state-rated Palmetto (31-6).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Longhorns opening round game in the state playoffs did not go as planned as they dropped a decisive 40-9 decision to Trinity Mitchell, ending a promising year 8-3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Among the prospects coming back who helped this program flourish a year ago includes All-American <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1670951' first='Mekhi' last='Williams'], Bryce Herald, Robert Gibbons, Al'Quan Smith</strong> and versatile <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2122902' first='Chayse' last='Brown']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If this program is to take it one step further this coming season, the rising senior (2027) class is loaded with quality talent that is ready to make an impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some of those players to keep an eye on:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preston Beckham, RB/DB, 6'0, 175 – 3.6 GPA. Track &amp; Field. Valrico Bloomingdale transfer.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22016362/Preston-Beckham" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22016362/Preston-Beckham</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Robert Gibbons, DB, 5'10, 165. Riverview Sumner transfer.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/20308647/Robert-Gibbons" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/20308647/Robert-Gibbons</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bryce “B-9” Herald, S, 5'10, 180 – 4.1 GPA. Riverview Sumner transfer.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19872335/Bryce-Herald" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19872335/Bryce-Herald</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aiden Ivery, Athlete, 5'8, 155 – 3.9 GPA. Track &amp; Field.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://x.com/i/status/1984684706995355886" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://x.com/i/status/1984684706995355886</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kordae Oleskewicz, OT, 6'2, 300.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://access.qwikcut.com/highlights/68d2c478bdb1e69d564e9749" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://access.qwikcut.com/highlights/68d2c478bdb1e69d564e9749</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Al'Quan “Slime” Smith, WR, 5'10, 155 – 3.2 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://access.qwikcut.com/highlights/68e31ef27db9e7cce73fbbba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://access.qwikcut.com/highlights/68e31ef27db9e7cce73fbbba</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1670951' first='Mekhi' last='Williams'], DB, 6'2, 175.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://access.qwikcut.com/hub/detail/66c13149bb85c80efcff78dd/Mekhi-Williams" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://access.qwikcut.com/hub/detail/66c13149bb85c80efcff78dd/Mekhi-Williams</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1721117' first='Nykel' last='Young'], LB, 5'11, 215 – 3.3 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19619104/68d8b66f364a4eed0dab8078" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19619104/68d8b66f364a4eed0dab8078</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEY UNDERCLASSMEN WILL ADD TO THE TALENT LEVEL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While there are some quality Class of 2027 rising seniors ready to showcase their talent and leadership, this program also will have some key younger prospects as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While there are already some proven talent, this team will also have some newcomers that will be anxious to also showcase their many skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2122902' first='Chayse' last='Brown'], WR/CB, 6'2, 155.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://access.qwikcut.com/highlights/68b29766ad3e4ae008fb3ce1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://access.qwikcut.com/highlights/68b29766ad3e4ae008fb3ce1</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Terrence O'Neal-Leather, WR, 6'0, 160 – 3.0 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://access.qwikcut.com/highlights/69288bc9593c714cfee4e866" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://access.qwikcut.com/highlights/69288bc9593c714cfee4e866</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Parker Owens, DE/DT, 6'0, 235 – 3.0 GPA. Wrestling.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://access.qwikcut.com/highlights/697f9ba303339a8691e79ad1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://access.qwikcut.com/highlights/697f9ba303339a8691e79ad1</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2029</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Beck Funderburk, OL, 6'6, 280 – 3.7 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://access.qwikcut.com/highlights/691c9ce157d19cca6b841a5e" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://access.qwikcut.com/highlights/691c9ce157d19cca6b841a5e</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ethan McConnell, OL, 6'5, 290.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://access.qwikcut.com/hub/detail/66cbc04820d00be22e137e85/Ethan-McConnell" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://access.qwikcut.com/hub/detail/66cbc04820d00be22e137e85/Ethan-McConnell</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Ruskin Lennard Longhorns</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dade City Pasco, W 38-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riverview Spoto, W 58-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tampa Blake, W 28-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fort Myers Gateway, W 50-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tampa Leto, W 53-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bradenton Lakewood Ranch, W 35-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Plant City, W 24-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parrish Community, L 14-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Palmetto, L 31-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tampa Chamberlain, W 20-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STATE PLAYOFFS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trinity Mitchell, L 40-9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FLORIDA EXPOSURE EVENT COMING MAY 23RD. Right after spring and a week before summer. This is a cannot miss exposure camp/combine. Sign Up Early!!! <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2242/register/exposure-series-florida">https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2242/register/exposure-series-florida</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: <a href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.</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! <a href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->