There's Plenty To Be Optimistic For The Tavares Bulldogs In 2026

When the Tavares Bulldogs dropped a first-round state playoff game to Eau Gallie last November, head coach Gavin Jones and his staff quickly shifted the focus to 2026.   After a 6-5 season, there were several things that this program looked back on and could have changed, but the reality is finishing second behind Orlando Bishop Moore and losing the head-to-head matchup with the Hornets told the story of the season.   With a solid spring and some productive plans for the summer, there is plenty to be excited about – with some impressive and experienced talent returning.   The Bulldogs will bring back some quality talent – with 2027 rising seniors Lanorris Collier (DE), Tamauri Collins (RB/DB), Ari Bentley (LB/HB), Ky-Mani Gardner (DE/RB), Ronald Rouse (DE), Jayden Robertson (DB/S) and Ashtyn Gunn (WR) – as well as 2028 rising junior Jamar Collins (RB/S).   Here is a look at some of the talent to keep an eye on in 2026:   CLASS OF 2027   Latraverick Anderson, OL/DL, 6'2, 260 – 2.82 GPA.   TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26449987/">https://www.hudl.com/profile/26449987/</a>   Ari Bentley, LB/HB, 5'10,  215 – 4.0 GPA.                                                            2025 STATS: 58 solo tackles, 53 assist, 111 total tackles; 2 sacks; 2 fumble recoveries; 16 rush, 170 yards, 3 TD.   TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19603950/">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19603950/</a>   [player_tooltip player_id='2130485' first='Jelani' last='Bentley'], LB/HB, 5'10, 215 - 3.95 GPA.   2025 STATS: 49 solo tackles, 43 assists, 92 total tackles; 4.5 sacks; 3 fumble recoveries; 3 rush, 36 yards, 2 TD. TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19603969/">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19603969/</a>   Lanorris Collier, DE, 5'11, 185 - 3.36 GPA.   2025 STATS: 16 solo tackles, 20 assists, 36 total tackles, 4.0 TFL, 1.5 sack, 1 fumble recovery TD.   TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19402264/">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19402264/</a>   Tamauri Collins, RB/DB, 5'6, 175 – 3.18 GPA.   2025 STATS: 175 carries, 1478 yards, 8.4 yds/rush, 147.8 yds/gm, 8 games 100+ yards, 25 TD.   TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19474574/">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19474574/</a>   Ky-Mani Gardner, DE/RB, 5'11, 180 – 3.55 GPA.   2025 STATS: 16 solo tackles, 35 assist, 51 total tackles, 6.0 TFL, 1 sack, 2 PD, 1 fumble recovery.   TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19522526/">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19522526/</a>   Ashtyn Gunn, WR, 5'6', 140 – 2.91 GPA.   2025 STATS: 10 receptions, 160 yards, 16 yds/rec, 2 TD.                      TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22456667/">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22456667/</a>   [player_tooltip player_id='2213260' first='Jesus' last='Oquendo'], NG, 5'10, 205 – 3.16 GPA.   2025 Stats: 10 solo tackles, 17 assists, 27 total tackles, 5.0 TFL, 1.0 sack.                                                        TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19603975/ ">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19603975/ </a>   Jayden Robertson, DB/S, 5'11, 160 – 3.15 GPA.   2025 STATS: 12 solo tackles, 16 assists, 28 total tackles, 1.5 TFL, 5 PD.   TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19474578/ ">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19474578/ </a>   Ronald Rouse, DE, 5'11, 175 – 2.54 GPA.   2025 STATS: 22 solo tackles, 24 assists, 46 total tackles, 13.5 TFL, 7.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery.              TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22015753/ ">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22015753/ </a>     CLASS OF 2028   Jamar Collins, RB/S, 5'6, 155 – 3.31 GPA.   2025 STATS: 43 carries, 396 yards, 9.2 yds/carry, 1 TD; 2 receptions, 65 yards; 12 solo tackles, 19 assists, 31 total tackles.   TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/23256516/">https://www.hudl.com/profile/23256516/</a>   Jaxon Culpepper, HB/TE, 6'1, 170 – 3.69 GPA.   TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26129983/">https://www.hudl.com/profile/26129983/</a>     CLASS OF 2029   Perry Davis, LB - 3.08 GPA.   TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/27374718/">https://www.hudl.com/profile/27374718/</a>   Asa Thompson, RB/DB - 3.5 GPA.   TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/26607331/">https://www.hudl.com/profile/26607331/</a>     2025 TAVARES BULLDOGS   Inverness Citrus, W 55-0   Groveland South Lake, L 23-12   Lakeland George Jenkins, W 36-0   The Villages Charter, L 35-14   Eustis, W 65-6   New Smyrna Beach, W 22-6   Mount Dora, W 41-7   Orlando Bishop Moore, L 54-33   Deltona, L 15-14   Clermont East Ridge, W 77-35 STATE PLAYOFFS   Eau Gallie, L 26-0     PHOTO COURTESY OF TAVARES FOOTBALL     Prep Redzone Florida Class of 2028 Spring Ranking Features Nearly 500 Prospects. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/prz-florida-2028-spring-ranking-features-nearly-500-prospects/">https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/prz-florida-2028-spring-ranking-features-nearly-500-prospects/</a>   Statewide Coverage Daily. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/">https://prepredzone.com/florida/</a>   You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: <a>Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.   COACHES, PLAYERS: Do You Have A Subscription? Contact us for a savings code so you can see what everyone has been talking about! <a>Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.

When the Tavares Bulldogs dropped a first-round state playoff game to Eau Gallie last November, head coach Gavin Jones and his staff quickly shifted the focus to 2026.