Hidden Talent Uncovered In Gainesville Area

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the dust settled on the 2025 high school football season, coaches and fans are looking back on a year that was certainly active across the Sunshine State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From the Panhandle down through south Florida, the talent was impressive – and while singling out every player who made an impact is not a reality in a state so bog and filled with elite prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you follow <strong><em>Prep Redzone Florida</em></strong> throughout the course of a year – on the website and via our X account on social media – you already know that no other source nationally can give you daily prospect information like we do. We bring you 12 month a year coverage of football talent in all classes that college coaches and our thousands of readers have the opportunity to check out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we look back and salute the champions in each class – we also take the time to recognize the gifted players who made an impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we check out the top defensive talent in the Gainesville area and Alachua County, which is often lost in areas like Jacksonville and Orlando, which now covers the north Florida region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gainesville was home to some quality talent and teams – like we uncovered Rural champion Hawthorne last week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><br>2028 - Caiden Carn, DB, 5'11, 165 Starke Bradford County – 3.5 GPA. </strong>In a year when the Tornadoes advanced as a top seed with an 11-2 record, here is an elite talent that stepped up with 34 tackles, four interceptions – one that he took back for a touchdown and key plays as this team outscored the opposition, 380-94.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22429632/692da654cd06d6b43c35dbac" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22429632/692da654cd06d6b43c35dbac</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 - Cole Chong-you, Edge/LB, 6'0, 213, Alachua Santa Fe – 4.2 GPA. </strong>When we brought you this elite talent during the season, he was on a course to become one of the region's best defensive prospects. He ended up with&nbsp; 10 sacks, 32 tackles, four forced fumbles – one recovered, two pass deflections and 17 QB Hits/Hurries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19671227/Cole-ChongYou" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19671227/Cole-ChongYou</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – Julian De La Cruz, SS, 5'10, 165, Lake City Columbia – 3.8 GPA. </strong>Here is a program that is always among the best and continues to churn out quality athletes. This is a prospect that certainly had a hand in a 9-3 season that included a state playoff win. Not only an elite playmaker in the defensive secondary, but showed his skill level as a pass defender. Has the chance to play this sport at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18481785/68d0284c02358d548bb12398" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18481785/68d0284c02358d548bb12398</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 - Galen Miller, OLB, 6'2, 225, Gainesville Eastside – 3.3 GPA. </strong>There was no getting around the fact that the Rams had one of their most productive programs in years – finishing with a district title and a 9-3 record, losing in the state playoffs. This was a gifted football player who came to work every day and made an impact. He is the kind of prospect who makes those around him better – as he showed in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17946668/66f7295fa307270fe885e631" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17946668/66f7295fa307270fe885e631</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 - Caleb Young, LB/SS, 6'0, 205, Gainesville Buchholz. </strong>There may not have been a more productive player on a team that was easily one of the best in the state, advancing to the playoffs as a district champion, competing against top-flight competition. During the 12-2 season, this was a playmaker who showed his versatility. The kind of player who elevates those around him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17536641/Caleb-Young-Jr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/17536641/Caleb-Young-Jr</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 - Evan Walker, Edge, 6'4, 225, Gainesville Buchholz – 3.7 GPA. </strong>Talk about an impact player, this Air Force commitment was all over the field in each game. Opposing teams set their offense to stay away from this two-sport athlete. This is not the last time you will hear this name. Watch him play and you will see why the Bobcats did so well this past season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19385536/Evan-Walker" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19385536/Evan-Walker</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 PREP REDZONE FLORIDA STOCK UP EVENT. <u><a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2137/register/stock-up-showcase-florida">https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2137/register/stock-up-showcase-florida</a></u></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! <a href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->