FBU Orlando Camp: Top Offensive Performers

If you want to find Central Florida high school talent, go to an FBU Orlando camp. In my previous two articles for PrepRedzoneNEXT and PrepRedzoneFL, I broke down a little bit of the history of Football University and their presence in the landscape of middle & high school recruiting since the late 2000s. I also listed some of the heavyweight football players that have come out of the FBU Orlando ranks, with upcoming 2023s like [player_tooltip player_id="128041" first="Payton" last="Kirkland"] and [player_tooltip player_id="128018" first="Derrick" last="Leblanc"] positioned to continue the line of NFL-caliber prospects to sharpen their teeth with FBU competition and coaching on the way to playing major P5 football. Director Lo Wood does a great job of finding, developing, and maximizing the talent in his area’s players, and I got a good feeling that a couple of the offensive standouts from Sunday’s Orlando stop have a great chance of stepping into the accomplished shoes of their Central Florida football predecessors. Get to know my Top Offensive Performers below and thank you for reading! Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="163001" first="Niko" last="Boyce"] (Naples High School) 6’, 180 lbs. C/o 2025. @NikoBoyce My QB1 at the FBU Orlando stop was a familiar face in PRzFL Showcase alum and recent University of Oregon offeree [player_tooltip player_id="163001" first="Niko" last="Boyce"], who was absolutely on fire last Sunday and is already an accomplished Football University product who earned an FBU Freshman All-American nod this past fall. The Naples product is dripping with arm talent and was on fire Sunday, consistently flashing impressive ball placement to receivers at all levels of the field. He displayed a smooth, technically sound throwing motion who could get the ball out of his hand quickly and on time and showed arm strength and accuracy from a variety of arm angles both inside and outside of the pocket. The ball routinely came out of his hand with notable zip and velocity as well, and with so much going for him as only a freshman I think he’s just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential. Boyce has made me a big believer and fan out of me this winter/spring. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-275314" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/52-Nikolay-Boyce-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="163001" first="Niko" last="Boyce"] - 2025 QB Zander Smith (Palmetto) 6’4, 225 lbs. C/o 2025. @zander_smith15 The most eye-catching QB prospect at the FBU Orlando stop no doubt went to Bradenton native Zander Smith, who fit the prototypical pocket-passer frame and mold that gets OCs and recruiting coordinators drooling. Sometimes with bigger QBs, the player possesses only a strong arm that throws a solid deep ball, and occasionally you’ll look at the kid and think he may project better to TE or another spot at the next level. However, Smith is not that kind of XL QB recruit. He displayed legitimate arm talent that reared its head on throws all over the field and possessed the velocity, touch, and arm strength to hit deep comebacks, digs, and corners, along with a variety of difficult throws. Smith has a quick, clean release and good footwork & lower body flexibility that he regularly uses to get the most out of his throws. It wasn’t hard to realize he’s got some real-deal talent and checks a ton of boxes you want to see in a freshman quarterback with P5 potential. You’ll be hearing more from Zander Smith soon! <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-311249" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Zander-Smith-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Zander Smith - 2025 QB Emorej Terry (Andrew Jackson) 6’, 165 lbs. C/o 2023. @QB_SlimTerry1 If you’ve read my previous feature recapping the FBU Orlando camp then you already know that Andrew Jackson High School in Jacksonville brought a deep contingent of talent to the weekend competition representing a variety of positions on the gridiron. One of these studs happened to be their quarterback Emorej Terry, who I enjoyed watching sling the rock thanks to the consistent, audible, and snappy amount of zip he could put on his throws. He got the pigskin almost whistling through the air when it snapped out of his hand and he also threw an accurate ball that he showed off particularly well during 1-on-1s. He’s also mobile, could maneuver the pocket well, and has the chance to add a ton of weight and muscle in a college strength and conditioning program. He’s still waiting on that first offer! <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-311236" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Emorej-Terry-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Emorej Terry - 2023 QB Jhamari Harvell (Sandalwood) 6’, 210 lbs. C/o 2023. @_greatgame2 Harvell possessed one of the more thick and powerful frames among the QB group last Sunday and his arm strength definitely matched the build of the rising senior out of Jacksonville Beach. He could whip the ball with noteworthy velocity and could generate a particular amount of heat on his throws at the first and second levels of the field. I also liked how quickly he got the rock out of his hand and how he kept his throwing motion tight and consistent even when he was tired. He also looks like he’d be a load to try and bring down in the backfield. Harvell is still waiting on that first offer! <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-311237" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Jhamari-Harvell-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Jhamri Harvell - 2023 QB Running Back [player_tooltip player_id="128456" first="Fred" last="Gaines"] (Andrew Jackson) 6’1, 180 lbs. C/o 2023. @FreddrickGaines Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to scout the RB position group as much as I would have liked, but I was lucky enough to get my eyes on the long, explosive, and dynamic Andrew Jackson High School rising senior [player_tooltip player_id="128456" first="Fred" last="Gaines"]. Another Andrew Jackson prospect balling out last Sunday? Yes, it is true, and no, I swear I don’t have a hidden agenda giving the Duval-area magnet so much attention. Gaines really impressed me with his route-running ability during 1-on-1s, as he was shifty, deceptive, and played with a ton of speed, especially on routes downfield. He could drop his hips and create separation with multiple breaks and cuts and ran some especially mean double moves and particularly a nasty corner-post. Gaines also was dangerous in the open field with the ball in his hands and a strong overall athlete with a ton of versatility in his game. He gave LBs hell all afternoon long at West Orange High School. No wonder he holds an FBS offer from UMass and is getting heavy FAMU interest. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-311248" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Fred-Gaines-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="128456" first="Fred" last="Gaines"] - 2023 RB Wide Receiver Dallen Ponder (Ocala Vanguard) 5’9, 165 lbs. C/o 2024. @DallenPonder The alpha of the wideout group came from my neck of the woods and Ocala Vanguard rising junior Dallen Ponder. A menace as a route runner who was particularly dangerous in his releases at the LOS against press-man, Ponder was polished in his routes for his age who could break off his cuts in the blink of an eye. He was able to create separation at almost any point in his route thanks to his impressive timing, shiftiness, and explosiveness. DBs had a ton of trouble getting a hand on him, much less covering him, and he left more than a few opponents swiveling their head and grabbing their ankles as they tried to figure out where Ponder went during the course of that route. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-311240" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Dallen-Ponder-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Dallen Ponder - 2024 WR Braylon Knauth (Lake Minneola) 5’8, 160 lbs. C/o 2024. @BraylonKnauth Don’t worry about the size in the rising upperclassman Braylon Knauth, as he is a cut-up and strapped little bundle of muscle in his 5’8, 160 lb. frame. Knauth was an absolute lighting in a bottle jitterbug who was the most elusive player at the camp with the ball in his hands. Knauth was positively lethal during short-area, open-field, 1-on-1, DB vs. WR tackling drills who was a master at creating space and juking the cleats off of potential defenders. He can cut on a dime and did a great job of setting up opponents to over pursue or lung and make them pay for it. The kind of body control, lateral agility, and elusiveness is hard to come by and I’d take him in the open field over any other camper at the FBU Showcase. Very fun to watch. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-311245" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Braylon-Knawth-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Braylon Knauth - 2024 WR Caleb Rollerson (North Marion) 6’2, 185 lbs. C/o 2024. A long, well-built wideout whose size and game would project well to the X position in college, Rollerson was a productive downfield threat last Sunday with the speed to pull away from DBs when going vertical. He was also consistent at stacking corners after getting them out of position, had soft hands, and could win 50/50 contested catches against tight coverage. As a rising junior I think he’s got a lot of potential as a big play WR as a high school upperclassman and beyond. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-311244" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Caleb-Rollerson-crop-639x420-1648247395-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Caleb Rollerson - 2024 WR Offensive Lineman Joseph Colosi (American Heritage) OC. 6’1, 275 lbs. C/o 2023. @ColosiJoey A soon-to-be four-year starter at powerhouse American Heritage, Colosi was an absolute animal at the FBU Orlando stop against a talented group of opposing defensive lineman. He had a strong, powerful base that could absorb and handle bull rushes and other power moves from NGs and DTs and did a great job of countering pass rush moves from DL, using their leverage against them, and routinely finishing them into the dirt. He also had heavy, violent hands that made an audible thud when he put them on defenders and had a mean streak and competitive attitude that will really serve him well at the next level. He earned his first D1 offer from Campbell University earlier this month and has received junior day invites from FAU, Lehigh, North Alabama, Dartmouth, UMass, and Miami (FL). Don’t play around with this dude in the trenches! <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-311238" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Joseph-Colosi-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="128568" first="Joey" last="Colosi"] - 2023 OC [player_tooltip player_id="154203" first="Quory" last="Ambrose"] (Andrew Jackson) OG. 6’2, 280 lbs. C/o 2024. @brosethealbum The final Andrew Jackson standout from the FBU stop in Orlando came along their offensive line and rising junior iOL [player_tooltip player_id="154203" first="Quory" last="Ambrose"]. The 6’2, 280 lber. wore the 280 well and shined when the lights came down and 1-on-1 competition began. He was a nasty and consistent finisher who recorded more than 50 pancake blocks last fall and put that understanding of leverage and finishing power to good use against the DL competition last Sunday. He was patient at flashing his hands and strong at the point of contact. Could also handle speed or power moves. Niko Spilotro (Land O’ Lakes) OG. 6’3, 300 lbs. C/o 2025. @NikoSpilotro One of the young bucks of the prep OL group came from intriguing Land O’ Lakes freshman guard Niko Spilotro. He got better as the afternoon progressed and did a nice job of keeping his hands on the chest plate of opponents. Had the natural strength as a first year to handle the bull rushes of experienced DTs. Brody and Graysen Riffe (West Orange) OTs. 6’8, 300+. C/o 2023. @brody_riffe & @GraysenRiffe The twin behemoths from hosting high school West Orange had themselves a solid day against P5 talent coming at them off the edge. Although they were inconsistent at times, when they were on they showed an impressive ability to set for depth, bend their ankles, and handle upfield speed rushes and also could drop their hips and anchor against power moves. Can’t teach that eye-catching size either! The twins are easily worth FBS looks and put some good reps on tape from the FBU Orlando showcase. Honorable mention: Competitor #125, OG from Dr. Phillips. Unfortunately I did not catch the name of the OG from Orlando powerhouse Dr. Phillips. If someone does know his name please message me on Twitter @OJW_Scouting or email me at: oliver@prepredzone.com!