Without Spring Football, several High School Football athletes around Northeast Florida were unable to showcase their talents and abilities on the field for their teams. With the Covid-19 pandemic affecting the travel for college recruiters, and team’s ability to assemble, some of the top players in Northeast Florida have been unable to be seen. So for the next couple of weeks, Duval Sports will list the Top Players on each team in Northeast Florida. We start with Fletcher.
Fletcher Senators
Coach Bobby Raulerson takes over for Kevin Brown as the head man at the beach. For a new coach it’s vital to be in front of your team and meet your players to establish philosophy and culture. He and his staff have been innovative, developing Zoom meetings to meet with players which has made the process easier for them. He’s been able to look at film and know some of the top players who are returning. In comparing my list, their virtually identical. Check out Fletcher’s Top prospects below.
*-Denotes a former Duval Sports Middle School Top 50 Athlete (Annual Top Middle School Football List)
OFFENSE
*Myles Montgomery– 2021-RB, HT 5’11,WT 190lbs ,Offers: Cincinnati Commit
Explosive running back with the ability to go the distance. The addition to muscle to his frame allowed him to run through arm tackles on the way to a spectacular Junior season, leading the area with 2,127 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns.
Mike Bartilucci 2021, OL HT 6’2, WT 280 , Key Offers: West Florida, Citadel
Keeping in line with big powerful offensive linemen at Fletcher Bartilucci is the leader sized with the task of opening holes for the area’s top rusher. Registered 80 pancake blocks.
Chandler Kirton 2021 OL 6’1, 285lbs , Offers: None
This athletic offensive lineman can pull and get to the second level of defenses. He’s nasty too, finishing blocks till the whistle.
*Jabarri Williams 2022 RB/Athlete Ht 6’2, WT 208 Offers: None
Big bruising versitile tailback who is capable of leading a rushing attack and catching out of the backfield. Played behind the top rusher in the area so he had limited touches. Definitely a sleeper athlete in Northeast Florida that all the area coaches and trainers know about.
DEFENSE
Jeff Davis Jr-, 2021 DB Ht 6’1, Wt 190lbs, Key Offers: Unv Tenn-Martin, North Alabama
Physical instinctive corner who always seems to find the football. One of the leaders in interceptions in the area. Confidence is not lacking with him, a key component for playing on the island.
Joshua Davis – 2021, OLB, Ht 6’1, Wt 210 Key Offers: LENOIR-RHYNE UNIVERSITY, TUSKEGEE , FINDLEY UNIV
Intensity at the outside spot, Davis runs down tacklers from the back side and pressures quarterbacks from the blind-side. Probably Fletcher’s most athletic linebacker. Brother of Jeff Davis Jr.
Jaylin Vidal 2021 DL , Ht 6’0, Wt 295 , Key Offers: None
-A big space eater for Fletcher who never gives up on the bull rush or playing the run. Size will deter some recruiters but film wont. He makes the plays in the trenches.
*Colby Smith, 2021 DL, LS HT 6’3, WT 255, Key Offers: Wayne State, Columbia
-Smith has always been a true football player and leader ever since his middle school days. He’s able to play many roles on a team including long snapper, defensive tackle, and 3-4 defensive end.
*Aaron Hester 2022 DE , Ht 6’3 , Wt 224 Key Offers: FSU, Miami, Kansas, Maryland, Wake Forest, Iowa State, FIU, Cincinnati
He’s caught fire recently in recruiting circles and rightfully so. Even without a spring, Hester showed very early last fall with his size and tenacity that he was the real deal. Son of former NFL linebacker Ron Hester, it’s apart of the blood-line for Aaron. He registered 9 sacks basically off of skill. He has two more years for the game to slow down and watch him wreak havoc.
Coach’s Mentions: In addition to the players that I’ve studied over the years and stood out on tape last year, Coach Raulerson also mentioned these two players as leaders to look out for.
Tariq Riley 2022 DB Ht 5’9 Wt 161, Key Offers: None
Merritt Reynolds 2022 FS , Ht 6’2 Wt 185lbs, Key Offers: None
Top Recruit on the Radar : Myles Montgomery
Top Recruit Under the Radar: Jabari Williams
