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.
Sandalwood
For Sandalwood’s Coach Adam Geis its never a rebuild its a reload as several top D1 athletes departed for college last year. His program had the most in the area to sign. To fill those positions he will rely on very talented and hungry players to step up. They have an impressive group, some you know, and other sleepers that you may not know.
*Denotes a former Duval Sports Middle School Top 50 Athlete (Annual Top Middle School Football List)
Branden Jennings– 2021, MLB 6’3, 225lbs, Key Offers: Committed to FSU
One of the best linebackers in the nation resides at Sandalwood. Big, agile, and hostile, Jennings is a throw back to linebackers of old who look to punish ball carriers on every play. Their leader in tackles and sacks, Jennings will still be hungry to prove to everyone why he’s the best linebacker in the country.
*Robert Simmons– 2021, DB, 6’0, 175lbs, Key Offers: Arkansas, Oregon, NC State
A hard hitting aggressive defensive back that sacrifices his body to make plays on the ball while also punishing receivers in the secondary. Coming out of middle school four years ago, I was on record saying he had the highest upside of his class. I stand by that statement! Simmons makes plays.
*Jeremiah Huntley 2022, RB 5’11, 190lbs, Key Offers: Bowling Green, FAU,
Strong and powerful back that runs like a guided missile. Jeremiah Huntley is always on the hunt, running angry every time he touches the ball. Like Leonard Fournette’s famous youth football videos, Huntley has run like that since his youth football days. He was second in the area in rushing and will look to take the crown as a junior.
Jquan Hicks 2021 DL- 6’2, 260lbs Key Offers: U-Mass, Bowling Green, Army, Navy
Strong defensive tackle with a quick penetrating first step. Hicks has tremendous upside as one of the best interior linemen in the area.His big frame renders him unblock-able against some opponents.
*Javon Heggs- 2021, WR, 6’1, 190lbs, Key Offers: UAB, Brown, Campbell
Heggs comes over to be the #1 receiver at Sandalwood. The offense he played in last year rarely threw the football, which limited his opportunities for tape. Make no mistake, he’ll shine this year under a more pass oriented offense. Speed, quickness, and great hands!
*Christian Ellis -2022, FS/DB , 6’1, 200lbs, Key Offers: None
Probably the areas best kept secret, Ellis wows coaches and trainers with his size, physique, and speed. The fastest athlete on the team, he covers lots of ground fast in all phases leading Sandalwood in interceptions, blocked field goals (3) and fumble recoveries. He was also their third leading tackler as a sophomore.
Amari Mitchell 2021, DB, 5’9, 175lbs Key Offers: Bowling Green
A quick and instinctive defensive back, Mitchell can lock down receivers simply by knowing where the ball is going pre-snap. Intelligent and athletic defensive backs are gold in High School Football and Mitchell has those qualities.
Jadon Canady 2021, DB , 6’0 , 170lbs Key Offers: Howard Unv
Canady is poised for a break out year in football after battling an injury early in high school. Comes over to Sandalwood as possibly their best all around athlete seeing that Canady is a state champion in the hurdles.
*Chris Calhoun – 2022, QB 6’1, 178lbs Key Offers: None
One of the most gifted and talented quarterbacks in the area, Chris Calhoun combines a cannon for an arm at the flick of the wrist, with pocket elusiveness and scrambling ability. He comes over to Sandalwood looking to fill the shoes of top prospect Jeff Sims (Ga Tech). Ironically, they both share similar skill sets.
Maurice Daniels– 2021, G,6’2, 265lbs, Key Offers: Keiser University
Daniels leads the Saints offensive line this year as a player who has the toughness and quickness on the line. He pulls and gets on his block providing a big frame for his running-backs to run off of. His offensive line coach has high aspirations for him and rightfully so.
Darnell Wilson 2021, LB 5’10, 200lbs Key Offers: None
An aggressive and energetic linebacker who makes the play at the ball, Wilson adds a spark at the other linebacker spot to compliment Jennings. He won’t wow you with size, but I like what I saw with tenacity and his ability to pressure.
Top Prospect on the Radar: Branden Jennings
Top Prospect Under the Radar: Christian Ellis
