As we embark on the 2021 high school football season, we take a look at some of the top prospects at each position going into their senior seasons here in Northeast Florida. As the weeks progress, and teams matchup with one another, we rank each player, during each week and at each position. Rankings are based on stats, opponents, and attributes. And players will be ranked by skill positions. Letβs check out the highly anticipated running backs group.
DB Jaheim Singletary, 2022. Riverside , 6’2 180lbs
Wk 1 vs Parker – 4 tackles
Wk 2 vs Atlantic Coast – 1 PBU : Overall Rating = 95
Five-star prospect shut down his section of the field with 3 INTs, 6 pass breakups when opponents did challenge him last year. Singletary is the unquestioned leader of Riverside High’s defense and will also contribute on offense this year, using his big frame as a wide receiver. He committed to Ohio State in January, however he is still being heavily recruited by top programs in the nation.
DE Micah Pollard, Jr., Bartram Trail, 6’3″ 200lbs 2022
Often cited as areaβs top edge threat; made 11 sacks, 22 tackles for loss, with a pair of forced fumbles and an interception as Bears reached final eight. He’s one of those rare freakish athletes that are big with incredible bend. He can be a dominant force on the Bears line.
DL Johnathan Goddard, Jr., Trinity Christian, 6’1″ 220lbs
Dynamic pass edge rusher was a force by seasonβs end for champions; eight sacks, 15 tackles for loss. Sealed the victory for Trinity. He’ll stand up and play MLB more this year which bodes well for his development at the next level.
DL Bobby Miller, Jr., Columbia, 6,0 225 | position: DE, OLB,RB,Slot WR | C/O β22 |HS: Columbia (FL
Athletic interior tackle smashed 60 tackles, 12 sacks on way to regional final for the Tigers.
LB Gregory Washington, 2022 Riverside High
Versatile tackler and big-play creator led outstanding Baldwin Defense with 87 tackles, 4 INTs, 4 forced fumbles and 4 fumble recoveries.
DB Kyree Hammond, 2022 , Raines, 6’1, 190lbs
Safety excelled as a ball hawk in secondary, including 5 picks in a single season. Heβs committed to Mercer and getting ready for a great season at the grave yard for Raines where he returns for a big senior campaign.
DL Hayden Schwartz, Jr., Bolles, 2022 , 6’4, 244lbs
Tough lineman got 68 tackles, 14 behind the line, with four sacks and two forced fumbles on a strong Bolles front. Three star standout at Bolles , he rushes from the edge. Possesses power to bull rush from the interior and can move in space as well.
LB Grayson Howard, 2023. Jackson HS , 6’3 210lbs
Wk1 vs Westside- 16 tackles, 1 sack: Overall Rating = 98
Young linebacker had nose for football with 118 tackles, four pass breakups and an INT. His camp play over the summer has risen his stock exponentially and every major university in the country are after his services.
DE Aaron Hester, Jr., Fletcher 2022
Athletic pass rusher recorded 8 sacks; also a threat in the run game. His bend is unbelievable off the edge and his power is second to none. He’s the son of former Florida State linebacker Aaron Hester who stands all of 6’4 himself. The bloodline is strong with Hester, and his play and football acumen prove it.
2023 Manny Covey, So., Union County 5’11” 165lbs – An explosive athlete from every angle on the field. Special teams, wide receiver, running back. Pure electricity!
DB Cam Miller, 6’1″ 185lbs Trinity 2022
Cam Miller comes over from Fernandina Beach where he excelled in almost every single offensive statically category as a football player. Passing for 957 yards, rushing for 1039yds, and contributing 3 interceptions on defense.
DβMaurion Frazier, Jr. Clay DB 5’8″ 143lbs – A special athlete who excels on special teams, wide receiver and defensive back. Very instinctual football player.
Camillo Rollins ,6’2″ 240lbs Baker Co – If you dont account for this big bodied linebacker in the middle he will make you pay. He blitzes well at the point of attack and gets off blocks when rushing the passer. He could show more lateral movement to highlight his ability to pursue quick ball carriers.
http://www.hudl.com/v/2EkApZJaymodd Ruise – Kept the chains moving for Baker County. He’s touted as one of the fastest players on the team, running well over a 4.4 forty yard dash. It shows up on film as Ruise looks very elusive on film.
Sandalwood; Sayvion Blount, 2023 DE, β A big time defensive lineman poised to have a breakout junior campaign. 6’3 240lbs DE , he has all the intangibles to reak havok this year from his end spot. It’s all about putting all together as the game slows down for him.
Sandalwood ; Marquise Lundy , 2022 DB -A instinctive, intelligent defensive back that is a technician on the field. He comes over from Baldwin to help a Sandalwood secondary that lost Jadon Canady, Amari Mitchell, and Robert Simmons.
Bartram Trail ; Dylan Chiedo, Jr. 2022 – 6β2.5ft 225lbs LB who can punish with cranium cracking hits when he meets the ball carrier. He’s a big body and uses it well, very fluid with his big hips and frame to deliver blows on defense.
Trinity Christian ; Caden Morrell, Jr. 2022 β One of the most aggressive linebackers in the area. Watch out for this monster, he punished everything on his way to the football. Was a pinitol role in Trinity’s championship run on defense last year. Superb Blitzer!
Carmello Murphy, 2023 Mandarin; 6’2″ 240lbs , 2023 – Carmello Murphy leads Mandarin’s defense from the inside backer position. He gets his temmate lineup and makes the defensive calls. He’s a smart football player who’s father is a football coach. He moved over from running back to linebacker which allows him to know where run fits are on defense.
Nick Bell, Sr., Paxon; 2022 At 5’11, 185lbs Nic Bell brings a unique blend of speed, power and size to a safety position that he has frown into nicely. He used his leverage well and makes plays on the ball on defense. Look out for a breakout year for him as the game slows down his senior year and he’s able to showcase why he’s one of the smartest football players in Northeast Florida.
Davaughn Patterson , Ed White 2023, Class of 2023. 6β0 195lbs. SS, FS – Patterson is a playmaker who is always around the ball. He picks up fumbles and returns them to the house for scores. He gardeners pick 6 interceptions, and he makes game changing sacks. He’s the ultimate weapon on defense and he’s jus ta junior.
DeβHeaven Clark, Jr., Baker County; 2022, 5’10 , 160lbs. – This young man flys around and makes plays in the secondary. A free safety ball hawk who can quickly change direction and find the ball in the air.
Sharif Denson, So., Bartram Trail; 2023 5’11, 170lbs – Sharif is one of the most technically sound defensive backs our area has seen. He’s able to shut down parts of the field while directing receivers to bracket coverage, allowing himself to make plays on the ball for interceptions. He may get some burn on offense this year, he certainly has that ability. But he remains one of the top DBs in the nation for 2023. A 4 star athlete.
Damani Dent, Jr., Parker; 2022 6’1 190 | class of 2022 – Big aggressive, athletic safety is one of the best around. He’s picked up several offers even this late in the recruiting game, and that’s because colleges are getting to know what a unique skill set he has. He can play free, strong, backer and yes even Will. The ultimate defender who backs up his trash talk wit hplay on the field.
Derrick Hartley, Jr., First Coast 2022 – Hartley is such a great story. He battled his way into a starting role on First Coast’s defense. Earned a starting position as their top defensive back and has led them ever since. He tragically lost his father who was murdered at the onset of his high school playing career, yet Hartley did not let that define him, instead he focused it into college aspirations. An amazing young man with a bright future .
Jahiem Odom, Jr., Atlantic Coast;2022, 2022 6β1 190lb DB Atlantic coast – He’s got a big frame and he uses it well in the secondary. Odom will make lots of plays for Atlantic Coast and has the ability to cover man and zone .
Luke Pirris, Jr., Ponte Vedra; Ponte Vedra High School | C/O 2022 | Outside Linebacker| 6β4 | 205 Lbs – This young man is the leader of Ponte Vedra’s shark defense. He’s their most gifted athlete, playing multiple sports. However his ability in football promises his highest celling. This year the Navy commit will show his agility to move in the box and make plays a LB
Javarion Smith, So., Suwannee; 2022 – Wha ta dynamic athlete. Just turn on the film and watch him work. He’s the best player at Suwannee hands down. Offense, defense, special teams, running with he football in space allows him to make lots of plays for the Bulldogs.
Baylor Newsom, Jr., Bishop Kenny; 2022, Kenny Football | Class of 2022 | RB/LB | 6β2 | 216lbs – He’s in a class of his own in the middle as he is able to make plays down hill fr om his LB position.
Conner Nobles, Jr., West Nassau. 2022– 5’9″ 190lbs – Nobles runs to daylight when he gets the ball in his hands and makes plays for the Warriors. He’s deceptively fast and can split defenders at times.
Bryce Capers LB , Riverside High, 2022 6’4, 210lbs – Capers comes over from Trinity Christian to add to a linebacking unit at Riverside that has no rival at this point. He will play outside and his long frame and reach allows him to cover lots of ground. Gregory Washington, Devin Smith and Bryce Capers make up a scary three headed monster at Riverside!
Trevyn Smith, 6ft 180lbs 2023 DB Trinity Christian – A talented and versatile DB, Smith comes over from Oakleaf to take over an outside DB position at Trinity. He will instantly become one of their leaders in the secondary as Trinity lost several secondary starters last year either to graduation or transfer. Smith already has big college interest and his ability to gel with his new teammates will determine how far they go as a unit.
Bryce Johnson, LB Bartram Trail 2022, 6’2 || 205 – Johnson is a big linebacker for Bartram who plays football and wrestles. His 70 tackles, and 3 interceptions last year were one of the best in the area.
Dylan Stubbs DB , Oakleaf 2022, 6’0″ 175lbs – Stubbs is a ball hawk and showed last year for Trinity just how valuable he is to secondary. He grabbed an interception in the Episcopal playoff game. He was also instrumental in making plays on balls in the championship game and regular season. He’s always around the ball, which makes for ideal play makers at the next level.
Amare Ferrell , DB Columbia 2023 6’1, 190lbs. 3 star Ferrell has turned lots of heads this summer making his rounds at camps around the country. He’s big, fast, and coaches love his ability to change direction on the ball. He’s one in a long line of defenders and athletes at Columbia that will make lots of plays this year for the Tigers.
Jaden Robinson 6’2, 210lb LB/ SS 4 star- Columbia’s big backer has made some big play already at several positions including strong safety and linebacker. He moves well on the back end and can fly up and pop you in the run game. Good instinctual football player.
Arion Stith, 6β3-240 Defensive lineman Bartram Trail – Big strong athlete that dominates the interior of lines. He can control his man between the trenches and will be a dominant force this junior year on defense.
DeAnte McCray C/O 2022 DE/OLB Sandalwood HS | 3.63 GPA | 6β5 255 – A big OLB who can move in space and get off the edge. Already with offers from Mercer, he turned heads at the camp June 1st.
Phillip Hartsfield DB , 5’11160lbs- Defensive back at UC took a pick back 49 yards for a TD vs Lincoln. University Christian up 16-0 on Lincoln. Play maker!
Wk 1 vs Westside- 8 tackles
Wk2 vs Providence-
Richard Garrett 6β4 Defensive End Class of β22 235lbs. – Defensive end for Jackson that gets after it . Speed off the edge, power through opposing linemen, and motor to chase down scrambling quarterbacks
Curran Webb , Union County, 6β4||220lbs| , OLB, DE
Came across his film this past week (9/6/21) and had to add him to our rankings. Big and strong athlete that controls the line of scrimmage. Makes TFL, sacks, and has a high motor in pursuit. Great tape! Very good college prospect as well.
Caleb Francis, DB, 6’1, 175lbs, Jackson HS, 2022
Wk 1 vs Westside- 1 int
Wk 2 vs Providence, 2 TDs , 1 PBU
Nice size DB who makes plays on the field. Great hands, nabs interceptions and scores touchdowns on offense at wide receiver. One of the reasons Jackson has high hopes in 2022 is this senior leader.
Jerome Manning III, LB/DE/ TE, 5’10, 240lbs
All around gifted athlete who is used as a defensive lineman for University Christian. Penetrates and completely disrupts the backfield for TFL and sacks. Plays tight end as well, great hands and hard to tackle with a full head of steam.
Jack Pyburn DE, 6β3 , 255lbs , Bolles
With 21 D1 Offers, 3-star Linebacker/Defensive lineman Jack Pyburn is a force on the Bulldogs defense. A leader and menace in the trenches. The Minnesota commit had a monster 4 sack game against Columbia this past week, making a statement to why he is one of the best in Northeast Florida.
