Mandarin HS- Our Spring football recap continues with two teams that have made an annual exhibition of football. Mandarin and new Head Coach Toby Bullock welcomed Head Coach Damenyum Springs and Fleming Island to their home field. Accompanying both teams were several highly recruited players in Northeast Florida, and several players looking to make bigger names for themselves.
Fleming Island showed why they are always one of the top programs in the area as Coach Springs deployed several players to look for this fall. Several of his top recruited guys were sidelined including 2023 running-back Sam Singleton, who has over 30 D1 offers including Florida State, Cincinnati, Miami, Michigan, and Penn State. Singleton is a blazer on the field, as he also is a track star.
Singleton will champion a backfield that features a talented compliment in Musthafa Marshall who ran extremely hard versus Mandarin. He scored the first touchdown for Fleming Island and added another later in the contest. Musthafa showed good cutting ability leading the rushing attack. He’s a 100M track athlete as well, packing a punch at 5’7, 170lbs
Marshall ran behind a stout offensive line that opened up holes. Big Timothy TJ Lawrence plowed over defenders using his 6 foot 6 285 pound frame which he’s increased since last fall. Lawrence picked up offers from Troy and UNC Charlotte after his spring game, adding those to ones like USF and Georgia Tech. Also 2023 lineman Ethan Williams plays both ways at 6’3, 288 pounds. Williams has offers from Bethune Cookman, UNC Charlotte, UMASS and others. A sleeper to look out for is Gage Isbell a 6′ 2″ junior who plays both defensive and offensive line, with a high motor power.
The big men will be protecting their rising sophomore quarterback Cibastian Broughton who put on a display under center. He showed his scrambling ability, rushing ability, and his ability to find open receivers. Although he played without his top receiver rising senior 6’4 Darion Domineck (West Virginia, Va Tech, Nebraska), he still found targets who made plays.
Broughton found receiver Kaan Jumani (Offer from Trinity International Unv), for an impressive touchdown in which he evaded pressure and found Jumani deep. Broughton already has an offer from Pitt, and will turn more heads this fall with his play.
Jhoel Robinson plowed it into the end-zone for a touchdown for Fleming Island. The 2023 athlete played running-back and linebacker in the contest, showing extremely great versatility. Butler are among initial teams offering Robinson.
On defense, there is lots of talent. Devante Lewis (DB) has offers from Georgia Southern, and Keiser. 6’1, 218 linebacker Jhace Edwards picked up an offer from FIU after the spring game. He was all over the field against Mandarin and the scouts were definitely checking him out as he has offers from NC A&T, Alabama A&M, Stetson and Duquesne.
Abram Wright (6’2, 225lbs) displayed his physical, thick, athletic frame at linebacker. The 2023 has committed to Rutgers. He looked good in the spring game stifling ball carriers and blitzing while registering sacks.
Flemings Island’s Kaylib Singleton a 6’1, 165lbs rising sophomore is the ultimate competitor! He climbed the ladder for an interception in the spring game vs Mandarin against their tall WRs. School’s have already noticed his talents including Kentucky, Iowa State, Mississippi State amongst other offers.
Mandarin will be a team with speed an size on offense, in particular at wide receiver. Led by rising senior Jeremiah Shack (6’3, 181lbs) who recently committed to Liberty, Mandarin looks to be explosive in the air. Shack showed this explosiveness in the spring game as he showed his ability to get behind defenders.
Another hot receiver right now is 2025 Jaime Ffrench who is quickly becoming the areas highest recruited wide receiver. Ffrench has offers from Florida State, Penn State, Michigan and most recently Alabama. Ffrench is a smooth route runner and deceptive speed and sure hands.
These two Mustang wide receivers will command attention leaving two others to capitalize with their talents. First is 2023 6’5 WR Koron Hayward. With height and impressive size to go along with route running, Hayward creates and takes advantages of mismatches. Ga Southern, UAB, Arkansas St and UT Martin have offered.
2023 WR Kieren Jackson (5’10, 165) showed why he’s a secret weapon for Mandarin. Had over 10 catches and a TD in the first half vs Fleming Island in their spring game. Lightning quick, Great hands and experienced.
At quarterback, Tramell Jones Jr burst on the scene last year as one of the hottest freshmen in the area. At 6’1, 180lbs Jones Jr has a strong arm and velocity on the ball! He hit receivers in stride while also erasing pressure by scrambling. Famu, Ga Tech, Maryland and now Pittsburgh have offered the rising sophomore.
On defense, Mandarin has several savvy players who are smart ball player and physically gifted. 6’0, 175 2024 DB Antoine Shorter is complete with a long frame and registered an interception in the contest. He received his first offer 2 weeks before the spring game from FAU. Has added USF and ECU after the spring game.
The leader of the defense and the most underrated player on Mandarin is Linebacker #8 Carmello Murphy. He’s a tackling machine, tough as nails and a true leader. Sideline to sideline tackler who took on blocks and plugged holes in the run game versus Fleming Island. Murphy picked up his first offer after the spring game from Edward Waters University.
Fleming Island’s starters would prevail early, yet Mandarin would win the contest 38-28. Look for these talented athletes and two teams this fall.
