Best of the Best Round 1: Gerard Warren vs Leon Washington

It took seven years before another Mr. Football honoree was named to an athlete from Northeast Florida. Fittingly after 7 years ( the biblical number of completion) the award went to the ultimate complete player. Leon Washington won the prestigous prep award in 2002 excelling at running back, cornerback and wide receiver at Jackson High School. That season, he rushed for 2,437 yards and 28 touchdowns as well as defensively, had 88 tackles and 3 interceptions a senior. He earned Florida Times Union Player of the Year honors…rated the No. 3 prospect overall in the state of Florida by the Orlando Sentinel. The No. 1 cornerback in the country and #9 player overall as rated by Rivals100.com. SuperPrep’s Top 100 nationally, he was a deadly kick and punt returner in addition to his other skills, returning three punts and one kickoff for touchdowns.

DON BURK photo via Gerard Warren Facebook

Gerard “Big Money” Warren who is affectionately nick named because of his potential as a pro football player, was a standout defensive tackle for Union County. Regarded as one of the nation’s elite defensive linemen in 1996, Warren was a consensus first-team All-America selection… Named to SuperPrep All-America Team, their Dixie Defensive Player of the Year and ranked among the nation’s top eight defensive linemen by that publication. He was a first-team All-State (3A) selection for two seasons. Credited with 36 quarterback sacks in his career, Warren led the Tigers to state championships in 1994, ’95 and ’96. Union County High School went 49-4 in his four years at the school. He is the only player on the Best of the Best list with three state championship rings.

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