With the return of our annual Duval Sports Top 50 featuring the 50 best middle school football players from Northeast Florida, we get ready for one of the best groups ever by looking back on our very first list. Four years ago, these players were heading to high school, now many are headed off to college. Check out our Top 50 list from 2017-2018 and where they are now.
Gilbert MS
Kevonte Doles, RB (Terry Parker HS) – Signed with Virginia Lynchburg
Doles was one of the most explosive players in middle school coming out of Gilbert. Scoring multiple touchdowns leading the Panthers to a championship. After playing at Lee, Doles went over to Parker to reunite with his former Middles School coaches who now head the Parker Braves. He’s headed to Virginia to play for the Dragons
Gilbert MS
Dedrick Smith, WR/DE (Lee HS) – Signed with Memphis
One of the most feared defenders in middle school football took his talents to Lee and continued that reign of terror. Smith would go on to become a 3 star ranked linebacker by 247 and highly recruited by several teams. He settled on Memphis.
Gilbert MS
Chris Johnson, RB (Westside HS) – Signed with UCONN
The first middle school football player to ever be offered by a d1 college program was Chris Johnson. Johnson was arguably the best middle school player in the state coming out of 2017. After several years at Ribault, Johnson ended up at Westside High School and is now a UConn Husky.
Gilbert MS
Cobie Bates S – (Oakleaf HS) -Signed Mississippi Valley State
Bates headlined a Gilbert team with explosiveness and tenacity. He brought all those intangibles to the next level with him first at Lee and then at Oakleaf high school. He’ll call HBCU Mississippi Valley State home at the collegiate level.
Highlands MS
Arden Luster ( First Coast ) – Signed with West Virginia Wesleyan College Football
Arden Luster was big in middle school at Highlands playing both sides of the ball. He kept that big size and big play ability in high school at First Coast. He’s gonna be a Bobcat.
Ribault MS
Corey Cooper LB (Ribault HS) Signed with Jax Athletic Academy
Cooper went on from the middle school to the high school and developed into a leader at Ribault. Playing linebacker and contributing mightily to the Trojans defense, he’s had several collegiate interests.
Ribault MS
DB Robert Simmons (Sandalwood) – Signed with Bethune Cookman
At our show in Zaxbys 4 years ago, the question was asked, who had the highest upside coming out of middle school. I responded not with the obvious answer of Chris Johnson( who already had a college offer in 8th grade) but I said Robert Simmons. A fearless athlete, playing larger than his size possessing a dog mentality. It will take you far. A 2-star ranked athlete by 247 and several offers later, Simmons signed to BCU.
Ribault MS
Chris Brown OL – ( Ribault High ) – Signed with Virginia Lynchburg
Chris Brown was always a fan favorite at Ribault. A Trojan through and through. He bled Trojan Blue and became a productive starter from middle school to high school. He’s headed to Virginia Lynchburg.
Kirby Smith MS
Corey Coley CB (Trinity Christian) – signed with Maryland
Corey Coley developed into a prototypical collegiate defensive back. From Middle School, to High School, to College, he consistently made plays in the secondary every where he went. His efforts rewarded him with a championship ring this past year with Trinity and an ACC D1 opportunity. He’s living the dream!
Kirby Smith MS
Lucius Lattimore RB , ( Trinity) Signed with Famu
Lucius Lattimore was a terror at running back in middle school, running up and down the field past defenders. In High School, he transitioned to defense primarily and became a main component to the Trinity championship defense last year. He’s headed to the highest of seven hills in Tallahassee, but not without a championship ring on his finger.
Kirby Smith MS
Kaleb Killian RB (Trinity Christian) – Signed with Airforce
Kaleb Killian was a force to be reckoned with in middle school, a dynamic playmaker on the field. It should be of no surprise that he was a force at Trinity and will be playing at the Airforce academy. Even more resounding is his comeback story. After suffering two knee injuries in high school and losing other college offers, he battled back , won a state championship and is still playing D1 football.
Jeb Stuart MS
JP Patterson RB (Ed White)- Signed with Bowling Green
Did you know that Jaison Patterson led all of Duval County in rushing last year with 1822 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was the rushing leader at the end of the regular season before the playoffs. He finished strong in middle school as one of the best rushers in Jeb Stuart history and finished strong at Ed White, having one of the best rushing years in school history. He’s headed to Bowling Green.
Oakleaf JH
Walter Tre Simmons QB (Oakleaf HS) -Signed with East Carolina
Quite possibly the best quarterback to play for Oakleaf Junior High, Walter Simmons III lit up Clay County with his arm and legs moving directly into a starting position in the 9th grade at Oakleaf High School. The 3 star duel threat QB tore up Northeast Florida passing for 5,745 yards and 50 TDs. He chose East Carolina to play at the next level.
Oakleaf JH
Marcus Anthony RB (Oakleaf HS) – Signed with Valdosta St
Marcus Anthony was a great athlete playing running back for Oakleaf junior high, and turning into a linebacker in high school. He generated several D1 interest in college and eventually settled on Valdosta St.
Jeff Davis MS
QB/S Alex Fudge (Lee HS) – Signed to play basketball at LSU
Many people may not know this, but before Alex Fudge dazzled crowds with dunks, he captivated them with his charisma at QB for Jeff Davis. Tall and athletic, the 6’8 Fudge would’ve been a D1 football player as well if he had stayed with football in high school. Yet, I think he turned out alright choosing basketball, don’t you think? The 247 3-star athlete early enrolled at LSU in January of 2021, and transferred to Florida. Fudge was signed by the Los Angeles Lakers on July 26th 2023.
Jeff Davis MS
Trey Thomas RB/LB (Oakleaf HS) Signed with Shorter University
Trey Thomas was another Jeff Davis star showring off the talented westside athletes in Jacksonville. He chose Oakleaf and chose DB as his primary position after standing out as a RB and LB in middle school. He’s off to Shorter to play at the next level.
Landrum MS
Caden Fordham QB , (Bolles HS) – Signed with NC State
Caden Fordham was a St. Johns County sensation while in middle school. Fordham lit up the skies with his rocket arm and ability to escape the pocket. He led his team to a middle school championship appearance, something very similar to what he accomplished with Bolles. Playing safety, Fordham went to two straight championships with the Bulldogs. A 3-star athlete, Fordham chose the Wolfpack to play in college.
Swiss Point MS
Aaron Jones RB (Bartram Trail HS) – Signed with Memphis
There’s not many that don’t know who the “Rocket” is. He blasted off while playing in Clay county’s youth football. He soared in St. Johns County in middle school at Swiss Point. And in high school football, he jettisoned his way to setting Bartram Trail records in total touchdowns and all purpose yards . 5,148 all purpose yards later, he’ll now set new heights in Memphis.
James Weldon MS
Jalen Evans QB/ RB ( First Coast) – Signed with Stetson University
James Weldon has had at least one good football athlete come from their program every year, and Jalen Evans might be the one who set the tone for that trend. A standout QB and RB, Evans went on to First Coast and transitioned to wide receiver. He’ll be staying in the state and playing college football at Stetson.
Lake Shore MS
Martranius Mack RB (Ribault) – Signed with Webber International University
One of the most electrifying athletes in middle school football Mack lead Lake Shore to the playoffs with spectacular plays. He did the same in high school at Ribault, Mandarin and ending up back at Ribault. ” The Mack Man” as he’s affectionately known at Ribault, will be heading to Webber.
Ernest Ricks ATH (Ribault) – Signed with Webber University
That Lake Shore team coached by Coach Carter was truly something. Ernest Ricks was one of the reasons they were so special. He did everything for that team and went on to Ribault where he did everything for that team. He’s headed to Webber.
Lake Shore MS
Jaylen Smith #10 QB, (Mandarin) – Signed with Bowling Green
It’s hard to believe that Jaylen Smith was on that team too. With so many playmakers, no wonder Lake Shore went into a 7 overtime affair with eventual champions Fletcher in the playoffs. Smith finished with 1189 yards receiving , 14 TDs and a state championship ring. He’s headed to Bowling Green
Fletcher MS
Colby Smith LB (Fletcher) – Signed with USF
Colby Smith was one of the most dominant players at linebacker to ever come through Fletcher Middle. A true leader on the field, he would go on to the high school and ball at the beach. His dedication to the game and his craft earned him a scholarship at the University of South Florida.
Fletcher MS
Chandler Kirton OL (Fletcher HS)- Signed with Austin Peay University
Big Chandler Kirton anchored the Fletcher Middle offensive line and went on to do the same for the Fletcher High School offensive line. He paved the way for a 2,000 yard rusher and made his way to play ball at Austin Peay.
Landmark MS
Tre’ Vaughn Lawrence QB (Mandarin) – Signed with Alcorn St
Before Tre Lawrence took the reigns at Mandarin, he reigned at Landmark as one of their dynamic offensive weapons. At Mandarin Lawrence was consistent and patient backing up Carson Beck. He won a championship and started his senior year passing for 1291 yards and 6 TDs his senior year. He’s headed to the SWAC and Alcorn St.
Mayport MS
Myles Montgomery- RB (Fletcher HS) – Signed with Cincinnati
Mr. 2000, the man who runs for Miles and Miles is Myles Montgomery. A product of Mayport Middle School, Myles Montgomery was arguably the best running back in his class going into high school. The knock on him was that some thought he was undersized. Yet as always Montgomery proved critics wrong, packing on muscle but keeping his speed and quickness. He became arguably one of the most decorated rushers in Fletcher High School history. He rushed for 2,124 yards his junior year, just the second 2,000 yard rusher in Fletcher history. (Ciatrick Faison 2,292yds 1999) Montgomery is heading to Cincinnati.
Dupont MS
Jakobi Myers QB (Ponte Vedra) – 4 year starter at Ponte Vedra, several D1 collegiate offers.
Jacobi Myers has the heart of a lion. After being virtually unstoppable at Dupont middle, Myers went on to play at Ponte Vedra High School. His well anticipated debut did not disappoint as Myers passed for over 500 yards as a freshman in rotated duty. His senior year he was on pace to pass for 2,000 yards when he suffered a season ending injury in just his 5th game. It was the second consecutive year where Myers suffered a season ending injury. He had several D1 offers before his injury, and is currently working out to play football at the next level. Don’t count out this king, he’s not finished yet.
Dupont MS
Patrick Bryant QB/WR, ( Atlantic Coast) – Signed with Illinois
Another Dupont star from four years ago was Patrick Bryant Jr. Bryant did everything for the Dragons, yet was still relatively unknown by many in the city. That would change just a year later as Bryant picked up several offers including one from Miami. The Giannis Antetokounmpo of Northeast Florida, Bryant would remain at Atlantic Coast even though there were several offers to go to other schools. In his final year the 3-star athlete led Atlantic Coast to the playoffs for the first time in school history. He will be attending Illinois.
The Rest of the original Top 50 list
Kirby Smith MS
Keshawn Waters DL/OL (Lee HS) – Starter for Lee Enrolled in college academically
Ft Caroline MS
Maercelle McClendon
Stilwell MS
Kenneth Sloan QB/LB (Paxon)
Fletcher MS
Christian Ethridge LB
Connor Peters OL
Lake Shore MS
TE Kevin Green (Ed White) – Signed with Thomas More University
Maurice Jackson OL
Chris Freeman RB (Mandarin) Starter on defense at Mandarin HS
Lake Asbury Junior High
Tristan Keith LB/ATH (Clay HS)
Devon Grimes WR
Gilbert MS
Antonio Riley OL/DL (Terry Parker) – Signed with Virginia Lynchburg
Josh Jones ATH
Michael Johnson SS
Larry Tould Jr RB
Enzawe Lampkins CB
Marcel Wilson CB
Arlington MS
Amari Sutton RB , (Trinity Christian)
Ribault MS
Vincent Bailey (Ribault) Signed with Webber International University
Chris Caster – Middle linebacker for Ribault High School
Santana Jackson QB – 3 year starter for Ribault HS
Jeb Stuart MS
Tyrek Williams DE/TE
Gamble Rogers MS
Willie Rollins WR
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