Updated: Top Recruited 2022 Northeast Florida Athletes, You May Want To Know….

Covid has killed recruiting for the class of 2022. It’s going to go down in history as the most affected recruiting class in history. Covid is making recruiters miss on big time talent, and we have a lot here in Northeast Florida. To quote one college recruiter that I spoke with after June 1st, the lifting of the NCAA “dead period”. “I’ve been in this business for over 30 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this” referring to the amount of kids to evaluate and the lack of time which to do so. It’s an up hill battle for both college coaches and high school players looking to get that opportunity for a full ride. It’s going to take prayer, performance, and yes some promotion. That’s what we’re here for, to promote the athletes deserving of attention based on their hard work on the field and in this case in recruiting. Back in August we took you around Northeast Florida and introduced you to several athletes who have the most offers in football in the area (Outside the Super 11). Today we update you on their status.


FS/RB Christian Ellis, Ed White FS/ RB , 6’1, 195lbs, 23 D1 offers , ACC, SEC, Big 12, 3-star 247, 3-star Rivals

Signed With the University of New Mexico – Enrolled 1/18/22

Christian Ellis decommitted from Coastal Carolina in October 2021. After leading Ed White to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in 7 years, Ellis finished his phenomenal season with 1,457 rushing yards, 1,563 all purpose yards, 12 TD’s  50 tackles, 3 TFL’s,  3 sacks, 1 interception, 3 fumble recoveries and 2 forced fumbles in 10 games. One of few players who solidified themselves as a top athlete on both sides of the ball. Made the Florida Times Union Super 24 Team, The Action News Jax-Jaguars Prep Team, Times Union First Team All -Area, and Action News Jax Ryan Keith Courage Award recipient. Duval Sports All Area RB/S


RB Kade Frew , Bolles RB , 5’8, 180lbs , 9 D1 offers, Biggest conference American Athletic conference, 3-star 247, 2-star Rivals

Committed to Airforce -Unsigned as of 1/19/22

Frew committed to Airforce and had several Ivey league and military academy offers. His biggest offer was from Memphis (American Conference). The only player to score at least 4 touchdowns in consecutive state championship games. This year he’s had an awesome year, rushing for 1309 yards and 20 touchdowns in 10 games. 1488 all purpose yards as well. The Action News Jax-Jaguars Prep Team, Times Union First Team All -Area., Duval Sports All Area RB.

https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11167642/5fe3c7e9a023891b5ca6ec9f

WR Kareem Burke 6’0, 165lbs 18 D1 offers, Big 10, ACC, Big 12 , 3-star 247, 3-star Rivals

Decommitted from UConn

When a wide receiver picks up Miami as an offer you have to take notice. Burke picked up the ACC Cane offer very early in his high school career. He’d add Maryland, Penn State, and Kansas as other offers from power 5’s. In 11 games this year, the very talented multi-dimensional player did it on the ground and through the air, rushing for 861 yards, amassed 605 yards receiving and 11 total touchdowns. The first player in Raines history to amass 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in his career. Burke de-committed from UConn in November. Made the Florida Times Union Super 24 Team, The Action News Jax-Jaguars Prep Team, First Team All -Area, Duval Sports All-Area WR


LB Bryce Capers, Riverside HS, 6’4, 220, 7 D1 offers, 3-star 247,

Uncommitted as of 1/19/22

Capers finished with 50 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries and an interception for one of the best defenses in state of Florida. He looks the part. If you see him in person you realize he is going to be a power 5, D1 player. The eye test is important in recruiting and Capers passes it with flying colors. He also has an impressive resume of offers from very good programs. He has had strong interests from FSU as well. A Duval Sports All Area Linebacker

https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11406672/5fa8e5360c54df0af46c45b4

ATH Keaton Thomas, Trinity Christian, 6’2, 210lbs, 18 D1 offers, Big 12, ACC, SEC, 3-star 247, 3-star

Uncommitted as of 1/19/22

60 tackles, and 7 interceptions this year, Thomas is probably the most versatile athlete in NE Florida. He’s played Wide Receiver and now he plays linebacker. He can play running back, and safety. He’s settled on linebacker at Trinity and had a great season leading Trinity to a Class 2A state championship. His case, Thomas has 18 D1 offers from ever power 5 conference except the Pac 12 and Big 10. Times Union First Team All -Area, Times Union Super 24

https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11324070/612a79a10dc0160ae4d0cd84

SS Damani Dent , Terry Parker, 6’0, 175lbs , 12 D1 offers, ACC, Pac12, Big 10, 3-star 247, 2-star Rivals

Signed with Michigan 12/15/21

Dent is one of the hottest recruited athlets currently in Northeast Florida. That fact should’ve generated strong consideration for the Super 11. He recently was offered by Oregon, and Michigan , two big programs from power 5’s. He also has several offers from very good college football programs.


TE Grant Stevens, Nease, 6’4, 220lbs, 22 D1 offers, ACC, 3-star 247, 3-star Rivals

Grant Stevens should be on the list because he plays a position that is never represented on the list. Stevens plays Tight End, and you’d be hard pressed to find another in the area wit ha resume like his. With 22 D1 offers, Stevens is the highest recruited Tight End in the area. He de-committed from Coastal and committed to UCF this week, in a move that might have been inspired by the fact that UCF is in the American Conference. The Super 11 has 3 players on the list committed to Cincinnati, a top program from the American conference.

https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12694972/5f84a3623deac61054d6a691

Kyree Hammond, FS 6’0, 190lbs , Raines , 8 D1 offers, SEC, , 3-star Rivals

Raines defensive back Kyree Hammond tries to create space on a punt return during the first half of an Oct. 30, 2020 football game. (Photo by Will Brown)

Mr pick 6 leads the area in interceptions the last four years. There’s no player that has captured more interception in the last 4 years than Hammond. He received the Tennessee offer as a sophomore which puts him as one of only a handful of athletes to get an SEC offer in his first two years of playing high school. His choice of Mercer was mentioned to me as a reason he wasn’t selected for Super 11.

https://twitter.com/kyreehammond1/status/1420722030782160905?s=20
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12759463/5fa5848a0c544413a06d998a

Chris Calhoun, QB Sandalwood , 6’0 , 187lbs, 3-star by 247, 2-star Rivals

The case for Chris making the Super 11 list is simple. There’s no other 2022 QB on the list, and no other 2022 QB in the area that stacks up with Calhoun. He’s got offers from Bowling Green and Uconn. Although it’s only two, he has the tape and he has the respect of his peers and coaches in the area. A high character, high performance athlete, the definition of a Super 11 player.

http://www.hudl.com/v/2EUd2m

Jack Pyburn DE, 6’3 , 255lbs , 21 D1 Offers, Big 10, ACC, 3-star 247, 3-star Rivals

The case for Jack is a strong as they get. First of all he has a teammate on defense that made the Super 11 list. With 21 D1 offers that fact alone should qualify Pyburn for the Super 11 list as a well. He anchors a big Bolles defense and that should be recognized.

https://twitter.com/JackPyburn1/status/1406658594758705152?s=20

http://www.hudl.com/video/3/9235987/5f66334702bc58094008a1d2

Sam Dec- Nease, OT , 6’4, 250lbs, 17 D1 offers, 3-star 247

Big offensive lineman with the second most D1 offers in the area. Highly touted lineman from schools in Florida and Georgia, areas that are covered by the Times Union. A strong case for his Super 11 bid.

https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11849591/5fb73aaeb3c7fc0b007f34cc

Hayden White, OT, Bartram Trail , 6’6 270lbs , 3-star 247

The biggest offensive lineman in the area is at Bartram Trail and his name is Hayden White. At 6’6, there’s no other player in the area that tall and at 270lbs no other player that big and lean. That’s his case for Super 11. 4 d1 offers, including an offer form the ACC. Hayden will probably have bigger offers by the end of the season, blocking for Super 11 Eric Weatherly Jr.


Florida AtlanticCommitted-9 OT, 1 Commits

UAB

USF

Georgia Tech

https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11232392/60745bdb02b1890898286000


Jawon Grey , WR, UC, 6โ€™2 180 lbs

Grey is one of the most talented receivers in the entire region. He jumps off the tape when you look at his HUDL. He dominates opponents who line up against him. Charleston Southern has offered him, as well as Howard, and Lehigh University .


Derrick Hartley, DB, First Coast , 4 HBCU offers

A complete and aggressive defensive back, Hartley burst on the recruitment seen with an offer from HBCU Howard. He’s a player that can shut down receivers which allows defenses to bracket other offensive weapons. Why Hartley should be a Super 11 candidate? He’s the only player to ear offers and play at a high level while battling adversity. Hartley suffered through the untimely murder of his father as he entered high school. He showed super effort and determination earning a D1 offer from Howard, Famu, Alabama St, Savannah St,

https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12697977/5fd907c94df5320dc04bad1e

LB Dylan Chiedo, Bartram , 6’2, 225lbs, Offers, 3-star 247

A big LB with a tremendous recruiting upside. Already has 6 D1 offers including a power 5 from the ACC. LB is a position that colleges are salivating over in 2022. Everyone wants to stop offenses and have players who can stay on the field for 3 downs. Any player in Northeast Florida that fits that description will be highly recruited and thus has a case for Super 11.


As you can see we have some talented athletes in the area, who all deserve to be mentioned as top recruits in Northeast Florida. Congratulations go to the players who were selected to the Super 11 of the Times Union. The list is prestigious, and annual, mentioned by many college publications and national publications. This means every time they write about the athlete they most times will mention that they were selected as a “Super 11” by the Florida Times Union. That’s an honor well deserved by Eric Weatherly-Bartram, Segree Graham-Bartram, Micah Pollard-Bartram, Aaron Hester-Fletcher, Quincy Burroughs-Raines, Darrell Johnson-Riverside, Jaheim Singletary-Riverside, Devin Smith-Riverside, Hayden Swartz-Bolles, Marcus Peterson-Columbia, Cam Miller -Trinity.

About the author

Andre' Ellis, Founder/ Lead Writer DuvalSports.com Florida Times Union All-City 1998,LB, Sandalwood Florida A&M Unv, BA , MBA