If you’ve followed high school football, you know that this spring and summer was an eventful one for Ed White. After being a popular destination for kids around the city to transfer the last couple of years, thanks to a fun and caring atmosphere built by head coach Lawrence Johnson. Ed White had a surprising exodus of players in the early part of 2024.
Names like Tony Williams (LB Raines), Noah Johnson (WR Providence), and Mckinley Alexander IV (Raines) were all big parts of a team with big hopes going into 2024. Yet they were part of an exodus, that saw many of those parts depart for other destinations.
That’s to be expected in today’s high school football climate, where players can transfer schools and many do. Yet good programs have mastered the art of replacing top talent with top talent, and Ed White might as well teach a master class in it when it comes to public schools.
Case in point, the Commanders secured one of the best and brightest quarterbacks in the area, in sophomore King Boylston (2027) . The 6 foot 1, 190 pound transfer from Trinity Christian already has an offer from FAU. Coaches have already taken notice of how good he’s looked in camp, and in the kickoff Classic. “A very accurate passer” said Coach Johnson.
Boylston is the younger brother of Kyle Boylston, the 2-sport athlete from Trinity and St Johns Country Day who signed with FAU to play football and baseball. King has the blood-line, and the Commanders got more than just a signal caller, they got a top tier quarterback.
Other transfers include Josiah Smith (LB, 2026) who transferred from Lake Forest High School in Delaware. He looks to make a big impact on defense. Jackie Sheppard (WR, 2026) transferred from Oakleaf and is one of the really good weapons for King.
Wide Receiver Landon Francis ( 2025), is fast, and quick, and brings big play material over from Ribault where he played mostly defensive back. Francis had 3 interceptions last year for the Trojans.
The returners for Ed White feature one of the top defensive back talents in the state, Duval Sports First Team Prime Time Player Josh Patterson (DB)2025 . Patterson is a four year starter and leader by example who recently committed to Iowa State.
Another good player, who will make a lot of plays is Julian Holt (DB, 2026). He’s a big physical DB, who has a Bowling Green offer, and was the defensive player of the year last season. Nick Roberson (WR) 2026, also returns as last year’s leading receiver.
Marion Laguerre (FB) 2026, is a big physical blocker, who runs the ball, and catches. Coaches love his versatility at an HB position that everyone can’t play. More physicality comes from Javon Johnson (DL, 2025), a very good D-Lineman who plays with great technique and possesses a high motor. John Williams (OT 2025) is a big 6 foot 5 lineman, who is a very physical run blocker. He joins Kenneth Bethea (OL, 2026) as a returning starter.
The exodus made way for the elevation of a team. And in the process, Ed White may have secured it’s best quarterback in the last twenty years. Only time will tell if some of the young pieces and older pieces can come together quickly. They have no time to waist, as they face Trinity Christian again for the third year in a row this Friday.
