C.J. Bennett, QB, Tampa Alonso
Never shy about pulling the trigger, Bennett passed for a Bay area-best 3,017 yards in 2008 and connected on 27 touchdowns. A University of Wyoming recruit, Bennett is out to lead the Ravens back to the playoffs this season.
Phillip Ely, QB, Tampa Plant
Ely got invaluable on-the-job training last season, directing the Panthers’ offense while Aaron Murray was out with a broken leg. Now the sole pilot, Ely is back after throwing for a little more than 1,600 yards and 17 touchdowns in eight games last year.
Terrence Mitchell, Hillsborough
File photo by Chad Pilster
Jeremy Deering, RB, Tampa Leto
Deering, 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, ran for 1,078 yards last season for the Falcons. He already has scholarship offers from 25 Division I colleges, including USF, Ohio State, South Carolina and Michigan. And during the summer, he gained interest from the likes of powerhouses Oklahoma and Texas.
Christian Green, QB, Tampa Catholic
A versatile athlete with fleet feet and a strong arm, Green led the Crusaders to the Class 2A state semifinals last year. Green threw for 14 touchdowns and ran for six more while compiling almost 2,000 yards of total offense.
Sean Holte, LB, Largo
The Packers can boast one of the more formidable defenses in Pinellas County during the past two seasons and Holte is a big reason why. Last season, Holte had 102 stops, three sacks and an interception while helping Largo reach the region finals. He also ran for 600-plus yards and scored four rushing touchdowns.
Maurice Hagens, RB, Tampa Bay Tech
A bruiser of a back, Hagens can just as easily run over a defender as run around them. Hagens proved that while rushing for 1,019 yards and 13 touchdowns last year. He also helped the Titans reach the postseason and has verbally committed to the University of Miami.
Chaz Green, OL, Tampa Catholic
A mammoth specimen, Green is 6-6 and 300 pounds. Green’s recruiting status has skyrocketed in the past year and he now is the recipient of 30 Division I scholarship offers.
Theodore Jackson, DL, Seffner Armwood
A quick, intimidating and hard-hitting defender on a defensive squad loaded with them. Jackson had 12 sacks in ’08 and blocked two punts in Armwood’s 50-20 Class 4A region semifinal win against Tampa Bay Tech.
Adrian Golden, RB, Tarpon Springs
After setting a Pasco County record with 2,514 yards rushing and 34 touchdowns last season at New Port Richey Gulf, Golden has transferred to Tarpon Springs. He brings more punch to a Spongers team that won eight games and went to the playoffs last year.
Terrence Mitchell, DB, Tampa Hillsborough
One of the top defensive backs in the country, the 5-10, 180-pound Mitchell is a sure tackler and always around the ball. The D-I offers are pouring in for Mitchell, unanimously ranked among the nation's top five defensive backs by a host of recruiting services.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Mike Mirabella, LB, Tampa Plant
Eric Hammond, DT, Tampa Wharton
Quentin Williams, QB, Tampa Jefferson
Conner Powers, RB, Lithia Newsome
Madison Burr, QB, New Port Richey Gulf
Michael McFarland, TE, Tampa Blake
Allen Sampson, WR, Tampa Plant
Matt Jones, RB, Seffner Armwood
Andre Davis, WR, Tampa Jefferson
Rodney Williams, LB, Riverview Spoto
Bernard Reedy, RB, St. Petersburg Lakewood
James Wilder, Jr., DE, Tampa Plant
Ali Cheaib, LB, Dunedin
Alec Petrocelli, DE, Clearwater Central Catholic
Jimbo Chmelik, QB, Clearwater Countryside
Demyco Winston, WR, Ruskin Lennard
Stevie Weatherford, QB, Land O’ Lakes
Tarean Austin, QB, Tampa Hillsborough
Michael Hill, K, Tarpon Springs
Alex Rodriguez, OL, Largo
Ricky Trinidad, RB, New Port Richey Mitchell
Josh Grady, QB, Seffner Armwood
Devon Papandrew, K, St. Petersburg
Nelson Agholar, WR, Tampa Berkeley Prep
Donovan Berardi, OL, New Port Richey River Ridge
Gary Myrick, DL, Land O ‘ Lakes
Hakeeme Ishmar, WR, Dade City Pasco
Chaise Dunn, WR, Dade City Pasco
Zack Wynn, QB, Hudson
Jarvis West, WR, St. Petersburg Gibbs
Pete Terrana, TE, St. Petersburg Northeast
Tyler Moore, OT, Clearwater Countryside
Tim Jackson, DL, St. Petersburg Gibbs
Mike Douglas, DL, Largo
Dondre Davis, DB, St. Petersburg
Xavius Boyd, DB, St. Petersburg Lakewood
