We have just scratched the surface in regards to film breakdown, but out of the thirty-one prospects from Pasco County that made their way to Lakeland on Sunday, we’ve got some initial reactions on a bakers dozen of them. That’s better than a third of the overall group that showed up and that’s not bad at all. Some of the names you already know, while a few names from the Class of 2019 are players we’d like to see more of in the future.
Wiregrass Ranch’s roster is chocked full of athletes and if they can avoid the absolute injury-cursed season from ’15, they will be one of the most-atheltic squads around once hitting on all-cylinders. Junior RB Brandon Mullings showed some nice footwork while freshman quarterback Grant Sessums–younger brother of Tampa Catholic’s Austin Sessums–was slinging the ball around very nicely throughout the day with good placement. Sessums was on junior varsity last season and the Bulls have some athletes ahead of him at the position for certain, but keep your eyes peeled on this young man as time progresses.
Mitchell had a trio of prospects that showed extremely well. Quarterback Larry DallaBetta III–sporting a sweet new tattoo by the way–was running with the tight ends all day and with a little more ball work, is going to be an issue playing the spot. DallaBetta III was listed on the roster last season at 6-4/240 and looks even bigger than that. He’s coming off a season in which he was just 50 yards shy of 2,000 passing and rushing for the Mustangs.
Sophomore Safety Adam Rogers (player on cover photo) is a player you’ll want to pay closer attention to as well. Rogers was consistent all day and was one of the biggest competitors in the group. The 5-11/170-pounder was good for 84 tackles–55 solo–with an interception, four passes defensed and a caused fumble last season. DT/NG Michael Doyle (6-1/270) rounds-out the trio after posting a very solid day of work. Doyle had 39 tackles–14 of those for loss–with two sacks and two fumbles caused and will be a factor along that defensive front this fall for certain.
Southpaw signal-caller Charles Harrison III from Zephyrhills (5-10/160) is a sophomore but led the Bulldogs in passing last season in eight games with nearly-700 yards and 12 touchdowns to just two interceptions. Harrison III made some very nice throws and at times flashed some decent footwork and ball placement. Staying in Zephyrhills, junior Mykh’ael Chavis (5-10/200) from Zephyrhills Christian showed some very nice footwork and burst running with the running backs. Chavis was also a productive linebacker for ZCA last season with 48 tackles in addition to his four rushing touchdowns in 2015.
Land O’Lakes had a trio of guys that had some nice moments led by LB/TE Marc Herrera (6-0/200). The junior posted 75 tackles along with an interception and caught 3 passes for 52 yards and touchdown for the Gators in 2015. Joining him with a solid day was QB Spencer Childress and WR Tylor Winn.
Sunlake’s Cris Galdos is simply one of the most-productive players in Pasco County and at 5-8/180 is one of the most-competitive players you don’t want to take for granted. Galdos’ strength and tenacity more-than-makes-up for that frame and he was winning battles on Sunday all day because of those characteristics. In 2015, Galdos rushed for 41 yards on seven carries, and caught 21 passes for 224 yards and four touchdowns for the Seahawks. In addition, he was credited with 81 tackles–57 of those solo–and fourteen of those for loss. Galdos also had four sacks, six QB hurries, four interceptions, four fumble recoveries, three caused fumbles and two blocked punts if you need him.
Wesley Chapel’s Jacob Thomas–although playing baseball right now–was pretty sharp working with the quarterbacks throughout the day. Thomas stands at 6-4/180 and has tremendous arm strength when he plants and throws and was just forty yards shy of producing 2,000 yards for the Wildcats during a 2-8 season. Last but not least, Academy at the Lakes’ Chris Butash is just a freshman, but at 6-2/175 provides intrigue with his athleticism. Butash plays baseball now, but was running with the quarterbacks and made some very accurate and crisp throws on the day.