BAY AREA BITES

Five WRs to Track This Off-Season

Land O’Lakes 2023 WR Kennen Ayala

Ayala is a 5’10” 170 pound receiver and corner. Offensively, he finished his junior season with 42 receptions for 1,170 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was a playmaker on defense as well. He is an explosive player with great ball-skills and excellent athleticism. The three-sport star will make some noise on the basketball court and on the track this off-season also. You can expect the connection between Ayala and Gators’ 2024 quarterback Kyle Horvath to continue to become more potent this off-season.  

Ayala’s Junior Highlights

Lennard 2023 WR Eelijah Singleton

Singleton is listed at 6’ tall and 185 pounds. He finished his junior season with 45 receptions for 856 yards and 9 touchdowns. With his speed and hands, he was a huge reason Lennard’s outgoing quarterback Gavin Henley broke the 2,000 passing yard mark this season. Singleton is putting in work to be even more explosive for his senior year. The next Lennard quarterback will have a dangerous target to work with.

Singleton’s Junior Highlights

Hagerty 2023 WR Caleb Barber

Listed at 6’4” tall and 195 pounds, Barber is a taller target who creates mismatches with defensive backs. He caught 42 passes for 804 yards and 8 touchdowns this season averaging 19.1 yards per reception. With a strong offseason in the weight room and at the dinner table, he could also develop into a solid tight end prospect. Barber’s quarterback, Anthony Benzija, is a class of 2023 player as well so the expectations will be high for them both next season.

Barber’s Junior Highlights

Lake Mary 2023 WR Markel Jones

Jones caught 42 passes for 802 yards and 8 touchdowns this season. His efforts on special teams returning kicked pushed his total yards as a junior to 1,094. He has some serious speed and after-the-catch ability. He is 5’11” tall and 145 pounds, but is tough to tackle. He is quick and agile which helps him change direction and extend plays. You can tell by his film that he also runs track, so he will only be faster next season. One thing is for sure, whichever Lake Mary quarterback replaces USF signee Gunnar Smith will have an electric athlete to throw the ball to.

Jones’ Junior Highlights

Sanford Seminole 2023 WR Darren Lawrence

Lawrence is a gifted receiver with some great size. He stands a solid 6’2” tall and 190 pounds and has some serious big-play ability. As a junior, he caught 54 passes for 782 yards and 11 touchdowns. He carried the ball 18 times for 50 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also threw for 2 touchdowns. He is fast, powerful, and very physical after the catch. Seminole also has a gifted quarterback returning in 2023 with Luke Rucker. Lawrence was his primary target this season, so expect that connection to become even more lethal going forward. They could become one of the best combinations in the state.

Lawrence’s Junior Highlights