A bitter end to an 11-2 2011 season left a foul taste in the mouths of the returning Jesuit Tigers. They took it out on one another on Friday night. Beginning with a circle scrum on top of the painted Tiger at Jesuit High School the boys in blue and white got after it.

Western Michigan, FAMU and USF were all on hand to check out the first padded practice in Hillsborough county.

Jesuit head coach James Harrell runs a tight ship and the Tigers adhere to it. The practice was high tempo and flowed extremely well. The team separated in to groups to get loose before coming together for Alabama drills, 1-on-1s, 7-on-7s, and the most important part, 11-on-11.

Everyone knows about Travis Johnson and Vincent Jackson at Jesuit, but the Tigers are loaded with talent – many of which are relatively unknown.

Mark Jimenez, 2015 OT – Better known to his teammates as BigMarc, Jimenez is a big-bodied freshman with a lot of room for growth. He has a very high ceiling and already measures close to 6′ 3″ and 250 lbs. Jimenez will likely start at left tackle as a sophomore and will be a key component of the Tigers’ rushing attack. The freshman didn’t back down in the face of the toughest competition going head to head with Jesuit’s top players.

Kevin Newman, 2015 RB – Boy oh boy Newman is tough. He has the potential to be one of the biggest Tampa area recruits in he next few years. Newman reads blocks well and makes crisp cuts of his lineman’s hips. He also has a great motor and refused to take a snap off during Alabamas, unless a coach literally dragged him out. I love seeing that out of any player, especially a freshman.

Parker Clonts, 2013 LB – In the simplest of terms, Clonts is a player. Incredible motor, toughness and an absolute animal. If Clonts was two inches taller he would have BCS schools drooling all over him, but instead he is 5-11 and will make, whichever team takes a chance on him, very very happy.

Reggie Brown, 2013 DB/WR – Until today, I would have listed Brown as just a DB – however he impressed Western Michigan coaches so much on the offensive side of the ball that the Broncos extended him a verbal offer. Brown has the hitting want-to to play defense, but he runs very well and has good hands. He could play either, or both, at the next level.

Nahshon Simmons, 2013 DL – Talk about someone clogging up the middle. Simmons is a huge DT, possibly NT, weighing nearly 300 pounds. Simmons showed good get off to go along with good use of his hands. The rising senior is a load to move. He’ll be a major part in breaking down the middle of opposing offensive lines.

Cameron Ruff, 2013 OT – Ruff will solidify the edge on the right side of the offensive line for the Tigers. we may also see him on the defensive side of the ball where he dominated during 11-on-11 play. Ruff is a legitimate BCS prospect standing just shy of 6-feet and 5-inches pushing 280 pounds. His future is on the offensive line where he dominates defensive ends and blitzing backers

Robby Garcia, 2013 OG – Garcia seems set on playing defensive end, but is clear his higher ceiling is playing offensive guard. At 6-foot 4-inches Garcia weighs in around 250 pounds and is athletic. He runs well, uses his hands well and as great feet and hips. Lining up beside Ruff will give the Tigers an impressive guard, tackle combination to run behind.

Travis Johnson, 2013 WR – He looks better and better each time I see him. Everything Johnson does looks effortless. Solid routes, great body control, unbelievable hands and a great nose for the ball make him the number one receiver target. Get the ball within six to eight feet of him and he all but guarantees a reception.

–

Kyle is a recruiting analyst for Big County Preps. You can email him at Bennett@BigCountyPreps.com and follow him on Twitter @KyleBennettBCP