Orlando has long since been one of Florida’s hotbeds for recruiting. The next few years will be no different.
By Brian Smith @fbscout_florida
As we go through the football off-season, there’s truly no time off for prospects attempting to raise their level of play. The Orlando area is one of those cities that churns out Division I players year after year. After watching film of numerous 2022 and 2023 prospects, there’s a plethora of skill players and defensive linemen to choose from.
Brian Thomas, RB/ATH, 5-9, 160, Orlando Christian Prep – 2023
Playing at a relatively small school without much notoriety, Thomas really made a name for himself this past season. He ran for 477 yards and scored five touchdowns in total. That’s impressive for a sophomore playing in a Wing-T offense where the football gets spread around qutie a bit.
More importantly, Thomas possesses the quickness and athleticism to play running back, slot wide receiver, or cornerback moving forward. While college coaches are just getting wind of this young man, his natural athleticism and great personality will make him a name to know moving forward.
Victor Jones & CJ Brooks, Orlando Olympia – 2022
The west side of Orlando has talent as well. Jones is a playmaker at wide receiver and he’s capable of playing cornerback or safety at the college level as well. He’s a 6-2, 185-pound athlete at the end of the day.
Jones caught eight touchdowns last season, and scored 10 overall. He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands and he’s a natural at coming in and out of his breaks. Due to his overall athleticism, he’s a wide receiver that could be utilized in many different ways at the college level. With offers from Arkansas, Nebraska, West Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, Marshall and others, Jones is a prospect with college options. Getting him the ball would be his quarterback, Brooks.
A player that’s been under-recruited to this point, Brooks is a very accurate passer that understands the nuances of being a signal-caller. Olympia plays against good competition, and the 6-1, 175-pounder is more than just a pocket passer. He’s capable of moving his feet and making plays on the run.
Look for Brooks to pick up some recruiting momentum after the NCAA recruiting dead period concludes. He’s one of central Florida’s best passers.
Kaven Call, DL, 6-3, 240-pounds, Apopka – 2023
If you follow central Florida recruiting at all, then you know that Call is one of the best prospects from the area. Blessed with natural athleticism and natural size, this young man can move his feet laterally to chase down the play, or he can explode into blockers with his powerful hips and disrupt blocking schemes.
This natural set of skills has been accented by playing for one of Florida’s best high school football programs, Apopka. Excellence is expected and this young man has met those expectations to date. He’s a special talent.
Penn State, Tennessee, UCF, Arkansas, Florida State, Cincinnati, and Kentucky are a handful of his offers to date, and he still has two seasons to play high school football. Watch out for the Gators if they offer, as he’s a fan of the program.
Central Florida is always loaded with talent. With players like the ones above available, college recruiters will hit Orlando hard moving forward.