Opinions come a dime a dozen. Everybody has one; BCP, other media sources, scouts and fans. Everybody has one. However, the people who spend the most time with players, their opinions should be valued slightly more.

Teammates and coaches observed work ethic, attitude, effort, accountability and dependability. They are with each other countless hours out of the week and know far more about players that can’t be seen from the outside.

Below are a number of quotes from area high school coaches on their athletes. Raw and uncut. Coaches love kids who show effort and leadership. Over and over you will see those two words used often in many of the quotes. This is what high school athletics is all about. What the coaches think about a player comes from character traits and actions. It can go either way (good or bad) but it’s not by accident!

“GREAT LEADERSHIP ON THE FIELD, AND IN THE CLASSROOM. 3.3 GPA. HE IS FULL SPEED ALL THE TIME, PRACTICE AND GAME.” – Lake Gibson coach on 2017 OLB AJ Deshazor

“Alvin, Jr. stepped into some big shoes that needed filling and filled them extremely well and at a high level. One of the hardest workers on the team, Alvin pushed himself and his teammates to improve each day.” – Victory Christian coach on 2015 WR Alvin Harper Jr.

“One of the most upstanding young men we have ever coached. Made sure every day the field was cleaned up, swept the locker room every day. Toward the end of the season our custodian saw him sweeping and said, ‘Young man, give me the broom, that is my job’… he responded ‘No sir, This is my locker room…it is my job’

A leader on and off the field. First class player and one of the toughest young men I have coached.” – Steinbrenner coach on 2015 DT Andres Bautista

“This is a kid that we asked alot out of. He played offense, defense, returned kicks. Very selfless player that did everything we asked of him. Also raised his GPA from a 2.0 to a 3.0 in the first Grading Period. Really turning his life around.” – Palm Harbor coach on 2015 WR Arkez Cason

“The Best Defensive Lineman I’ve ever coached. Fierce Competitor. Playmaker at DT/NG.” – Berkeley Prep coach on 2016 DT Bo Peek

“Three Year Starter, Four Year Letterman, Captain and Outstanding Field General. He is like having another coach on the field.” Berkeley Prep coach on 2015 QB Brad Mayes

“Man of integrity and honor, voted a team captain.” – Victory Christian coach on 2015 OL/DL Brandon Elledge

“Hard worker in and out of the classroom, on and off the field – leads by example – hardest hitter I’ve ever coached… cannot allow him to hit full speed in practice (we wouldn’t have a team left)” – Victory Christian coach on 2015 ILB Cecil Cherry

“Caleb is a 4.6 gpa student that scored a perfect 800 on the math portion of the SAT and 1520 on the 2-part SAT (a 32 on the ACT). His leadership, competitive drive, work ethic and character are all impressive and the kind you want in your QB.” – Victory Christian coach on 2015 QB Caleb Lewis

“No moment is to big!” – Lakeland Christian coach on 2015 QB Christian Alexander

“Spent time before and after practice helping groom the young receiving core. A moral compass for our team and leader.” – Steinbrenner coach on 2015 WR Cody Burgess

“Darrell is a ROCK. He does what is asked when it is asked. He is a kid that you can depend on, gives great effort, and most importantly takes criticism like a man.” – Tenoroc coach on 2016 OL Darrell Burnside

“The teams unquestioned vocal leader and led by example on the field with effort. Very humble and always looked to deflect attention away from himself and praise his teammates.” – Tampa Bay Tech coach on 2015 ATH Deon Cain

“He is the ultimate competitor. He accepts the challenge from the best opposing player because he wants to be tested.” – Lennard coach on 2015 ATH Diontae Johnson

“Dylan was Tenoroc Football. He was all we could expect from an athlete here. He has withstood a rather disappointing collection of years while here, as well as enduring 3 coaches in his career. Dylan has risen above, through great obstacles standing in his career. He has elevated not only his game but the program, he gave us hope when there was none before. When we get this turned around we will look back and say he was a cornerstone of the building process at Tenoroc High School.” – Tenoroc coach on 2015 ATH Dylan Wright-Sirmons

“E’Andre grew the most as a player and person this season. While he may not have been the most liked guy on the team when he arrived, he learned what it took to be a great player and great teammate and won his peers over through hard work and putting others and the team first.” – Victory Christian coach on 2015 RB E’Andre Smith

“Brings a great attitude to practice everyday. Picks players up after he defeats them and then just gives them more on the next play.” – Jesuit coach on 2015 OL Guy Revelle

“Team Captain, 4.27 GPA The most ‘In shape’ big man I have ever coached, played 100% of offensive and defensive snaps in two consecutive ball games. 2014 RVHS Iron Man Award Winner” – Riverview coach on 2015 OL/DL Hal Roberson

“Jamal sat on our leadership council this year. He participated in our visit to the Ronald McDonald house and the Kiwanis Christmas tree lot. He is a tremendous young man that is going to be missed. By far our best football player.” – Seminole coach on 2015 LB Jamal Jackson

“Team Captain – Toughness: Hard to find another player as tough as James. Fracture in his fibula in the Tampa Catholic game came back three weeks later to play in the Region Championship game.” – Jesuit coach on 2015 LB James Vrionis

“Jaylen Pickett has been the total package on and off the field. The kid has been instrumental in turning Bulldog Football around. He is a model player for my young guys and a leader in the classroom, locker room, and community.” – Zephyrhills coach on 2015 ATH Jaylen Pickett

“Member of our leadership committee at Largo High School and holds a 3.2 GPA” – Largo coach on 2015 ATH Jonathan Crawford

“Great work ethic. Leads by example in the weight room, on the field, and in the classroom. Always around the football defensively. Slightly undersized for his position, but doesn’t let that stop him.” – Strawberry Crest coach on 2016 LB Jordan Zilbar

“GREAT WORK ETHIC, ON THE FIELD AND IN THE WEIGHT ROOM. DEDICATED TO GETTING BETTER EVERYDAY, ON THE FIELD AND IN THE CLASSROOM. 3.0GPA, 24 ACT” – Lake Gibson coach on 2016 DT Keyshon Camp

“Very humble kid. Knows when to turn it on. He leads by example. Just goes out and does his job. Never complains about yards or carries, he just wants to win.” – Jesuit coach on 2017 RB Malik Davis

“Heart and soul of the defense, he inspired others to play with his intensity every play and was dependable. Never missed a practice, workout, or film session. Played through a number of bumps and bruises week in and week out. Teams game planned to run plays away from where he was on the field.” – Tampa Bay Tech coach on 2016 S Marchalo Judge

“The most unselfish player in the county. Could have had 2000 yards but wanted others to get their touches. First one on field last one off.” – Carrollwood Day coach on 2015 RB Willie Parker

“He was our all around leader. He worked hard in the weight room and the film room. Probably our best overall football player. Very smart and physical style of play. We used him all over on both sides of the ball.” – Bartow coach on 2015 RB TyReese Cruz

“Todd was the leader of our team this year. He led on the field, practice and on campus. Our players followed his lead. He is a member of our ROTC program here at Spoto and is a leader for them as well. He is a great kid who has earned his way into this position.” – Spoto coach on 2015 ATH Todd Sims

“Humble kid, the ultimate team player. He would have probably rushed for 1500 yards if he didn’t split carries with another talented running back in Tyler King. He was the heart and soul of our team this year.” – Fort Meade coach on 2015 ATH Ryan Fulse