2018: 9-4 2019: 12-2 2020: 9-4 2021: 5-6
The Palmetto Tigers’ 2021 season came to a close in the regional quarterfinal against Tampa Bay Tech. The Tigers fell by a score of 26-18 to the eventual state runner-up. Overall, Palmetto finished the season with a 5-6 record and a Class 7A District 11 championship. As you can see, Palmetto has made the post-season each of the last four seasons. With what they have returning, I don’t think that trend will change any time soon. Palmetto is now in Class 4S District 13 with Manatee and Lakewood Ranch. For what it’s worth, Palmetto beat Manatee 27-9 last season. Coach Marino always builds a brutal schedule though, so I can’t wait to see what these guys do in the fall.
2025 QB Zander Smith (6’4” 223 lbs) is coming off of a freshman year where he completed 109 out of 193 passing attempts for 1,509 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has been to several camps this summer which have helped him earn offers from Indiana and Toledo. His back-up is no slouch either. 2025 QB Dylan MacLean (5’11” 180 lbs) has been showcasing his skills this summer also. Palmetto graduated their top receiver and their top two rushers from last season. Fortunately, the next five leading receivers from 2021 are all back, and man, they are talented. In the fall, 2024 WR Rok Lodge (5’9” 155 lbs) hauled in 17 receptions for 337 yards and 2 touchdowns. He averaged an impressive 19.8 yards per reception. He is a playmaker who is working his tail off. 2024 WR/TE Malique Callaway (6’5” 190 lbs) had 18 receptions for 205 yards and 4 touchdowns. He has an offer from Bowling Green. 2025 WR Adonis Moise (6’ 180 lbs) had 15 receptions for 201 yards and 1 touchdown in the fall. During spring, he had 2 receptions for 92 yards and 1 touchdown. Moise is a dynamic multiple-sport athlete that has a very bright future. 2024 WR Zymarion Lang (6’3” 170 lbs) only had 3 receptions for 111 yards and 1 touchdown in the fall, but he is having the best off-season as far as recruiting goes. He has earned a bunch of big offers from the likes of South Carolina, Louisville, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Indiana, and Duke. Things like that happen when you clock a 4.31 forty at a camp. On the offensive line, 2023 OT Keion Brown-Smith (6’5” 275 lbs) is an athletic big-man who will play a key role in protecting the quarterbacks in the fall. He holds an offer from Marshall. 2023 TE/OT Kyle Nemzek (6’5” 235 lbs) is another big body who transferred in from St. Stephens. He is a player to keep an eye on.
The Palmetto defense is young, but talented. The unit is headlined by big-time 2023 DL Andrew Rumph (6’6” 252 lbs). He is a major power 5 prospect with 17+ offers. He had 47 tackles and 16 tackles for loss as a junior. 2023 SS Jamil Williams (6’ 200 lbs) has locked in offers from Tennessee, Duke, FAU, Arkansas State, and Charlotte this off-season. As a junior, he had 60 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries. 2025 CB Colton Davis (5’10” 160 lbs) has established himself as a big-time player this summer by earned two SEC offers, from Tennessee and Ole Miss respectively. Two other defensive players to know are 2023 DB Jayden Dunbar (6’ 155 lbs), who holds an offer from Presbyterian, and 2023 LB Thomas Johnson (6’1” 210 lbs). I think Johnson has the potential to have a huge senior year.
