Top 5 Most Impactful Players Returning for Some of North Central Florida’s Best High School Football Programs
Spring football is in full swing around the North Central Florida area, and coaches are getting a glimpse at what type of team they will have heading into the summer and fall. This time of year also provides the opportunity to examine which players will be out on the field come the start of the season and who will step into leadership roles moving forward. Here are the top five most impactful players returning in 2021 for a few premier football programs in North Central Florida.
Rankings are based off of the athlete’s stats from the 2020 season, his importance to the team’s overall roster this upcoming season and recruiting.
5.) Chaz Mackey, Quarterback, Hawthorne High School
Last season, the junior quarterback led Hawthorne to, arguably, one of its best seasons in program history. The Hornets finished 11-3 and as state runner-up after coming up short in the Class 1A state title game to the Baker Gators. Mackey managed to throw for over 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns last season and was a key piece in Hawthorne’s run to the state title game. Look for him to put up the same numbers in 2021 and have a big impact on the Hornets’ success.
4.) Creed Whittemore, Quarterback, Buchholz High School
Son of head coach Mark Whittermore, the rising junior quarterback will enter the fall looking to take on more of a leadership role for a squad that sees 21 seniors depart from last year’s team. Whittemore appeared in eight games for Buchholz last year and threw for over 1,000 yards along with 20 touchdowns, according to MaxPreps. He currently has two college offers, the first being from Arkansas State University and the second being from Troy University, according to 247Sports.
3.) Manny Covey, Running Back, Union County
The sophomore running back will be entering his junior year in the fall as one of the go-to backs for the Fightin’ Tigers. Last season, Covey finished second on the team in total rushing, racking up 810 yards. Additionally, he had a team-high 10 touchdowns on the ground. Covey gives the Union County backfield some firepower coming into the 2021 season, and the Fightin’ Tigers will look to have the same success as last year come August.
2.) Amare Ferrell, Safety, Columbia High School
In 2020, the sophomore safety appeared in nine games for the Tigers and recorded 39 total tackles, according to MaxPreps. He is one of two Columbia defensive players expected to have breakout years in 2021. Currently, Ferrell is rated as a three-star prospect, is No. 57 in Florida in the Class of 2023 and has offers from Arizona and Penn State, according to 247Sports.
- Jaden Robinson, Outside Linebacker, Columbia High School
The best player on this list is another Columbia High School athlete, sophomore Jaden Robinson. He played in all 11 games for the Tigers in 2020 and was one of two players who had a team-leading 64 tackles last season. Like Ferrell, Robinson is also being highly recruited by numerous schools and is currently rated as a four-star prospect, according to 247Sports. He ranks as the No. 11 linebacker in the state and No. 37 overall. Both Ferrell and Robinson should be big contributors once again for Columbia when the season rolls around.
Written by: Nick Anschultz
