We tell you everything you need to know about the 2026 Nease High School football team in this preview, including roster changes and what fans can expect from the Panthers this season.
2025 Season Stats
- Overall Record: 9-3
- Points Scored: 372
- Points Allowed: 160
Key Roster Losses
Nease and head coach Collin Drafts will enter the 2026 season without 11 starters from last year, including five on offense and six on defense.
The big losses include a couple of linebackers in Jacob Curry and Kru Casey. They were absolute head hunters on defense, and the numbers tell the story of their impact.
Curry was a three-year starter who recorded 101 total tackles in each of his final two seasons and 288 tackles during his career. He finished his high school career with 42 ½ tackles for loss, including 23 ½ sacks. He recorded 12 sacks last season. Curry signed with Oklahoma.
Casey recorded 108 tackles last season, including 33 tackles for loss and 21 sacks. He also had two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one interception. He has taken his talents to Statesboro, where he’ll play with the Georgia Southern Eagles.
Drafts said one of the team’s major losses on offense will be offensive lineman Jack Mohlman, who signed with Middle Tennessee State.
Key Players Returning
Despite losing half of its 22 starters, Nease returns several key contributors this season, starting with quarterback Aiden Phifer. The junior has committed to Northwestern following his career at Nease.
One of Phifer’s top targets will be senior tight end Chase Phifer, who has committed to Boston College.
On the offensive line, three-year starting center Jacob Beckham returns alongside junior left tackle John O’Dwyer, who has multiple Power Four offers, including Florida State and Florida. O’Dwyer is uncommitted entering the 2026 season.
Other key returning players include senior running back Enrique Ordonez, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season, and senior wide receiver Tyshawn Ford, who is a “big-time playmaker” according to Drafts.
On defense, Nease welcomes back senior strong safety Kash Kolbow, who is committed to UCF. His defensive backfield teammate, cornerback Jayden Haynes, returns for his senior season and is committed to play for Army at West Point.
Drafts said three former defensive linemen will move to linebacker this season: Chase Bogle, Devon Wentley, and Sloan Davis.
The Panthers will also have one of the nation’s best special teams weapons with punter and kicker Aric Davis-Baer returning this season. Davis-Baer is ranked among the nation’s top 10 punters.
What to Expect From the Nease Panthers in 2026
Nease will move to a new district and classification this year, going from Class 6A District 3 to Class 5A District 2. Its new district foes will include Bartram Trail, Ponte Vedra, and Fletcher.
“It will be a very tough district, and we’ll have a difficult schedule this season, but we have very high expectations,” Drafts said.
Drafts has good reason to expect another solid season.
“We’ve had seven wins, 10 wins, and nine wins in the last three seasons, plus two district championships,” he said.
With the talent returning, Nease fans should expect more winning football in 2026.
2026 Season Prediction
The Panthers could win 10 or 11 games. I predict an 11-2 season and another district championship.
Game to Watch
Oct. 16 at Bartram Trail
Nease’s 2026 Football Schedule
- 8/21 vs. Creekside
- 8/28 at St. Augustine
- 9/04 vs. Mainland
- 9/11 vs. Mandarin
- 9/24 vs. Beachside
- 10/2 vs. Riverside
- 10/09 at Fletcher
- 10/16 at Bartram Trail
- 10/23 vs. Ponte Vedra
- 10/30 at Sandalwood
