The Villages High School Football Team has some amazing talent in 2023! | Spring Game PREVIEW

Tonight, The Villages High School in Florida will kick off their Green and Gold game and there are several big time football players that will get to showcase their talents in front of parents, fans, and college recruiters. The Villages High School is located in the retirement community The Villages, Florida and is right down the road from NFL Draft Diamonds Headquarters!

The Villages Spring Game is going to be fun to watch. I have been watching this team every practice and there are some pretty amazing players on the team. I would like to showcase a few of these kids who are 2023/2024 recruits. Some of the 2024 recruits will have the ability to talk to college scouts starting on September 1st, 2022 but there are already multiple kids on schools radars.

First off, I have had the pleasure of working along with Coach Richard Pettus and defensive coordinator Myrick Guice who have done a tremendous job putting The Villages on the map for their football program. I broke down film on several kids that truly stuck out on film to me, and thought I would talk about a couple kids who have had a great spring practice.

I have been truly impressed with several of the underclassmen on this team. Losing 19 seniors will not be easy to replace for Coach Pettus, but some of the kids coming down the pipeline could help propel this team to a Conference Championship this year.

The DOGS

One player to keep an eye on is Alvon Isaac. The 2024 speedster has been elusive in practice making plays on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Isaac is extremely fast, he just ran a 10.96 in the 100-yard dash at the Villages final track meet. He will be going to Regionals next to compete. He is one of the most explosive players on the field and he is dynamic as a return man and as a safety. Alvon is also a basketball standout for The Villages, and an exceptional student with a high GPA!

The Offensive Line had several players move on, but they do have two returning starters on their line. One of the returners is Caleb Bevis. Bevis is a big kid standing at 6’4 and currently lines up at the tackle position. He takes the game serious, and is a basketball player as well. Bevis is a kid to keep an eye on, if you are a college recruiter. If you love smart players he has a 4.66 weighted GPA, and was upset he scored a 29 of 36 on the ACT. Bevis played last year and did a great job near the end of the season. Bevis returned to playing football last year after several years off. He is so coachable though. I would not be shocked if some Ivy League schools began picking up the phone to watch this kid! He has the potential for sure.

If you are looking for a pass rusher, I have one for you! One player that has tons of talent is Ja’Quez Oliver. Oliver is one of most athletic defensive players on the field. He makes good decisions and takes great angles. Quez has been lining up a lot at the defensive end position, but so far in the spring I have been noticing the 6’2 standout lining up at OLB. This is going to be a great transition because he can catch the ball well. I would not be shocked to see his stats increase big time this year. Ja’Quez is a 2023 senior and one you better keep an eye on! He is also on the basketball team!

There are so many more players to name, but I had to save this kid for last. His name is Q’Zorian Kennedy, or Q! Kennedy has already picked up an offer from Rhode Island and he is a 2024 prospect. If you are looking for a kid that eats, sleeps and breathes football, Q is your guy. I have high expectations for this young man. He too is a basketball player and a very good student. I have a feeling this kid will be a star. He is a shutdown cornerback and he is one of the most twitchy athletes I have ever watched up close and personal.

He tears up 7 on 7 teams across the state of Florida and I have already been talking to schools who cannot wait to get to talk to him. Kennedy is a playmaker who will make you pay if you throw at him, and he is one move away from taking it to the house every time he touches the ball. Just watch the film!

Best of the Rest

There are some other players I really liked when watching practices. Janiyis McNeil is a kid to keep an eye on if you are looking for a defensive lineman. He has great moves and great footwork. McNeil has the potential to play the next level for sure. He has good hand placement, and is quick off the ball.

Quarterback Danny Bitting has some big shoes to fill, but he has some good zip to the ball. Bitting will replace Brandon Kennard who graduated, after a solid senior season. Bitting has a good arm, and has picked up the playbook quickly. Bitting’s touch is solid, and amazing weapons around him. If he can get the ball in #7 and #1’s hands it could make for a long season!

I really want to give offensive lineman Randall Wise, a lot of recognition. This kid has the potential to be a road grader at the next level. He is a big kid with quick feet. He was lined up quite a bit at the right tackle position in practice. I like the kids footwork.

Another kid that really shined was Michael Florian. Florian is quick, and has great ball skills. He was used at several positions on the defense and he did great in his practices. Florian has had a tremendous camp. He is one of the most exciting players on the field. #13 is a favorite of mine, I am always writing his number down when scouting.

Eduardo Cortes is a solid player on the offensive and defensive line. He is a little shorter, but I could see him being a nose tackle at the college level. Cortes has grit you have to love that as a coach. He is a 2023 graduate.

My Diamonds in the Rough

1. A few other players who flashed during the week were WR Cliff Bridges, he is a taller wide receiver with good hands and good route running skills. I think this kid has potential and if he truly commits to the game he could be a kid on college radars very soon.
2. Jake Phillips is tenacious linebacker who is all over the field. He is small, but you cannot measure his heart. Phillips will be knocked for his size, but he is not afraid of contact. He will take on the biggest kid in practice and make you reconsider lining up against him.
3. Bryton Russ the PUNTER!!! YES, I said it! He is more than a punter though! This kid plays defensive end, and I think he can be a stud, he is super athletic, and has great footwork. He was wearing 88 in practice and I had to ask several people who he was. He impressed me a lot. I like this kid.

Players we will miss:

• Reuben Barren is one of the biggest kids on the roster for The Villages football team but he is also the star pitcher in baseball. He will not be playing the spring game, but if you are looking for a solid defensive lineman/offensive lineman he is a kid to keep an eye on.
• One kid that really looks fun is Deshawn Bellamy. He tore his ACL last year and will not play tonight, but Bellamy would be considered a Gruden Grinder if he was in the NFL. He plays with so much intensity, and I love when he makes a play. I also love the nickname Diggy, you have to live up to the hype when you are Diggy!

There are so many solid players but I wanted to showcase a few of the kids who did a good job. I will be there tonight watching the Spring Game, and I cannot wait to see several players in action. This is going to be a nice fall football team! See you tonight at 7!