Elite 11: The area’s top players in 2016
Demetrius Lawson
Braden River, Senior
Position: Defensive back
Height/Weight: 6-1, 177 pounds
To his credit: A ball-hawking threat, Lawson was a key to Braden River’s historic 2015 season that earned the program’s first state semifinal appearance. He registered seven interceptions, while recording 30 tackles and a fumble recovery. He also produced four pass breakups, which has led to Western Kentucky and Tulane showing interest.
Tyrone Collins
Braden River, Junior
Position: Defensive back
Height/Weight: 5-11, 180 pounds
To his credit: The prototypical cover corner, and arguably the top shutdown defensive back in the county. Like Demetrius Lawson, Collins intercepted seven passes, while accruing 21 pass breakups. He can tackle, too, with 61 (four for a loss) in 2015. He has received multiple offers including Michigan and Missouri.
Raymond Thomas
Braden River, Senior
Position: Running back
Height/Weight: 5-7, 170 pounds
To his credit: An explosive runner, Thomas is the big-play threat every time he touches the ball. He averaged 8.36 yards per carry last season in eight games. His season ended when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Palmetto in late October. Now healthy, the Pirates have their complement of tailbacks with Thomas and the power running of DeShaun Fenwick.
Tarique Milton
Manatee, Senior
Position: Wide receiver
Height/Weight: 5-11, 165 pounds
To his credit: Slowed by an ankle injury, Milton wasn’t the go-to playmaker to start 2015. Teammate Kavious Price, who has graduated and is at Kent State, was that option for Manatee. Milton came on strong late, adding to the receiving options for quarterback A.J. Colagiovanni. He produced at least 145 receiving yards in two of the Canes’ last three games and had eight receiving touchdowns. He has several offers, including Michigan State.
A.J. Colagiovanni
Manatee, Senior
Position: Quarterback
Height/Weight: 6-0, 195 pounds
To his credit: A dual-threat quarterback, Colagiovanni had offensive firepower around him and can make plays with his legs. He completed 62.5 percent of his passes, while averaging 6.48 yards per carry and totaling 27 touchdowns in the 2015 regular season. After needing foot surgery in June, Colagiovanni shined against Seffner Armwood in the preseason.
Josh Booker
Manatee, Junior
Position: Running back
Height/Weight: 5-11, 215 pounds
To his credit: A transfer, Booker isn’t a new face to area football fans. He had more than 1,100 rushing yards at Sarasota last fall. This year, big things should happen for the tailback behind the Manatee line. Booker could also benefit from teams trying to thwart the Hurricanes’ passing attack. This is the year the junior could break out and start racking up college offers akin to what Milton did following his successful second half to 2015.
Sam Jackson
Lakewood Ranch, Senior
Position: Offensive lineman
Height/Weight: 6-6, 310 pounds
To his credit: The Mustangs struggled, but one area they excelled in was running the football. Jackson played a huge part, opening holes for J.T. Fischer, who posted a 1,000-yard season. Jackson was rewarded with college offers and has orally committed to Central Florida, becoming the first public school player in the Class of 2017 to announce a decision.
Darrien Grant
Southeast, Senior
Position: Defensive lineman
Height/Weight: 6-4, 220 pounds
To his credit: The defensive end was an integral piece to the Seminoles’ defense, recording 42 total tackles (11 1/2 for a loss), 4 1/2 sacks and eight hurries. In the offseason, Grant racked up six college offers, including three ACC programs. He orally committed to South Florida, sticking close to home and joining Manatee alumnus Willie Taggart.
Christian Kalish
Palmetto, Senior
Position: Offensive lineman
Height/Weight: 6-4, 290 pounds
To his credit: A returning offensive lineman with experience, Kalish is poised to lead an improved Palmetto line. The Tigers were gouged up front in key games last season. However, Kalish is a physical lineman that can have Palmetto contending for a playoff berth once again.
Cesar Ruiz
IMG, Senior
Position: Offensive lineman
Height/Weight: 6-3, 310 pounds
To his credit: Transformed into the No. 1 center in the country as a junior, Ruiz more than held his own against the stiffest opposition. That included the country’s top overall senior prospect last year, defensive lineman Rashan Gary, who is at Michigan. Ruiz battled top defensive lineman from his own team all year during practices. The second-year Ascender has 32 offers, including favorites Alabama and Michigan, for his services next year.
Josh Kaindoh
IMG, Senior
Position: Defensive lineman
Height/Weight: 6-7, 240 pounds
To his credit: Returning for a second season at IMG Academy, Kaindoh’s future is known. The Baltimore native orally committed to Maryland last April. Kaindoh eschewed several other suitors, including Notre Dame in picking the Terps. Last season, he racked up 48 total tackles (five for a loss) and 3 1/2 sacks in eight games for the Ascenders. He’s set to have an even better 2016 with newcomer Taron Vincent getting attention from opposing offensive lineman that should free Kaindoh up for major damage.
— Jason Dill
This story was originally published August 25, 2016 at 5:14 PM with the headline "Elite 11: The area’s top players in 2016."