How did 2020 Class do this past season?
The class of 2020 in Florida was pretty impressive. You had freshman defensive tackles, Jalen Carter and Gervon Dexter both get on the field as freshman. Cornerback Elias Ricks has already made an impact at LSU. There have been some highlights among the 2020 class and some low-lights. Who will have a breakout season in 2021. We will break down the recruiting class from 2020.
Jalen Carter : Apopka -6’4-300 -DT (Signed with UGA) -Carter had a decent freshman season. He recorded 14 tackles this past season. Sr. Jordan Davis will start ahead of Carter in 2021 but we expect that talented defensive lineman to make a major impact this upcoming season.
Gervon Dexter: Lake Wales-6’6-275-(Signed with UF)-We had Carter and Dexter as the number 1 and number 2 overall prospects in Florida. Dexter flashed ELITE level talent during last season. He continued that success this spring. Dexter has the size and length to dominate up front. It would not surprise us to see him take his game to another level in 2021.
Elias Ricks: IMG Academy-6’2-190-(Signed with LSU)-Ricks recorded 20 tackles and led the team in interceptions with 4 a year ago. He is not listed as a starter heading into 2021 but we feel that could change and look for LSU to have one of the best defensive backfields in 2021. Ricks did not disappoint last season as he was one of the best freshman in the 2020 class.
Timothy Smith: Sebastian River-6’4-300 (Signed with Alabama)It is not often you have three top ten defensive tackles in state of Florida in one year. Smith had 2.5 TFL, 1 Sack and 14 overall tackles in 2020. He also flashed elite level potential last season. Look for Smith to hear his named called in the 2023 NFL Draft very early.
Who else made an impact in 2020…..
#13 Don Chaney-RB-Belen Jesuit-68 Rushes-322 Yards and 3 TD
#12 Xzavier Henderson-WR-Columbus-9 Catches-148 Yards and 1 TD
#24 Jeff Sims-QB-Sandalwood-1881 Yards passing, 13 Touchdowns passing / 492 yards rushing -6 touchdowns
Played in 2020…..
Kevone Lee-Superior Collegiate Academy-(Penn State)
Marcus Rosemy-Saint Thomas (Georgia)
Henry Parrish-Columbus (Ole Miss)
Kentron Poitier-Miami Palmetto (FSU)
Lawrance Toafili-Pinellas Park (FSU)
Impact potential in 2021….
Demarkcus Bowman-Lakeland (UF)
Keyshawn Greene-Wakulla (FAU)
Donell Harris-Gulliver Prep (Texas A&M)
Avante Williams-Deland (UM)
Derek Wingo-Saint Thomas (UF)
Jalen Rivers-Oak Leaf (Miami)
Jaylan Knighton-Deerfield Beach (Miami)
Bryan Robinson-Palm Beach Central-(FSU)
Joshua Braun-Suwanee-(UF)
Ajou Ajou-Clearwater Academy-(Clemson)
Anthony Richardson-Eastside (UF)
Elijah Canion-Chaminade-(Auburn)
Stephen Dix-Dr. Phillips (FSU)
Xavier Restrepo-Saint Thomas (UM)
Ruben Hyppolite-McArthur-(Maryland)
Final Thoughts: We will continue to monitor the 2020 class. There will be more players in the 2020 class that emerge and end up stars. We look forward to watching how well this class does over the next couple of seasons. Remember the name Michael Pratt. The talented freshman had a great freshman season in 2020 and looks to build on that next season. Tulane may have found the steal of the 2020 class. ESS had him rated as one of the top 150 players in the state of Florida.