31-40

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Our fourth annual countdown of the top 100 football players in Tampa Bay — consisting of athletes who attend a public or private school in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco or Hernando counties. Past performances — spanning the fall, spring and summer — and promise of big things to come are all taken into consideration. Today: players 31 through 40.

Five things to know about Washington:

1. Last year, Washington was an asset to the Warriors’ defense, recording 67 tackles, 14 for loss, and five sacks. As far as he’s concerned, defensive line is the absolute best spot on the field. “I just like going one-on-one with the O-linemen,” he said, “because I have a good feeling that I can beat them.”

2. Washington said he’s hoping to build upon his stats from last year, aiming for at least 70 tackles, 10 sacks, and 15 tackles for loss.

3. Washington has one offer, from Bethune-Cookman, and continues to get interest from others. As for picking a future college home, Washington wants to find an environment similar to the one he’s found at Steinbrenner. “I’m just looking for a coach that really likes to coach his own players, teach them right, don’t give up on them,” he said.

4. Washington didn’t start playing football until he was in the eighth grade, choosing basketball instead throughout his childhood. Washington’s father was a basketball player and legend, he said, at Brandon High School. Still, the elder Washington supported his son’s choice to switch to football. “He thought it was better for me,” Washington said.

5. If a career in football doesn’t work out, Washington said he’d love to go into veterinary medicine. The animal lover has two dogs at home, Princess and Diamond.

By the numbers:

8 - Finalists, including Black, in John Kaleo’s quarterback challenge in April

1,872 - Total passing yards last season, 39 more than the last three leading passers, combined, accumulated

77 - Yards on his longest completion last year, a pass to Diontae Johnson

1 - College offer, from USF

187 - Passing yards per game in 2014

What do you like about playing at Jefferson?

“It’s like a family atmosphere. In all my years of being here, I’ve watched people come in that are related. The coaches, they just give you next-level information to make you that much better.”

What offers do you have?

“I have three offers (Louisville, USF, Indiana).”

What was it like getting that first offer from Louisville?

“It was just like a surprise, because they called me out of class and I just came and he was like, ‘We’re going to offer you,’ and I was like, ‘Wow.’”

Does picking up those offers get you motivated for the regular season?

“In all honestly, I don’t really play for the offers. They just kind of come with the game. I do look at the other talent around at my position and in my class and I use that as fuel.”

What are you most looking forward to about the season?

“Now that the district is different, we know we have less district games, so we’re more likely going to the playoffs. I’m just looking forward to getting to the playoffs and trying to get a ring.”

What NFL player do you most model your game after?

“(Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker) Terrell Suggs. He’s just an explosive player. We play just about the same position. People usually compare me to him. He’s under the wing of Ray Lewis. He models after him, and I model after him also.”

What is your biggest goal for the season?

“I’m trying to be a team player and help my team go to state, but also as a personal goal, I’m trying to get double-digit sacks.”

Last year, Armwood’s offense featured an undersized running back in Caylan Holloway. And though he still managed more than 800 yards on the ground, Armwood has lacked the skill sets of a bruiser-type running back.

This year, coach Sean Callahan’s got it not just once, but twice, thanks to Collins and Brian Snead.

Collins, who is the fourth person in his family to play for Armwood, played a limited role last year as a sophomore, but he still accrued 338 yards and six touchdowns on just 36 carries. Now that he’s had time to grow and develop, Callahan is excited about what the rising junior can bring to the table this fall.

Collins said he and Snead, a rising sophomore, are competitive, both on the field and off.

“In the weight room, the weight he does, I try to do it,” said Collins, who has offers from Indiana and UCF. “If I lift more than him, he tries to lift more than me. Stuff like that.”

Callahan admits that the strength of his team is still his corps of wide receivers, a group that returns almost everyone from last year. But to also have a pair of running backs like Collins and Snead in his back pocket, the outlook for the offense looks bright.

“I’d be surprised if both of those guys don’t rush over 1,000 for the regular season,” Callahan said. “These guys are both over 6 feet, 190-ish. It’s a little bit different, getting that kind of body out on the perimeter.”

By the numbers:

408 - Career tackles his father, Shad, recorded at BYU from 1989-92 to set the school record

197 - Tackles Hansen has so far in his career at East Lake, including a team-high 126 last season

7 - Offers, including Air Force and Iowa State, according to 247Sports

4 - Career interceptions for Hansen (two in each of the past two seasons)

2 - Defensive touchdowns Hansen has scored, both coming in 2013

Why we ranked him:

Though his first love is basketball, Walton has become more of a prized prospect in football thanks to his chiseled frame. He has 18 offers, including Cincinnati, Kentucky, Miami and UCF. Colleges also like him because of his versatility. In the spring, Walton played guard to help a line that was depleted because of injuries. He paved the way for Seminole’s ground game to rush for 208 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-6 victory over Dunedin. “In my eyes, Brandon might be the best offensive lineman in Pinellas County,” Warhawks coach Chris Miller said.

Five things to know about Barrett:

1. Barrett’s first love is basketball. He started playing as a seventh-grader and has been a key contributor on varsity for the Cougars.

2. It wasn’t until Barrett’s freshman season that he started playing football. He was over the weight limit in youth leagues and was encouraged to start playing in high school by former Countryside running back Dante Satcher, who graduated last month.

3. Barrett started out as a defensive lineman before being moved to tight end. He said he models his game after the Detroit Lions’ Eric Ebron. Last season, Barrett had seven receptions for 73 yards.

4. Thanks to a strong spring, Barrett has gotten the attention of colleges. He has eight offers, including Middle Tennessee State, USF and Toledo. All are at tight end. His dream school is Florida, and he said the Gators are looking at him as an H-back.

5. This season, Barrett will have to pull double duty with increased playing time as a defensive end.

Why we ranked him:

Judge, an FIU commit, may be playing defensive back at the next level, but last season, he helped the Titans all over the field. Judge led Tampa Bay Tech in tackles (117), tackles for loss (15), interceptions (four) and passes defended (seven), while also returning kickoffs and recording 57 rushing yards and 128 yards receiving. He’s the kind of guy who should make TBT’s opponents think twice before throwing deep. “He’s a heart and soul of our defense. Most of what we do defensively pretty much pertains to him being able to be versatile,” coach Jayson Roberts said. “We move him around. We try to get him involved in the run game, and at the same time, he’s good in coverage and he’s such a good athlete.”

Why we ranked him:

As a freshman, Williams opened some eyes. He led the Vikings with 708 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He also played a little at quarterback, ran the ball a few times and returned punts and kickoffs. It didn’t take long for coach Jeremy Frioud to realize Williams was a talented player. “He’s a man amongst boys on the field,” Frioud said. “He was a man amongst boys last season and he was 14 years old. He just glides on the field.” There is a good chance Williams might not leave the field at all this fall. He is the backup quarterback, he’ll start at receiver and run the ball some. He’ll also play in the secondary, return kicks and punts, and he is the starting punter. With Canterbury transfer Josh Belton at quarterback and an improved offensive line, Williams is set to have a breakout sophomore season.

Why we ranked him:

A transfer from Alonso, Eskridge played in six games as a freshman for the Ravens and had two receptions for 39 yards, as well as 13 tackles on defense. Because of his size, Eskridge has become a big-time target, in the passing game and with recruiters. This spring, he exploded with seven offers from schools like Florida, Louisville, Miami and Virginia Tech. He should put up big numbers in a high-powered offense that is loaded with playmakers. On defense, Eskridge can play both safety positions. “In the time that Jermaine’s been here, he just keeps improving. With his physical gifts and work ethic, it’s pretty easy to see why so many colleges are after him. We’re excited about what he can do,” coach Jeremy Earle said.

All photos: Times files