41-50

Tuesday, July 14, 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 41 through 50.

You rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season (161 carries for 1,365 yards). What are your personal goals this season?

“I want to rush for more than I did last season, but I also want to become a threat in other areas. I’ll probably be playing a little bit at cornerback on defense this year.”

You were by far the leading ball carrier on the team last season. Do you think you’ll see even more carries this season and do you like being the featured back?

“We have a new offensive coordinator so I don’t really know how he likes to run things, but based on the spring game I’ll be splitting more carries with the other backs. I do like the role of being a featured back.”

How would you describe your running style?

“I think my style is kind of running up the middle, but also I can get around people.”

Do you pattern your style after any NFL backs?

“Not after an NFL player but I do watch my (older) brother play, (former Plant City player Daz’mond Patterson, who is at Ohio University). I think I’m a lot like him.”

How good can Plant City be this year?

“I think we should be really good, especially if we’re all working together.”

By the numbers:

10 - Schools from which he’s received offers or interest

63 - Yards lost on his 6.5 sacks last season

44 - Tackles as a freshman

3 - Forced fumbles

40 - Freshmen from around the nation with whom he attended the inaugural NFL Prep Academy last month

Fernandez has been a Panther for three years. But this season, he’s adding another role to his identity: captain.

Fernandez will be the only returning starter on Plant’s offensive line. And though that in itself could result in some growing pains, Fernandez is excited about the challenge of leading the way on the line.

“It’s fun to be the new captain of the O-line, because I’m showing them the ropes and showing them the little nuances and technicalities and everything it takes to be the best you can be,” Fernandez said.

Aiding in the transition is the fact that quarterback Rex Culpepper is back for a second year as starter, and Fernandez said that has made his and the rest of the line’s job easier, because Culpepper has mastered the offense and always makes the right checks.

At 6-foot-5, 300 pounds, Fernandez has the size to be a successful lineman at the next level, and he’s already fielded offers from UCF, Tulane and FIU, among others.

But before he gets there, Fernandez is excited for his final year at Plant, and the increased responsibilities that come along with it.

“I like that it’s the most selfless position on the field, because you have to give yourself up to protect your teammates,” Fernandez said. “It’s rewarding knowing that I help my friends succeed.”

Why we ranked him:

One of the top running backs on the North Suncoast, Smith ran for 1,498 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. He could have posted even bigger numbers but was taken out after the Sharks were comfortably ahead in some games. In the offseason, Smith worked in the weight room and ran track to boost his stamina and speed, especially with an increased role on defense. “I have some personal goals, but I don’t like to talk about them too much. I just want to go out and do it,” Smith said. “I definitely want to rush for more than 1,700 yards with no fumbles and get in better shape to play on both sides of the ball.” He already has offers from Charleston Southern, Eastern Kentucky, Florida A&M, Marshall and Western Illinois.

By the numbers:

1 - Season as a first-team Sunshine Athletic Conference selection on the offensive line (2014)

2 - Offers from colleges (Rutgers and South Alabama)

4 - Years as a varsity starter at left tackle (Started at Hernando his freshman season)

15 - Pounds gained since last season

355 - Pounds he can bench press, an increase of 70 from last season

Why we ranked him:

A fixture on the offensive line, Behrens is a strong run blocker who paved the way for the Wolves to rush for 2,287 yards as a team last season. He also played in seven games along the defensive line and registered 11 tackles. In May, Behrens made his college plans official by committing to Marshall over offers from Army and Florida International. This season, he’ll continue to play on both sides of the ball. “What I want most this season is to make this team stand out from all the other years and to show people it’s not just a rebuilding season,” Behrens said. “I also want to win districts and get a 3.5 GPA.”

Preston hasn’t really been a big name in Hillsborough County football, but the offers under his belt show that people are paying attention.

Preston boasts 14 Division I offers, including ones from Miami, Wisconsin and Louisville. The rising senior, though, said he’s less concerned about the number of offers and focusing more on his production on the field this fall.

“I’m most definitely going to try and go out with a bang, make sure my name is known in this area,” Preston said. “I feel like I got overlooked last year because my stats weren’t that good. … I’m trying to make sure the coaches that recruited me, they know I can produce on the field.”

Knights coach Shawn Taylor is excited about the potential Preston, who had 39 tackles, five sacks and two forced fumbles in 2014, and the rest of his defensive squad have. At 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, Preston’s already got the size to be a successful college defensive lineman. But first, Taylor has charged him with proving he can be a good high school lineman, too.

“I said, ‘You’ve got to prove to people you deserve those (offers), and that your best football is now, not just ahead of you,’” Taylor said. “I told him he owes the team 20 sacks before he goes to Rutgers or Miami or wherever he goes. He has a lot of unfinished business before he rides off into the sunset.”

Which do you like better — offense or defense?

“Defense, most definitely. It’s more aggressive. I get a chance to go after the ball, and I get to hit instead of being hit.”

Are you looking forward to getting more carries at fullback this season?

“I’d like to get more yards, run the ball more, show people I can run the ball also while playing linebacker as well.”

Do you like sharing a position with your dad (former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks)?

“It’s very cool. He always tells me things I can do, from his experience, and I can do it on the field from what he tells me.”

What kind of coach is he?

“He’s calm, helpful. He’s tough when it comes down to it, but most of the time he’s calm.”

What do you hope to accomplish this season?

“Stats wise, try to lead my team in tackles, be in the top five in the county. Just be more of a leader, more aggressive.”

Do you have any college offers yet?

“I’ve got one offer from USF, and Florida State is showing me some interest.”

What NFL player do you most model your game after?

“I’d have to say dad, to be honest. It’s just his aggressiveness, that’s all. How he made tackles, he was loud on the defense, made sure everybody knew what was going on.”

Why we ranked him:

Wilson had an off year as a junior, but he still pretty much did it all for the 2-8 Rams. He was the top ball carrier, with 148 rushes for 675 yards and four touchdowns. He caught six passes for 56 yards and even played some at quarterback, where he threw for 419 yards and three touchdowns. That was just on offense. On defense, Wilson recorded 63 total tackles and a fumble recovery. Expect Wilson to play on both sides again this season. While the Rams have beefed up their offensive line, they lack depth. Still, Wilson, who gained 1,518 yards as a sophomore, has the chance to reach that mark again as a senior. He has been offered by USF and has the academics to garner Ivy League offers.

Five things to know about Samee:

1. Samee has been an offensive lineman since he was a sixth-grader at Berkeley Prep. He transferred to Admiral Farragut halfway through his seventh-grade season and was brought up to varsity toward the end of his eighth grade year. He came to Clearwater Central Catholic as a sophomore.

2. Samee is used to playing for teams that make deep playoff runs. He played for Admiral Farragut when it made the Class 2A state championship in 2010 and has been to the Class 3A state semifinals each of the past three seasons with CCC.

3. After graduating three starters on the offensive line, the Marauders are counting on Samee to anchor that unit, as well as provide leadership. In the spring, Samee helped a depleted offense put up 23 points in a loss to Clearwater.

4. Samee is a multi-sport athlete. In middle school, he was on the baseball, swimming and wrestling teams. At CCC, he throws the shot put and discus, advancing to regionals in both events last season.

5. This offseason was big for Samee, who now has seven offers (Akron, Bowling Green, Kent State, Ohio, Richmond, Samford and Stetson), according to 247Sports.

All photos: Times files