51-60

Monday, July 13, 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 51 through 60.

Why we ranked him:

Ogletree was all over the field as a sophomore linebacker. He recorded 118 tackles, had two sacks and five hurries in his first year as a full time starter. He also had three forced fumbles, the most memorable coming against Brandon. The Raiders were on the brink of playoff elimination before Ogletree forced a fumble on a goal-line stand that preserved a 20-14 win and allowed Plant City to reach the playoffs. “Athletically, the kid is a freak,” Raiders coach Greg Meyer said. So far, Ogletree has interest from Temple, Florida Atlantic and Florida International.

Why we ranked him:

McIntyre emerged as one of the bay area’s top dual-threat quarterbacks after throwing for 2,191 yards, rushing for 526 and accounting for 17 touchdowns in the eight games he played last season. In the spring, McIntyre picked up his first offer from USF. He sat out the spring game and is trying to get a new receiving corps up-to-speed this offseason. “Isaiah has a real strong arm, but he’ll probably be used more as an athlete once he gets to college,” said quarterback guru John Kaleo, who was able to observe McIntyre during his quarterback challenge in the spring.

Gregory considers himself a basketball player who also plays football. He started playing hoops at an early age and didn’t take up football until his sophomore year, when he was a 230-pound lineman at Strawberry Crest.

“I’ve been playing basketball since I was 7 and that’s the sport I’ve loved since then,” said Gregory, who was a reserve on East Bay’s basketball team as a junior. “...I’m still learning (football) but I have the basics down and I’m beginning to enjoy football more as I get better. It’s starting to grow on me since I have natural football abilities.”

Those natural abilities have caught college coaches’ attention. He has been offered by Rutgers and is getting interest from USF, Iowa State, Florida A&M, Florida International, Georgia Southern, Tulane and Ohio University.

Gregory will anchor East Bay’s offensive line this season.

“With the way our summer has been going, how the coaches keep us motivated and our big spring win over Lennard, I have great expectations for our team,” Gregory said. “I know we’ll be able to compete with any team on our schedule. As for myself, I’m learning every day. I know my senior year will be the most dominant year for me.”

Five things to know about Campbell:

1. Last season, Campbell played outside linebacker, racking up 83 tackles, 13 for loss, while recording eight sacks. Coach Sean Callahan has moved him to inside linebacker, where he will try and make up for the loss of Jordan Griffin, a Vanderbilt signee who led Armwood in tackles each of the past two seasons. “It’s easy, it’s just different, because I have a lot of different reads than I had on the outside,” Campbell said of the switch. “Outside I had to read my tackle, but inside I got to read my guard.”

2. Speaking of Griffin, Campbell said he still dials up his former teammate whenever he has a question about adjusting to his new position. “He’s the one I go to for advice at middle because he played it all his years,” Campbell said. “Anytime I got a problem I call Jordan. ‘What do you do in this situation or in this formation?’”

3. This will be Campbell’s second year with the Hawks after transferring from King. Campbell said he has enjoyed his time at Armwood, the academic support he gets there and the visibility he garners when it comes to recruiting.

4. Because last year was his first season with the Hawks, Campbell is somewhat of an up-and-comer. He has one offer so far from Division I-AA Alcorn State — the school at which former Armwood quarterback Noah Johnson is signed to play — and he’s received interest from many more, Callahan said.

5. Campbell was third on the team in tackles last year, but this year that won’t be good enough for the rising senior. Campbell said he has a competition going on with fellow linebacker Justin Manning on who can record more tackles. Campbell, however, is confident he’ll come out on top. “I just want to lead in everything,” he said.

Walker may not leave the field this season, and that’s just fine with him. He played all 10 games as a junior and will likely see time this year at running back, slot receiver and cornerback. And he might even return kicks.

“My versatility makes our team more dangerous,” Walker said. “Whether I’m running the ball out of the backfield or in the slot catching balls, I’m helping the team.”

Walker carried 89 times and gained 344 yards as the Indians’ No. 3 running back in 2014. He also showed his versatility by catching eight passes for 80 yards on a team that rarely threw the ball.

His ability to play on both sides of the ball has sparked interest from schools like Bethune-Cookman, Eastern Kentucky, Georgia Southern, Middle Tennessee State and North Dakota State. “As the season goes on I see myself gaining more interest from other schools,” Walker said.

He also has lofty goals for his team.

“I want to win districts, go undefeated, go deep in the playoffs and (the team) scores 30 points per game,” Walker said.

Why we ranked him:

Cruz’s size alone makes him stand out, but now he’s got the experience to boot. A first-year starter last year, Cruz was thrown in the line of fire, and there was growing pains. Now that those are behind them, coach Brian Emanuel is expects the offensive line to be a strength of his team. Cruz likely will lead the way. “We return four starters; they’ve really put in the work in the weight room,” he said. “They’re a bunch of strong, big kids like I haven’t had in a while here.”

Last season, Lewis was second on the team in catches (33) and receiving yards (451) in helping lead the Mustangs to the playoffs for the first time since 2004. Already considered a Division I prospect, Lewis will should get even more attention from colleges as a big-time threat in the passing game.

You play football and basketball. How long have you been playing both sports?

“I’ve played football for 10 years and basketball for five.”

What’s better, scoring a touchdown or dunking a basketball?

“Dunking a basketball. I get more hype with that because I don't have a chance to dunk often during the game or practice.”

In college, your future appears to be in football. How long did you know that’s the path you wanted to take?

“Ever since I was little. I always wanted to play college football and even try to go to the NFL.”

What was it like to get that first college offer?

“I was excited because it's hard to get your first offer and I'm glad I got it from Florida Tech.”

How many offers do you have now?

“Three (Florida International, Florida Tech and Ohio).”

Finish this sentence. My season will be complete if...

“...we win the district title (Mitchell was the runnerup last season).”

Why we ranked him:

Bryant did not have a catch last season and had only one pass thrown his way in the spring game against Wiregrass Ranch. But he should play a vital role in the passing game as he fills the void left by Bowman Archibald, who graduated and is now at Wake Forest. Bryant’s frame and work in the spring helped him land offers from Middle Tennessee State and Florida International as a tight end. He also said he expects to get offers from Florida Atlantic as a tight end and Western Kentucky as a defensive end. Last season, Bryant registered 36 tackles and a sack. He said his goal this season is to lead Pasco County in tackles and receiving yards.

What have you been working on this offseason?

“It’s been good. I’ve been working on my weight. And in my game, I’m working on route running and catching the ball more.”

How much are you trying to gain?

“I’m trying to get to 175-180 for the season.”

What’s been your favorite moment playing for Tampa Catholic?

“Scoring against Jesuit. We had a play call for me and our quarterback; we saw the linebacker blitz and we audibled out of it.”

Do you have any scholarships offers?

“I have one. Middle Tennessee State.”

What are you looking for in a college program?

“I’m just looking for a good facility, something that will make my game grow.”

What are your goals for the season?

“To win state and get a ring, but for me personally, I want to double my stats from last year.”

What’s the best thing coach Mike Gregory has taught you?

“My attitude. He pushes me through things when I’m down or I’m upset. He just makes me realize things and pushes me through everything.”

Lemons, an elusive back, rushed for a team-high 932 yards and nine touchdowns last year. Those numbers should increase, especially after gaining 210 yards on three carries in a win against Clearwater Central Catholic in the spring. That performance helped put him on the radar of college recruiters, and he recently picked up his first offer from Indiana. We asked some of Lemon’s peers what they thought of him.

Garrison Bryant, QB, Clearwater - “He's always trying to improve his game and his leadership in some way. He works his butt off in the weight room every day and leads by example.”

Nate Demint, LB, Pinellas Park - “His blazing speed makes him one of the best running backs in the area. Watching his spring game shows that he is gonna be trouble to every defense he goes against.”

Justin Frain, LB, Seminole - “I don't know him personally but from playing him he is good on his feet and has a good sense of balance paired with speed.”

Max Kligman, DL, Clearwater Central Catholic - “I’d say his vision and how he sees cutback lanes are what sets him apart. To be honest, he’s not that hard to bring down once you make contact, but he’s fast so you have to catch him first.”

Kee Whetzel, LB, Countryside - Adarius is an outstanding ball player period. I’ve been playing with him since little league and he's just simply fast and hard to tackle.”

All photos: Times files