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Tuesday, July 7, 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.

Why we ranked him:

The biggest thing that comes to Unsigned Preps director Ricky Sailor’s mind about Daniels is versatility. He may play wide receiver at the next level — Daniels committed to the University of Virginia on June 18 — but he’s just as productive on the defensive end, racking up 76 tackles last year for the Chiefs to go along with his team-leading 407 yards receiving. “DJ is very dedicated to the program, and not only making himself better, but the guys around him better,” Sailor said.

By the numbers:

45 - Tackles as a junior

9 - Interceptions, most in Hillsborough County

23.3 - Average yards per interception return

2 - Touchdowns scored on turnovers

85 - Fumble recovery yards

Why we ranked him:

It’s all about potential for Penix. He played sparingly as a freshman behind Grant Starling, but showed what he can do against Wiregrass Ranch in the spring game. Penix threw for 226 yards and five touchdowns — one of those going 80 yards. A left-hander, Penix has a strong arm and is also shifty in the pocket. He already has one Division I offer from Florida Atlantic.

Last season, Robinson quarterback Malik Tyson played at a frail 170 pounds. He had good outings — he threw for more than 300 yards in a loss to Lennard — and he had bad ones, and the inconsistency frustrated him.

This offseason, Tyson, who will return as the Knights’ starter, set out to improve himself so that in turn, he could improve his team’s outlook.

The rising senior’s progress can be seen with just one glance.

Tyson said he has dedicated himself to healthy weight gain and has packed on 30 pounds in the offseason through diet and exercise. Tyson said he eats six times per day and has been putting in extra time at the gym lifting weights to make himself more durable for his team.

“He was pretty light. His arm was a little bit not where it needed to be, so we spent some time with his mechanics, and of course his weight helps with him having more zip on his passes,” coach Shawn Taylor said of Tyson’s progress. “We didn’t have to worry about finding a quarterback, we had to worry about fine-tuning the one we have.”

And so far, that mission has been accomplished.

Robinson returns seven starters on offense this fall, including wide receivers JJ Henderson and Iyan Mitchell, who should be able to put on a show.

Now that he’s bulked up and improved his technique, Tyson — who threw for 1,087 yards and nine touchdowns in 2014 — can’t wait to get on the field to help them do that.

“I am very excited because that just adds to the danger that this team can create, when we all work together and we all contribute to our fair share of what we’re supposed to do,” Tyson said.

You started playing on varsity in the eighth grade. How nervous were you then?

“To be honest, I wasn’t nervous at all. I got used to playing with varsity players pretty quickly. In fact, I became a pretty big factor.”

Last year you had good numbers (829 rushing, 409 receiving, 13 touchdowns). How would you rate your performance?

“I’d say it was a breakout year. We were more of a passing team, and I still had more than 800 yards rushing. I probably would have had 1,000 but I missed the Shorecrest game because my family decided we were all going on vacation that week. I don’t know why we did that.”

What is your most memorable game?

“I scored four touchdowns against Carrollwood Day last year. It was a big game and kept us in the playoff race.”

What offers do you have?

“I have one from Middle Tennessee State. I was happy to get it because it laid everything out for me. But I don’t want to get too big-headed. I want to keep working and stay humbled.”

What is the goal this year?

“I want to rush for 2,000 yards.”

Why we ranked him:

On the offensive side of the ball, Henderson had to play second fiddle to Maryland signee Jahrvis Davenport. But Henderson should see his time in the spotlight this season as part of an offense that returns seven starters. The rising senior had 210 yards receiving, averaging more than 12 yards per reception, and 21 tackles in 2014. Teaming up with returning quarterback Malik Tyson, Henderson likely will give the Knights a whole lot more this time around.

The departure of quarterback and USF commit Chris Oladokun left Alonso in a little bit of a lurch this offseason, forcing the Ravens to depend on an inexperienced rising sophomore under center. The move convinced coach Brian Emanuel to move to more of a run-first strategy, something the veteran coach is excited to see play out come August.

But thanks to Elias and his quick moves, Emanuel got a glimpse of what that might look like in the Ravens’ spring jamboree. And it was everything he had hoped it would be.

Elias ran for 89 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries as Alonso beat Gaither 20-7.

“It felt really good,” said Elias, who rushed for 153 yards on 41 carries last season. “It’s been a long step. I’ve been practicing, working hard. That’s the main focus for me. I want to make it somewhere.”

Emanuel thinks his prized back has what it takes to lead the Ravens’ offense this year. At 5-foot-7, he’s a bit undersized, but that only seems to add to his speed, evidenced by his long touchdowns against the Cowboys

“Josh is a special player,” Emanuel said. “He’s compact, obviously, but he’s been behind some great backs here. He hasn’t really had a chance to be the bell cow.”

This year, Elias is staring at his chance.

McNeal takes over as the starting quarterback, replacing the graduated Noah Johnson

What NFL player do you model your game after?

“It’s hard because I don’t even know what position I’ll play at the next level. I like (St. Louis Rams receiver/return specialist) Tavon Austin because he’s got a similar-sized body type to me and on offense we play the same.”

You’re a little bit undersized. Does that motivate you on the field?

“That’s where the heat comes from. I know every time I step on the field, people are doubting me. So I know I have to do something extra.”

What are you most looking forward to about the upcoming season?

“I’m looking forward to 15-0, going to the state championship, and winning the state championship.”

What is the best thing coach Sean Callahan has taught you?

“He taught me how to keep a level head, stay humble. He really don’t let me get too flashy with it. Stay humble, that’s what he teaches me.”

Do you have any interesting hobbies outside of football?

“I like to go fishing. I’m pretty good. I never really caught a big fish, I just catch the little ones. But it’s just time by myself.”

Five things to know about Snead:

1. Armwood has had some decent running backs in recent years, but coach Sean Callahan thinks Snead could become the best the Hawks have ever seen. Still, Snead doesn’t want to wait long for that recognition. “I believe in myself. I am going to be the best running back, and not even in three years. I’m going to be the best running back this year, next year, and the year after that.”

2. Callahan doesn’t usually play a lot of underclassmen, so last year as a freshman, Snead had just 34 carries in eight games. That said, he did a lot with his opportunities, rushing for 195 yards, or almost 6 yards per carry.

3. Snead has seen limited time on the field for the Hawks, but that doesn’t mean he’s getting overlooked. The rising sophomore boasts nine Division I offers, including ones from Ohio State, Florida and South Carolina. Snead said he’s enjoyed going to camps and meeting coaches, and is looking forward to visiting Gainesville.

4. In contrast to last year — when running back Caylan Holloway led the march on the ground for the Hawks — Snead should be just one half of a strong Armwood run game this fall. He’ll join rising junior running back Erin Collins, and Callahan expects the pair to run for at least 1,000 yards each.

5. Snead set a goal to reach 1,500 yards rushing, so he can not only contribute in a big way to his team, but prove that his talent matches his college offers. “Last year I was playing behind those guys and I was just like, ‘I want to get in, I want to get in, because I want to show them what I can really do,’” he said. “… Every time I got in the game I showed them why I’m that deal.”

By the numbers:

3,186 - Career rushing yards in three seasons at IRC

36 - Career rushing touchdowns at IRC

1,136 - Rushing yards as a junior, second on the team behind Jacquan Fuller

18 - Rushing TDs last season

5 - Games with more than 100 yards rushing in 2014

32 - Career games played at IRC

All photos: Times files