From a fan point of view, spring games and jumpers can be ambiguous.
Of course, for the first time in six months you will see your favorite team play with a real opponent. But games are obviously not counted in the standings, and there is little value in reading the results.
Most teams spend the spring focused on themselves and not worrying too much about the opponent, so plans for games and matches are not the way they will look in the fall.
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But there will be times when the best recruits line up against each other, and watching this should be very interesting.
Here’s a look at some of the best individual matches to watch this spring:
Headliners
Edgewater 2023 RB Cedric Baxter Jr. vs. Osceola 2023 DLs John Walker and Derrick LeBlanc (May 19)
Talk about stellar power. Baxter ranks first in the state in the top 100 of the USA Today Florida Network. Walker and LeBlanc are numbers 1 and 3 in the interior respectively. This match does not require much analysis. Just take the popcorn, prepare the camera and enjoy the show.
Lakeland 2023 WR Tyler Williams v. Venice 2023 DB Elliott Washington (May 19)
These are two of the best seniors in the state of the two major programs in the state. 6-foot 4 Williams (№ 27 top 100) recently named it the 10 best schools. Washington (No. 25 top 100) is the accomplishment of Alabama and the anchor of a talented secondary Venice.
Read more:Exclusive: 4-star WR Lakeland Tyler Williams announces its top 10 schools
Rockledge 2023 OL Bryce Lavette vs. Jones 2023 EDGE / LB Malik Bryant (May 27)
On Monday, Lavett (№ 86 in the top 100) announced his commitment to Florida. 6 feet 6, 330-pounds has good mobility for someone its size and can line up in tackle or guard. Jones (№ 9) is one of the top linebackers / edge-roshers in the country and will play his first game for Jones after leaving IMG.
Read more:Exclusive: 4-star Jones LB Malik Bryant announces its top 5 schools
Tampa Bay Tech 2025 WR Santonyo Isaac vs. Wharton 2023 DB Dijon Johnson (May 19)
In 2021, Isaac had a groundbreaking first season, finishing second in the Yards of the Titans, which reached the state championship game of Class 7A. He has seen his recruitment soar for the past six months. Johnson (№ 18 top 100) is dedicated to Ohio for Easter. He is a long, physical defender who has good ball skills and can line up in the corner or safety.
Wiregrass Ranch 2023 WR Bryson Rodgers vs. Berkeley Prep 2025 ATH Dallas Golden
Rogers (№ 53 top 100) also verbally made a commitment in Ohio for Easter. The 6-foot 2 and 170-pound receiver were used both in and out of the slot last season when it caught 42 gears for 645 yards and 17 touchdowns. This spring the 6-foot-1, 165-pound Golden received offers from Florida, Pete and others. In 2021, he made 23 selections, broke four assists and recovered from a mistake in 12 games.
Maybe it will happen…
![Vanguard №4 Fred Gaskin makes a pass in the first half. The Vanguard Knights defeated West Port Wolfpack 21-0 on Friday night, September 3, 2021 at West Port High School in Ocale, Florida. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]2021](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/09/04/NOSB/ec66fb87-3be9-4337-bbb1-8252cfa9586c-FLOCA-090521-Vanguard_football_20.JPG?width=660&height=465&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Buchholz 2023 ATH Creed Whittemore vs. Vanguard 2024 ATH Fred Gaskin III (May 19)
It will be interesting to watch the match. Well, maybe. When that happens. That’s the thing. Whittemore (№ 88 top 100, Florida commits) is going to play in a wide receiver for the Gators, but he is now a quarterback. Gaskin, who is likely still in college acting as an advocate, also plays an advocate in high school. You never know how many coaches will be dealing with players, especially defenders, in different positions in the spring. But there’s a chance we’ll see the two stand opposite each other in the spring game.
Other matches to watch
![Apartmentback Bartram Trail Riley Trujillo (12) is back to pass, and backback Eric Waterley (21) is walking the route during the classic start of the pre-season high school championship on August 20, 2021. [Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/08/21/NFTU/50a78e94-72ad-43d6-9333-47f1047a6549-082021_RiversideBT2.jpg?width=660&height=517&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Bartram Trail 2024 QB Riley Trujillo v. Colombia 2023 DB Amare Ferrell (May 20)
Trujillo has half a dozen Power 5 offerings; Ferrell ranks 94th in the top 100
Orange Park OT Roderick Kearney vs. Ocoee 2023 EDGE Calvin Smith (May 19)
Kearney ranks 33rd in the top 100; Smith has more than a dozen Power 5 proposals
Down 2023 QB Marcus Stokes vs. Ed White 2023 DB Devon Patterson (May 20)
Stokes (№ 57 top 100) is committed to Penn State; Patterson is devoted to Wake Forest
Jesuit 2023 RB Hakes Smith vs. Palmette 2023 DL Andrew Ramph (May 20)
Smith has three Power 5 offerings; Rumph has four Power 5 offerings
Bayside 2023 WR Michael Parks vs. Mainland 2024 S Zavier Mincey (May 20)
Parks is the Iowa State Committee; Minsk has eight Power 5 offers
Choctawhatchee 2023 WR Jace Brown vs. Niceville 2023 CB Jaden Sheppard (May 19)
Brown’s proposals include the Air Force and the Army; Sheppard has several Power 5 offerings
