A Deep Dive into the Region's Rising Stars
Southwest Florida’s high school football scene continues to produce talent that garners national attention, even when the names don’t make the coveted Big 15 list of the top college prospects. This season, 15 standout seniors from the area found themselves just outside that exclusive circle, yet each has attracted a compelling slate of Division I offers.
Edge rusher Maikol Armas of Cape Coral emerged as a defensive playmaker, tallying 43 tackles, six tackles‑for‑loss and two sacks last year. His performance earned him interest from Louisville, Pittsburgh, Toledo, FIU, and Liberty, signaling a multi‑state recruitment curve.
At South Fort Myers, wide receiver Jer’Shard Benjamin burst onto the scene with 45 catches for 610 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore, drawing his first scholarship offer from FIU and positioning himself as a potential target for programs seeking immediate impact.
Noel Devine Jr., son of the late North Fort Myers legend Noel Devine, arrives with a family legacy and a set of offers that include Miami, West Virginia and USF, a trio that could shape his college destination before he even takes a high school snap.
Community School of Naples quarterback Caden DiLoreto has compiled a career total of 3,702 passing yards and 44 touchdowns, a body of work that secured his commitment to Colgate, a program known for its academic rigor and competitive offense.
Tight end Henry Evans, who transferred from Rolesville in North Carolina, brings size and skill to the Naples program, earning offers from Liberty, Charlotte and East Tennessee State as he looks to translate his game to the next level.
Defensive standout Kymoni Gordon of Riverdale posted 121 tackles, 22 tackles‑for‑loss and three forced fumbles last season, a performance that opened doors at Southern University and The Citadel, both programs eager to add his production to their defensive fronts.
Freshman sensation Tihiem Hutchins from Dunbar caught 17 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns, drawing recruiting interest from Miami, USF and UConn, underscoring the early promise of his route‑running abilities.
Tenaris Kearse, a 6‑foot‑3 wideout at South Fort Myers, attracted a slew of Power Five offers including Mississippi State, Louisville, Georgia Tech, Florida State and Boston College, a testament to his blend of size and speed.
Kamarien McKay of Fort Myers has logged over 50 tackles in each season since his freshman year, a consistency that has attracted offers from FIU and Lafayette, programs looking to bolster their defensive backfields.
Andre Moss emerged as Bishop Verot’s leading receiver with 35 catches for 815 yards and 13 touchdowns, a production level that earned him a commitment to Albany, where he hopes to continue his offensive ascent.
Jacquez Outten of Bishop Verot recorded 41 tackles and two interceptions last season and, after committing to Mercer, will return to the Verot uniform for his senior year with the aim of leading the team deeper into the playoffs.
Running back LaTroy Pender Jr. from Riverdale amassed more than 15 scholarship offers, including from Illinois, Pitt, Purdue and Memphis, and was recognized as All‑Area First Team in 2024, positioning him as one of the most heavily recruited backs in the region.
Jaden Phillips, nicknamed "Boom," burst onto the scene at Community School of Naples with 635 rushing yards and six touchdowns as a freshman, a performance that secured offers from Kentucky, Louisville, West Virginia, Pitt and Delaware State, highlighting his breakout potential.
Landon Wolny of First Baptist, a three‑star prospect, holds offers from a wide array of programs such as Florida State, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Colorado, UNC and Louisville, reflecting his versatile skill set that appeals to both offensive and defensive schemes.
Finally, Lincoln Zadach from Estero, a 6‑foot‑2 athlete, has drawn interest from Iowa State and North Dakota State and plans to play both wide receiver and defensive back at the collegiate level, illustrating the modern hybrid role of today’s recruits.
The breadth of interest from schools ranging from Colgate and Mercer to Alabama’s rivals underscores the national reach of these prospects, while platforms like Rivals and 247Sports continue to track their movements, providing fans and analysts with real‑time updates on where each player might ultimately land.