Brody Jennings is changing his plans from the Big Ten to the Sunshine State in college football recruiting.
The Mandarin rising senior cornerback announced that he is flipping his commitment to Miami, after previously committing to Michigan in July 2024.
The 6-2, 180-pound Jennings is rated as a four-star prospect for On3 and Rivals. Five years ago, his older brother, linebacker Branden Jennings, was also committed to Michigan before flipping to Maryland in the NCAA early signing period.
Jennings intercepted one pass along with three pass defenses and two fumble recoveries in 2024, patrolling the secondary effectively and deterring most quarterbacks from testing him one-on-one.
He’s part of a growing list of Mandarin defensive backs on course to make an impact in football’s major conferences, with A.J. Belgrave-Shorter (Penn State), Jon Mitchell (Penn State, since transferred to Georgia Tech) and Drake Stubbs (Florida) signing in the past two seasons.
Miami is becoming a frequent destination for Mandarin players. The Canes’ roster already includes two former Mandarin players on its roster in sixth-year quarterback Carson Beck, who transferred from Georgia during the off-season, and offensive lineman Deryc Plazz.
Tulsa adds special teams pair
Northeast Florida special teams commitments are picking up steam this week, with H.A. Chapman Stadium in Oklahoma as the destination.
Beachside kicker Owen Carey announced his commitment to Tulsa on July 5, following a season converting 8 of 12 field goals. The rising senior, who has also played goalkeeper at Beachside, has a regular-season long of 47 yards and consistently bashed kickoffs through the end zone.
Also during the week, Tulsa added a commitment from Oakleaf rising senior Joel Bazinet, rated as the top long snapper in the 2026 class for Northeast Florida.
A pair of Fletcher players also announced commitments: Offensive lineman Roy Farrow committed to Central State, and wide receiver Joshua Jones committed to Tennessee State. Jones caught 48 passes for 846 yards and seven touchdowns last year at independent Zarephath Academy.
SSAA schedule takes shape
Once again, Northeast Florida is set to field a deep contingent in Sunshine State Athletic Association football, which announced a list of nearly 100 programs for the 2025 season.
Fernandina Beach, Paxon, Stanton and West Nassau are competing in the 10-team Atlantic League North, which also includes Bell, Bronson, Franklin County, Interlachen, Lake Weir and Umatilla.
Bishop Snyder, Cedar Creek Christian, Christ’s Church, Duval Charter, Eagle’s View, Harvest Community, Old Plank Christian and St. Joseph are among the 25 teams in the SSAA North Region for football.
Also, First Coast Christian and Florida Deaf remain in the SSAA 8-man football category for 2025.
Bears’ Patrey tops final vote
Bartram Trail softball pitcher Rommeney Patrey finished first in the Times-Union’s reader poll for the top Athlete of the Week performance of the 2024-25 year.
During the week of March 31-April 5, she recorded 18 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings with only one earned run allowed as Bartram Trail went 3-0, defeating Tocoi Creek, rival Creekside and Bolles.
She finished her freshman season at 10-10 with a 1.96 ERA and 162 strikeouts in 142 2/3 innings.
Around the area
First Coast infielder Kharee Phillips committed to East Georgia State College baseball. … Impact Christian guard Wayne Johnson committed to Morris College men’s basketball. … Former Bishop Snyder pitcher Aidan King pitched twice at the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Stars vs. Stripes series in North Carolina, throwing four innings with two hits, two runs, a walk and four strikeouts. … Former Ponte Vedra short-stick defensive midfielder Dylan Hess, now with the Philadelphia Waterdogs of the Premier Lacrosse League, scored for the East in the league’s All-Star Game. … Former Ponte Vedra midfielder Alex Madson is joining Jacksonville University men’s lacrosse on a graduate transfer from NCAA Division III Transylvania. … Former Oakleaf forward Hannah Johnson signed with Lexington SC of the Gainbridge Super League in women’s soccer. … DeAngelo Stephens-Bell announced his resignation as Raines boys basketball coach, after leading the Vikings to the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 4A playoffs. … Harvest Community promoted basketball coach David Meddings to athletic director, with previous athletic director Jackson Wilcox now working as headmaster.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Mandarin 4-star Brody Jennings changes plans, commits to Miami Hurricanes football
Reporting by Clayton Freeman, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
