The Ledger’s Super 16 list continues with selections from No. 11 to No 7. It features the top quarterback in the county in Lakeland Christian senior Brody Brenneman, who will lead what could be one of the top three or four prolific offenses in the county this season.
Also in this part of the countdown are two of the top defensive linemen in the state, a defensive back whose stock has continually climbed over the past year and another defensive back who is versatile to play a number of spots on offense and defense.
The countdown continues tomorrow with five more Super 16 picks, followed by a look at the No. 1 senior college prospect in Polk county on Friday.
11. Michael Gaskins
School: Auburndale.
Position: Defensive End.
Height: 6-4. Weight: 245.
Colleges: Committed to Charleston Southern.
Scouting Report: The graduation of James Tilus left a huge void on Auburndale’s defensive line that was filled when Gaskins transferred from Winter Haven. Gaskins is an agile edge rusher who should help solidify the Bloodhounds’ defensive line. He has committed to Charleston Southern but other offers include South Dakota, Delaware, Rhode Island, Texas-San Antonio and Mississippi Valley State.
10. Deonte Fielder, Lakeland
School: Lakeland.
Position: Safety.
Height: 5-11. Weight: 180.
Colleges: Committed to Marshall.
Scouting Report: Fielder is a versatile athlete who is being recruited as a defensive back. As a freshman, he was pressed into duties at quarterback at Haines City and finished with 781 yards of total offense. As a sophomore, he saw action at quarterback and wide receiver in addition to his duties on defense where he had two interceptions. At Lakeland last year, he concentrated on defense and led the Dreadnaughts with four interceptions and was fifth with 60 total tackles.
9. Jerzey Lighten
School: Lake Wales.
Position: Defensive Line.
Height: 6-2. Weight: 291.
Colleges: Committed to Florida Atlantic.
Scouting Report: Lighten, who placed third at state in weightlifting last spring, is expected to be a run-stopper in the middle of the Highlanders’ defensive line and also play on offensive line. He also had offers from East Carolina, Memphis, Delaware, Alabama State and Howard.
8. Raeshaun Pugh
School: Lake Wales.
Position: Safety.
Height: 5-11. Weight: 180.
Colleges: Committed to Tulane.
Scouting Report: Pugh has shot up the recruiting ranks in the past year. A speedy defensive pack, Pugh will also contribute as a wide receiver. He was second on the highlanders in tackles last year and had a pair of interceptions. He received 28 offers, among them FAU, East Carolina, California, Marshall, Eastern Michigan, Army, Troy, FIU, Princeton and Dartmouth.
7. Brody Brenneman, Lakeland Christian
School: Lakeland Christian.
Position: Quarterback.
Height: 6-2. Weight: 195.
Colleges: Committed to USF.
Scouting Report: Brennemen enters his senior season as the top quarterback in Polk County. A talented baseball player too, Brenneman threw for 2,174 yards and 25 touchdowns and rushed for 433 yards and eight touchdowns. At 6-foot-2, he had good vision and a strong arm and is accurate as he completed 67.1 percent of his passes. He received 21 offers, including USF, among them Tulane, Cincinnati. East Carolina, Memphis, FAU, Pennsylvania and Princeton.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Super 16 Countdown: Meet Polk County’s football standouts from 11 to 7
Reporting by Roy Fuoco, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
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By Roy Fuoco, Lakeland Ledger | USA TODAY Network
