Welcome to the Big 15, the annual list of the top Manatee and Sarasota area college football recruits selected by The Herald-Tribune.
Despite their different football journeys, all 15 players have Division I level talent, with eight of 15 players having already committed to high-level programs.
Players from Manatee and Sarasota county high schools are ranked based on hard scholarship offers, the level of the schools making the offers, and those who possess the potential to receive attention from Power Four programs.
We’ll unveil three players per day this week, counting down from No. 15 to No. 1, with our top three prospects appearing Friday. Here are numbers 3, 2 and 1.
No. 3 Maleek Lee
Position: Defensive lineman
School: Palmetto
Rating: 3-star (247Sports), 4-star (ESPN), 4-star (Rivals)
Commitment: Georgia Tech
Best offers: Indiana, Florida State, Florida, Miami, Ohio State, Penn State, USC
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 270
Year: Senior
Before transferring to Palmetto in July, Lee finished his junior season at Booker with 62 tackles, 37 tackles for loss, 15 quarterback hurries and seven sacks. He also added one forced fumble and one interception returned for a touchdown. Although the 6-foot-3 lineman primarily plays defense, he also got some snaps on offense at Booker.
He committed to Georgia Tech in June, choosing the Yellow Jackets over Indiana, Florida State, Miami and Ohio State. He’s ranked the 35th best prospect in Florida, and will elevate the Cougars defensive line.
What makes you one of the best college football prospects in the area?
Really I’ve just been grinding since I was little, so that really stands out.
How would you describe your football journey up to this point?
I definitely wouldn’t call it easy. I came from a rough (childhood), so I definitely wouldn’t call it easy, but I definitely grinded it out.
What’s been a highlight of your football career?
Really, I would say the Bayshore game when I picked the ball off and ran it for I think 60 some yards. Definitely a favorite.
What part of your game have you improved the most during the offseason?
Really, my get off when watching the ball. I definitely needed some help there, so I’ve definitely been grinding on that.
What made you commit to Georgia Tech?
I just really love the coaches, the culture. They got the No. 1 education, so that definitely stands out.
No. 2 Davin Davidson
Position: Quarterback
School: Cardinal Mooney
Rating: 4-star (247Sports), 4-star (ESPN), 4-star (Rivals)
Commitment: Florida
Best offers: Auburn, Georgia, Florida State, Miami, Notre Dame
Measurables: 6-foot-6.5, 215
Year: Senior
After leading the Cougars to a state championship, Davidson will return to Cardinal Mooney for his final season hoping for another. In 2025, Davidson threw for 2,360 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions, completing 64.6 percent of his passes. He also added 81 touchdowns on 18 carries.
Davidson committed to Florida in April, choosing the Gators over offers from Miami, FSU, Georgia, Notre Dame and Auburn after successful showings at various football camps.
And while his future past high school is clear, Davidson wants another state title.
What makes you one of the best college football prospects in the area?
I would say definitely my work ethic, and then having the ability to trust the process and take what I learn of the field and apply it on the field. I think those few things have carried me a very long way ever since I was a little kid.
How would you describe your football journey up to this point?
I wouldn’t think it’s real if you told 10-year-old me that I’m in this position, but it’s really the game never changes. It’s the same game I’ve played my while life. Every Friday night, and soon to be Saturday nights, that I go out there, I just have that in the back of my mind that it’s the same game I’ve been playing since I was 8. Nothing needs to change.
What’s been a highlight of your football career?
The state championship was definitely my best memory. Just the whole game, the atmosphere, it was a surreal moment. I’ll never forget that, and getting to win that game with the teammates that I had last year, such a tight group, so it made it even more special. I’d say that’s going to be a hard memory to beat.
What part of your game have you improved the most during the offseason?
I think I’ve improved the most off the field. Just understanding the game more. Becoming more intelligent with what to do in different situations. That was big thing that I focused on during the offseason. And just staying healthy, and getting bigger, stronger, faster. Those were the main focuses during the offseason.
What was your recruitment like leading into your senior season?
It was insane. That’s the only way that I can describe it. It was an insane blessing. It was like a floodgate opened and it all went everywhere, and trying to control that as a 17-year-old kid is pretty hard. But my parents, coaches, family and friends they all just helped guide me through that process. We went from 33 offers down to committing to one school in about three to four months. So, definitely an accelerated process., but I’m extremely happy where I’m at. I think I made 100 percent the right decision for myself and for my family.
How did you narrow it down from 33 schools to one?
I made an Excel spreadsheet. It started of very general, like would I enjoy being here or is it too cold for me. , or whatever it is. Started really general and then I kept narrowing down schools. Then, I got to eight, narrowed it down to five and that five went down to one. It was really small details on what put Florida over the top over these other schools. It was a lot of work. A lot of Zoom calls. A lot of phone calls. Lot of hard discussions with my family. But I can’t be happier where I’m at now.
What were the small details that made you commit to Florida?
It was really the relationships that I had with the coaches. Them asking if I want to eat dinner with them if they’re in the area. Things like that. They showed that they cared the first day they were hired, and they called me and said I was the guy that they want. So things like that. The things they did to go out of their way to prioritize me and to prioritize my family. They really stood out.
No. 1 Tyree Mannings Jr.
Position: Wide receiver
School: Venice
Rating: 4-star (247Sports), 4-star (ESPN), 4-star (Rivals)
Commitment: None
Best offers: Auburn, Georiga, LSU, Florida State, Michigan, Miami, Ohio State, Oregon, Texas
Measurables: 6-foot, 180 pounds
Year: Junior
Mannings is ranked the 10th best receiver in the country and the 69th best prospect nationally, according to 247Sports. Last season, Mannings had 1,429 yards on 84 catches for 12 touchdowns. He also added 19 carries for 193 yards and one score.
So far, the junior has 23 offers, including from virtually every powerhouse in the sport — Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, USC, Oregon, Texas, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Michigan, Auburn, Florida, Florida State and Miami.
And while he has football programs contacting him everyday, Mannings is focused on the upcoming season.
What makes you one of the best college football prospects in the area?
I would say the way I’m on the field. I work hard. I grind. I stay in the weight room late. I go on the field late. I just want it more. Right now, I just feel like I’m a big person because I do the little things.
How would you describe your football journey to this point?
It was a long journey. I’m going to keep it real. My dad always said that I’d be a great football player, but I try not to boost my head up. So, I just keep grinding to the point. But it’s been a great process so far. I got offers. I got a couple of them. Recruitment been good so far. It’s been good throughout the journey.
What’s been a highlight of your career?
It was probably the opening week. I think we were down by a touchdown and they threw me the ball up and I actually scored and the crowd went wild and that was a great moment actually.
What part of your game have you improved the most during the offseason?
I’ve probably been trying to work on getting out on getting out of my breaks and running routes more efficiently.
What are you looking for in a college program?
Relationships and how they work outside of the school. Then, I would say, do they really want it? Do they play around? Do they not play around? I like people that actually work, that wants to go to the next level.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: The Big 15: Sarasota, Manatee college football recruits ranked No. 3-1
Reporting by Emma Moon, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Emma Moon, Sarasota Herald-Tribune | USA TODAY Network
