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 6, 5 and 4.
No. 6 Connail Jackson
Position: Running back
School: Cardinal Mooney
Rating: 3-star (247Sports), Not rated yet (ESPN), 3-star (Rivals)
Commitment: None
Best Offers: Auburn, N.C. State, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia Tech
Measurables: 5-foot-10, 185
Year: Senior
Jackson was named a MaxPreps junior All-American last season as well as The Herald-Tribune’s Offensive Player of the Year. He was also named MVP following Cardinal Mooney’s championship game after rushing for 199 yards and four touchdowns. On 217 carries, he ran for 2,453 yards and 39 touchdowns.
Following the dominant season, Jackson has 21 offers. 247Sports ranks Jackson as the 58th best running back in the country and 69th best prospect in Florida.
What makes you one of the best college football prospects in the area?
I would say the determination. I put hard work in everything that I do.
How would you describe your football journey up to this point?
I don’t think anything has changed about me. I’ve always just been me. Do my thing.
What has been a highlight of your high school career?
Playing with my brothers. All my teammates. Spending time with them (and) my coaches. It’s really who you’re with most of your time out of your day, so it’s really fun to do everything with them.
What part of your game have you improved the most during the offseason?
I’ve improved a lot of my game, becoming much faster, stronger. I would say I’ve improved on the speed of the game because the older you get, the more levels you get up to the faster the game becomes, and you have to keep up with that or you’re going to fall behind.
How are you planning on following up last season’s dominant performance?
My mindset is to do even better than I did last year, and get better every single year. Keep working.
What are you looking for in a college program?
There’s not really a specific college that I’m favored to. My ideal program is like the culture, the coaches and what I want to study in at this school.
No. 5 Jackson Snelling
Position: Offensive tackle
School: Cardinal Mooney
Rating: 4-star (247Sports),3-star (ESPN), 4-star (Rivals)
Commitment: None
Best Offers: LSU, Penn State, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Illinois
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 280
Year: Junior
Entering his junior season, Snelling has 28 offers to numerous Power 4 programs, including LSU, Illinois, Auburn, Clemson and Florida State. Standing at 6-foot-5, 280 pounds, Snelling has been crucial for the Cougars’ offensive line.
Following last year’s state championship, head coach Jared Clark said that the offensive line dominating the game was the story of the championship. Last season, Cardinal Mooney averaged 25 points in its five playoff games behind its O-line.
Snelling expects an even better season with his increased strength.
What makes you one of the best college football prospects in the area?
I would say how athletic I am on the offensive line. I would say my pass protection and all that.
How would you describe your football journey up to this point?
Honestly, it’s definitely one of those journeys where I just fell in love with the game. I played all the way since sixth grade, and it’s just been going up every year.
What has been a highlight of your high school career?
I would say winning the state championship last year.
What part of your game have you improved the most during the offseason?
I would say my run blocking because of my strength. I feel like I definitely got way stronger over the offseason, so I feel like that definitely improved the most.
No. 4 Kaleb Exume
Position: Defensive lineman
School: Cardinal Mooney
Rating: 3-star (247Sports), 3-star (ESPN), 3-star (Rivals)
Commitment: Boston College
Best Offers: Indiana, Georgia Tech, Louisville, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia Tech
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 320
Year: Senior
Before transferring to Cardinal Money in December, Exume had a breakout junior season, tallying 78 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss and six sacks in 11 games. He also added three forced fumbles and three pass breakups. He helped the Bulls to a 9-2 finish.
In April, Exume committed to Louisville, before decommitting in June and joining the Boston College Eagles.
What makes you one of the best college football prospects in the area?
First, my faith, I think. I’m very faithful. Everything’s under God. I’m very strong. I’m a very strong individual. I did weightlifting two year in high school. I got second place in states. I’m relentless. I feel like no one can block me. I feel like I’m unbeatable. I’m very confident in my craft. I practice every day. I work out three times a day on my craft. Practice makes perfect.
How would you describe your football journey up to now?
So, I was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale. I’ve been playing at a really young age. I’ve been playing since I was 7. I started freshman year summer, so I’ve been playing two years now on defense. And I just think so far my journey has been God leading me, my mom with the meal preps, my coaches being very helpful in my recruitment and everything like that.
What’s been a highlight of your career?
I’ve had a couple of game-winning sacks that have definitely helped my team a lot. Game saving pass blocks. It goes in an eruption, just goes crazy, the crowd.
What part of your game have you improved the most during the offseason?
Definitely my motor because I’m such a strong and violent person. My motor never getting tired off and on the field. So, play after play, being the guy I need to finish. So, I know that now I’m in the mindset going against better, tougher opponents that my mind is on finishing every rep, every play, 100 percent.
After decommitting from Louisville, what stood out to you about Boston College?
Boston College was always in my corner when I committed to Louisville. I was always loyal to Louisville, but under God’s circumstances, stuff happens, so I decommitted. The first person that reached out was Boston College. They’ve always been there. Always calling me, texting me, checking up on me. So, I knew that it wasn’t we want an athlete. We want a family. We want a person who we care about.
What are your goals heading into the season?
I want to be a sack leader for sure. I feel like the with the way I am this year, different mentality for sure, I have brand new teammates, brand new team. My support staff and coaching staff is incredible. I couldn’t ask for any better. I definitely want to leave my mark here and let everyone know who I am.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: The Big 15: Sarasota, Manatee college football recruits ranked No. 6-4
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
