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 12, 11 and 10.
No. 12 Nolan Downes
Position: Quarterback
School: Manatee
Rating: Not evaluated yet (247Sports, ESPN, Rivals)
Commitment: None
Best offers: North Carolina, Iowa, Cincinnati, Tulane
Measurables: 6-foot, 190
Year: Sophomore
After one season with IMG Academy’s Jr. National Team, Downes transferred to six-time state champion Manatee. Downes helped the Ascenders to an 8-4 finish, throwing for 2,175 yards, 26 touchdowns and two interceptions. He completed 57 percent of his passes.
As the likely starting quarterback, Downes will work to push Manatee to a winning record following a 6-7 last season while also facing a new district. Class 5A-10 also includes rivals Parrish and Palmetto. The Hurricanes fell to Riverdale in the regional final one year after making it to the Class 5A state semifinals in 2024.
What would you say makes you one of the best college prospects in the area?
I like to model a big part of my game after consistency and just staying consistent. Whether it’s your work ethic, showing up every day, the way you handle yourself. Then, on the field, consistency with throws, consistency running the ball, consistent reads. That’s just a major thing you need to focus on. I feel like I bring that to the table.
How would you describe your football journey up to this point?
Exciting. I started at IMG. Eighth grade year I played some varsity there. I got to start on their junior national team my freshman year. And then, I made the move to Manatee the spring of this year in January. It’s been great ever since. I’ve been wanting to go to Manatee pretty much since I played them starting my eighth grade year. I was like, “Wow, I want to play here.” So, made that move. It’s been great ever since. Coach Green, the whole coaching staff, has been awesome. We’ve got some great players on our team. So, I’m excited.
What’s been a highlight of your high school career so far?
Probably just those big games. Before, during, just enjoying it all. Definitely those big games.
What part of your game have you worked on the most during the off season?
My athleticism. Running the ball. I can extend plays seeing it, but being able to extend upon that and strengthening that ability of mine, will separate me more.
How are you adjusting to Manatee?
It’s been great. Coach Green’s offense is my favorite offense I’ve ever ran in my life. We have five receivers with Power 4 offers, which I don’t think anybody can really say that. So, our receiving core is going to be really fun to throw to this year. We’ve got Tjay Powell, Deno Dalacas, Elijah Christian, Sirdarrean Allen, Jamari Moore. Just naming a few of our weapons. Our offensive line is gonna be pretty much all returning starters. Our offense is going to be really fun to watch this year. I’m just excited to play in it and be a part of it.
What are your goals heading into the season?
I just want to win a state championship. Winning a state championship has been what I’ve wanted to do since I was little. I feel like we can do that this year. I feel like Manatee can acquire that this year. So, I’m excited.
No. 11 Tavares Powell
Position: Wide Receiver
School: Manatee
Rating: 3-star (247Sports), 3-star ESPN, 3-star (Rivals)
Commitment: Kansas
Best Offers:
Measurables: 6-foot-1, 181
Year: Senior
Powell had 488 receiving yards for nine touchdowns on 42 receptions at Southeast last season, averaging 11.6 yards per game. He added 67 rushing yards on 18 attempts for six touchdowns. In February, Powell announced he would play his senior season at Manatee.
He committed to Kansas in June, choosing the Jayhawks over offers from North Carolina, Pitt, Kentucky, Michigan State and East Carolina.
The running back plans to have an even bigger impact at Manatee.
What makes you one of the best college football prospects in the area?
My all around abilities. I don’t just have one singular position. I’m an athlete. I can play both ways. Do it all. Kick return. Punt return. DB. Safety. Receiver. I feel like that separates me from a lot of players down here.
How would you describe your football journey up to this point?
For a long time, I always wanted to play college football, but after eighth grade going into ninth grade, I didn’t play as much at my other school. So, my mom moved me down here, and I went to Southeast. Balled out at Southeast, and I saw at Southeast that I could really take it somewhere. At first, it wasn’t really going nowhere until I moved down here and that’s when my recruitment got really big.
What has been a highlight of your high school career so far?
Probably my kick return last year against Manatee. I can’t really say that, but that’s probably been the highlight.
What part of you game have you worked on the most during the offseason?
Being more of a route runner. Last year, I just ran certain routes, but now I feel like I can run any route efficiently.
What’s it been like getting adjusted to Manatee?
It’s been a real smooth experience. They help you do everything. So, if you don’t know, they always say ask and they will tell you. As a team, it’s better team wise, more of a team over here. All our brothers just love to see us win. I feel like we’re the underdogs, but we’re going to have a great season.
What do you bring to Manatee that they didn’t have last year?
I feel like I just brought Manatee another threat. They didn’t really have a threat at receiver last year. So, we’re putting a lot of pressure, me and another transfer, Deno. We’re putting a lot of pressure on these defenses.
No. 10 Hudson West
Position: Quarterback
School: Sarasota
Rating: 3-star (Rivals), Not evaluated yet (247Sports, ESPN)
Commitment: None
Best Offers: Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Louisville, Iowa State
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 190
Year: Junior
In 2025, West completed 55.1 percent of his passes, throwing for 2,836 yards, 26 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also added 13 carries for 121 yards.
West currently has 23 offers from a bevy of Power 4 schools, including Florida, Florida State, Iowa State and Virginia Tech. Rivals lists West as the 108th best player in Florida.
What makes you one of the best college football prospects in this area?
I would definitely say my arm talent and my football IQ. I feel like I’m one of the smartest people out on the football field. I feel like that’s my biggest advantage when I’m out on the field. I feel like I’m the smartest of all 22 players on the field, offense and defense. And, again, my arm strength and accuracy.
How would you describe your football journey up to this point?
It has been a lot. I’ve played football since I was probably 5 years old. I played flag football for the longest time. In middle school, I went to Bradenton Christian School, and I played middle school football there. Then, I went to Sarasota for high school. I started my freshman year, and I’ve been there ever since. I’ll be there when I graduate. It’s been a blessing. There’s definitely been some ups and downs. My eighth grade year I didn’t play quarterback. I didn’t start. And then just getting kind of thrown into the fire to 7A football as a 14-year-old, that definitely helped me mature a lot. And then just growing onto and adding onto that my sophomore year, getting a little bit more comfortable, then that’s kind it up until now.
What’s been you favorite highlight of your career so far?
I would definitely say my freshman year it was probably my third or fourth game, and I came late in the summer, so I came with about two weeks until our first game. And I started the first game, didn’t know the play book, didn’t know anything. I would say probably by that third or fourth week I kinda got settled in. And I had five touchdowns in one half. I think I had two in the second half. And that’s what kinda got me comfortable. I was like, “Alright, this is it.” I know what my abilities are. I got comfortable with the guy around me. I got comfortable with (Coach) Amp. I got comfortable with all the people in the building, the teachers, the athletic directors, just kinda everyone. That was probably the biggest moment of my high school career.
What part of your game have you improved the most during the off season?
I would definitely say my mobility. That’s been something that I’ve tried to work on. This offseason, I’ve tried to get faster. I was pretty slow. Honestly, my freshman year I was like a turtle. My sophomore year I was decent. But this year, I’ve kinda done some speed training, gotten my 40 time down. I’m a little bit more twitchier, athletic. I can jump higher. I just feel like I’m more capable.
What’s it been like handing recruitment attention?
It’s been a lot, but I try not to make too much out of it. I try to just stay humble the entire time. I’m not thinking of any of that. This is just my journey. It’s definitely been busy, though. In the summer, every week was something out of state. Just going around seeing places, trying to get to know these coaches, build a relationships. It’s been nice, but I’ll definitely say, the biggest thing for me is always staying humble. I’m just a person. I’m the same as everyone else.
Have any schools stood out to you so far during your recruitment?
Not really. It’s definitely the people that have stood out to me. The relationships that I’ve built. I mean all the schools that have recruited me I’ve created great relationships with every single one of them. Florida, Florida State, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, USF and a bunch of others. The biggest thing that’s always going to stand out to me are the people, the culture and just trying to build a relationship with all of them.
What are you looking for in a school currently?
Relationships are a huge thing for me. I got to be able to trust my coaches, and they have to be able to trust me. Then, I would definitely say being developed. So, a place that knows what they’re doing. They have a history of that. Just somewhere I know where I can get developed, and they can get the best out of me.
What are your goals heading into the season?
Beat Riverview. That’s my biggest goal. Then, I want to go deep into the playoffs. I’ve not made it to the playoffs yet, so I know that’s a big, big goal for me and the team as a group.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: The Big 15: Sarasota, Manatee top college football recruits, No. 12-10
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
