Newcomers: The Freshman 15
West Florida brings back a lot of production from the 2019 National Championship team, and returns high level talent at in every room. But the last time the Argos played game was December of 2019, and even in normal circumstances, you would expect a lot of attrition over the interim period. When you add to the normal arrivals and departures a canceled season in 2020 there was more turnover than expected for an 20 month layoff. UWF lost come key players, including their top two Wide Receivers, three Offensive Line Starters, three of the top five leading tacklers, and two Defensive Line starters. Coach Shinnick and Company haven’t been idle though, and have aggressively restocked the cupboards with talented D1 and D2 transfers, freshmen, and Junior College signees. The result a roster where 65 of the 98 players were not on the 2019 National Championship team. Here is a quick breakdown on the new roster additions:
31 Freshmen and Redshirt Freshmen signees from the ‘20 and ‘21 classes
11 JUCO signees
11 FBS transfers
11 FCS transfers
5 D2 transfers
Freshmen/Redshirt Freshmen: 36
Sophomores/Redshirt Sophomores: 6
Juniors/Redshirt Juniors: 11
Seniors/Redshirt Seniors: 7
Graduates: 5
This will be part one of a three part series highlighting some of the key new additions to the 2021 roster, starting with the Freshmen 15. These are high school class of 2020 and 2021 prospects who signed with UWF out of high school. These fifteen are the impact players of the future, and in some cases are set up to get major playing time this fall.
Braylon Anderson, Safety Saraland, AL (2021)
A rangy safety from Mobile area powerhouse Saraland, Anderson enjoyed a very productive 2020 season. He recorded 69 tackles 6 PBU and 1 INT helping his team reach the class 6A semi finals. Anderson competed in the Rivals Combine in Mobile in March 2020, and posted a solid 4.77 40 at 5-11 188. On tape, Anderson does just about everything you want to see a safety do. He is comfortable in his backpedal manning the deep middle zone, he plays physical in the box against the run, mans up guys in the slot, and makes big hits in both phases of defense. The play that most caught my eye was a Wide Receiver screen to the Slot. Anderson recognizes the play before the pass is thrown and makes his break toward the would be pass catcher, from the 21 yard line. The ball is caught at the 39 and Anderson makes the stop at the 35, covering 14 yards in the same amount of time it takes the offense to gain four yards after the catch. Anderson probably projects as a Free Safety at the next level, but has the physicality to play Strong Safety as well, and possibly Nickel. We expect he will take a redshirt in 2021, as the Defensive Back room is absolutely stuffed with returning experience and talent, but it wont be long before you’re hearing the name Braylon Anderson on Saturdays in the fall.
JD Arnold, Defensive End Satellite Beach, FL (2020)
Now playing Defensive End, Arnold played his prep career as a Middle Linebacker, as well as fullback for the Scorpions. The 2020 signee brings an impressive resume in terms of production and athletic profile to the Argonaut front. He clocked a verified 4.82 40 and 4.45 shuttle at 6-1 227 in the spring of 2019, and since then has blown up to 260 pounds. In terms of play, he tallied 297 career tackles in 31 games over three years, including eclipsing the 100 tackle mark in 2018 and 2019. As a Senior he added 15.0 TFL and 2.0 sacks along with 4 INTs (113 return yards). He also contributed on offense, combining for 742 yards of offense and 8 offensive TDs over three seasons, split evenly between rushing and catching. Arnold brings a very different skill set to the West Florida front 7, as a former Linebacker and significant offensive contributor as a prep. It seems reasonable to assume that Arnold will get his feet wet in pass rush situations, where Defensive Coordinator Darian Dulin can use his speed off the edge. Arnold also has the advantage of being a 2020 signee, who has already been in the program for a full year and could be poised to see snaps this fall.
Will Breland, Middle Linebacker Mobile, AL (2020)
From nearby Mobile, Breland was a prep superstar at state powerhouse UMS Wright. He made the First Team All-State list and won Lineman of the Year (given to the State’s top DL/LB) as a Junior and Senior for class 4A. As a Senior he made the All-State Super Team, honoring him as one of the best of the best in Alabama regardless of classification. Already a big guy at 6-2 220, he fits the mold of UWF’s Middle Linebacker. As a prep, Breland was a powerful tackler who operated best between the tackles and lived behind the line, he averaged 170 tackles, 18 TFL, and 6 sacks over three years starting for UMS Wright. If he gets his hands on an offensive player, it is game over. It may be hard to find the field in 2021 with a crowded and experienced LB room, but we think Breland projects as an eventual starter for the Argos. Breland was considered a 2* prospect by 247Sports and the 117th best player in Alabama in 2020.
Jarell Culbreth, Defensive Line Atlanta, FL (2020)
In 2019 the Argos’ Defensive Line was lead by Senior Transfer Ian Bush, who tallied 15.5 TFL and 4.5 sacks playing the Weakside Defensive End position in the West Florida three man front. Bush didn’t have the build of a typical pass rush specialist at 6-0 280 pounds, and neither does 2020 signee Jarell Culbreth, but Culbreth could continue that kind of production left off by Bush. A one man wrecking crew on the line for Atlanta area Power Westlake, a school known for being a D1 prospect factory. Culbreth produced against big time competition, and was still probably overlooked because of his stature, 6-1 285. D1 scouts’ loss became UWF’s gain when Culbreth signed with the Argos in 2020, following a season where he tallied 50 tackles and 15 TFL. On tape he is very sudden off the line, and converts his first step into power stunning Offensive Linemen.
David Drier, Offensive Line Auburndale, FL (2021)
Drier is an extremely high upside player from the football hotbed of Polk County. A basketball convert with only two years of football under his belt, Drier has a large frame and plays with good leverage for his height. As he fills out, he could become a dominant run blocker at Tackle. He moves well for his height, and shows the kind of nasty streak you wouldn’t expect to see from someone in his second year. The coaching staff might have found a long term steal here, with a guy who will need some seasoning but could anchor the right side of the line.
Zac Elam, Interior Offensive Line Clearwater, FL (2020)
Zac Elam, younger brother of fellow Argo Offensive Lineman Marshall Elam, is another 2020 signee who has had the advantage of being on campus for a full season of practice, meetings, and workouts before his first game. The younger Elam starred for powerhouse Clearwater Central Catholic as their starting center and a two time First Team All-State selection for class 3A. Elam is a bulldog of an Interior Lineman who put out multiple years of tape driving guys into the dirt and playing to the whistle. A shorter Lineman listed at 6-0, Elam more than makes up for the lack of height with tremendous athleticism and power. He will start off 2021 at Guard for the Argos, where he is currently projected to start on the left side, although his future is probably at center after Dalton Simpler graduates. In 2020 Elam was considered a 3* prospect by 247Sports and the 43rd best center in the country.
Jaquel Fells Jr., All Purpose Back Birmingham, AL (2021)
After winning a 6A State Championship with Pinson Valley in 2020, Fells signed with the Argos’ 2021 class ostensibly as a Running Back, but is very capable of making plays as a Receiver as well. We couldn’t find complete Senior stats for Fells, a 2nd Team All-State Athlete for the 6A Classification, but he went into the State Championship with 301 yards rushing and 329 yards receiving and finished his high school career with 875 rushing yards (10 per carry) and 10 TDs along with 1609 yards receiving (19.4 per reception) and 16 TDs and 4 punt return TDs. Fells excel in close quarters where his lateral quickness is evident, at times leaving multiple defenders on the ground. He can run routes and catch both from the slot and out of the backfield, and could end up being a full time Slot Receiver down the road, but is probably more valuable as an offensive weapon that Coach Shinnick can move around to create mismatches out of the backfield. Fells was considered a 3* recruit by 247Sports and the 86th best player in Alabama.
Jack Goodrich, Wide Receiver Creekside, FL (2021)
UWF has a pretty prestigious Wide Receiver tradition in such a short history, and Goodrich could go on to be another good one. He signed with UWF from Creekside high school near Jacksonville in 2021, leaving the school as their all time leading receiver. Goodrich excels in the vertical passing game where he can utilize a long stride and size to beat outside corners. As a Junior he made 2nd Team All-State for class 7A and was Honorable Mention as a Senior. Not only did Goodrich average great numbers across his career (23 games 17 TD 80.4 yards per game, 20.7 yards per catch), he showed up big against good teams putting up 12 receptions 353 yards 3TD 29.4 yards per catch combined against Bartram Trail, Bolles, and Buchholz as a Senior (combined 2020 record 30-7).
Kingston Grady, Offensive Line Panama City, FL
It is almost comical how much larger Kingston Grady was compared to his high school line mates. An enormous, physical presence at Left Tackle, Grady excelled at using his size and upper body strength to overwhelm his opponents. While he won’t be able to do that in the GSC, he has the right kind of nasty attitude that Coach Steve Sauliner can turn into a multi-year contributor at Guard or Tackle. Grady played for a pretty poor program in Bay High School, and the Panama City prospect is fairly raw technique-wise in his senior tape, but the frame, athleticism, and mean streak land him in the Freshman 15 as an Offensive Lineman of the future. With the line rebuilding, Grady could have a chance to soak up some backup snaps this season to prepare for a bigger role in 2022.
Zach Gray, Defensive Back Mobile, AL (2021)
One of the best verified athletes in the 2021 signing class, Gray ran a speedy 4.56 40 and nearly a 33” vertical in the spring of 2019 at 5-7.5 156. All that athleticism shows on tape with three long kick return TDs to start off his senior reel. Gray made his presence felt all over the field, during his high school career Gray snagged 11 INTs and returned three kicks for TDs, he scored a total of 8 TDs between offense, defense, and special teams. He projects as a Kick Returner and a Cornerback for the Argos, and despite being on the shorter side at 5-8 Gray showed the ability to win jump balls against much taller pass catchers. With his quickness he should be a valuable asset playing outside but against the Slot, where he would man up against guys with similar skill sets as his own, he could really thrive. His explosiveness is apparent in special teams, and in the handful of offensive touches he received. Gray won two state championships at St. Paul’s Episcopal.
Justice “Juice” Williams, Defensive Tackle Seffner, FL (2021)
Williams was a 2021 signee for the Argos from Seffner Christian in the Tampa Bay area. He comes to UWF after a productive senior season where over the course of 11 games he tallied 17.0 TFL and 8.0 Sacks, earning 1st Team All-State for 2A. The Argos, who will be looking to rebuild the defensive line both in 2021 after the loss of 2 starters, and in 2022 where they will likely be replacing three senior starters, will have need of a player like Williams in the future. I expect he redshirts this season, but listed at 6-3 315 he seems like a natural future replacement at either the Strong Side Defensive End (Matthew Gotel) or Nose Tackle (Myles Meyer). On tape in high school, Williams excels at getting pressure in the middle of the line. He is strong, and once he gets his shoulders past a guard or center, there was nothing they could to do keep him. A pretty solid athlete for his size, he makes plays behind the line in pursuit and even had a strip-sack-fumble recovery-return for a TD of about 45 yards.
Logan Kern, Safety Prosper, TX (2020)
Kern came to UWF from Prosper High in Texas in 2020. He primarily plays deep safety in his highlights, but did line up at corner from time to time. Listed 6-2 175 he has a great frame for a Safety to add weight as he continues in the strength program at UWF. In high school, he showed good awareness and strong hands to punch and deflect balls away from would be pass catchers. Willing to come up and hit, but Kern is more of a finesse player better suited for Free Safety. He was voted Defensive Most Improved by his teammates after spring practice.
Kode Lowe, Nickel South Sumpter, FL (2021)
Hailing from Central Florida, Lowe seems like a perfect fit down the line for UWF’s Nickelback position, currently manned by Super Senior and team godfather Trent Archie. Lowe played Rover for South Sumpter, the equivalent of UWF’s Nickel and has the right skill set for the position at the next level. Lowe racked up 73 tackles (23 solo) and 7.0 TFL en route to a 2nd Team All-State selection as a Senior in class 4A, in a Covid-affected 2020 season. He added a sack and an INT along with 3 PBUs and that kind of versatility as a defender is highly sought after for the hybrid LB/DB Nickel position, where Archie has routinely put up team leading numbers for tackles and chaos plays (TFL, sacks, turnovers). The two attributes that stick out with Lowe is his physicality and his change of direction. He makes some high level breaks in the run game, and he can really bring the wood. He ostensibly played DB in high school, but is definitely a better fit for the box in college. With Archie on his final tour of duty, and nobody returning who has played Nickel for the Argos, Lowe could make the depth chart year 1, and will be a big time contributor down the road.
Zac Offord, Slot Citra, FL (2020)
Offord is a do-it-all football player who could play on either side of the ball for the Argonauts, but has landed at Wide Receiver. His Junior and Senior seasons ended in third and second team All-State nods, respectively, for class 5A as a defensive utility player. He totaled 95 tackles 7 INTs 853 yards receiving and 6 TDs, plus over 100 yards rushing and 1 kickoff return TD. As a Wide Receiver, he shows good burst and the ability to get behind Defensive Backs, averaging almost 19 yards per reception over the two years and over 25 yards per reception as senior. He can climb the ladder and get the ball supported by a near 35” vertical in the spring of 2019. He shows valuable traits for a Slot on defense and in special teams, playing physically and showing elusiveness on returns. Offord was singled out by Coach Shinnick as the offensive newcomer to watch at GSC media days this month, and we think will at the very least be a major special teams contributor and likely rep with Kenneth Chanelle in the slot.
Thomarious “Pooda” Walker, Defensive Tackle Pensacola, FL (2020)
UWF has been very successful recruiting locally (Daryl Wilson Panama City, Anthony Johnson Jr. and Devin Gibson Pensacola, Quentin Randolph Navarre, Trent Archie Mobile), and Pooda may be the next great Argo from the 850. After completing an absolutely dominant Senior year at Pine Forest, Walker signed with West Florida in 2020. His high school finale netted him a 3rd Team All-State nod for class 5A, and that may have been selling him short. From his Defensive Tackle position, the near 300 pounder punished offenses to the tune of 102 tackles 13.0 TFL and 9.0 Sacks in 11 games during 2019. With how the Argos’ use their defensive front, Walker has flexibility as Strong Side Defensive End or Nose Tackle. Pooda must mean powerful, because Walker was really hard to stop as a senior showing a great strength at the point of attack, as well as a sneaky fast first step. Often times Linemen were left trying to block him from the side because his body was clear of the line before they had a chance to move. He wasn’t all bullrush though, showing a pretty impressive counter spin where he forces outside leverage against a guard, then spins back inside into the open space he created. He also showed some solid stunts, doing both inside and outside twists from the Defensive Tackle position. Pooda was probably running with the 2s this spring, but a few experienced transfers showed up just before camp started, s0 he will be battling for snaps this fall in a really deep room. Additionally, Walker is one of the strongest players on the team with a 425 pound max on bench from this spring.
Stay tuned for parts two and three of the series this week. Next we will look at Portal Pickups, 10 key transfers since the 2019 season ended and then the JUCO5, the top 5 JUCO signees from the past two classes.
