Ledger-Enquirer names its Dandy Dozen
In truth, the 2015 Dandy Dozen could have been expanded to two dozen. Or more. The talent in the Bi-City right now is so rich, that limiting this elite preseason list excluded guys who could end up having player-of-the-year caliber seasons.
And yet, as in every season, the list had to be cut to 12.
At least 10 of the 12 will almost assuredly play on Division-I football teams when they graduate from high school. The other two are Division-I caliber, just waiting for the right offer to come their way.
One is one of the top quarterback recruits in the country for 2016. Another is a five-star junior linebacker. One doesn't have a single Division-I offer yet, but may be the best all-around athlete of them all.
Here is a look at the 2015 Dandy Dozen:
Jawon Pass, Carver, QB
At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, Pass was one of the most highly sought after quarterback recruits in the country before he committed to Louisville in July.
Entering his third year as a starter, he has thrown nearly 50 touchdown passes and just six interceptions in his entire high school career. In addition to his electric arm, he also has 4.5 speed and impressive strength in his legs to make those a viable weapon as well.
Markus Wright, Jordan, LB/TE
This three-star recruit committed to California in June, making him the first Jordan player to go to a Division-I college right out of high school in recent memory.
At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, he has good size at linebacker, and will be Jordan's quarterback of the defensive unit. Offensively, he will be a major factor in the passing game at tight end, as he was a year ago.
Jordan may be able to take another step forward this season. If
it does, you can circle Wright as a major reason why.
Javontay Smith, Carver, DB
Joining pass from Carver is safety Smith, whose five interceptions led the team a season ago.
A three-star recruit in the 2016 class, Smith has already committed to North Carolina over offers from Tennessee, Nebraska, UCLA, Virginia Tech, LSU, Alabama and Louisville.
As Pass is the leader for Carver's offense this season, so too will Smith be relied upon to lead the defense.
Markail Benton, Central, LB
Benton is perhaps the area's hottest recruit currently, sporting a five-star rating on 247sports.com and having his pick of the litter when it comes to playing at the next level.
He has elite size (6-foot-2, 227 pounds) and athleticism, and will become a force at linebacker for Central in his junior season.
John Broussard, Central, CB
This four-star cornerback has already made his commitment to Auburn and will play his senior season without the recruiting bug hanging over his head.
He has been a major player in the Central secondary for the past two seasons, but this year will be relied upon to take the reins and increase his productivity even more.
He is rated a four-star recruit and selected Auburn over offers from Alabama and LSU.
Karon Delince, Central, CB
Playing alongside a player like Broussard at cornerback has its benefits, but don't think that's the only reason Delince recorded seven interceptions last season. Delince is an elite athlete who, as he heads into his junior season, has already gotten offers from Kentucky and Mississippi State.
His size is not elite, but his athleticism is. He can jump out of his shoes and runs a 4.32 40. He should be expected to have another productive season for the Red Devils.
Jamal Couch, Central, WR
Couch is a big and productive receiver for the Red Devils who could play a number of different positions at the next level. Currently, he is listed as a four-star athlete on recruiting sites and has given his commitment to Florida State.
For Central, in 2015, though, he will be relied upon as one of its three big wide receiver targets. With offensive leader Traveon Samuel graduated, Couch could become a bigger factor in the offense in 2015.
Essang Bassey, Columbus, DB/WR
It took longer than he had hoped, but Bassey finally got his big college offer and committed to Wake Forest in June. While he doesn't have overwhelming size, the defensive back/wide receiver hybrid has elite athleticism that has made him successful on both sides of the ball.
He will be relied upon, once again, to be a leading factor on both units for Columbus in 2015.
Lorenzo Smothers, Marion County, ATH
Pick a position, any position. Smothers is deadly from all corners of the field. Coaches occasionally say how a player can score from "anywhere," but in the case of Smothers, that is 100 percent true.
Smothers lack of elite size has cost him in the recruiting game, as he is still awaiting major Division-I offers. But there is arguably no athlete in the area better than he is, and he is a threat to win local and state awards in 2015.
DeAndre Bowman, Pacelli, ATH
While his numbers aren't quite as dramatic as Smothers', Bowman comes from a similar mold in that he can produce from just about anywhere on the field.
He is the team's leader in the defensive backfield, and will likely put up strong numbers in rushing, receiving and returning.
As a senior, he could be a key factor in helping Pacelli take the next step as a program.
Austin Hester, Shaw, OL
Hester has long been a staple in these preseason and postseason lists, having been one of the best offensive linemen in the area for the past two seasons.
As part of an offensive unit with big aspirations in 2015, he will lead the players up front in his senior season before going off to play at an undecided college.
Hester has size and strength and has knocked more than a handful of players on their backsides during his time with the Raiders.
Vada King, Smiths Station, LB
Entering his senior season, King is taking over the lead linebacker role that has been held by elite seniors before him. Anfernee Moffett passed the job to Amonte Caban, who passes the job to King.
King is a strong player with size (6-foot-1, 230 pounds) and has committed to Southern Miss. As King goes in 2015, so the Smiths Station defense will go.
This story was originally published August 15, 2015 at 10:03 PM with the headline "Ledger-Enquirer names its Dandy Dozen ."