Today, we continue our at look at the top players around the state by visiting the defensive ends section. Defensive ends are one of the most important pieces to the defensive line. If you don’t have a defensive end, then your team is going to get cut through by opposing offenses with no questions asked every single time you are on the field. In the Class of 2014, the Sunshine State has a respectable amount of defensive ends that are getting their name out there with the quality level of play they put on the field. These guys listed below will once again be a force on their teams this season.
List complied by Florida HS Football Staff
| 1. Chad Thomas | 6’5 | 240 | Booker T. Washington (Miami) | |||||
| Top College Choices (via 247Sports) | The Scoop | ||||
| Florida State Louisville LSU Miami (FL) |
Thomas has been one of the biggest forces on the Booker T. Washington’s defensive line, including the last two seasons that have seen the Tornadoes make two state championship appearances and a win for the 2012 Class 4A title. | ||||
| 2. Denzel Ware | 6’3 | 220 | Crestview | |||||
| Verbal Commitment | The Scoop | ||||
| Committed to Kentucky | Crestview was going to have to fill the big shoes Ware left behind after he transferred to Opp, Alabama during the offseason, but Ware eventually came back home. Ware will be a key player to help get the Bulldogs into the playoffs this season. | ||||
| 3. Trent Harris | 6’2 | 226 | Winter Park | |||||
| top College Choices (via 247Sports) | The Scoop | ||||
| Florida Miami (FL) |
While Winter Park did suffer through a losing season last year, things are looking up and Harris is one of them. Look for him to help put the Wildcats back in the playoff hunt this season. | ||||
| 4. Mike Smith | 6’3 | 230 | Miami Northwestern | |||||
| Verbal Commitment | The Scoop | ||||
| Committed to Miami (FL) | Smith’s name has been rising during the offseason and just choose very recently to stay close to home for his college career. Expect Smith to help guide the Bulls through a tough schedule this season including a district schedule that can go more way than can be counted on both hands. | ||||
| 5. Justus Reed | 6’3 | 220 | Clearwater Central Catholic | |||||
| Top College Choices (via 247Sports) | The Scoop | ||||
| Florida Florida State |
Reed was a clear dominant force in the Marauder’s huge season last year and will be there once again. A lot of people believe this could be the year that Reed’s team makes it to the Class 3A state final. | ||||
IN THE BUBBLE
Keyon Brown – Hardee
Blake McClain – Sandalwood
Rocel Mc Williams – West Florida
Sedrick King – Plant City
Kevin Bronson – Village Academy
Rashawn Shaw – Fort Pierce Central
![Matt Adams is stepping down as head coach after eight years at Pensacola Catholic. [Photo Courtesy of Pensacola Catholic High School]](https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_9290-120x86.jpeg)
![Adam Gore (left) is stepping down at Chiefland after his third stint. Cliff Harrell (right) will be taking over as head coach of the Indians in 2025 [@ChieflandFtbal/X & @CliffHarrell11/X]](https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Chiefland-Coaching-Change-120x86.jpg)
![Miami Northwestern Head Coach Teddy Bridgewater and QB Leon Strawder huddle up the rest of the Bulls offense during a time out during the recent 2024 FHSAA Class 3A State Championship. Strawder was among three athletes that stood out in the 2024 FHSAA Class 3A State Championship Game on Sat. Dec. 14, 2024, at South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium in Miami [Joshua Wilson/FloridaHSFootball.com]](https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cover-3-Class-3A-State-Championship-120x86.jpg)
![Winston Watkins Jr. (right) of Venice was among three athletes that stood out in the 2024 FHSAA Class 7A State Championship Game on Sat. Dec. 14, 2024, at South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium in Miami [Joshua Wilson/FloridaHSFootball.com]](https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cover-3-Class-7A-State-Championship-120x86.jpg)
![RB Byron Louis of American Heritage (Plantation) was among three athletes that stood out in the 2024 FHSAA Class 4A State Championship Game on Fri. Dec. 13, 2024, at South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium in Miami [Joshua Wilson/FloridaHSFootball.com]](https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cover-3-Class-4A-State-Championship-120x86.jpg)
![QB Mason Mallory was among three athletes that stood out in the 2024 FHSAA Class 6A State Championship Game on Fri. Dec. 13, 2024, at South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium in Miami [Joshua Wilson/FloridaHSFootball.com]](https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cover-3-Class-6A-State-Championship-120x86.jpg)
