Nature Coast’s DeShawn Smith named 2015 Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Football

GAINESVILLE – Senior running back DeShawn Smith of Nature Coast Technical High School in Brooksville has been named the 2015 Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Football following a final round of voting by a statewide panel of high school football coaches and media representatives.

Smith, who was previously selected as the Class 5A Player of the Year, rushed for a state-leading 3,715 yards on 241 carries (15.4 yards per carry) while averaging 286 rushing yards per game over his 13-game season. He scored a state-record 66 touchdowns (60 rushing, five receiving, one fumble return), shattering the mark of 55 set by Heisman Trophy-winning and 2012 Florida Mr. Football Derrick Henry and also shattered Henry’s single-season scoring record (336 points) with 408 points. The 5-8, 185-pounder’s 2015 rushing total was the third-best in Florida prep history behind Derrick Henry (4,261) and 1996 Florida Mr. Football Travis Henry (4,087) and ranks as the 10th best mark in national prep football history.

Smith scored an overwhelming victory over the other seven finalists, all Players of the Year in their respective classes, with 15 of the 21 first-place votes and 188 points overall. In a tight race for the runnerup spot, Class 6A POY N’Kosi Perry of Ocala Vanguard (111 points) edged out Class 8A POY Woody Barrett of West Orange (110). Class 7A POY Tre Nixon of Viera (101) finished fourth followed by Class 1A POY Hamp Cheevers of Trenton (96), Class 3A POY Billy Cobb of Trinity Christian (81), Class 4A POY Henry Columbi of University School and Class 2A POY Avery Thomas of North Florida Christian (39).

The Florida Dairy Farmers High School Sports Awards program exemplifies Florida Dairy Farmers’ commitment to the state’s youth. This marks the 24th year of these unique awards as we honor the state’s top athletes and coaches in all 30 FHSAA sanctioned and recognized sports. The program also emphasizes to young people the importance of keeping dairy products a primary part of their diet in their overall nutrition plan.

2015 FINAL VOTING RESULTS (Note: Points awarded on a 10-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis)

Player                 Total Points           1st-place Votes

DeShawn Smith  188 15

N’Kosi Perry 111 2

Woody Barrett 110 2

Tre Nixon 101

Hamp Cheevers 96 2

Billy Cobb 81

Henry Columbi 77

Avery Thomas 39

Past Mr. Football Winners:

1992 – Jammi German, Ft. Myers

1993 – Shevin Wiggins, Bradenton Manatee

1994 – Daunte Culpepper, Ocala Vanguard

1995 – Frankie Franklin, Jacksonville Sandalwood

1996 – Travis Henry, Frostproof

1997 – Zain Gilmore, Tampa Robinson

1998 – Anquan Boldin, Pahokee

1999 – Willie Green, Kissimmee Osceola

2000 – Adrian McPherson, Bradenton Southeast

2001 – Leon Washington, Jacksonville Jackson

2002 – Andre Reese, Pierson Taylor

2003 – Xavier Lee, Daytona Seabreeze

2004 – Antone Smith, Pahokee

2005 – Tim Tebow, Ponte Vedra Nease

2006 – Robert Marve, Tampa Plant

2007 – Jacory Harris, Miami Northwestern

2008 – A.J. Graham, Tallahassee Godby

2009 – Matt Elam, William T. Dwyer

2010 – Quentin Williams, Tampa Jefferson

2011 – Randy “Duke” Johnson, Miami Norland

2012 – Derrick Henry, Yulee High School

2013 – Dalvin Cook, Miami Booker T. Washington

2014 – D’Andre Johnson, First Coast