JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — When many great athletes grace the football fields in Florida each and every year, it is hard enough to choose who should be among the best of the best in on any list.

25 athletes in Northeast Florida as well as the southern portions of Southeast Georgia were recognized among the best of the best by the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars right before the Christmas holiday when Jaguars PREP honored the athletes in partnership with Action Sports Jax over at WJAX-TV and WFOX-TV for the 2024 Jaguars PREP ALL-PREP Top 25 team at EverBank Stadium.

The honor, bestowed upon some of the best football athletes in Northeast Florida for several seasons, has now tied the league’s 30th NFL franchise, which is now in its 30th season, to the region’s ever-growing high school football programs with relationships and partnerships that last well beyond the fields.

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THE EVENT

Athletes had the opportunity to experience some different activations as a part of the recognition event that Adriel Rocha, Vice President of Community Impact and Football Development with the Jacksonville Jaguars, being different than the traditional awards ceremonies that athletes already experience with end-of-the-year team banquets.

That difference started with the athletes receiving their official Jaguars swag box filled with amazing swag and a customized jersey with their jersey number worn with their school and last name on it. The customized jerseys for the 2024 ALL-PREP Top 25 team saw them go retro with the 30th anniversary throwback jerseys, the same design the Jaguars first wore when they took the field for the first time back in 1995.

Inside the swag boxes, the athletes received custom thigh pads, arm sleeves, hats, headbands, compression shirts, gloves, socks, eye black, wristbands, a Gatorade towel, swag cups, and much more. Rocha said, “It was a lot of stuff that the high school athletes will enjoy, want to have, help them compete at the next level and train in the off-season.”

After receiving their swag boxes, which took place inside the Jaguars locker room inside EverBank Stadium, saw the athletes recognized individually one by one that were present, which came after hearing from current Jaguars rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. who just recently became the first rookie in Jaguars history to hit 1,000 yards receiving in a single season and Jaguars legend, linebacker Paul Posluszny who spent seven seasons with the Jaguars from 2011 through 2017 before retiring. Each athlete recognized received a throwback Jaguars chain.

However, that was not all during the recognition portion as the Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, and along with the athlete selected to be a part of Nike’s “The Next Ones” during Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans in February to represent the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Player of the Year and Coach of the Year received a pair of custom cleats award that is designed by the same artist who does the cleats for NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats,” which takes place during the latter half of the season each year in honor of causes player have chosen to support. On top of the custom cleats, both the Player of the Year and the Coach of the Year received a swag box from Whataburger, while the Coach of the Year was surprised with a pair of tickets to attend Super Bowl LIX.

From there, the athletes were given the chance to do the “Shadows” experience, which is the pregame experience every Jaguars player gets to experience for every home game as the athletes emerge from the locker room now dubbed “The Vault” at EverBank Stadium.

Things wrapped up with group photos inside EverBank Stadium and the athletes and their families were treated to Whataburger in the EverBank Stadium’s west club level to wrap up the night.

JAGUARS VP OF COMMUNITY IMPACT & PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

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PLAYER OF THE YEAR

QB Timothy “TJ” Cole II, Raines (Jacksonville)

Leading Raines to the Class 3A State Championship this season, the junior quarterback threw for 2,857 yards passing along with 43 touchdowns while rushing for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns. Raines was the only team in the immediate Jacksonville market to reach the 2024 FHSAA state championships in Miami.

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COACH OF THE YEAR

Marty Lee, First Coast (Jacksonville)

In what was likely Lee’s final season as the First Coast Buccaneers head coach after 27 seasons, as Lee mentioned to the Jaguars in November that he was retiring, the Jaguars wanted to send him out with a huge honor. Lee is the longest-tenured public school football head coach in Duval County and the entire Jacksonville Jaguars market. He spent his entire head coaching career at First Coast High School and has worn other hats, including being the head baseball coach and school athletic director, a role he had continued to serve in. At one time, Lee held all three positions at the same time and was one of two coaches in Northeast Florida to have held all three positions at the same time in the early 2000’s.

Lee will also represent the Jacksonville Jaguars as the team’s Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year nominee. The Don Shula Award, named for the winningest head coach in NFL history. recognizes high school coaches that embody Coach Shula’s values — character, integrity, leadership, dedication to the community, commitment to player health and safety, and on-field success. The Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year winners, one from each conference (AFC and NFC), will be announced in January.

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NIKE’S “THE NEXT ONES”

Simeon Caldwell, Bolles (Jacksonville)

Selected as the Jacksonville Jaguars representative for the Nike’s “The Next Ones” which is an elite athlete invitational that brings together the top national high school football players during Super Bowl week during Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. Athletes who are invited will get the opportunity to participate in the event, which will include guidance from elite mentors and the chance to showcase their talents in a one-day football combine. As a junior linebacker, Caldwell had 80 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks, three pass breakups, one fumble recovery and two blocked field goals, helped guide the Bulldogs to the regional finals in 2024

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JAGUARS PREP ALL-PREP TOP 25

QUARTERBACKS

Timothy “TJ” Cole II, Raines (Jacksonville)

Locklan Hewlett, St. Augustine

Led Yellow Jackets to the state semifinals for the second consecutive year, the senior quarterback and USF signee threw for 2,910 yards and 31 touchdowns for the 2024 season.

Sean Ashenfelder, Creekside (St. Johns)

Consider one of the top quarterbacks in St. Johns County the last few seasons, the senior quarterback and Rutgers signee led the Knights to their first-ever district championship in program history during the 2024 season.

Cibastian Broughton, Fleming Island

Leading the Golden Eagles to a district championship this season, the senior quarterback and Akron signee was a dual-threat playmaker, throwing 1,949 yards and 21 touchdowns while rushing for 943 yards and 13 touchdowns.

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RUNNING BACKS

Arthur Lewis IV, Bartram Trail (St. Johns)

Attracting Division I FBS interested, the junior running back rushed for 1,666 yards and 21 touchdowns during the 2024 season for the Bears.

Christopher “Deuce” Foy II, Oakleaf (Orange Park)

The senior running back, helping guide the Knights to the playoffs, rushing for 1,301 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Brian Case, Ponte Vedra

The top offensive player for the Sharks in reaching the playoffs in 2024, Case rushed for 1,563 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2024.

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WIDE RECEIVERS

Jaime Ffrench, Mandarin (Jacksonville)

The Texas signee and senior wide receiver had 621 yards receiving and two touchdowns in guiding the Mustangs to the playoffs in 2024.

Maddox Spencer, Nease (Ponte Vedra)

The Charleston Southern signee and senior wide receiver had 976 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns in 2024 while guiding the Panthers to an undefeated regular season, district championship, and berth in the playoffs.

Trenton Jones, St. Augustine

One of Locklan Hewitt’s top targets, the senior receiver and Mercer signee had 1,134 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns in helping the Yellow Jackets reach the state semifinals for the second consecutive year.

Naeem Burroughs, Bolles (Jacksonville)

The junior receiver who is receiving Power Four offers, had 829 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns for the Bulldogs in guiding them to the regional finals in 2024.

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TIGHT ENDS

Tae’Shaun Gelsey, Riverside (Jacksonville)

Having signed recently with Florida State, the senior tight end and receiver, had 875 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns for the Generals in 2024 while helping them reach the playoffs.

Elyiss Williams, Camden County (GA)

Signing with Georgia recently, after receiving multiple Power Four offers including Florida, had 789 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns for the Wildcats during the 2024 season.

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ATHLETES

JP Donovan, Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville)

A major contributor to the Crusaders winning a district championship and reaching the regional finals in 2024, the senior who played primarily at receiver had 1,212 all-purpose yards (802 receiving yards, 110 rushing yards, 295 kick return yards, five punt return yards), recorded 15 total touchdowns and also converting four, two-point conversions.

Kenyon “The Jet” Gardner, Paxon (Jacksonville)

A three-sport athlete for Paxon, the senior running back was seen all over the field the entire season for the Golden Eagles, recording 1,722 all-purpose yards (1,528 rushing yards, 84 receiving yards, 39 kick return yards, 59 punt return yards, 12 interception return) and scoring 14 total touchdowns. He recorded 10 tackles and an interception on defense as well.

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OFFENSIVE LINE

Solomon Thomas, Raines (Jacksonville)

The LSU signee and senior offensive lineman was one of the key protectors for Timothy “TJ” Cole II to have the Player of the Year performance he had while helping the Vikings reach the Class 3A State Championship in Miami earlier this month.

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DEFENSIVE LINE

Sam Hayward, Providence (Jacksonville)

The Army commit and senior defensive edge rusher led the Stallions with 53 total tackles while recording 18 tackles for loss, nine sacks, 19 quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery, and two forced fumbles in 2024.

Jyon Simon, Raines (Jacksonville)

Another key senior leader for the Vikings who reached the Class 3A State Championship game in Miami, recently signed with Rutgers. Simon recorded 70 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks in 2024.

Andre Jackson, Fletcher (Neptune Beach)

The senior defensive end who will further his playing career starting at the JUCO level at East Mississippi Community College where he is currently committed to, recorded 84 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 19 sacks and 17 quarterback hurries for the Senators in 2024.

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LINEBACKERS

Joe Miracle III, Nease (Ponte Vedra)

Helping lead the Panthers to an undefeated regular season, district championship, and berth in the playoffs, the senior linebacker recorded 105 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, seven sacks, 12 quarterback hurries, three interceptions, three pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble in 2024.

Jeremiah McKenzie, Bradford (Starke)

The Central Michigan signee and senior linebacker was one of the defensive leaders for the Tornadoes in 2024, recording 65 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and blocking two punts.

Simeon Caldwell, Bolles (Jacksonville)

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DEFENSIVE BACKS

Tay’vion Lawson, Andrew Jackson (Jacksonville)

The senior cornerback was the Tigers’ strong point in a somewhat disappointing season, recording 26 tackles, three tackles for loss, five interceptions, and eight pass breakups. Lawson also recorded 356 receiving yards and two touchdowns on offense.

Drake Stubbs, Mandarin (Jacksonville)

The senior defensive back and Florida signee recorded 54 tackles, eight tackles for loss, one sacks, two interceptions, four pass breakups, one fumble recovery and forcing three fumbles for the Mustangs in 2024.

Joshua Patterson, Ed White (Jacksonville)

Helping lead the Commanders to a district championship and playoff berth in 2024, the senior defensive back and Iowa State signee recorded 53 tackles, four tackles for loss, four interceptions, 10 pass breakups, recovered two fumbles and forced two fumbles.