By Gerald Lacey
Senior Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
Updated: Friday, January 24, 2020, 4:36 p.m.
LEESBURG Fla. (January 24, 2020) - When it comes down to high school football recruiting most college football programs covet players from the state of Florida. As a result, they attempt to stockpile their rosters with players from the high school football talent-rich state. Looking to increase the number of Florida players on its roster Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina has offered 10 Yellow Jackets football scholarships as National Signing Day approaches.
Leesburg High School fourth-year head coach Mark Oates announced that 10 of his Jackets received an offer to continue their careers on the next level on Wednesday, January 24, 2020. "Dylan Black, Akeim Nickerson, Bry'Tavion Jackson, Isaiah Byrd, Deion Mensah, Delcory Allen, Alex Gibson, Jabaree Dawkins, Harrison Dicus, and Kylan Mattiucci were all offered by Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina," Oates said during an interview with the Carver Heights Quarterback Club. "These guys are the pillars of the culture that we are trying to create here at Leesburg."
Methodist has recruited heavily at Leesburg in the past. Former Jackets standouts Evan Hayden and Trevor Haawersaat have signed with the school in recent years. Also, Bluefield College (VA) has shown interest in signing all 10 players. ";Bluefield College is also very interested in the guys," Oates said. "Dylan Black has also been offered by Guilford College."
Allen, Black, and Mensah will have the opportunity to see what life will be like on the next level when they make official visits to Guilford College and Methodist University this weekend. “Dylan, Delcory, and Deion are visiting both schools this weekend,” Oates said.
Oates says that the attention his players are getting is a reward for the sacrifices they've made on the field and in the classroom as well. "They put in the work on and off the field," Oates said. "Having these guys sign will show that our staff works hard for our players."
The culture is changing around the program and don't be shocked when the list of signees extends past 10 players.
List of players and their positions receiving an offer from Methodist University (NC)
Dylan Black (OT-DT, Sr., 6-2, 245, 2019 Daily Commercial All-Area Team, Second-Team Offense)
Akiem Nickerson (WR-CB-FS, Sr., 6-3, 175, 2019 Daily Commercial All-Area, Second-Team Defense)
Bry'Tavion Jackson (RB-MLB, Sr., 6-1, 220, 2019 Daily Commercial All-Area, Honorable Mention Defense)
Isaiah Byrd (RB-MLB, 5-7, 183)
Deion Mensah (ATH-SS, Sr., 5-9, 175)
Delcory Allen (DB-WR, Sr., 6-0)
Alex Gibson (T-DT, Sr., 6-2, 260, 2019 Daily Commercial All-Area, Honorable Mention Defense and Offense)
Jabaree Dawkins (DE-OT, Sr.,6-3, 230, 2019 Daily Commercial All-Area Team Second-Team Defense)
Harrison Discus (QB-OLB-LS, Sr., 5-8, 160)
Kylan Mattiucci (K-P, Sr., 5-8, 165, 2019 Daily Commercial All-Area Team, Honorable Mention)
This article was provided by Gerald Lacey
Gerald Lacey is the senior sports writer covering Leesburg High School Sports for the Carver Heights
Quarterback Club. You can reach him at: geraldlacey@leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com
