JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – There are over a million high school football players in the country, and the most elite — the top 100 athletes in the nation — met at EverBank Stadium Wednesday for the Rivals Five-Star event.
“It means a lot to get this opportunity and be one of the best people in the nation,” Mandarin senior defensive back Drake Stubbs said.
Many of the best NFL stars have competed in this event, including one guy many people know well — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to be one of the top players in the nation and in the country so competing with these guys makes me better and to put on for my town, my city, and for my team, it feels great.” Raines junior linebacker Tony Williams said.
Now you’re watching the next promising top stars.
“I just want to start by thanking God,” Mandarin senior quarterback Tramell Jones said. “Being able to put this platform for me and be able to compete against all other quarterbacks around the country and being able to go to the Elite 11 and being able to go to Rivals also. I think being able to put my talents on display, it’s a blessing.”
The top juniors and seniors competed against each other in different skill drills and competitions. A true test of how good these athletes are.
“If you really want to get noticed, get recognized, you gotta go against the best,” Riverside senior tight end Taeshaun Gelsey said. “It’s going to make you better.”
The best of the best athletes were given an exclusive invitation to compete in Jacksonville and Duval was well represented with nine different players competing in the event.
| Local athletes | School | Year | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaime Ffrench | Mandarin | 2025 | WR |
| Drake Stubbs | Mandarin | 2025 | S |
| Tramell Jones | Mandarin | 2025 | QB |
| Naeem Burroughs | Bolles | 2026 | WR |
| Simeon Caldwell | Bolles | 2026 | S |
| Corbyn Fordham | Bolles | 2026 | TE |
| Asher Ghioto | Bolles | 2028 | DE |
| Tony Williams | Raines | 2026 | LB |
| Taeshaun Gelsey | Riverside | 2025 | TE |
“It just shows how Northeast Florida is a hot bed for athletes and guys that are hungry to play, guys that are willing to compete,” Jones said.
“It shows like the culture we have here and how far Jacksonville has come,” Mandarin senior wide receiver Jaime Ffrench said.
While the top high school talent competes against each other right now, in just a few weeks our local stars will go head-to-head when the high school season kicks off in August.