With a new crop of players filtering into Deerfield Beach every year, there’s always intense competition with talented youngsters looking to move up the depth chart and knock off established starters.
That’s something Bucks coach Jevon Glenn loves to see.
“Everyone battles here,” Glenn said. “Last year, Jakari Norwood — an early enrollee at Northern Illinois — came in as the starter [at running back] and Jaylan [Knighton] took it,” Glenn said. “[Norwood] was the backup to the sophomore who ran for 1,200 yards.”
As spring football practice kicked off Monday afternoon, Deerfield Beach was back at it as the team hit the field with state title aspirations. The Bucks, who reached the Class 8A state semifinals in 2016, were upset by Western, 20-17, in the first round last season.
As always, there’s loads of talent returning, especially at the skill positions. Deerfield Beach should once again boast one of the area’s top rushing attacks thanks to Knighton. The explosive running back broke out for 1,223 yards and 15 touchdowns last season after beating out Norwood for the job. Rated as a four-star prospect, Knighton verbally committed to Oklahoma earlier this month.
“He’s got the potential to be the best to ever do it around here,” Glenn said. “He’s a natural leader. His work ethic is tremendous to the point we have to shut him down sometimes. We’ll be telling him we’re getting ready to leave, but he’ll say ‘Give me 10 more minutes’ and he’ll go in the weight room and get 10 more minutes of [lifting].”
The Bucks also tout a loaded receiving core with Deajaun McDougle, Donte Banton, Bryce Gowdy and Atlantic transfer Aydin Henningham out wide.
One of the biggest storylines will be who gets the nod at quarterback. It’s a two-man battle between junior Tyron Herring and sophomore Derohn King, who transferred from Piper. Glenn said he’s not close to making a decision yet.
“They’re going to battle it out,” Glenn said. “They’re doing what they’re supposed to be doing. They’re going at it and I like to see that.”
Defensively, the Bucks will be led by rising senior linebacker Ge’Mon Eaford, a first-team All-County selection last season. A four-star recruit, Eaford is shaping up to be the next major prospect coming out of Deerfield Beach, following in the footsteps of Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and South Carolina linebacker signee Rosendo Louis.
“He’s been able to play the little brother role the past few years with [Jerry] Jeudy and Rosendo [Louis],” Glenn said. “He was a quiet leader, but now he’s become more vocal.
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wdusenbury@sun-sentinel.com; On Twitter @dusereport
