Recent University grad Lorenzo Lingard and Mainland senior D'Marcus Adams took the field for last weekend's U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Earlier in the week, several talented underclassmen looked to get onto the national radar in San Antonio.
All-Area first team linebacker Ty Berrong, who recently transferred from Spruce Creek to Atlantic, earned a spot on the 247Sports U.S. Army National Combine Team. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound sophomore recorded 73 total tackles and four interceptions in his first year as a full-time varsity starter.
Tom Loy of 247Sports wrote the following of Berrong: "Big and deceptively athletic. For a guy that looks like a big factor in the run game, he was able to run with the receivers and has a good feel for body control and where the ball is coming."
Berrong didn't think much of the accolade at first, but enjoyed taking part in the combine.
"The combine was really exciting and a new experience to go and play against some of the best players in the nation," said Berrong, who claimed offers from Florida and North Carolina last spring. "Honestly I don’t know what I accomplished. I don’t really think I did as good as I could have. I could have practiced a lot more to get my times better."
DeLand junior wide receiver Dionte Marks also used the platform to showcase his athleticism. Marks (6-2, 178) posted the top broad jump in the field at 11 feet, 2 inches.
Marks caught 23 balls for 444 yards and seven touchdowns, and already holds offers from Bethune-Cookman and Florida Atlantic. Having posted sub-4.4 second times in the 40-yard dash, he could be a hot commodity in the spring.
New Smyrna Beach junior offensive lineman Drew Peterson also attended the combine, calling it a "business trip" upon arrival. He earned All-Area first team honors for the first time this fall.
UCF lands two local transfers
Fresh off its first undefeated season in program history and claiming itself as "national champions," UCF has become an attractive transfer option for Central Florida natives.
Wide receiver Tre Nixon, a former Class 7A player of the year at Viera, announced his intentions to depart Ole Miss for UCF. And two Volusia County products are planning to head home, too.
DeLand native Jonathon MacCollister plans to leave Notre Dame for UCF and will sit out the 2018 season per NCAA transfer rules. Recruited by the Irish as a defensive lineman, MacCollister (6-3, 233) is expected to play tight end for the Knights.
MacCollister spent his first two years of high school at DeLand before transferring to Bishop Moore Catholic in Orlando, winning a state title in 2016.
Additionally, Mainland product Jason Colubiale (6-0, 185) will attend UCF as a preferred walk-on after spending this year at Mercyhurst, a Division II program in Pennsylvania. His cousin, Michael Colubiale, just finished a five-year career with the Knights.
"It’s always been my favorite school, and it's close to home," said Colubiale, who walked with the Knights in a parade at Walt Disney World on Sunday. "Also with Michael going there, it helped because I know he had such a great time."
D-III juggernaut offers FPC's Robinson
Flagler Palm Coast senior running back Jimmie Robinson said he picked up an offer from 13-time Division III national champion Mount Union on Monday.
One of four Bulldogs awarded an All-Area honorable mention, Robinson (5-6, 150) rushed for 442 yards and four touchdowns.
Hull gains two JUCO offers
Spruce Creek senior safety Jhemez Hull recently claimed a pair of junior-college offers — from ASA College (N.Y.) and Iowa Central.
Hull (6-2, 190) snagged four interceptions and scored two defensive touchdowns, good enough to earn a spot on the All-Area first team.
BASKETBALL
Duckett claims East Carolina offer
Lexi Duckett, a 2016-17 All-Area first team guard at Father Lopez, added an offer from East Carolina during an unofficial visit last week.
The 5-foot-11 junior is averaging 12.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in her first year at DME Sports Academy. She also claims offers from Illinois and North Florida.
TENNIS
Zieglar signs on with Navy
Two-time state tennis champion Kristina Zieglar has committed and signed her national letter of intent with the United States Naval Academy, her father, Fred Zieglar, said.
Zieglar won all 20 of her high school matches in 2017, helping the Sharks finish second in Class 2A for the first time.
She is set to report to Annapolis, Maryland, on June 28. This week, Zieglar will team with younger sister Lindsey in the doubles qualifying draw of the Daytona Beach Women's Pro Championships at the Florida Tennis Center.