News Summary
Local high school athletes in Jacksonville are stepping into the limelight as they commit to college football programs and excel in their sports. Standout players Eliyjah Caldwell-Hardy and Trace Burney have made headlines with their recent commitments to Michigan State and James Madison, respectively. Their achievements, along with other local talents, showcase the growing presence of Jacksonville athletes in collegiate athletics, including remarkable performances in track and field, diving, and baseball, further fostering a culture of excellence in the community.
Jacksonville – Local high school athletes are gaining recognition as they make commitments to college football programs, while also excelling in other sports. Two standout players, Eliyjah Caldwell-Hardy and Trace Burney, have recently announced their decisions to join prominent college teams, which reflects a growing trend of local talent in the sport.
Eliyjah Caldwell-Hardy, a versatile athlete from Impact Christian, committed to Michigan State on June 8, enhancing his visibility in college recruitment. Standing at 6-foot and weighing 185 pounds, Caldwell-Hardy is rated as a three-star prospect and received six offers during the spring recruiting season. Over the 2024 football season, he put up impressive statistics that highlight his multifaceted skills on the field. Among his achievements, Caldwell-Hardy recorded 511 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, alongside 598 receiving yards with five touchdowns. Additionally, he demonstrated his prowess on special teams with 432 yards and three touchdowns on kick and punt returns. On defense, he made his mark with 79 tackles, including 15 for loss, seven sacks, and two fumble returns for touchdowns.
Fleming Island wide receiver Trace Burney also made headlines when he committed to James Madison on June 9. At 5-9 and 165 pounds, Burney had a standout season with 69 receptions for 1,158 yards and 17 touchdowns. Beyond football, he showcased his athleticism in basketball, averaging 1.2 assists and one steal per game during the season.
The commitments of Caldwell-Hardy and Burney contribute to a robust 2026 recruiting class for the Big Ten Conference in Northeast Florida, which has seen a rise in commitments from local athletes. Other notable local commitments include Raines linebacker Tony Williams heading to Illinois, Fletcher wide receiver Diondre Smith to Iowa, and Mandarin cornerback Brody Jennings to Michigan. Additionally, several teams have recruited local talent such as Nease safety/linebacker Jacob Curry to Northwestern, Bolles safety/linebacker Simeon Caldwell and tight end Corbyn Fordham to Ohio State, and Fleming Island safety Sebastian Cruz to Rutgers.
In addition to football, local athletes are making a mark in other sports as well. Brunswick graduate Riyon Rankin is competing in the NCAA Division I track and field championships, ranked No. 1 nationally in the high jump, with the event continuing through June 14. Multiple athletes are also participating in relay pools during the championships. Notable relay competitors include Parker’s Aaron Bell (Tennessee) in the men’s 4×100 meters, Mandarin’s Jacques Guillaume (Navy) in the men’s 4×400 meters, Bishop Kenny’s Ka’Myya Haywood (Tennessee) in the women’s 4×400 meters, Bolles’ Kavon Miller (Princeton) in the men’s 4×400 meters, and Creekside’s Janay Moorer (Miami) in the women’s 4×400 meters.
Other noteworthy local athletic achievements include Bolles sophomore Gianna Vasto winning the girls 1-meter diving competition at the USA Diving Zone B Championships, while state champion Ava Brinkman of Fleming Island secured sixth place in the same event. Fletcher’s Max Shaver claimed second place in the boys 1-meter diving competition. In the baseball domain, Parkland Douglas junior Gio Rojas won the Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Baseball award, marking a significant milestone for his school.
In coaching developments, Jeff Cannada announced his resignation from Ponte Vedra, with Kara Koolage taking over as the girls’ lacrosse coach. Bolles has also appointed Michael McGrath as the new head girls’ golf coach following the departure of long-time coach Debbie Caruso. Additionally, Zach Shank from Eagle’s View is moving to the Sunshine State Athletic Association, with Kiryn Williams assuming the role of the new athletic director.
Finally, several athletes have garnered honors for their academic and athletic performance, including Atlantic Coast’s Ben Ward and Stanton’s Leighton Yates receiving Duval County’s scholar-athlete of the year awards. Pace’s Hannah DeMarcus was recognized as the Gatorade Florida Softball Player of the Year, while former St. Johns County Day pitcher Bradley Hodges transferred from Virginia to South Carolina, and multiple athletes are heading to prestigious national competitions.
As local athletes continue to make strides in various sports, their achievements are fostering a culture of excellence in Jacksonville and beyond, inspiring future generations of athletes.
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Additional Resources
- Jacksonville: Eliyjah Caldwell-Hardy and Trace Burney College Football Commitments
- Wikipedia: College Football
- Jacksonville: FHSAA High School Football Northeast Florida Super 24 Recruiting
- Google Search: High School Football Recruiting Florida
- SI: Florida State Football Offers One Top Recruit’s Northeast
- Google Scholar: Florida State Football Recruiting
- Jacksonville: Florida High School Football 2025 Northeast Florida Defensive Players
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School Football
- Jacksonville: Florida High School Spring Football
- Google News: Florida High School Sports
