Vote for who you would add to Forest High sports' Mount Rushmore

In the black hills of South Dakota stands Mount Rushmore, a sculpture that immortalizes four of the United States' most known presidents. This summer, the Star Banner brings that symbol to Marion County for an ambitious project.

Forest High School has held some of the best athletes to come through the county. With prep and college hall of famers fighting their way among four spots, things quickly became competitive.

The Wildcat Mount Rushmore is home to Olympians, NFL starters, and baseball greats from Ocala. Before we unveil our list, we want to know who you think should be added to this elite class. Vote below for your favorite athlete.

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Scot Brantley | Football | 1976

When hall of fame discussions happen, there’s always talk of a special room or wing reserved for an elite class of participants. In the Forest Hall of Fame, Scot Brantley is one of those revered members.

Brantley cracked heads as an all-state linebacke, helping the Wildcats capture back to back state football titles.

Brantley’s outstanding high school career caught the attention of the Florida Gators . He turned his time in the swamp into an all SEC career where he recorded the second-most tackles in the program’s history.

He’d enter the NFL Draft in 1980 being selected in the third round. Brantley played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , Miami Dolphins , and Cincinnati Bengals in his nine-year career. He’s now enshrined in the Florida-Georgia, Forest High School, and University of Florida Athletic halls of fame.

Tony Cayson | football/baseball | 1987

Every generation of athletes has one figure who could be whatever they want when they put the effort into it. In the mid 1980s, Tony Cayson was the face of two-sport athletes performing at a high level in Marion County.

Cayson was a highly touted football prospect that had schools across the country begging for his service. At the same time, baseball scouts, who originally came to watch his teammate, convinced the Seattle Mariners to draft him out of high school.

After two seasons in the minors, Cayson got the itch to return to the gridiron. The dual threat quarterback couldn't play at the highest level of college football after receiving payment for his first athletic endeavor but finished up an unforgettable campaign for NAIA Carson-Newman , where he ranks top 15 in total offense and passing yards all time.

Erin Jackson | speedskating | 2010

Few high schools can claim an Olympic athlete among their alumni. With Erin Jackson calling Forest home, she gives them the esteem of a gold medal speedskater.

Jackson may not have the high school resume of the other members on our Mount Rushmore, however she was winning gold on the international scene as early as 2008 at the junior world championships for 500-meter inline skating. The roller sports star ascended from there as the United States Olympic Committee Female of the Year for Roller Sports in 2012, 2013 and 2015. She’d leave her wheels behind for blades after securing 47 national championships and several international medals.

Jackson qualified for the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in 2018 with four months experience on ice. At the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics , she captured the gold medal in the women’s 500 meters. She’s broken several barriers, including being the first black woman to medal in speedskating in the Olympics and the first to win a speedskating World Cup.

Jonathan Johnson | baseball | 1993

Johnson’s career reads like a good sports movie. Local kid combines natural talent with a work ethic to become the strongest arm in the area and eventually make the big show.

His presence and power commanded attention from Division I schools, eventually signing with the Florida State Seminoles . He turned in a hall of fame career in three seasons in Tallahassee, winning ACC Rookie of the Year, ACC Tournament MVP, all American honors all three years, while recording 34 wins, a 2.63 ERA, and 391 strikeouts.

In 1995, Johnson was drafted seventh overall launching a six-year major-league career. For over 20 years, the right-handed pitcher showed his stuff, adding another deep legacy to Forest High School lore.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Vote for who you would add to Forest High sports' Mount Rushmore