PNJ Super Seniors: Meet the 13 seniors with high expectations and ceilings entering 2024 season

The class of 2025 in the Pensacola area has produced some top talent, with some of these players having been on football fans' – and college recruiters, for that matter – radar since they were freshmen back in the 2021 campaign.

That season was the first season after the COVID-19 pandemic, even though the 2020 campaign still went on, it was a touch delayed. There was no spring football in 2020, and summer workouts had to go by phases. By the time this year's seniors, or at least some of them, joined the varsity ranks, everyone was chomping at the bit for a regular football season.

And without a doubt, several members of the class of 2025 excelled. As we near the beginning of the 2024 season, the Pensacola News Journal Sports staff labeled the following seniors the best 13 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Decisions were made off past production, including stats, offers accumulated and accolades earned, regardless of position or school attended.

By no means does this guarantee a spot in the PNJ All-Area teams at the end of the year – we'll leave that up to how the players perform during the fall. But, undoubtedly, these 13 seniors have high expectations and will look to carry their teams to success.

Without further ado, the 2024 PNJ Super Seniors, revealed in alphabetical order by last name.

Ladarian Clardy, Escambia

Position: Athlete

Top 5 Schools: Washington, UCF, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Florida State

Just another top defensive back to come out of Northwest Florida, Ladarian Clardy has been a household name at Escambia since his freshman season. Even though he was limited to just nine games and eight tackles, Clardy was also big on special teams on kickoff returns (5 for 181 yards). But Clardy truly broke through his sophomore year, and only excelled from there. In three years, Clardy, the 2023 PNJ Defensive Player of the Year, has played 32 games, recorded 120 tackles and posted four interceptions. Clardy, standing at 5-foor-11, also picked up some offensive work, hauling in 18 receptions for 267 yards in three years, and is expected to be used as a two-way player heavily in 2024. A commitment should be coming soon from Clardy.

CJ Floyd, Pine Forest

Position: Defensive Back

Commitment: Georgia Southern

CJ Floyd joins a solid list of defensive backs to blossom under the tutelage of coach Kadetrix Marcus, who has led a few players to NFL status, including Martin Emerson Jr. and Devon Witherspoon. Floyd, has been a four-year starter for the Eagles, and was the only freshman starter on the Pine Forest squad that went to Class 6A state championship game in 2021. Through three seasons, Floyd, standing at 6 feet tall and 175 pounds, has posted 109 tackles and a pair of interceptions, both of which came last year at Pine Forest. Floyd committed to Georgia Southern in early June.

Ty Folmar, Tate

Position: Offensive Line

Commitment: University of Louisiana-Lafayette

If you want to talk about size in the trenches, Ty Folmar definitely brings it for Tate. The 6-foot-6, 330-pound offensive lineman is a mainstay for the Aggies' front lines. Folmar, behind his size, easily creates space for running backs and provide plenty of time for quarterbacks in the pocket. And if a defensive player tries to push up against him, that player is likely being pushed backwards pretty easily by Folmar. Last year, Tate ran for 2,060 yards (averaging 6.4 yards per carry) and threw for 1,715 yards (averaging 13.5 yards per completion). Folmar committed to Louisiana-Lafayette at the beginning of August.

Ryan Huff, Pensacola Catholic

Position: Quarterback

Commitment: Old Dominion University

Ryan Huff was a touted transfer before the 2023 season, coming to Pensacola Catholic by way of Kentucky. He looked like a seasoned Florida player, however, throwing for 2,018 yards his junior season with 14 touchdowns. The 6-foot-3, 201-pound quarterback is getting more comfortable in the Crusaders' system, head coach Matt Adams noted, and has plenty of weapons to throw to this season on a prolific Pensacola Catholic offense. Already committed to Old Dominion University, expect Huff to have a breakout senior season as Pensacola Catholic looks to make another deep playoff run in the 2024 season.

Tylon Lee, Pace

Position: Defensive End

Commitment: UCF

Another USA Today Top 100 recruit in the class of 2025, slotting in at No. 38, Tylon Lee brings size and speed as an edge rusher on defense, easily able to get around offensive lines and finding quarterbacks, or running backs behind the line, quite often. Standing at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, Lee, in two seasons already, has recorded 149 tackles, 30 of which have been for a loss, including 8 1/2 sacks. That's not to mention the 48 quarterback hurries. A heavy hitter, Lee, a UCF commit, caused two fumbles last season as well, and will look to lead the Patriots' defense again.

Nigel Nelson, Pensacola Catholic

Position: Athlete

Commitment: FAU

Nigel Nelson used to just be a linebacker. And ever since his freshman year at Pensacola Catholic, Nelson has been a lot more than just that. He's played safety, and became a two-way player his sophomore season when he added in the running back position. In 2023, as a junior, Nelson excelled on both sides of the field, becoming the 2023 PNJ Most Valuable Player, leading the Crusaders to the Class 2S state semifinals by running through defenses, literally. Offensively, in a couple years, Nelson has posted 1,422 yards rushing and 26 touchdowns – 1,371 yards and 25 touchdowns came last year alone. He's also added 122 tackles, four sacks and eight interceptions over two seasons. Nelson, who is 6 feet tall and weighs 210 pounds, is an FAU commit.

Christian Neptune, Tate

Position: Athlete

Offers: Washington, Stanford, Western Kentucky, Southern Miss, Western Michigan (among several others)

A two-way player for Tate, which seems to have a lot of pieces to the puzzle for a successful 2024 campaign, Christian Neptune had an explosive junior year after being limited in 2022. The 2023 PNJ Offensive Newcomer of the Year, Neptune led the Aggies with 863 yards receiving and seven touchdowns. Defensively at secondary, Neptune recorded nine tackles over two seasons, adding an interception his sophomore campaign. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound rising senior should be announcing his commitment soon, and has plenty of top offers to choose from.

CJ Nettles, Pensacola Catholic

Position: Running Back

Commitment: Furman University

Another part of the three-headed running back monster that finished the 2023 season for Pensacola Catholic, CJ Nettles ran for 852 yards on 139 carries last season, adding 10 touchdowns. He also had 14 receptions for 152 yards. However, he was hurt for a good portion of last season with an ankle injury. One of his highlights was a three-touchdown game in Week 1 of the 2023 season against Navarre on 215 yards rushing, while also scoring in the Region 1-2S semifinals at Walton. Over three years, Nettles has ran for 2,566 yards and 39 touchdowns. The 5-foot-9, 185-pound running back who is committed to Furman is "fully healthy" entering his senior season.

Jeremiah Shelby, Pensacola Catholic

Position: Defensive Line

Commitment: Air Force

Just one portion of a lethal defensive line at Pensacola Catholic, Jeremiah Shelby is another Crusader who has seen field time since his freshman year. And every year, Shelby has just gotten better and better. Over three seasons, Shelby has recorded 98 tackles, more than half of which came from last season (57), eight eight sacks and two fumble recoveries his sophomore season. A recent commit to the Air Force Academy, Shelby stands at 6-foot-3, 245 pounds.

Joeseph Skipworth, Pace

Position: Tight End

Commitment: Kansas University

As a wide receiver/tight end hybrid, primarily playing the latter, Joeseph Skipworth is able to stand out on a run-heavy team – quite literally, standing at 6-foot-5, 205 pounds. The throw doesn't always need to be perfect, as Skipworth's wingspan is able to help him secure a lot of passes, Pace head coach Kent Smith said. Skipworth recorded 240 yards receiving on just 11 receptions, scoring five touchdowns in 2023. Skipworth, after a breakout junior season, is committed to Kansas University.

Xavier Thompson, Pine Forest

Position: Defensive Back

Commitment: Memphis

Xavier Thompson was just like CJ Floyd, joining Pine Forest's ranks last season after leaving Pensacola Catholic. It's created a strong secondary unit for the Eagles, which Kadetrix Marcus "holds to a higher standard," players have said. Last season, Thompson recorded just 17 tackles and an interception, and is looking to rebound for his senior season. The 6-foot-2, 170-pound defensive back recorded 70 tackles and four interceptions in his first two seasons with the Crusaders before moving cross-county. Thompson committed to Memphis earlier this summer.

Vinny Villanova, Navarre

Position: Linebacker

Offers: Columbia

After playing in just a couple games as a sophomore, Vinny Villanova brought some speed, strength and explosiveness to the linebacker room at Navarre. Leading the Raiders to a district championship last season, Villanova was the team's top tackler, recording 105 tackles (65 solo, 40 assisted) with seven of those for a loss. He also reached the quarterback for two sacks, adding two caused fumbles and two fumble recoveries, as well. The 6-foot, 210-pound linebacker, who holds an offer from Columbia, also excels at the long-snapper position.

Dorrion White, Escambia

Position: Running Back

Offers: North Alabama

Dorrion White has been with the Gators since his freshman year, though he only played one game that season, recording four carries for 22 yards. Since then, he's progressively shown more speed and an ability to wear down defenses. White has rushed for 1,824 over his sophomore and junior seasons, scoring 26 touchdowns, 17 of which came last season. Last year, he also had eight receptions for 120 yards and a touchdown. Part of a special senior class out of Escambia, that is looking to push things one step further in the playoffs, White, standing at 6 feet tall and 197 pounds, holds an offer from North Alabama.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: PNJ Super Seniors: Meet the 13 seniors with high expectations and ceilings entering 2024 season