Leon County Alum Lee Poppell finished his second round with a final score of 142 (-2), just four shots behind the fourth qualifier. Although Poppell did not qualify, he finished under par with a round of 70 (-2) on the first day and a round of 72 (E) on the second, finishing in 13th place out of a field of 71 golfers.

Poppell advanced to final qualifying after shooting a 4-under 68 to tie for second place at a local U.S. Open qualifier at The Plantation at Ponte Vedra. He carded six birdies during the round, including four on the back nine after making the turn at even par.

The qualifier capped a strong junior season at Troy University, where Poppell posted a 72.06 stroke average, recorded 15 under-par rounds and finished inside the top 25 in eight of 11 events.

Jamarin Simmons – Clemson

Godby wide receiver Jamarin “Waffle House” Simmons, a five-star prospect in the Class of 2027, has established himself as one of the most accomplished football recruits in Leon County, culminating in his commitment to Clemson in May.

Simmons enters his senior season coming off a standout junior campaign in which he recorded 59 receptions for 932 yards and 14 touchdowns while helping lead the Cougars. He also showcased his versatility by adding a rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown on offense, while contributing defensively with 25 tackles, six pass breakups, and three interceptions.

His production has been consistent throughout his high school career. As a sophomore, Simmons hauled in 49 receptions for 996 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging more than 20 yards per catch. He also saw varsity action as a freshman, giving him three years of experience against top competition entering his final season.

Beyond Friday nights, Simmons has earned recognition on the national recruiting circuit. He was named an “Alpha Dog” at Under Armour Orlando in 2026 and participated in The Opening Finals, one of the country’s premier showcase events for high school football prospects. Recruiting services rank him among the top wide receivers in Florida and one of the highest-rated prospects in the nation.

His recruitment drew interest from some of the nation’s top programs, including Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Colorado, Miami and LSU, before he ultimately chose Clemson. The commitment marks a significant milestone for both Simmons and the Godby football program, as the dynamic playmaker prepares for what could be a memorable senior season before heading to the ACC.

Davion Crumitie – Vanderbilt

Rickards athlete Davion Crumitie, one of the top multi-sport prospects in Florida’s Class of 2027, announced his commitment to Vanderbilt in May after reopening his recruitment with a decommitment from Syracuse on Feb. 3. The decision came after Crumitie emerged as one of the state’s most dynamic athletes, drawing interest from programs across the country.

Crumitie enters his senior season following a productive junior campaign in which he contributed in all three phases of the game for the Raiders. Playing both wide receiver and safety, he recorded 52 receptions for 776 yards while adding 26 tackles and an interception on defense. He also made an impact on special teams with both a kickoff return touchdown and a punt return touchdown.

His versatility has been a hallmark of his high school career. As a sophomore, Crumitie contributed as both a receiver and defensive back, finishing the season with 22 catches, four interceptions, and a forced fumble. Through two varsity seasons, he has totaled 74 receptions for more than 1,000 receiving yards while also making plays on defense and special teams.

While his football accomplishments have drawn the attention of college recruiters, Crumitie has also established himself as one of Florida’s premier track and field athletes. As a junior, he captured FHSAA Class 3A state championships in both the 100-meter and 200-meter dash and helped Rickards win a state title in the 4×100 relay. He also claimed Florida indoor state championships in the 60-meter and 200-meter dash, further cementing his reputation as one of the fastest athletes in the country.

His combination of speed, athleticism, and versatility attracted more than 30 scholarship offers from programs across the nation, including Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Tennessee and Syracuse, before he ultimately chose Vanderbilt. The commitment represents another major recruiting victory for Rickards and gives the Commodores one of the state’s most dynamic athletes as Crumitie prepares for his senior season.

The performance continued a strong junior season for Poppell at Troy, where he posted a 72.06 stroke average and a 0.25 score versus par. He led the Trojans with 15 under-par rounds in 32 total rounds and finished inside the top 25 in eight of 11 events, including a tie for 18th at the Sun Belt Championship entering U.S. Open qualifying.

Before his collegiate success, Poppell built an impressive high school and junior golf résumé in Tallahassee. He finished second at the 2022 Florida Junior Tour Championship and tied for 34th at the 2022 Florida Amateur Championship while competing against many of the state’s top amateur golfers. He also captured the 2022 Big Bend Championship in dominant fashion, firing a 7-under 65 to win by six strokes in one of the premier tournaments in the Florida Panhandle. Later that spring, he shot a 2-under 70 to win a district championship title. Poppell also earned multiple victories on the Southeast Junior Golf Tour in 2021, winning events at Wynlakes and Sea Palms while adding a fourth-place finish at the Ben An Junior Championship.