Northeast Florida football's top sophomores rising in 2029 class

It's still more than two years away from signing time for current high school footballsophomores, but eyes are already turning toward Northeast Florida's class of 2029.

Even with barely a full season of varsity football under their belts, several of the Jacksonville area's recruits for 2029 have already picked up major college offers. And with plenty of time to go, that list will only grow longer.

For now, it's too early to say exactly how the 2029 class will stack up compared to other years in the area, although the 2028 class — which includes national prospects like Brysen Wright, Asher Ghioto, Xander Edwards, J.C. Wessel, Zion Green and more — is already setting a high bar for anyone.

Here's a closer look at several sophomore prospects on the

First Coast who are grabbing attention quickly.

RB Micah Anderson, Trinity Christian

Height/weight: 5-8, 185

Why he's here: Even as an eighth-grader, Anderson worked his way into the action in Trinity's backfield, gaining 459 yards on 51 carries in 2024 and following with 798 yards on 104 attempts in 2025. Elusive in the open field, he's also dangerous on kickoff returns. Early offers include Florida State and Pittsburgh.

DT Kyree Beamon, Raines

Height/weight: 6-2, 260

Why he's here: Starting as a sophomore for the current state champion, Beamon combines run-stuffing ability with all-around disruption. Recorded six tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in his first two games. Beamon isn't alone in the interior D-line: Fellow sophomore Elmandelah Elbon is also a tackle to watch for Raines.

LB Quinton Callum III, Columbia

Height/weight: 6-0, 225

Why he's here: Callum has started the season on the sidelines due to injury, but he's already in the recruiting spotlight after an encouraging freshman year with 16 tackles, a sack and an interception. His early offers include South Florida.

QB Sa'Mon Ellison-Morgan, Raines

Height/weight: 6-3, 185

Why he's here: Ellison-Morgan, who has taken over from graduated state champion TJ Cole behind center at Raines, threw for 423 yards with a 62.9 completion percentage in part-time action in 2025. Tall and athletic, his early listed offers include Liberty and Pittsburgh.

WR Cam Ganther, Bartram Trail

Height/weight: 5-8, 150

Why he's here: Ganther brings a definite zoom factor to the wide receiver position. He ran 11.12 in the 100-meter dash as a freshman. In his first three games of 2026, he caught 11 passes for 157 yards.

WR Tre'veon Gelsey, Riverside

Height/weight: 5-11, 175

Why he's here: A receiver with the ability to make plays in traffic. His early offers include Central State. Older brother, Tae'Shaun Gelsey, was a four-star Super 11 recruit with the Generals and is now in his sophomore college season at Florida State.

CB Deante Hampton, Mandarin

Height/weight: 6-0, 165

Why he's here: Hampton has good height for the corner position and has already received an East Tennessee State offer. Recorded three tackles and three pass breakups in his first two games this year in a Mandarin secondary with several next-level prospects.

WR Mike Hinson, White

Height/weight: 5-10, 140

Why he's here: All-around athlete has 60 receiving yards through two games, and has also seen time as both rusher and quarterback. Might be better known on the basketball court, where he averaged 19.5 points, 2.3 assists and 2.4 steals during the second half of the season with the Commanders' varsity squad.

WR Ray'shawn Jeffries, St. Augustine

Height/weight: 6-1, 170

Why he's here: Less than a month into the year, the tall Jeffries led the Yellow Jackets with 13 receptions for 168 yards as a prime target for quarterback Cash Downey. Could also play safety. He's not the only young Jacket receiver in the spotlight: Receivers Anthony Washington and Ry'Lend Williams also have triple-digit receiving yards early. Early offers include Bethune-Cookman.

DE Jameer Johnson, Bolles

Height/weight: 6-3, 205

Why he's here: The athletic edge rusher forms a potent defensive end tandem withfive-star junior Asher Ghioto. Johnson recorded nine tackles and three pass breakups in the Bulldogs' first two games in 2026. Early listed offers include Syracuse and Temple.

RB Tavaris (Vedo) Jones, White

Height/weight: 5-11, 200

Why he's here: Fast-rising back has the strength to run people over. Gained 249 yards on 27 carries through the first two games for the Commanders, including nearly 150 yards against reigning state champion Raines, and excelled in preseason against Nease.

OL Shiloh Lunford, Mandarin

Height/weight: 6-3, 245

Why he's here: Earned starting job as freshman for the Mustangs, playing offensive tackle, helping the run game gain 3,122 yards in 2025. Rated among the top young O-line prospects in Duval County.

RB Tristian Mitchell, Parker

Height/weight: 5-9, 190

Why he's here: Freshman sparked Braves' offense in 2025, running 132 times for 837 yards and 10 touchdowns. Also contributed on defense with 36 tackles, 11 for loss, with six sacks and an interception.

QB Derrell Monroe, Parker

Height/weight: 5-10, 165

Why he's here: Stepped up as freshman starter in 2025, completing 127 of 203 passes (62.6 percent) for 1,710 yards, 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. On pace to rewrite passing record book at Parker.

DT Geedarious Thomas, University Christian

Height/weight: 6-1, 260

Why he's here: Thomas made an instant impact as a freshman in 2025 with 48 tackles, 21 for loss, as well as 8 1/2 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Forms a solid interior combination with Super 11 senior Julius LaRosa III. His early offers include Syracuse, UCF and West Virginia.

RB Jayden Timmon, Yulee

Height/weight: 5-7, 165

Why he's here: Timmon started as a freshman at Yulee, rushing 104 times for 686 yards and six touchdowns. Also a pass-catching threat with 131 yards receiving. Showed off speed in his return from injuries with a 310-yard performance on Sept. 4 against Fernandina Beach.

QB John Upchurch, Bishop Kenny

Height/weight: 6-0, 197

Why he's here: Started at Christ's Church as a freshman, completing 46 of 90 passes for 692 yards with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions. Also averaged 9.6 yards on occasional rushes. Completed 60 percent of his passes for 176 yards through his first two games at Bishop Kenny.

WR Jacoby Walker, University Christian

Height/weight: 5-9, 165

Why he's here: Walker saw part-time duty in eighth grade and followed with a 27-catch, 464-yard year as a freshman. Brings breakaway acceleration to the open field. Already up to 16 receptions and 295 yards through three games in 2026. His early offers include Middle Tennessee, Temple and Western Kentucky.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Northeast Florida football's top sophomores rising in 2029 class