Vote: Who is the 2023 Tampa Bay Offensive Player of the Year?
It was a record setting year across the board in Tampa Bay when it came down to offensive play.
From quarterbacks to running backs to wide receivers, there was plenty to get excited about if you were a fan of high school football all across the Panhandle region.
We continue with our regional polls around the state as the high school football season winds down and ask the question: Who is the Offensive Player of the Year in Tampa Bay for 2023?
We’ve selected 24 worthy candidates and ask you the fan to vote for who you think topped them all.
Voting will end on December 31st, 2023.
Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. This poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player that may not be mentioned in our poll.
Here are the nominations:
Dallas Golden, RB, Berkeley Prep: As one of the key cogs on both sides of the ball, Golden playing the Wildcat position on offense helped Berkeley Prep its first ever state title. Golden rushed for 1,467 yards and scored 19 touchdowns.
Joseph Troupe, RB, Berkeley Prep: Next to Golden on a lot of those Wildcat sets was Troupe, who has proven to be one of the most underrated running backs in the state. In 2023, Troupe rushed for 1,510 yards and scored 16 touchdowns.
Jershaun Newton, QB, Clearwater Central Catholic: A quarterback that seems to never get enough credit is Newton for CCC. The dual-threat signal caller threw for 2,084 yards, 14 touchdowns through the air. On the ground, Newton rushed for 1,020 yards and scored 13 times.
Jayce Nixon, QB, Gaither: The southpaw had himself another strong season under center and still has one more to go with the Cowboys. Nixon completed 246-of-363 passes for 3,172 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Waltez Clark, RB, Plant: Now yardage wise, Clark’s numbers may not blow you away but he meant a lot to what Plant did as an offense. The Florida commitment rushed for 476 yards, 15 touchdowns and hauled in 22 passes for 357, four scores.
Will Griffin, QB, Jesuit: Seeing the growth from freshman to sophomore season showed why plenty of universities are after Griffin’s services after high school. The quarterback completed 244-of-361 passes for 3,404 yards and 34 touchdowns.
Willy Suarez, WR, Jesuit: The go-to-receiver for the Tigers was the ever elusive Suarez. The Army signee had himself an all-around strong 2023, catching 65 passes for 1,232 yards and 13 touchdowns. Also rushed for 211 yards and scored five times.
Girard Pringle, RB, Armwood: One of the state’s top running backs was the junior out of Seffner. The hard to take down tailback led the Hawks’ offense on a weekly basis and finished with 1,683 yards on 219 carries and scored 24 touchdowns.
Jeff Jones, QB, St. Petersburg: Getting the shifty Jones down to the ground was not an easy thing to do for opposing defenders. The junior quarterback threw for 845 yards and 10 touchdowns through the air. It was on the ground where he did his damage, rushing for 2,178 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Jacob Drackett, QB, Calvary Christian: The Air Force commitment had a season to remember. Leading the Warriors back to the region finals, Drackett completed 199-of-280 passes for 3,260 yards and 42 touchdowns to just six interceptions.
Jackson Jensen, QB, Wharton: Playing in much more uptempo offense this season, Jensen adjusted fairly well and his stats spoke to that. The senior completed 187-of-310 passes for 2,560 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Ti'lan McGee, RB, Clearwater: Thor Jozwiak had a workhorse running back in McGee, who had one of the better rushing performances in a season for a Clearwater back. McGee rushed for 1,828 yards on 203 yards and scored 18 touchdowns.
Antwan Raymond, RB, Clearwater Academy International: A breakout player out of Pinellas County was the Knights’ running back. The junior bruiser led the Clearwater Academy offense with 1,643 yards on 201 touches and scored 20 touchdowns.
Jaelin Sneed, RB, East Bay: On the way to winning a district championship, the Indians did it via the legs of the senior running back. Sneed was the East Bay bellcow, rushing for 1,607 yards on 191 carries and scored 21 touchdowns.
Emarian Triplett, RB, Pinellas Park: Historically Pinellas Park likes to keep the ball on the ground and it was no different in 2023. Triplett led the Patriots’ ground attack, rushing for 1,363 yards on 206 carries and scored 22 yards.
TJ Moore, WR, Tampa Catholic: The Clemson signee is as good as advertised. Moore in his senior season caught 50 passes for 1,272 yards and scored 17 touchdowns.
Bredell Richardson, WR, Carrollwood Day: If you were an opposing defensive back, you probably didn’t have a fun time covering Richardson. The UCF signee hauled in 68 passes for 1,248 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Parkees Harris, RB, Tarpon Springs: In a renaissance season for the Spongers, Harris was one of the main reasons for the turnaround. Leading Tarpon Springs to a 8-1 season, Harris rushed for 1,212 yards on 148 carries and scored 13 touchdowns.
Greg Smith III, QB, Sumner: Smith III just signed with the University of Florida, but will be playing safety on the next level. At Sumner this past season, he was a standout at quarterback, throwing for 1,633 yards, 32 touchdowns and rushed for 409, seven scores.
Chris Denson, QB, Plant City: The engine that really made the Raiders’ offense go was the play of Denson under center. The junior signal caller completed 135-of-209 passes for 2,147 yards and 26 touchdowns. Also rushed for 688 yards and three touchdowns.
Xzavier Jackson, QB, Tampa Bay Tech: Coming onto the scene early in the season, Jackson proved to be a difference maker for the Titans. The signal caller has completed 130-of-231 passes for 1,996 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Eric Archield Jr., QB, Robinson: The junior signal caller played an intricate role in leading the Knights to a district championship. Archield Jr. completed 128-of-210 passes for 2,019 yards, 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions.
Rico Shoats, RB, Riverview: The senior running back had a solid season for the Sharks. Shoats rushed for 1,197 yards on 178 carries and scored 14 touchdowns on the ground.
Jordan Magwood, QB, Carrollwood Day: One of the more dynamic quarterbacks in the state, Magwood had a terrific season for the Patriots. Magwood completed 130-of-191 passes for 2,177 yards, 22 touchdowns and just four interceptions.
-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl
