Palm Beach County area football players who made it to the NFL
On Thanksgiving eve in 1960, when this cartoon ran in The Palm Beach Post, the “spotlight of tradition” shone on the undefeated Seacrest and Lake Worth high school football teams vying for the Suncoast Conference championship, “old-timer Palm Beach facing newcomer Forest Hill” for the West Palm Beach championship, and Pahokee meeting Belle Glade in “another one of those traditional games in which anything can happen.”
High school football is still king in Palm Beach County, and with the 2010 season beginning, we’re bringing back our list of local football players who made the pros. For the definitive roster of every local player currently playing at the next level — college or pro — check out this list on The High School Buzz blog at The Palm Beach Post’s PBGametime.
This list is a work in progress, and we welcome your input in expanding it. Please use the form or comments below to let us know about other local football players who have made the big time. We appreciate your contributions!
The list is sorted by school, then by player’s last name.
| Athlete’s last name | First name | High school | Year graduated | Pro team(s) and other claims to fame |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butler | Bobby | Atlantic | 1977 | Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 1981, played college football at Florida State |
| Clowney | David | Atlantic | 2003 | Wide receiver for the New York Jets, originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round in 2007, played college football at Virginia Tech. |
| Florence | Anthony | Atlantic | Defensive back drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1989, but never played in Tampa, played one season for the Cleveland Browns, in 1991, played college football at Bethune-Cookman. | |
| Flowers | Brandon | Atlantic | 2002 | Cornerback, drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round (35th overall) in 2008. He played college football at Virginia Tech. |
| Jacobs | Omar | Atlantic | 2002 | Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2006; also with Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs; played college football at Bowling Green State |
| Parker | Preston | Atlantic | 2006 | Signed by Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2010; played college football at North Alabama |
| Rumph | Mike | Atlantic | Drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2002, played college football at the University of Miami | |
| Davis | Marvin “Butch” | Belle Glade | 1961 | Drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 1965, then signed with the Denver Broncos in Nov. 1965; played with the Broncos in 1966; played college football at Witchita State |
| Curtin | Brennan | Benjamin | 1999 | Played offensive line at Notre Dame and was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 2003. He suffered what would be a career ending knee injury in the preseason of 2004 and after a brief stint on the New England Patriots practice roster in 2006 he retired. He is the tallest player in the history of the Green Bay Packers organization. |
| Crudup | Derrick | Boca Raton | 1982 | Drafted by the Los Angeles Raiders in 1988; played college football at Florida and Oklahoma |
| Piscitelli | Sabby | Boca Raton | 2002 | Safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, drafted by the Buccaneers in the second round (64th overall) in 2007, played college football at Oregon State |
| Carney | John | Cardinal Newman | 1983 | NFL place kicker for the New Orleans Saints, also played with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Diego Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs and New York Giants |
| Elam | Abe | Cardinal Newman | 1999 | Defensive back for the Cleveland Browns, first signed as free agent by Miami in 2005, eventually traded by the Jets to the Browns in 2009. |
| Erickson | Craig | Cardinal Newman | 1988 | Selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 5th round of the 1991 draft and by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 4th round of the 1992 draft, one of the few NFL players to be drafted twice; also with the Indianapolis Colts in 1995, Miami Dolphins in 1996 – 1997, and Chicago Bears in 1999; played college football at the University of Miami |
| Jacoby | Ford | Cardinal Newman | 2005 | Drafted by the by the Oakland Raiders in 2010; played college football at Clemson |
| Jones | Chris | Cardinal Newman | 1990 | Drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 3rd round in 1995; played college football at the University of Miami |
| Mobley | John | Cardinal Newman | Drafted by the Denver Broncos in 1996, played in (and won) 2 Super Bowls with John Elway, played his high school freshman season at Cardinal Newman | |
| Butler | James | Carver | James “Cannon Ball” Butler drafted by Pittsburgh Steelers in 1965, also played for the Atlanta Falcons, 1-time Pro Bowler, played college football at Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, FL | |
| Hill | Barry | Carver | Drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 1975, played college football at Iowa state | |
| Dixon | Randy | Clewiston | Indianapolis Colts tackle from 1987-1995. | |
| Dixon | Titus | Clewiston | Wide receiver drafted by the New York Jets in 1989, played college football at Troy | |
| Butler | Rashad | Dwyer | 2001 | Drafted by the Carolina Panthers in 2006; later signed by the Houston Texans; played college football at the University of Miami |
| Anderson | Ottis | Forest Hill | 1975 | Former NFL running back, NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1979, MVP of Super Bowl XXV in 1991 with the New York Giants. |
| Hanna | Jim | Forest Hill | 1989 | Played one year for the New Orleans Saints, 1994 |
| Stone | Ken | Forest Hill | 1968 | Football Scholarship to Vanderbilt University: 13 Interceptions, First Team All-SEC 1972, East-West Shrine Bowl, San Francisco CA 1972, American Bowl All-Star Game, Tampa, FL 1972; Drafted by Washington, Redskins 1973, played 3 years with the Redskins (minus 8 weeks for Buffalo Bills), 1974 led Redskins in interceptions; picked up in expansion draft by Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1976; 4 Years with St. Louis Cardinals 1977-1980, 1978 Cardinal team leader – 9 interceptions, 1980 Cardinal team leader – 5 interceptions, NFC co-leader in interceptions; 27 Lifetime NFL interceptions for 445 yards; Inducted in Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame 1979 |
| Edwards | Eddie | Fort Pierce Central | 1973 | Drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals, third overall pick in the 1977 draft; played from 1977 to 1988, including two Super Bowls; played college football at the University of Miami |
| Latimer | Don | Fort Pierce Central | 1974 | Drafted by the Denver Broncos in the first round in 1978; played college football at the University of Miami |
| Figurs | Yamon | Fort Pierce Westwood | 2001 | Drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2007; also played for the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers; played college football at Kansas State |
| McNeil | Ryan | Fort Pierce Westwood | 1988 | Drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1993; played 11 seasons with six different teams in the NFL from 1993-2003; played college football at the University of Miami |
| Swoope | Craig | Fort Pierce Westwood | 1982 | Drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1986; also played for the Indianapolis Colts; played college football at Illinois |
| Anthony | Reidel Clarence | Glades Central | 1994 | Former NFL wide receiver, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins |
| Banks | Brad | Glades Central | 1998 | Canadian Football League quarterback, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, 2002 Heisman Trophy first runner-up |
| Blackmon | Roosevelt | Glades Central | 1992 | Former NFL defensive back, Green Bay Packers, Cincinnati Bengals |
| Ford | John Allen Jr. | Glades Central | Drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1989 | |
| Harriot | Claude | Glades Central | Canadian Football League defensive lineman | |
| Haugabook | Omar | Glades Central | Canadian Football League quarterback | |
| Hester | Jessie | Glades Central | Current Head Football Coach at Glades Central. Former NFL wide receiver, St. Louis Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Raiders. | |
| Holmes | Santonio | Glades Central | NFL wide receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers, Super Bowl MVP | |
| Jackson | James | Glades Central | 1995 | Former NFL running back, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals |
| Jones | Willie | Glades Central | Offensive tackle, Kansas City Chiefs | |
| Lee | James | Glades Central | 2003 | Signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2008; went to Tampa Bay Buccaneers later in 2008; played college football at South Carolina State |
| McDonald | Ray | Glades Central | Former NFL wide receiver, New England Patriots | |
| McDonald Jr. | Ray | Glades Central | 2002 | Defensive end, San Francisco 49ers; played college football at the University of Florida |
| Messam | Wayne | Glades Central | Former NFL wide receiver, Cincinnati Bengals | |
| Morgan | Wilford | Glades Central | 1980 | USFL Tampa Bay Bandits |
| Newkirk | Robert | Glades Central | Former NFL defensive tackle, Chicago Bears | |
| Oliver | Louis | Glades Central | Former NFL defensive back, Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals | |
| Phillips | Randy | Glades Central | 2005 | Signed with Detroit as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2010; played college football at the University of Miami |
| Rudledge | Johnny | Glades Central | Former NFL linebacker, Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos | |
| Seider | JaJuan | Glades Central | Former NFL quarterback, San Diego Chargers | |
| Smith | Steve | Glades Central | AFL quarterback/wide receiver | |
| Snead | Willie | Glades Central | Former NFL wide receiver, New York Jets | |
| Spencer | Jimmy | Glades Central | Former NFL defensive back, New Orleans Saints, Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers, Denver Broncos | |
| Taylor | Fred | Glades Central | 1994 | Running back, Jacksonville Jaguars, selected to 2008 Pro Bowl |
| Thomas | Santonio | Glades Central | 2000 | Signed as an undrafted free agent by the New England Patriots in 2005; signed by the Cleveland Browns in 2008; played college football at the University of Miami |
| Weston | Rhondy | Glades Central | Drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1989 | |
| Arnoux | Stanley | Glades Day | 2005 | Drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round in 2009; played college football at Wake Forest |
| Taylor | Larry | Glades Day | 2004 | Signed with the New York Jets in 2010; played college football at Connecticut |
| Carson | Carlos | John I. Leonard | 1976 | Drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1980 |
| Fagan | Kevin | John I. Leonard | 1981 | San Francisco 49ers defensive end from 1987 to 1993, played in two Super Bowls, played college football at the University of Miami and is a member of the UM Sports Hall of Fame. |
| Garcon | Pierre | John I. Leonard | 2004 | Wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts, drafted by the Colts in the sixth round in 2008, played college football at Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. |
| Parrish | Lemar | Kennedy | Drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1970, 8-time Pro Bowler | |
| Roundtree | Felton | Kennedy, Lincoln | 1963 | Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 1968; played college football at Edward Waters College in Jacksonville |
| Evans | Heath | King’s Academy | 1997 | Drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round in 2001; with Miami Dolphins in 2005; New England Patriots 2005-2008 (Super Bowl Champion XLIV); New Orleans Saints 2009-now ; two-time all-state pick as a tailback at The King’s Academy in West Palm Beach where he also lettered in basketball; played college football at Auburn University |
| Chester | Lawrence | Lake Shore Junior-Senior High School in Belle Glade | 15th draft pick in 1967. Chester is believed to be the first football player from Belle Glade who made it to the NFL. | |
| Coleman | Leonard | Lake Worth | Cornerback dafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 1984, with the Colts until 1987, with the San Diego Chargers from 1988-1989, played college football at Vanderbilt University. | |
| Humphrey | Deon | Lake Worth | 1994 | Drafted by the Green Bay Packers as free agent in 1999, played one season for the Carolina Panthers, then two seasons with the San Diego Chargers, and one season with the Jacksonville Jaguars; played college football at Florida State |
| Joseph | Ricot | Lake Worth | 1997 | Signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2002, signed by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2003; played college football at the University of Central Florida. |
| Berry | Kenny | Pahokee | Played college football at the University of Miami in the 1980s and played one year for the San Diego Chargers in the NFL. | |
| Boldin | Anquan | Pahokee | Drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 2003, played college football at Florida State, 3-time Pro Bowler | |
| Bouie | Kevin | Pahokee | Drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1995, played college football at Mississippi State, also played for the San Diego Chargers and Arizona Cardinals | |
| Burroughs | Jim | Pahokee | Played for the Baltimore Colts | |
| Green | Eric | Pahokee | Drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 2005, played college football at Virginia Tech | |
| Jackson | Rickey | Pahokee | Drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 1981, 6-time Pro Bowler, played college football at Pittsburgh | |
| Moore | Eric | Pahokee | Defensive end for the Carolina Panthers, drafted by the New York Giants in the sixth round in 2005, played college football at Florida State, also played for the New Orleans Saints and St. Louis Rams. | |
| Mosley | Kendrick | Pahokee | Cleveland Browns | |
| Nathaniel | Hannah | Pahokee | 1980 | Played for the USFL |
| Smith | Antone | Pahokee | Atlanta Falcons running back, was signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2009, played college football at Florida State. | |
| Smith Jr. | Alphonso | Pahokee | Denver Broncos cornerback, drafted in 2009, played college football at Wake Forest. | |
| Waters | Andre | Pahokee | Defensive back for the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals from 1984 to 1995, after retiring as a player, went on to enjoy success as a college coach at Morgan State University, the University of South Florida, Alabama State University, St. Augustine’s College, and Fort Valley State University. | |
| Cook | Emanuel | Palm Beach Gardens | 2006 | Signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2009; previously with Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad; played college football at South Carolina |
| Studstill | Darren | Palm Beach Gardens | Drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1994, played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, played college football at West Virginia | |
| Young | Willie | Palm Beach Gardens | 2004 | Drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 7th round in 2010; played college football at North Carolina State |
| Sutherland | Vinnie | Palm Beach Lakes | 1996 | Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 2001, also played for the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears, was a standout receiver and kick returner for Purdue University from 1997-2000. |
| Destin | John | Royal Palm Beach | 2004 | Signed to Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad in 2010; played college football at Rock Valley College and Tulsa. |
| Banks | Korey | Santaluces | 1998 | Played for the Canadian league in British Columbia |
| Jenkins | Carlos | Santaluces | 1986 | Drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the 3rd round in 1991, until 1994; with the St. Louis Rams 1995-1996; played college football at Michigan State |
| Jones | “C. J.” Clinton | Santaluces | 1998 | Cleveland Browns |
| Wilfork | Vince | Santaluces | Drafted by the New England Patriots in 2004, 2-time Pro Bowler, played college football at the University of Miami | |
| Gary | Cleveland | South Fork | Drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 1989 | |
| McIntyre | Corey | South Fork | 1996 | Signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2002; also played for the Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons; played college football at West Virginia. |
| Wallace | Al | Spanish River | 1992 | Signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 1997; with the Philadelphia Eagles 1997-1999; Chicago Bears 2000; Miami Dolphins 2002; Carolina Panthers 2002-2006; Buffalo Bills 2007; played college football at Maryland. |
| Beamon | Willie | Suncoast | Played college football at Northern Iowa, played for New York Giants. | |
| Carter | Anthony | Suncoast | 1978 | Former USFL and NFL wide receiver, University of Michigan’s all-time leading receiver, Minnesota Vikings, Pro Bowl 1987 and 1988, later played for Detroit Lions |
| Dyer | Nashville | Suncoast | 1998 | Signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2003; played college football at Kent State |
| Green | Barrett | Suncoast | Drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2000, also played for the New York Giants, played college football for West Virginia. | |
| Harris | Robert | Suncoast | 1987 | Drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round in 1992, until 1994; with the New York Giants 1995-1999; played college football at Southern University |
| Hester | Devin | Suncoast | Drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2006, 2-time Pro Bowler & 2-time First-Team All-Pro, played college football at the University of Miami | |
| Morgan | DaJuan | Suncoast | 2004 | Drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009; played college football at North Carolina State where he and his brother were the first brothers to start on defense in school’s history |
| Scott | Gari | Suncoast | Drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2000, also with the Washington Redskins, played college football at Michigan State | |
| Wilkins | Gary | Twin Lakes | 1981 | Atlanta Falcons tight end from 1988 to 1991, played for the Buffalo Bills 1986-1987, played college football at Georgia Institute of Technology |
| Battle | Julian | Wellington | 2001 | Drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2003, also played in the Canadian Football League, played college football at Tennessee |
Sources: Palm Beach Post archives, Pro-Football-Reference.com. Last updated October 4, 2010.
Tags: football, schools, sports
Posted in Archives and Flashback blog January 28, 2010 at 12:02 pm. 20 comments
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What happen to Clarence Anthony,a teammate of Fred Taylor at Glades Central and UF. Was drafted by Tampa Bay.
I believe that would be Reidel Clarence Anthony. He was on the list as Reidel Anthony, but I just added his middle name and his graduation year (1994) to the list. Thanks!
Gary Wilkins from Twin Lakes High School played with the Atlanta Falcons
I added Gary Wilkins to the list. Thanks!
Here is some player not on list: Kevin Bouie, Eagles, Andre Waters, Eagles, Kenny Berry, Chargers, Eric Moore, Rams, Eric Green, Cardinals, Denarious Pete, Dolphins, Kendrick Pete, Browns, Jarathon Johnson, Dolphins, Alphonso Smith, Broncos, Walter Johnson, Cowboys, Michael Johnson, Cardinals, Maceo Green, Steelers
Lot more players not on the list, research a little harder!
Thanks Coach Manuel. We’re working on it. I’m adding the names you mentioned right now, and we’ll keep looking for more.
I think Preston Parker from Atlantic is currently with the Tampa Bay Bucs as a rookie. Please verify before you post. Thanks.
Preston Parker is indeed on the Buccaneers’ roster. I added him to the list. Thanks!
LARRY GRANT NOT ON THAT LIST WR FROM GLADES CENTRAL HS
I know one form Belle Glade High School class of 1961 Marvin Daniel ( Butch) Davis with the Denver .
I added Marvin Daniel to the list. I can’t find verification on Larry Grant though, maybe because there’s that other Larry Grant from Ohio State who’s with the Rams. If you give me some more information on the Larry Grant from Glades Central I’ll add him to the list.
How could you not mention the (Leaper) Lamar Parrish?
Sorry,but it’s Lemar not Lamar.
Lemar Parrish is on the list. He attended J. F. Kennedy High School in Riviera Beach, and he was one of the 15 area players made the Florida High School Athletic Association’s list of the 100 greatest football players in Florida history, as mentioned here:
http://www.historicpalmbeach.com/flashback/2010/01/homegrown-football-heroes/
Thanks for reading HistoricPalmBeach.com.
Michelle Quigley
News Researcher
The Palm Beach Post | HistoricPalmBeach.com
I stand corrected
I don’t see anyone from the original Roosevelt High School mentioned on any listing from the Palm Beach County area. I don’t know if any ever made it to the NFL but they should be mentioned as outstanding athletes of the Palm Beaches of all time. Would you review the stats for Otis Anderson’s brother, Marvin (Smokey) Anderson a running back for the Roosevelt Devils back in the late 60s. He was one of the greatest backs during that period to attend Roosevelt. He died tragically in an swimming accident while attending college in either Arkansas or Louisiana.
Just wanted to say “GREAT JOB” and please keep it coming so my boyz from Cali can shut up!
Great list! But even though I am a die heart Raider, I love my muck boys so what happened to that Gator great Ja. Jenkins #1 from Pahokee? Correction Claude Harriot Glades Central c/o 99 played for the NY Giants & S. Holmes is c/o 02. I think these schools should be a little more proud of their former students like Forest Hill is with Robbie Thompson. So GREAT JOB OF BEING PROUD OF YOUR CITIZENS P.B.P. THAT’S WHY I’VE ALWAYS LOVED YOUR PAPER #1!