Sarasota football alums primed to make an impact on Saturdays

As the college football season kicks off this weekend — for 99% of teams, at least — thoughts turn to our local alumni, many of whom will be suiting up on Saturdays this fall. 

Here are some players to watch as the season gets going. 

Jaron Glover, Michigan State University

The Riverview High alum is arguably the area alum with the most returning production at the college level. In 2023, as a redshirt freshman at Michigan State University, Glover caught 14 passes for 261 yards, good for an average of 18.6 yards per catch. His season started strong, but his production dropped around midseason and he missed the final three games of the year with an injury. 

Now a sophomore, the 6-foot-1 Glover is one of the receivers Michigan State is hoping makes a breakthrough under new Head Coach Jonathan Smith. The Spartans have yet to release an official depth chart for their season-opening game against Florida Atlantic University, but most Michigan State sites project Glover to be one of the team's starting receivers. 

The Spartans will play FAU at 7 p.m. Aug. 30 at home. The game will air on the Big Ten Network. And in that game, Glover will not the only familiar face to Sarasota football fans. 

Charles Brantley, Michigan State University

Image courtesy of Michigan State football

Brantley is a Sarasota native who started his football career at Riverview High before transferring to Venice High. Brantley, a junior defensive back, started the first three games of 2023 for the Spartans before suffering a season-ending upper body injury, missing the team's final nine games.

The 6-foot-0 Brantley recorded 10 tackles (one tackle for loss) and one pass breakup in those three games he played. Brantley is not guaranteed to get his starting spot back right away; Ed Woods, a transfer from Arizona State University, will push him for his spot. 

Whether he ultimately starts or not, Brantley should see a healthy amount of playing time as the Spartans rebuild their defense. 

Charles Lester III, Florida State University

Charles Lester III followed in Brantley's footsteps: he started his career at Riverview High, starring as both a defensive back and a receiver, before finishing his career at Venice High. Lester, now a freshman defensive back at Florida State University, was highly regarded coming out of high school: the 247 Sports Composite ranking had him as the No. 39 player and the No. 3 cornerback in the national class of 2024. 

Unlike other teams on this list, Florida State has already played a game this season, kicking off the college football slate against Georgia Tech in the Aer Lingus Classic in Ireland on Aug. 24. The Seminoles, ranked 10th in the preseason polls, lost 24-21 to the Ramblin' Wreck. Though Lester did not record any stats in the loss, a depth chart put out by the school prior to the game listed Lester as, essentially, tied for second on the cornerback depth chart, sharing an "or" designation with fellow freshman Edwin Joseph. 

It is only a matter of time before Lester becomes a star for the Seminoles. As the weeks progress, expect his playing time to increase. 

Teddy Foster, University of Florida

The Cardinal Mooney High graduate is a true freshman with the University of Florida this season. Foster, a defensive back, joined the team for its spring semester, getting a head start on learning the Gators' defensive system. 

Photo by Jordan Perez / Florida Gators

Will that turn into early playing time? Perhaps not. The Gators have a veteran defensive secondary, with three of the four cornerback and safety spots expected to go to juniors or seniors. But the 6-foot-1 Foster could see time on special teams and, if he does well, parlay that experience into defensive opportunities later in the season. 

Foster could also get some action in the team's week two game against Samford University, for that game should be over by halftime — "should" being the key word there. Why not week one? Well, Florida opens with a home game against the 19th-ranked University of Miami. The Gators and the Canes will hit the field at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 31 on ABC. 

Zy'marion Lang, University of Toledo

Lang, the Cardinal Mooney High graduate, will be in a similar spot to former teammate Foster. The 6-foot-3 wide receiver is a true freshman with the Rockets, and his position on the Toledo roster is filled with veteran returnees. It's a difficult situation for finding early playing time, but like Foster, a willingness to help on special teams could go a long way. His leaping ability could also make him a situation red zone threat right away. 

But here's a free tip: regardless of when Lang starts to see the field, make it a point to check out a Rockets game or two when you're flipping through channels this fall. Senior wideout Jerjuan Newton, a St. Petersburg native, is one of the more underrated players in the country. The 5-foot-11 Newton led the Mid-American Conference with 696 receiving yards and nine TD receptions in 2023. When you hear his name get NFL Draft buzz come April, remember where you heard it first. 

Too many others to name

For the first time in my eight years or so of doing this college football kickoff column, there are more area alums playing NCAA Division I football this season than I have room to include in the main heart of the piece. So here's a rapid-fire list of others: Booker High alum Josiah Booker is a freshman wideout at Central Michigan University; Cardinal Mooney alum Cameron Heald is a junior "superback" at Butler University, where he is used as a key blocker and pass catcher; Cardinal Mooney grads George Leibold and Michael Valentino are freshmen at the University of Cincinnati and Florida Atlantic, respectively. And that's not all of them, either.

It's a sign of how much talent has been infused into the football scene here, and I look forward to watching it grow in the years to come.