Navy pledge Winston Chastang was joking before the season that he was going after teammate Corey Vereen’s season sack record at West Orange High School.
Both players thought 30 sacks in a season was a reasonable goal. It may have sounded somewhat ludicrous at the time, but here we are five games in and Chastang sits with 11 sacks. He had a six-sack performance against Colonial, and games like that could get him at least over 20.
Vereen, who is committed to Tennessee, is on pace to match his school-record of 16 that he set last year in the 11th game of the season, a bowl win over East River.
Chastang’s performance so far, surprisingly, has not gotten him more recruiting attention. He said he hasn’t heard from any other schools.
“It’s still a long time before signing day and I thought things would kind of pick up,” Chastang said. “I’m still committed to Navy and I like Navy a lot. I just want to make sure I’m making the right decision . . . things can change.”
Chastang said he will be visiting the Naval Academy for the Midshipmen’s game with FAU Nov. 3.
Other local players have risen to the occasion at the start of their senior seasons, and it could put them on the recruiting radar. Here is a breakdown of some:
Shadon Seabrook, ATH, 5-10, 180, Orlando University: Seabrook might be having the most amazing season of anyone in Central Florida right now and that is based on his position change, his size and the success he has had since taking up the starting running back position for University. I had been touting Seabrook as a quality cornerback since he was a sophomore, but what he has done on offense for a somewhat surprising 3-2 University squad has been impressive. Seabrook has more than 600 yards rushing in the first five games. His success opens doors for him as a possible small-school offensive target.
Moses Gordon, OL-DL, 6-2, 255, Orlando Cypress Creek: Gordon has been playing solid football since his days at Dr. Phillips his freshman and sophomore seasons. He had a big showing at the Junior Rank Prodigy Camp in Naples during the summer and he’s continued that momentum in his first five games. Gordon and teammate Malik Smith, who has a scholarship offer from Indiana, have been nice surprises for new coach John Tezik. Gordon has double digits in tackles for loss and is nearing that number in sacks.
Josh Diaz, WR, 5-9, 182, Orange City University: Diaz has been a star for the Titans in their 3-1 start and become the go-to guy for senior quarterback Randy Cianciotto. Diaz has 20 catches and more than 300 yards receiving. He has good quickness in the open field and could also be a small-school gem.
Karl Calhoun, LB, 6-0, 220, Sanford Seminole: Calhoun is quietly leading the Seminole defense this season with nine tackles a game and two sacks. He’s been a strong leader for coach Rob Vite and keeps getting stronger with every game. As is usually the case at Seminole, his size doesn’t easily translate to the college game at his position, but colleges would do well finding places for these hard-nosed, under-sized Sanford kids. (See Serderius Bryant, Ole Miss).
Kenderson Obas, DT, 6-2, 255, Orlando Dr. Phillips: Obas leads DP in tackles with 10 per game, has nine tackles for loss and four sacks. He’s not the only unheralded player doing well for DP, as Chadwick Williams, Mowan Marshall and Damarrion Ginlack are also putting up big numbers for the team ranked No. 25 in the nation by USA Today.
A few other unheralded prospects having great starts to their senior years are: ATH Lee Grant at Orlando Freedom, RB Michael Santiago at Orlando Lake Nona, LB Ruben Velazquez at Orlando Timber Creek, ATH David Joyce at Oviedo, Bo Farmer at South Sumter, ATH Diamante Mitchell at New Smyrna Beach and LB Lincoln Stewart at DeLand.
Chris Hays is the Sentinel's recruiting coverage coordinator and can be reached at chays@tribune.com. Follow us on Twitter at @Os_Recruiting and Facebook at Orlando Sentinel Recruiting and now on Pinterest at Orlando Recruiting.
