Because it is never too late for a 2016 preview list. . .
Orlando had a very eventful 2015 season and we cannot fully predict what is going to come in the days and months ahead. The 2016 calendar year though is shaping up to be a very eventful one in Orlando too. Maybe not as eventful as the last year that saw a new team come into existence and the city continue to grow its sports profile both in the United States and internationally.
Orlando is becoming a great sports destination. And there will be some great moments upcoming this year and questions that need to be answered.
There will be plenty of players and figures who will impact the year in sports in Orlando. So here is a brief 85-person survey of who and what to watch in Orlando in 2016.
Why 85? Orlando was founded in 1885.
60. Drew Fraintich, UCF: If the UCF starters can get the game over to the bullpen, teams will face a difficult group in relief. Drew Faintich may end up taking the step up to starter, but he did not allow a run in 9.1 innings of work in 14 appearances last year. He had 18 strikeouts.
59. Chaundee Brown, The First Academy: The four-star guard for the Royals was named to the all-tournament first team at a recent tournament held at Montverde Academy featuring some of the best teams in the area.
58. Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic: The Orlando Magic essentially tanked two years for the 2014 NBA Draft. When they ended up fourth, they took a huge risk in drafting the athletic but raw Aaron Gordon. Gordon has begun showing some flashes of what he can become, but he is still a long way away from the player he may one day become. His continued development is critical for the Magic as they try to climb out of this rebuild.
57. Jordan Akins, UCF: Oh what could have been. Jordan Akins’ torn ACL in the Furman game pretty much shut out all hope for the offense this season. The sophomore receiver had 152 yards on 14 catches in two games before his injury knocked him out for the year. For UCF to get its #UCFast offense moving, it will need Akins.
56. Eric Faille, Orlando Solar Bears: Faille is leading the Solar Bears in points and has been one of the more consistent attackers for them this season. He has had a few call ups to the AHL, and the Solar Bears will be relying on him if they are to make the playoffs in the ECHL for the third straight year.
55. Matt Diorio, UCF: UCF will go through some reloading this season after last year’s disappointing 31-27 record. They will have to get some hitting going and will need players like catcher Matt Diorio to step up. Diorio is the top returning hitter, with a .308 batting average and 29 RBIs.
54. John Mooney, Lake Brantley: Mooney is the top basketball recruit in Orlando for the class of 2016 and had a bit of controversy surrounding him. His longtime commitment to Florida ended with Billy Donovan’s departure from Gainesville and he committed to Notre Dame. The 6-foot-9 forward can play just about anywhere and could be stylized as a stretch-4.
53. David Nickelberry, Windermere Prep: David Nickelberry is quickly making a name for himself with the Lakers as a versatile forward. He joined Windermere Prep this year after transferring from The First Academy and has his new team in line to win a state championship.
52. Drico Johnson, UCF: Drico Johnson is the top returning tackler with 64 tackles and 4.0 tackles for a loss out of the secondary. The whole Knights defense will need something of a remodeling.
51. Tobias Harris, Orlando Magic: The Orlando Magic’s highest paid player is going to be a factor for the team and its future moving forward one way or another. Harris’ scoring has been down, but he has done a better job filling in gaps for the team this year as they have improved.
50. Calvin Ashley, Dr. Phillips: The strength of Dr. Phillips’ run through the last few years has been its offensive line. And that squarely lies on Auburn commit Calvin Ashley, the top high school football prospect in the area. Dr. Phillips has to replace a lot on offense, but still figures to be a power in the area come the fall.
49. Trace Christian, Lake Brantley: Trace Christian was the other part of Lake Brantley’s surprise run through the 8A playoffs with quarterback Jared Barnhardt. He ran for 1,286 yards and will be relied on for even more with a new quarterback in place. The Patriots will surely want to repeat their playoff success again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDg8kHp0di0
48. Aaron Dowdell, UCF: UCF’s lone four-star recruit made his commitment just yesterday to Scott Frost and the Knights. The offensive lineman formerly committed to Georgia and had offers from several top-line schools. The Atlanta native though picked UCF and joined the Oregon-style offense UCF plans to employ.
47. Adrian Killins, UCF: The biggest recruit from the Central Florida area that Scott Frost got upon arriving at UCF. Killins was the linchpin of Mainland’s offensive attack out of the backfield this year. That attack was ranked as the top team in the Sentinel’s Super Six for much of the year. Killins could very well see the field the moment he steps on campus at UCF.
46. Marquis Mickens, Lake Mary: If you are looking for a sleeper team in Orlando-area high school football, this Lake Mary team might be your best bet. The Rams feature the strong passing of rising junior Charles Peterson, the area leader in passing yards last year. The key to their success remains on the legs of their workhorse running back, Marquis Mickens. Mickens is a capable back who has put up some big games in the past and will be key for the Rams this year if they are to surprise the area and their difficult district.
45. Tre’Quan Smith, UCF: The only highlights worth watching from UCF’s miserable 0-12 season came from Tre’Quan Smith. The sophomore receiver at various points in the season was a weekly fixture on ESPN’s Top Plays. Smith should get plenty more opportunities to make highlights in Scott Frost’s new offense.
44. Carlos Becker, Osceola: Osceola athlete Carlos Becker is an athlete who got a look at the Under Armour All-America game earlier this month. He committed to Florida State over NC State today.
43. Andre Williams, University: University was quiet in 2015, going 4-6, 1-3 in 8A-3. Hardly the strongest of the area districts, it was a somewhat disappointing result. With Andre Williams returning as one of the top wide receivers in the area, there are some big teams watching him. But he has to come back from injury. He is not even walking yet and so he has everything to prove this upcoming season.
42. Dylan Meeks, Dr. Phillips: Meeks is probably the top high school prospect in the area heading into the 2017 season. He is a three-star prospect according to 247Sports Composite and the 113th prospect in the state of Florida. The Panthers themselves always challenge themselves throughout the season and should have state championship in mind even though they lost Jaquarius Bargnare on offense.
41. Shaquill Griffin, UCF: Shaquill Griffin made his presence known in his first year as a full-time starter. The cornerback had 50 tackles to go with a team-high two interceptions. He broke up 13 passes and had 15 pass deflections. He will be a leader on the defense this coming year.
40. Demetri Burch, Apopka: Demetri Burch is probably the top athlete and offensive skill player in the area heading into the 2016 season. Buch is likely to end up at Kentucky after this year, but first he has to get Apopka back to the state championship game after the Blue Darters’ first absence in four years last season.
39. Jaquarius Bargnare, UCF/Dr. Phillips: Jaquarius Bargnare will have the distinction of being the first Orlando-area prospect to commit to Scott Frost and UCF. That should make him relatively important. It is unclear whether Bargnare will play much his freshman year, but he has all the makings of a player to fit UCF’s style. He is a burner who put up big receiving yards for Dr. Phillips his senior year and is a stellar punt returner.
38. Samantha Witteman, Orlando Pride: The Orlando Pride’s first draft pick should figure to be a critical one for the expansion franchise that sold a good chunk of the farm for Alex Morgan. Witteman is an accomplished defender from California who has played in numerous positions all over the field. She should be a strong pick up for the Pride in their first year.
37. Randy Hippeard, Orlando Predators: Hipperard lead the Predators to a division title last year and back tot he Playoffs after throwing for 2,997 yards and 61 touchdowns. Orlando was strong throughout the season and will seek to do more this year, hopefully getting seeded for the all-in Arena Football Playoffs.
36. B.J. Taylor, UCF: The Knights will be without B.J. Taylor for the duration of the 2016 season and likely requesting a redshirt for him since he did not play. His 2017 sophomore season then will prove to be vitally critical for him and for the Knights. He showed a lot of promise his freshman year and he was expected to take the leap to be UCF’s leading scorer this season.
Check back later today for part three of our list…
