2025 SW FL Spring Football Kicks Off with Shocking Coach Debuts and Top Prospects on Scout Radar

Spring has sprung, and with it comes the unmistakable buzz of football reshaping itself under the scorching Southwest Florida sun. Across the gridiron at Community School of Naples and beyond, defenses tighten, quarterbacks jog onto the turf with steely eyes, and fresh recruits flex their ambitions like they own the place—because soon, they just might. The Golden Eagles are revving up after a strong 2024, aiming to fill some huge shoes while fueling new hope, and a jet stream of college scouts prowls the sidelines, chasing the next breakout star. Meanwhile, Barron Collier embarks on a fresh chapter, led by a coach who knows the turf and dreams of revival. Between lineup shuffles and high-stakes transfers, the spring practices are anything but routine. It’s a tale of legacy, grit, and fresh beginnings all locked in the blistering heat, and boy, does it promise a season worth watching . . . LEARN MOREFirst Baptist transfer Sam Sparacio (867 rushing yards, 761 receiving yards, 20 total TD) is expected to play a key role in Naples’ backfield, alongside Jamar Jerome, who ran for 535 yards and three scores a season ago. Nicksen Volvic could rotate in after rushing for 158 yards last season.

Naples football aiming to build off solid 2024 season

Brannon Tidwell returned to the school he once called home, accepting the Barron job just under three months ago.Seahawks offensive lineman George Haseotes confirmed to the Naples Daily News he committed to Vanderbilt over the weekend. Haseotes is ranked No. 95 in the USA Today Florida Network Top 100.

Quarterback Sam Powell was spotted in street clothes, opting not to play spring football this season with Golden Gate. The rising senior told the Naples Daily News he intends to transfer to Barron Collier over the summer after spring ball, giving Tidwell his starting quarterback for the fall. That also helps the basketball program, giving David Watts arguably the best returner in Collier County next season.“I want it to get back to where it was in the late 80s all the way through the 90s. It’s a good place to be.”

Pitt and Eastern Michigan were in attendance watching practice Monday. A handful of schools other visited throughout the day, which included Navy and Stetson.”It was exciting,” Tidwell said, describing the feeling when waking up. “We’ve kind of been building for it since February the 10th, that was my first day. The kids have been working hard. I haven’t been watching any film on them from last year because I don’t want to have any preconceived ideas of who’s going to start and who’s not. I just wanna see who’s gonna go through the program and work, and get after it.”

”We should have 33, or 34 more with our two feeder schools,” Tidwell said of his incoming freshman class. “We’ll have over 100 in the program. Ideally, we’d like to get 30 per class. That’s where we want to be. It’ll get there. It’s just one day at a time right now.A roundup of spring football practices during the week of April 28-May 3, 2025:

Community School of Naples showcases recruits

A roundup of spring football practices during the week of April 28-May 3, 2025: