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•Who: 🏈 Local football players from Okaloosa and Walton counties
•What: 🔥 Recognized for their performances in the 2024 college football season
•When: 📅 The 2024 season, with highlights from key games and moments
•Where: 🌍 Across college football programs nationwide, from Florida State to Stanford
•Why: 🌟 To celebrate the talent and achievements of local athletes in college football
As the college football season wraps up for the year (I know, we have three games left) it’s time for the annual look back at how local players performed on college rosters.
Niceville, as you might have guessed, has the largest number of players at all levels of college football – but Choctaw, South Walton, and Crestview also had excellent showings.
Without further ado – let’s look at the top five impact players from Okaloosa and Walton County in the college ranks for 2025.
RELATED: These are the best local players in the NCAA 25 video game.
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Azareye’h Thomas was one of the very, very few bright spots on a very, very difficult campaign for the Florida State Seminoles. The Knowles had possibly their worst season since they started playing football in 1947.
Thomas, a junior, was able to hold down the fort at cornerback for Head Seminole coach Mike Norvell. He made 53 tackles and another 17 assists on tackles on the season. He ended the season on a high note against Florida, making an interception – his only of the year. Since the end of the season for the Seminoles, Thomas has declared for the NFL draft. Predictions from Bleacher Report say that he is likely to go in the third round and is projected to be either a high-level backup or a starter for a pro squad. he is currently slated as the 92nd-best overall pick and the 14th-best cornerback in this upcoming year’s draft. His older brother, Juanyeh, plays for the Dallas Cowboys.
Senior Jaden Voisin got the South Alabama Jags over the line for a IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl win against the Western Michigan Broncos with a total of nine tackles in a 30-23 win.
The victory would allow the Jags to lay claim to a winning season for Voisin’s senior year.
In 2024, Voisin racked up 84 tackles over 13 games as well as five interceptions.
Voisin has since declared for the NFL draft. Hero Sports has him as the second-best prospect in the Sun Belt Conference for NFL Teams, after Louisiana’s AJ Gillie. He’s played the lion’s share of his time in college as a safety.
Former Choctawhatchee high school stand Cole Tabb got serious reps for a Freshman in what turned out to be a difficult campaign for the Cardinal in 2024.
Stanford’s inaugural campaign in the Atlantic Coast Conference produced a dismal 3-9 record. Still, Tabb displayed hope for the future in Palo Alto, putting in 27 carries for 130 yards across three games, including a win over #19 Louisville.
Tabb also rated two receptions for nine yards on the year.
Cruz’s performance for the Coast Guard Academy Bears this season was nothing short of outstanding. As a defensive back, he made significant contributions, totaling 42 tackles and a memorable fumble recovery for 53 yards against Springfield. His role in the Coast Guard Academy’s annual rivalry game against the Merchant Marine Academy in November, where he set a personal record of 13 tackles, was a highlight of the season.
The Sophomore will return next year for another campaign with the Bears, who hope to improve their 5-5 record from 2024.
Sophomore Air Force Cadet Kemper Hodges played on an Air Force team that dropped seven games in a row (including losses to Army and Navy) before going on a four-game win streak to close out the season.
Hodges, a fullback on a team known for running the ball prolifically, had 19 carries for 74 yards and a touchdown.
Well, he hasn’t become the stand-out offensive lineman for the LSU Tigers that he was for the Niceville Eagles just yet; the number of games he was able to play in for one of the SEC’s best teams exploded in 2024. Makane’ole Noli got to play in 10 games as a defensive tackle for Brian Kellie’s team.
LSU finished the season nine and four, with a win over Baylor University at the Kinder’s Texas Bowl.
After 2 Years of placekicking for American International, Josh Hamel debuted with New Haven University this year. The senior kicked three field goals and made 43 extra points.
The senior transferred from the University of Massachusetts midseason last year to play for the Western Carolina Catamounts. He made an appearance for the FCS team in 10 contests this year.
Mikhael, a Freshman, had some playing time on special teams for the Golden Eagles this year in Statesboro. Thanks to physical makeup and readiness, he has plenty of upside for the Eagles.
Caballero, a freshman, did not see the field of play this year on an excellent Wildcat team that went 10-4 and made the FCS playoffs.
Coward, a senior, totaled 11 tackles and a forced fumble for the Argonauts in his final season of football.
Hansen, an offensive lineman for Coastal was a part of a team that ended up 6-7 on the year after a Myrtle Beach Bowl loss to UTSA.
Powell, a sophomore, had 17 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble for the Warriors this year. Weber finished with a 5-5 record on the year.
The Crestview High School alum played his role in the Hilltoppers’ 8-6 season that saw them come in second in Conference USA.
Patterson, a sophomore, totaled 22 total tackles as a Defensive End. He forced a fumble this season as well. Patterson appeared in five games this season – including against bowl game opponent James Madison in Boca Raton.
The Hilltoppers would end up beating the teams they should have beaten and playing a couple of decent games against stronger opponents – including Boston College and James Madison.
Jaden Voisin’s twin brother plays wide receiver for the South Alabama Jaguars and hauled in 34 receptions for 407 yards.in 34 receptions for 407 yards.
Crestview Simeon White got some significant playing time this year as a defensive back for the Stetson Hatters. White played in four games and had a total of seven tackles and a single past defended.
The Hatters finished with a two-and-nine record, good enough for 11th Pl. in the Pioneer league
Freshman Jaden Robinson got a chance to show what he can do as a freshman this year as the Owls trekked their way through a 2-10 season. Robinson had 11 receptions for 154 yards.
Grant did not get playing time this year on an elite SEC team that made its way into the College Football Playoff’s first round. The Sophomore is the only local player whose team made it to the postseason and had a chance to win a national title. The offensive lineman should be back for another campaign in the nation’s premier football conference (other than the Big 10) next year.
We probably missed a player. Write us about it at news@midbaynews.com.
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