Cam Parker
Marty Pallman
When Eastside alum Harold “Gator” Hoskins first took over the Rams’ football program heading into the 2022 season, he emphasized developing his players both on and off the field instead of just wins and losses.
To say that process worked out and then some is an understatement.
Under Hoskins, the Rams are 16-7 and have won back-to-back 2S District 7 titles in large part due to the buy-in and success of this year’s senior class.
On Wednesday, two of those seniors broke another drought and etched themselves into Eastside lore.
Tight end Chris Bishop, who signed with St. Thomas University (Miami Gardens), and running back Joshua Benjamin, who signed with Johnson C. Smith University (Charlotte, North Carolina), became the school’s first football players to sign offers to play college football since former Rams quarterback Anthony Richardson signed with Florida in December 2019.
“When you have the parents walk with these kids and they look at you and say, ‘Coach, you told me and it happened,’ it means a lot that they believed in me,” Hoskins said. “They trusted me and my coaching staff to get it done.”
Bishop originally committed to St. Thomas on Jan. 26.
“It feels good,” Bishop said. “I’ve been here since we went 2-8, but it just feels good to win and to go to college, get out of the city.”
Meanwhile, Benjamin, who led the Rams with 508 yards and eight touchdowns in 2023 and was named as an honorable mention on Mainstreet Daily News’ 2023 Bosshardt Realty All Area big school offense, credited his uncle, former FSU and Carolina Panthers receiver Kelvin Benjamin, with advice on handling the recruiting process.
“I like Charlotte. I’ve been up there when my uncle played for the Panthers. I really liked the city, and when I went out there, the program was really good. I like that school,” Benjamin said.
The Rams aren’t done sending seniors to play college football. Eastside will hold another signing ceremony for a group of unsigned players at a later date to be determined.
“That’s the goal right here to continue to get these guys to go to school, get a degree and you know, become an honest working man of have an opportunity to go to the NFL,” Hoskins said.
Two Buchholz players signed to play at the next level. Offensive tackle Dylan Lloyd will be a preferred walk-on at Florida Atlantic University. The 6-foot-4. 305-pound lineman had many reasons to sign with FAU.
“I had a really good talk with the coach and the coach that recruited me was also the offensive line coach,” Lloyd said. “I think it’s in a good spot right on the beach. It’s a nice place and a good academic school as well.”
“Dylan’s a guy that before the transfer portal, or the extra COVID year he was a no-brainer Division I offensive lineman,” Buchholz coach Chuck Bell said.
Also signing but not at the public ceremony at Buchholz was wide receiver Jordan Richardson. Richardson signed with Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Mississippi. He helped Buchholz to a 13-1 season and third straight state semifinal appearance in 2023 with 48 catches for 648 yards and five touchdowns.
“Copiah-Lincoln is a fantastic place for Jordan,” Bell added. “The hope there is he will be able to transfer out of there after a year or two and become a Division I player.”
Meanwhile, two-time defending state champion Hawthorne had eight more players sign letters of intent on Wednesday, led by wide receiver Caleb Rollerson signing as a preferred walk-on at UCF and linebacker/defensive end Andrew Zock affirming his commitment to the Naval Academy.
In his one year with Hawthorne after transferring from North Marion (Citra), Rollerson was the Hornets’ second-leading receiver behind USF signee Alvon Isaac.
“When Caleb got here he said he felt like he had been at Hawthorne his whole life,” Hawthorne coach Cornelius Ingram said. “Once he and Zock got here, they were treated like family and that’s Hawthorne.”
Zock, who also transferred from North Marion, led the Hornets with 143 tackles, including 20 tackles for loss, and five and a half sacks.
“There are lifelong benefits that come from this (Naval) Academy,” Zock said. “You can’t beat it. You are getting a top-tier education and playing for a Power Five team.”
Jordan Fluellen is going to UNC-Pembroke along with teammate Que Kennedy. Wide receiver/cornerback Matthew McKinley-Daniels inked with Delaware and linebacker Earick Williams will go to Jackson State.
Finally, free safety Jamarion Davenport is headed to Andrew College in Cuthbert, Georgia, and defensive end Demetri Perry with Fayetteville (NC) State.