As I get ready to enter my 15th season broadcasting Navarre football in 2023, I look back to what has happened in the previous 14 seasons for me and the Raiders. Here goes…
Chad Lashley – 3 seasons (19-14) – Raiders first two playoff wins, first trip to a Region Final and Navarre’s first 11-win season in 2010. Record against teams from Santa Rosa County (5-3); vs Gulf Breeze (3-0), vs Milton (1-1), vs Pace (1-2).
Jay Walls – 11 seasons (95-29) – Raiders first 12-win seasons and two trips to the State Semifinals (2012 & 2016) and eleven playoff wins overall (11-9). Record against teams from Santa Rosa County (32-3); vs Gulf Breeze (9-2), vs. Milton (10-1), vs Pace (13-0).
Two Navarre Alum have managed to work their way into the National Football League, both were drafted by the New York Jets. Jordan Leggett was selected with the sixth pick in the fifth round in 2017 out of Clemson and Michael Carter was selected with the second pick in the fourth round in 2021 out of North Carolina.
Leggett spent two years with the Jets, a season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and on the practice team of the Denver Broncos in 2020 and compiled 114 yards on 14 receptions and a TD in his career. While Carter is getting ready to enter his third season with the Jets, in his first two seasons, he has compiled 402 rushing yards with three touchdowns and 288 receiving yards.
I can’t guarantee it, but in my humble opinion, these two will not be the last two Navarre Alum that will make it to the big stage!
Michael Sandle is currently working his way through the Houston Astros organization as he was drafted by the Astros in the 10th Round of the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft and is currently playing for the Asheville Tourists of the South Atlantic League (Advanced A).
Navarre Alum that are currently playing or are getting ready to play at the collegiate level:
Jordan Jefferson – LSU
Dante Wright – Temple
Mitchell Hunt – Harding University
Tyler England – Huntingdon College
Joshua Carter – Eastern Kentucky
Elijah Melendez – McNeese State
Zachary Marquis – North Carolina Wesleyan
Bailey Houston – Huntingdon College
Sebastian Melendez – Millsaps College
Devin Wright – University of West Florida
Grady Kelly – Colorado State University
Caden Howard – Huntingdon College
Kyle Chambers – Faulkner University
Derek Percivalle – Webber International
Trent Hall – Webber International
Davion Hardy – Warner University
Dwayne Clark Jr – Huntingdon College
Isaac Cole – Birmingham Southern
Ethan Newman – Kennesaw State University
Who will be the next Navarre Raider to make it to the big stage?
This is why I look forward to every season, to bring you Navarre Raider football on IrishBillSports.com. Once again, Bob Grant will join me in the booth for another exciting year of Raider football.
