/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/IUCS6MLCNFGS7IYXT2D35IWNNA.jpg "Indiana quarterback (and Tampa Bay Tech alumnus) Michael Penix Jr. (9) warms up before a game against Nebraska last October.")
More than two-dozen former area high school standouts suddenly find themselves without a football season. So do at least three head coaches with significant Tampa Bay ties.
Such was the local ripple effect of the decision by Big Ten presidents (or at least a majority of them) to cancel the 2020 fall season. Shortly thereafter came official word that the Pac-12 would follow suit.
But the Big Ten has far greater local representation. Indiana’s roster alone features 10 former local prep standouts. Additionally, Hoosiers coach Tom Allen cut his coaching teeth in the area (Temple Heights, Armwood).
Former Bucs coach Lovie Smith has six bay area players on his 2020 Illinois roster. Iowa has three; Penn State and Maryland each have two.
Here’s the complete rundown:
Indiana
Wide receiver Whop Philyor, Sr. (Plant)
Defensive back Juwan Burgess, R-Jr. (Plant)
Linebacker James Miller, R-So. (Armwood)
Quarterback Michael Penix, R-So. (Tampa Bay Tech)
Defensive lineman Jonathan King, R-So. (Tampa Bay Tech)
Linebacker D.K. Bonhomme, So. (Clearwater Academy International)
Linebacker Thomas Allen, R-Jr. (Plant)
Linebacker Micah McFadden, Jr. (Plant)
Defensive lineman Sio Nofoagatoto’a, So. (Clearwater Academy International)
Defensive lineman Tramar Reece, R-Jr. (Clearwater)
Iowa
Defensive back Dane Belton, So. (Jesuit)
Wide receiver Quavon Matthews, Fr. (Largo)
Wide receiver Calvin Lockett, So. (Largo)
Ohio State
Offensive lineman Nicholas Petit-Frere, So. (Berkeley Prep)
Purdue
None
Michigan
Defensive lineman Jaylen Harrell, Fr. (Berkeley Prep)
Michigan State
None
Illinois
Quarterback Deuce Spann, Fr. (Lakewood)
Linebacker Jake Hansen, Sr. (East Lake)
Defensive lineman Tre’von Riggins, Fr. (Lakewood)
Linebacker Khalan Tolson, Jr. (Admiral Farragut)
Defensive lineman Jer’Zhan Newton, Fr. (Clearwater Central Catholic)
Defensive lineman Quinton McCoy, Fr. (Bloomingdale)
Penn State
Running back Keyvone Lee, Fr. (American Collegiate)
Defensive tackle Judge Culpepper, So. (Plant)
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Explore all your optionsMaryland
Offensive lineman Zach Perkins, Fr. (Berkeley Prep)
Defensive lineman Almosse Titi, Fr. (Jefferson)
Rutgers
Defensive tackle Malik Barrow, Sr. (Tampa Catholic/IMG)
Northwestern
Wide receiver Wayne Dennis, Fr. (Armwood)
Nebraska
None
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