WELLINGTON – Athleticism courses through the veins of the Bostic family.
John Bostic Sr. was a defensive back for the Detroit Lions from 1985-1987. His oldest child, Jon Bostic (2009 Palm Beach Central alumnus), played football at the University of Florida and was selected in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears.
Jon is still in the NFL and is currently playing for the Washington Commanders. He will also be inducted into the 2023 Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame in April.
Jayla (2011 PBC alumnus), the daughter of John Bostic Sr., was a member of the University of Florida’s track and field team. Jayla is a multiple time All-American, and she graduated with the No. 6 weight throw, and No. 7 hammer throw in UF school history.
Finally, the youngest son, Justin Bostic, just completed his historic senior season at Palm Beach Central.
Justin is a three-star recruit and is committed to Florida A&M University. He is planning to sign with the Rattlers on Wednesday, Feb. 1.
Justin completed his senior season with the following statistics:
•74 tackles
•14 pass breakups
•7 interceptions
•5 interceptions returned for touchdowns
•367 return yards
•5 catches for 122 yards and two touchdowns on offense
•1 kickoff return for touchdown and 1 punt return for touchdown on special teams
His best individual game without a doubt was Week 2 at Lakewood, where he recorded an insane 15 tackles (1 TFL), 5 pass breakups, 2 interceptions returned for touchdowns, 191 interception return yards.
When asked about his performance against Lakewood, he smiled and said: “Those were Madden numbers right there.”
Justin knows that he will always remember his senior season.
“My season was one to be remembered and lots of kids dream to have such an outstanding season as mine,” Justin said. “It truly means something to me, and it holds a big place in my heart.”
Justin helped make school history by leading the Palm Beach Central Broncos to the 2022 FHSAA Class 4M state semifinals, where they ultimately fell to the Apopka Blue Darters, 27-24. This Central team went the farthest in the State Series out of every qualifying school in Palm Beach County.
“We made school history and we put Palm Beach County on the map,” Justin said of Palm Beach Central’s historic season. “We created a football program at Palm Beach Central, not just a regular football team.”
Palm Beach Central head coach Kevin Thompson spoke on Bostic’s outsized impact on the team this past season.
“Justin has been one of the most important players ever come through Palm Beach Central High School,” Thompson said. “His ability to lead recognize, and empower his teammates has been one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever been a part of. He will be sorely missed. His leadership, his dedication, and his work ethic has taught our younger guys the standard of what needs to be done in order to be a winner.”
In return, Justin sung his praises about the impact Coach Thompson has had on him.
“Coach Thompson is one of the best coaches in Palm Beach County,” Justin said. “He’s not just only a good coach, but a great person as well off the field. He’s one of those coaches that everyone likes. The one thing I can say for most of my teammates is that he keeps everything real. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything.”
Justin was named “First Team All County” by the Palm Beach Post and was nominated as a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year. He was named “Palm Beach County Defensive Player of the Year” by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
