WEST PALM BEACH – Life has been good lately for Shaun Tanner.
As he looks back on his journey from New York City and Delaware to South Florida, the Forest Hill senior defensive end/tight end has a lot to be thankful for.
In Tanner’s eyes, he came from the bottom and rose to the top. The geography may say otherwise, but his best experience so far has come in Palm Beach County, where he got the opportunity to play for Forest Hill in his senior season.
“It has been good,” the 6-foot-3, 215-pound two-way player said. “I honestly wish I would have came here sooner.”
Tanner had a plan when he arrived at Forest Hill last year. It was executed perfectly, as he signed his letter of intent to Keiser this past Wednesday (Feb. 5) at Forest Hill High School.
“Well when I moved to Florida, I saw Keiser and said, ‘I want to go there’,” Tanner said. “And since my cousin [Forest Hill alum Sincere McCall] was going there, it just made me want to go there more because we would be able to play together and we would be a ‘bomb squad’.”
Tanner was able to get an offer to Keiser because of how well he played this past season at Forest Hill.
In 10 games played, the Falcons stood out on defense with 56 tackles (23 assisted), 12 forced incompletions, five forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, four sacks, three forced interceptions, one defensive score, and one pass deflection. He added two pancakes on the offensive line, while adding 130 total kicking yards on special teams.
Tanner’s best game came in a Week 7 tilt against Lake Worth. In Forest Hill’s 14-6 road win, he provided some big hits that would have a major impact on the final outcome.
“I knocked the hinges off one of their players so hard, it literally looked like he flew,” Tanner said about his game-icing play against Lake Worth.
As a result of Tanner’s stellar senior season, he was selected to play in the Palm Beach County All-Star Game. It occurred on Dec. 14, 2019 at Jupiter High School.
In the all-star showcase, Tanner recorded seven total tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery for 11 yards.
“I felt good about this because the three states that are big for football are Texas, Florida and California,” Tanner said. “So being an all-star in Florida is a big thing.”
Tanner spoke on the contrast between football in Florida and football in Delaware.
“In Delaware, football is used for increasing popularity and getting clout for your name,” Tanner said. “But in Florida, it’s used to get to a bright future and it is a getaway from your problems. Coaches help you more in Florida than in Delaware.”
Forest Hill assistant coach Dwayne McClendon marveled on how Tanner got himself integrated with the program.
“He’s a great kid,” McClendon said. “He came to us and work his tail off to get eligible. He made progress all year to become a great player.”
Tanner expressed his appreciation for Forest Hill head coach Jude Blessington and the entire coaching staff.
“Oh my God, they have been amazing,” Tanner said. “I don’t know what I would do without them. They are like the father I wish I could substitute. They all care for me, and I plan to make them proud when I go to college.”
