ROYAL PALM BEACH – Jamall Tarver is totally aware of where he comes from.
He takes his hometown of Belle Glade (Fla.) everywhere with him, literally and figuratively. He wants everyone to know he’s from the Muck.
It shows in his play, and it shows in how he approaches all things in his life.
Royal Palm Beach benefited greatly from the junior defensive back’s contributions on the field this past season. In 10 games played, Tarver racked up 60+ tackles, 8 forced fumbles, several sacks, and at least one blocked punt.
“My junior season really went well,” the 5-foot-11, 184-pound defensive back said. “I’m just a person who is always around the ball.”
Tarver’s game was at his best when Royal Palm Beach played against Martin County in Week 9 of the regular season, a 34-6 road win. He tallied nine tackles (two tackles for loss) and two forced fumbles in the Wildcats blowout victory.
“He’s an exciting player,” said Darin Decosta, who was named the new Royal Palm Beach head coach earlier in this offseason. “He has a great ability to find the ball and make things happen. We’re expecting big things from him this season in multiple roles.”
At this time, Tarver (No. 1 DB; No. 18 overall player; Class of 2021) has no offers. But he has been receiving some interest from the likes of FIU and Richmond.
When asked how and why Tarver doesn’t have a scholarship offer right now, Decosta was relatively honest in his assessment of his player’s situation.
“He was really unknown until last year,” Decosta said. “He had a breakout year, but is still developing and growing. I think coaches are waiting to see his consistency this year. His offers will be coming. He just needs to be the player we are expecting him to be. Colleges will find him.”
MUCK IN HIS BLOOD
Tarver’s relentless pursuit of greatness comes from his younger days in Belle Glade. He would spend lots of time with the likes of close friends/older cousins Jim Davis (Glades Central 2020 wideout) and Anthony Bradley (Palm Beach Lakes 2020 cornerback).
“Me and Jamall grew up together,” Bradley said. “That’s been my boy since we went to Glade View Elementary (Belle Glade). We played football together too. Y’all see the results. He’s a junior and he’s ranked.”
Tarver spoke on his relationship with Bradley.
“As a kid, I was always in the streets of Belle Glade,” Tarver said. “I had a hard life. But I used to stay with AJ. His pops (father) took care of me.”
Tarver had more to say about that.
“Yep, he the one who got me started,” Tarver said of Bradley’s father. “I saw AJ suit up for the Glades Glen Browns in 2009, and I asked him if I can play. His dad took me out there, and I played.”
Meanwhile, Tarver thinks the world of Davis.
“This man is versatile,” Tarver said. “He’s a great all-around player. My big cousin, he’s really a beast. All that swag, speed, and vision he has. He’s got all the utensils to be a another great player from the Muck.”
Tarver watched the recent release of the 4th and Forever: Muck City docu-series that featured Glades Central and Pahokee. Davis was one of the main characters in the eight-part series and was specially highlighted in games against Palm Beach Gardens, Cocoa, Dwyer, Park Vista, Monsignor Pace, and the Muck Bowl against Pahokee.
“He did great against Gardens and Park Vista,” Tarver said. “He did good in the Muck Bowl too. This man can play corner and he’s aggressive on both sides of the ball.”
Davis provided some commentary on Tarver’s play.
“Yeah that’s my little cousin,” Davis said. “He’s very determined. He communicates well and has real good hard hitting skills.”
As Tarver watched his older cousin Davis and fellow senior wideout Desna Washington dominate their opposition in most games, he was left wondering what could have been this past season for his hometown team.
Glades Central finished the season with a 1-9 record and failed to reach the FHSAA playoffs for the first time in more than 25 years.
“GC (Glades Central) always has the most talent,” Tarver said. “If they just come together, they’ll win state every year.”
BRINGING IT ALL IN
Moving forward, Tarver is simply going to work on bettering his craft and staying humble over the next several months. He knows how critical his senior season will be.
“I try to play hard every game,” Tarver said. “I came from nothing, so I have to do something to make it.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Gene Nardi
