WEST PALM BEACH – It was a night to remember for Sebastian River defensive tackle Timothy Smith, who captured the No. 1 spot on the ESPN 106.3 FM Top 63.
Smith earned the top spot over other elite defensive line talent such as Manny Rogers (Jensen Beach), Henry Bryant III (Atlantic), Latarie Kinsler Jr. (Pahokee) and Timothy Brown (Palm Beach Gardens).
Ranked as a four-star prospect by 247Sports, Smith committed to Nick Saban and the University of Alabama in July. He also holds offers to college football powerhouses Clemson, Miami, Florida, and Oregon.
Sebastian River finished last season with a 6-5 record, failing to make the playoffs. The Sharks allowed 204 points as a defense.
The highest ranked Palm Beach County athlete was Palm Beach Central wide receiver Bryan Robinson, who ranked second.
“It’s a blessing being number two,” Robinson said. “But I wanted to be number one, so I have to work hard.”
Last season, Palm Beach Central finished with an 11-2 record and made it to the regional finals of the Class 8A playoffs. The Broncos were defeated in that round by Deerfield Beach, 21-6.
Robinson finished the season with 976 yards and 9 touchdowns.
“I feel like we can win states this year,” Robinson said about the Broncos’ upcoming season. “We have to be better than we did last season.”
Finishing third was Atlantic defensive tackle Henry Bryant III, who was one of three Atlantic players in the Top 63.
A three-star prospect according to 247Sports, Bryant is ranked as the 62nd best defensive tackle in the nation. He also started as the No. 1 player on New Era Prep’s Top 100.
Bryant committed to Louisville in June.
“I have a great bond with the coaches,” Bryant said about Louisville. “I feel like that’s the most important thing. Me being there for the next four years, I feel like I have to be able to connect with them.”
In total, six of the Top 10 and 42 of the Top 63 are from Palm Beach County, with Pahokee having the most from the county represented with five total.
The Top 10, in order:
1. Timothy Smith, Sebastian River
2. Bryan Robinson, Palm Beach Central
3. Henry Bryant III, Atlantic
4. Timothy Brown, Palm Beach Gardens
5. Manny Rogers, Jensen Beach
6. Evian Irving, Vero Beach
7. Desna Washington, Glades Central
8. Latarie Kinsler Jr., Pahokee
9. Josh Pierre-Louis, Benjamin
10. Jamari Stewart, St. Lucie West Centennial
