Checking in with Venice college football prospects Asharri Charles, Johnnie Jones and Dorien Irving-Jones on their recruitment this summer.
Venice is coming off a banner season − literally − going 14-1 last year on the way to a Class 7A Championship with their lone blemish being a one-score loss to IMG Academy.
The Indians have the same expectations this year, in large part because of the level of elite talent ready to make an impact.
Their schedule certainly reflects the talent on the roster. Venice will play eight different programs that appeared in the USA TODAY Florida Super 25 last year, including Miami Northwestern, IMG Academy, and The First Academy. Recent transfer and UCLA offensive tackle commit Johnnie Jones, who arrived by way of Berkeley Prep this summer, said this year's matchups are what he's most excited for.
"Just the schedule (is what I'm most excited about)," Jones said. "Just playing guys that are hyped up more than everyone else. I want to play against these kids that are hyped up before I go to college because I'll probably end up having to play them in college again."
It's nothing new for Venice, which played nine Super 25 teams on the way to a Class 7A state title. What is new, however, is its renovated $12 million stadium, which was recently completed.
Everything, from the bathrooms to the press box, was rebuilt at Powell-Davis Stadium. The capacity was improved to about 5,000 seats, and they'll be filled with Venice faithful as the Indians play host to some of the toughest squads in the state, and by default, the country.
USA TODAY's Florida Network checked in with some of Venice's marquee recruits to see where things stand in their recruitment ahead of another gauntlet of a season.
Florida State, Missouri pushing for Miami EDGE commit Asharri Charles
Charles, the No. 3 EDGE in the Florida Top 100, committed to Miami four weeks ago. The coveted edge-rusher chose the Hurricanes over Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, and others, but told USA TODAY's Florida Network that his recruitment is still very much open.
"Right now, I'd say Florida State and Mizzou are pushing the hardest," Charles said.
Missouri has closed with elite prospects in Florida through recent cycles, signing a pair of Florida Top 100 recruits last year in Javion Hilson (No. 1 EDGE, No. 5 overall) and Donovan Olugbode (No. 4 WR, No. 11 overall). This cycle, the Tigers hold a commitment from Jabari Brady (No. 7 WR, No. 45 overall).
On top of the statewide ties, Missouri also has former Venice player Damon Wilson II on the roster, and wants to plug and play with another Indian at the same position. Charles said Mizzou's pitch is simple - he'll play right away.
"They're just telling me like, they need me here," Charles said. "I'm going to play early. They've got Damon, he went there. They told me he's going to leave, and I'm supposed to fill his spot."
Charles, who posted 13.5 sacks, 15.5 TFL, and 20 quarterback hurries last season, added that he isn't sure if he'll make the decision to shut down his recruitment before signing day.
UCLA OT commit Johnnie Jones transfers to Venice, shuts down recruitment
Jones is ranked as the No. 5 offensive tackle and No. 63 overall player in the Florida Top 100. He committed to UCLA over the summer, making a big splash in the coveted tackle market.
Jones named the Bruins over the likes of Miami, Penn State, and Ole Miss. He knows it's not a traditional powerhouse of offensive line talent, but says the opportunities in Los Angeles were too good to pass up.
"I can just go play early, I don't have to redshirt," Jones said. "It's just different, but it's like Tampa, where I'm from. It's not hot, and you can meet a bunch of different people... I think we're just trying to turn it around, honestly. Like they don't really have a good rep right now. They haven't been good in a while so it was kind of like us being the class to turn it around again."
"And from the coaching side, (head coach DeShaun Foster) played there. He already knows what it looks like, and in the new era, he can coach us in a way that doesn't come from other coaches. He did everything he needed to do himself, he played in the league at that position. So it's not like he's just telling us something that he's seen, he's telling it about how it was for him."
Jones is not the only Sunshine State offensive tackle to pledge to Foster. Vero Beach's Micah Smith (No. 14 overall, No. 2 OT) also committed to the Bruins, making two elite tackles that have committed this cycle. Most programs would thank their lucky stars if they managed to land just one. Jones says that having Foster at the helm was an important factor for him.
"That was big," he said. "I mean, I took trips, and I'm not hating on other schools, but it's just different when I can go talk to a coach that looks like me, that played something that I'm trying to get to. I mean he played in the league and that's where I'm trying to get to ultimately. He's the blueprint for it."
Jones is ready for the new challenge at Venice. He says the tough schedule and tradition are a large reason why he transferred in.
"I want to just be pushed differently," he said. "Mentally, just being challenged every day. (The past success) was a big thing too. And (assistant coach) Josh Hunter is a great O-Line coach. He's serious, and when it's time to play, it's time to play... So just talking to my friends about it, trying to put myself in the best position to be ready to go play in college."
2027 RB Dorien Irving-Jones on the radar after breakout sophomore season
Dorien Irving-Jones put coaches on notice when he served as the starter with Jamarice Wilder out.
Jones, ranked as a Composite 3-star and the No. 68 junior in Florida on 247Sports, posted four-straight games of 120 or more rushing yards as the starter, including 226 yards and two scores in a 54-51 win against eventual Class 2A champions Cocoa. He finished the season with 1,398 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on 192 touches.
"Some people might still be a little doubtful," he said. "But that's just how they feel. I'm going to have to go out there and prove them wrong each year."
Since then, his recruitment has skyrocketed. He's reeled in eight offers this offseason Florida State, Kansas State, North Carolina State, and UNLV among others. He says there are already staffs he has a good relationship with and are showing real interest. FSU, North Carolina State, Louisville, and Kansas are the schools Irving-Jones said have been reaching out the most.
Of those schools, he says the Seminoles and Wolfpack have been pushing the hardest lately.
"(The relationship with FSU) is pretty good," Irving-Jones said. "We don't communicate as often as I might wish, but it's always a great conversation when we talk."
North Carolina State has rostered at least one Sunshine State running back every year since 2022. Irving-Jones says that's not an accident.
"Ever since I got the offer from them, they've been coming at me crazy," he said, "Just telling me how they would mainly prefer to recruit running backs out of Florida."
He has plenty of time to build more relationships, and Venice will play the type of schedule that will not be lacking for attention, especially from college coaches. For him, the biggest thing is those relationships.
"Honestly, (I'm looking for) someone that could really make me feel at home," he said. "A good relationship with the coaches and someone I can trust."
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Mizzou, FSU pushing for EDGE Asharri Charles, plus other recruiting updates
Category: General Sports
