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Jenkins High School’s Warrior to become a Seminole - Tavion Gadson commits to Florida State

By Travis Jaudon/For Prep Sports Report | August 12, 2022

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One of the top high school football players in the Savannah area announced his college commitment on Thursday, August 11. Jenkins High School’s star defensive linemen Tavion Gadson has verbally committed to play his college ball at Florida State University.

Gadson is a three-star recruit in the class of 2023 according to recruiting services like On3 and Rivals. He chose Florida State over schools high on his list like Kentucky, Minnesota and Tennessee. Gadson also had offers from the University of Georgia and Auburn, among others.

He took his official visit to FSU on June 24 and received an official scholarship offer from Seminoles’ head coach Mike Norvell in March. According to 247Sports, Gadson is the 13th commit for FSU’s 2023 class. He is the fifth defensive linemen in the class, according to 247.

“We’ve got a lot of guys on our team (125 players on the Jenkins roster for 2022) that are college level football players, or that will be,” said Jenkins head coach Tony Welch during an August 11 phone call with PSR. “Tavion is the cream of the crop. Jenkins has always had kids go on to play at the next level, but Tavion is just a different kind of kid. A lot of motor. A lot of strength. He has size and speed too. Plus, he’s great in the classroom.”

Florida State has an 8-13 record over its last two seasons. Gadson is expected to be able to play anywhere along the D-Line at the next level.

“The vibe there is like family. The players are like brothers,” Gadson told On3 about his commitment. “I love how the coaches are with the players too. Everything at Florida State just comes together like one big family. The love is there and I want to be part of that.”

Gadson will join other Savannah area players already in Tallahassee, Kalen DeLoach (Islands) and Rodney Hill (Bulloch Academy). The 6-foot-4, 275 pound Gadson is ranked as the No. 55 DL prospect in the class, according to On3. He was at the FSU Spring Game in April, and attended the school’s Elite Camp in June.

“I believe in coach Norvell a lot,” Gadson told On3. “What he has going on is going to bring Florida State back. I see Florida State climbing back to the top. The way he is building the team, how the players play for each other … I love his approach.

“His actions match his words and Florida State will be back soon.”

As a junior in 2021, Gadson earned first team All-Region 3-4A honors. He had 60 tackles and six sacks for head coach Tony Welch’s Warriors. He is a preseason first team All-State (Class 5A) selection by Georgia High School Football Daily.

“(Gadson) is a combo-guy and a three-down linemen who we’ll use primarily as a rush end,” said Welch. “He demands a double team, and that’s going to free up some of our other guys on the front to do their thing.” 

Jenkins and Gadson will begin the 2022 football season playing versus defending Class 4A state champion Benedictine. The game is scheduled for August 19 at Memorial Stadium, and Gadson’s HVJ defense will try to hold future FSU Seminole, and current BC junior quarterback, Luke Kromenhoek in check.

Gadson’s younger brother, Lorenzo Cowan, is a junior linebacker for HVJ and holds several Power 5 scholarship offers including Minnesota, which is believed to be the frontrunner for his services. While Gadson is rushing Kromenhoek on August 19, Cowan may be focused on Benedictine’s Za’quan Bryan, a Minnesota commit.

You can follow Gadson on Twitter @Tavion_Gadson.

FOLLOW Travis Jaudon on Twitter/Instagram @JaudonSports. Email him at travisLjaudon@gmail.com.

Photo - Twitter Tavion Gadson

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The "Coach" Karl DeMasi has been teaching and coaching for the past 35 years on all levels of academia and athletics. One of his hobbies has been writing, announcing and talking about sports. DeMasi has been involved in the Savannah Area sports scene since 1995, and he created the high school magazine "The Prep Sports Report" in 2000. In 2010, the "Coach" started broadcasting The Karl DeMasi Sports Report. He's still going strong, broadcasting on Facebook live and Twitter live every Saturday morning. You gotta love it!


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