High schools

Deerfield seeks replacement for Jeudy

Spring football practices begin plus the track and field regionals are coming up.

DEERFIELD BEACH — Coming off last year’s state semifinal appearance, Deerfield Beach has some big shoes to fill.

With the start of spring football practice across Florida on Monday, the Bucks officially began the process of replacing last year’s loaded wide receiving corps, which was led by star Jerry Jeudy.

As part of potent receiving trio that also featured Oregon signee Daewood Davis and Leroy Henley (East Carolina), Jeudy was nearly unstoppable in 2016, hauling in over 1,000 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns for Deerfield Beach. Jeudy has already made a major impression at his new home at the University of Alabama, catching 5 passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns.

While Jeudy won’t be lacing it up for the Bucks anymore, there’s plenty of talent ready to step up at receiver. Rising senior Cornelius McCoy, who coach Jevon Glenn raved about on Monday, is one of the players who will assume a major role offensively.

“He’s a stud,” said Glenn. “Last year he had to play second fiddle because we had three Division 1 guys ahead of him, but he’s ready.”

Glenn was also very high on rising sophomore Dejuan McDougle, saying he’ll be the next “great” at Deerfield Beach. Rising freshman Robert Floyd will be counted on to be a contributor right off the bat as well.

While the unit doesn’t have a ton of varsity experience, getting to watch and learn from Jeudy last season should pay big dividends.

“It’s special to be the No. 1 receiver in the country,” said Glenn, “but we could rip him a new one and he’d come back and push harder. These guys know if we can rip Jerry Jeudy and it wasn’t good enough for him, we can get on them.

The offense will also feature a slight change under new offensive coordinator and former University of Miami quarterback Derrick Crudup as the team plans to feature the tight end more this season. Glenn said 6-foot-4, 230-pound tight end Daniel Barker has really flourished in the off-season and is excited about the rising senior showing off his skill set to the rest of the county.

WELLS DUSENBURY / STAFF PHOTO Deerfield Beach’s football team took the field Monday as high school spring football practice got underway across Florida.