State ring and 2K rushing set goals for Florida three-star RB Devonte Lyons
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Eight months of preparation is being squeezed into 10 regular season games for high school gridiron warriors across the country. For the seniors, the last ride is the last chance to put a ring on the finger and accomplish lofty goals with college scouts watching. At St. Augustine High School (Fla.), tailback Devonte Lyons (5-10, 185) is ready to hit the 2023 schedule head on with an eye towards wrapping up his recruiting process.
Earning a three-star ranking while pushing himself over the 20-offer mark, Lyons lit up opposing Florida defenses a year ago carrying the pigskin 164 times for 1,269 yards punching it into the end zone 16 times. The goal for the upcoming season is to go beyond a stellar junior campaign.
“I want “2K” yards,” Lyons said. “That is my only personal goal. For the team goals, I want a state ring.”
To turn his dreams into reality, Lyons has been putting in the effort on and off the field.
“I have been focused on being a leader, getting everyone together, and building more chemistry with the team so we can go far this year and get what we’ve been working for the last three years,” Lyons stated. “For me, I’ve been working on my speed; you can always be faster, other than that everything else is good.”
On the recruiting trail, Miami, UAB, Marshall, Kansas, USF, West Virginia, Kansas State, and UCF are among the offering teams with Western Kentucky, Georgia Southern, and East Carolina among the programs making the most contact. One of those teams is situating to get Lyons on campus this fall.
“I’m trying to plan some visits,” Lyons said. “Western Kentucky is one of the schools I am trying to get to honestly.”
The relationship with the Tyson Helton led Hilltoppers squad was covered.
“It is good,” Lyons shared. “Their running backs coach, coach (Andre) Crenshaw, and I are in communication. We do a lot of texting back and forth.”
The march to 2,000 rushing yards and a state championship ring for the Yellow Jackets and Lyons kicks off on Friday with a road game against Bolles.