FLEMING ISLAND - Fleming Island High football coach Tom Macpherson noted that, since 2023, the Fleming Island football program has put nine players into NCAA Division I power programs as he applauded his two candidates; safety Sebastian Cruz and defensive end Jarius Rodgers, who joined the exclusive listing last Thursday at Fleming Island High.

"These two players being in this position has very little to do with me, at this point," said Macpherson, who was a first-year coach this year with a 6-4 finish in 2025. "Most people don't realize that this program has had four coaches in the past five years, but that, guys like Sebastian and Jarius did not need to buy into anything that I brought to the program. They were both highly motivated and hard-working athletes as well as great men and teammates. Fleming Island High is a builder of great men beyond football."

Cruz and Rodgers, both able to get to their respective next step of football; Rutgers University in New Jersey for Cruz and Syracuse University in New York in January after strong academics and college courses at Fleming Island; join the likes of Braden Cunningham at Florida Atlantic University and Abram Wright, also at Rutgers, as recent Golden Eagle commits to high level football programs.

Also, at Rutgers a few years back was running back Trey Sneed who finished with Fordham University in his final football college days.

"You know, it's nice to know that big colleges come to Fleming Island to find their next players," Cruz said. "Over the years, I have learned that they come here because we have great coaches year in and year out that teach us more than just being football players."

Cruz, a destructive safety with a 10.7 second 100-yard speed, was a leader of the Fleming Island defense with 114 tackles and five interceptions while also being the main ball carrier in the "Hammer" formation that was utilized in short yardage plunges. Cruz scored six touchdowns on offense with two kickoff and punt returns for long scores negated by penalty flags.

"They talked about free safety, nickelback for me on the defense," said Cruz, noting playing in the Big 10 conference was inviting to his decision. "As for track, we talked about and we will just see how the football preparations go."

For Rodgers, a top sacker in the area as well as in Florida, his use of his track speed, top hurdler in Class 3A and size, 6 feet 4 inches, and huge wingspan made him a pass defense terror for opposing offense.

"Today is about making a change and being able to sign to get to the next level," Rodgers said. "Syracuse liked my ability to get after a quarterback."

Rodgers also noted that Syracuse, though in a heavy snow area, does play in an indoor stadium.

"The game ending sack at Flagler and the two blocked kicks; one for a score against Creekside, were my highlights I think," Rodgers said.
Unique to the Rodgers signing was big brother Glenn, who was on hand for the signing with Glenn a national champion hurdler at Southeastern University after a state champion hurdler in Class 3A for Fleming Island.

"Glenn had a big influence on his brother between both track and football," said Mom Jennifer Rodgers, who also said this was the final Rodgers chapter for Fleming Island sports. "Glenn was also a defensive end for football but chose track as his main sport. They were both very competitive with each other and supportive though seven years apart."

For the Rodgers parents, including Glenn Sr., the sports were always a part of the family with both playing youth football and running track events.

"They pretty much pushed each other as they grew up," said Jennifer, who did volleyball and cheerleading while Glenn, Sr., did football, track and baseball. "The main thing was the academics, and Glenn was the sports guy. I always said the sports is the icing on the cake after academics."

Rutgers finished 2025 at 5-7 with Syracuse finishing at 3-9.