Jesuit High senior catcher Jimmy Clifford, a Lutz resident, has signed to play collegiate baseball at Division III Wesleyan University (Middletown, Connecticut). Clifford posted a .200 batting average and .429 on-base percentage; he also registered a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 11 games. Clifford grew up playing many years in Lutz Little League, and attended Lutz Elementary and Most Holy Redeemer schools.
Zephyrhills High senior receiver/cornerback Ja’Quan Sheppard verbally committed to play collegiate football at Division I Temple University (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). A four-year varsity player, Sheppard wrapped up his prep career as one of the more decorated athletes in program history. In 43 career games, Sheppard tallied 34 touchdowns and 2,192 scrimmage yards on 87 receptions and 51 carries; he also registered 65 career tackles, five interceptions and 20 passes defensed. A consensus three-star prospect, Sheppard holds Division I FBS offers from the likes of Cincinnati, Kentucky, North Carolina State and South Florida universities, among others.
