JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Earning a starting spot as a freshman on one of the best programs in state history was no small feat, but Asher Ghioto wasn’t satisfied.
Not even close.
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So, the Bolles sophomore edge rusher drilled down into what he saw on film after his first season and went to work.
The improvement was off the charts.
Ghioto, the Varsity 4 All-News4JAX defensive player of the year, increased his numbers across the board and became the most dominant pass rusher in the area. He racked up 23 sacks and 35 tackles for loss to go along with 84 tackles. The best thing for Ghioto was the team success. Bolles went 13-2 and reached the Class 2A state championship game.
The reason for the jump? It’s something Ghioto said is common at Bolles.
Setting major expectations, not settling and never being satisfied.
“Obviously seven sacks [as a freshman] isn’t bad, but it wasn’t where I wanted to be. And I said in a bunch of interviews, I’m sure people can go find it, but I was like, I’m going to go into this season, I’m going to double my sacks. Double everything. I’m going to go out there and be the best I possibly can,” Ghioto said.
“… then coming into this season with the mentality of, hey, I’m going to go out here and ball this year. No one can stop me. I’m the best on the field and I know that at all times.”
Ghioto (6-5, 240) detailed his growth areas like a teacher going over an assignment. He said that he wanted to turn his problem areas into things that were neutral or a slight gain and not a deficit. Ghioto had seven sacks, 66 tackles and 21 for loss in his first year of varsity football.
He said that he felt strong enough, but not flexible enough, fluid with certain moves but not enough bend to beat every tackle. One offseason of refinement and focusing on just a few areas helped Ghioto take a massive leap in production.
What does that next jump look like? Better techniques. More team success. And a state championship. He and the Bulldogs got a taste of that this season and have their sights set on a return trip to the final. That’s where it goes back to not being satisfied to keep that hunger at its peak.
Ghioto has an active spring and summer ahead with college visits stacked high. He’s a consensus top 13 national recruit in the Class of 2028, something that Ghioto said is an honor but something he keeps everything recruiting related in perspective.
“I felt like last year having Naeem Burroughs, Corbyn Fordham, JJ Sparks, Simeon Caldwell, all those guys around me, those guys have all been through it. Those guys are all ranked top in the nation. They’re all signing with these big colleges,” Ghioto said.
“I feel like having those guys around me to keep me level-headed was a really important thing to me. And not only that, but Coach [Matt] Toblin. He’s seen so many great guys, I mean, he coached Tim Tebow. It doesn’t get much better than that.”
Varsity 4 All-News4JAX players of the year
2025: Xander Edwards, Bolles (offensive); Asher Ghioto, Bolles (defensive).
2024: TJ Cole, Raines (offensive); Jyon Simon, Raines (defensive)
2023: Laython Biddle, Bartram Trail (offensive); Drake Stubbs, Mandarin (defensive).
2022: Orel Gray, University Christian (offensive); Grayson Howard, Jackson (defensive).
2021: Dom Henry, Nease (offensive); Jaheim Singletary, Riverside (defensive).
2020: Jadon Canady, Sandalwood.
2019: Myles Montgomery, Fletcher (offensive); Trevez Johnson, Bartram Trail (defensive).
Varsity 4 All-News4JAX defense
First team
Position, Player, School, Class, Notable
DL Reece Beck, Ponte Vedra, Sr.
The Sharks had one of the area’s top defenses and it started up front with Beck. Had 50 tackles, 17 for loss and 15 sacks. Forced a couple fumbles and recovered one. Has signed with Rutgers.
DL Ge’Terius Brown, Raines, Sr.
Major enforcer on the Vikings wicked front. Had 41 tackles, five sacks. Had game-changing interception in fourth quarter of Class 3A state championship. Forced three fumbles and recovered a couple.
DL Troy Butler, Raines, Jr.
Unbelievable edge player was a menace for the state champs. Had 75 tackles (30 for loss) and 12 sacks. Forced five fumbles and recovered one.
DL Asher Ghioto, Bolles, So.
All-News4JAX defensive player of the year. Had 84 tackles (35 for loss) and program-record 23 sacks. Added an interception, fumble recovery, scoop and score and a blocked field goal. Had two forced fumbles. Major recruit in the Class of 2028.
LB Talan Babin, Ponte Vedra, Sr.
Missed three games with injury and still led the Class 5A state semifinalist Sharks in tackles (92). Had 12 tackles for loss (2.5 sacks). Menace on special teams with a couple blocked field goals and a blocked punt. Forced and recovered a fumble. Signed with Old Dominion. Third team All-News4JAX last year.
LB Kru Casey, Nease, Sr.
Unbelievable season with the Panthers after transfer from Beachside. Had 21 sacks, two forced fumbles and a recovery. Added an interception. Always around the football. Racked up 108 tackles and 33 for loss. Georgia Southern signee.
LB Jacob Curry, Nease, Sr.
Two-time All-News4JAX selection. Had 101 tackles, 21 for loss, 12 sacks and 12 QB hurries. Finished career with 288 tackles, 23.5 sacks. Has signed with University of Oklahoma.
LB Kameron Mills, Columbia, Sr.
Two-time All-News4JAX selection (last year at Mandarin). Had 78 tackles, 20 for loss, 11 sacks, all totals that led the team. Added a couple interceptions, three forced fumbles and two blocked punts. Spot carries at RB (17 for 117 yards, 2 TDs).
DB/LB Simeon Caldwell, Bolles, Sr.
Hybrid safety/linebacker had team-leading 112 tackles for Class 2A state runner-up. Picked off two passes and recovered a couple fumbles. Blocked two field goals. Scored TD on fake punt in state title game. Finished career with 357 tackles, 28 sacks. Signed with Ohio State. Second team All-News4JAX last year.
DB Shareef Jackson, Raines, Sr.
After a season at Mandarin, he returned to Raines and made a huge impact. Had 44 tackles, a sack and an interception. Forced two fumbles, including one just outside the end zone in the Class 3A state championship game.
DB Brody Jennings, Mandarin, Sr.
‘Spiderman’ had the best season of his career, picking off four passes, forcing and recovering a fumble and making 23 tackles. Had a pick-six. Sticky as can be in pass coverage. Signed with Miami.
DB Jordin Price, Oakleaf, Sr.
Had 32 tackles and a couple picks for the Knights. On offense, he had 383 yards receiving on 18 catches and four TDs. Had a pick-six and a kickoff return for a TD. Second team All-News4JAX last year. Has signed with UAB.
ATH Sebastian Cruz, Fleming Island, Sr.
Two-time All-News4JAX selection. Finished with more than 80 tackles, four for loss. Broke up nine passes, blocked a field goal and recovered an onside kick. Added a couple interceptions. Had eight all-purpose TDs (5 rushing, 2 kick returns, punt return). Has signed with Rutgers.
ATH Jaxon Earle, Creekside, Sr.
Talk about a player who was all over the place. Had 13 total TDs (11 rushing, passing, punt return). On defense from his safety spot, racked up 77 tackles, six for loss, five pass breakups and four interceptions.
ATH Mason Thomas, Oakleaf, Jr.
Played on both the offensive and defensive lines, but he’s a true wrecker up front. Had 96 total tackles, 16 for loss and 12 sacks for the 8-3 Knights.
Second team
Position, player, school, notable
DL Kindrid Outland, Mandarin, Jr.
He was a game changer at the line of scrimmage. Constant presence in the backfield. Had 62 tackles and 21 for loss (5.5 sacks). Recovered a fumble, too for 11-2 Mustangs.
DL Nate Raymond, Bradford, Sr.
On wrecking ball defense, he was everywhere. Had 92 tackles, 24 for loss and 11 sacks. Forced a couple fumbles.
DL Cayden “Turtle” Ricks, Yulee, Sr.
Top defensive player in Nassau County who played on both sides of the ball. Had 75 tackles and racked up 44 for loss. Added nine sacks, forced nine fumbles and recovered one. Offensively, he had 163 yards receiving and a couple TDs as Hornets flipped from two to eight wins.
DL Dominic Swilley, Middleburg, Sr.
As the Broncos have clawed back to become a consistent playoff team, defense has been huge. He had 78 tackles, 18 for loss and led team with 10 sacks and 16 QB hurries. Had a pick-sox, blocked three FGs and a couple punts.
LB Mason Beane, St. Augustine, So.
Big time season in the middle of the defense for 11-2 Yellow Jackets. Had 142 tackles, 14 for loss and eight sacks en route to regional finals.
LB Izzy Ratliff, Mandarin, Sr.
Huge season after injury cut junior year short. Had 106 tackles, 11.5 for loss and three sacks. Forced a couple fumbles and had an interception.
LB Jermaine Robinson, Oakleaf, Sr.
High motor player led Knights in tackles with 129 (6.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks).
LB Tony Williams, Raines, Sr.
Had 58 tackles, seven tackles for loss. Added a forced fumble and a couple fumble recoveries. Has signed with the University of Illinois. Two-time All-News4JAX selection.
DB Tacori Allen, Columbia, Jr.
Did a bit of everything for the 9-3 Tigers. Finished with 35 tackles, two interceptions and a sack. Added 860 all-purpose yards, four tackles for loss and seven total TDs.
DB Jy’Quez Cason, Bradford, Sr.
Leader in the secondary for suffocating defense. Had 62 tackles, TFL. Picked off four passes and recovered a fumble for 11-2 Tornadoes.
DB Julian Holt, White, Sr.
Always in the middle of a big play. Had 97 tackles, 11 for loss and three sacks. Had five total TDs (rushing, two pick-sixes, two kick returns).
DB Tamajh Mitchell, Mandarin, Sr.
Had 34 tackles, a couple sacks and three interceptions for 11-win Mustangs. Forced and recovered a fumble. Signed with ETSU.
ATH Amare Mack, University Christian, Sr.
Had 522 yards receiving, seven TDs on 22 catches to lead 9-4 Christians. On defense, finished with 36 tackles and four interceptions. Signed with East Carolina.
ATH Marco Lanza, Beachside, Sr.
Lined up at LB and in the secondary on defense. Handled long snapping chores and pitched in at RB. Had 120 tackles, 10 pass breakups and set program record with 12 sacks for district champs.
ATH Gunnar Rogers, Bishop Kenny, Sr.
Indispensable player for the Crusaders. Had 96 tackles, 13 for loss to lead the Crusaders to the regional finals. Added three sacks, a couple blocked kicks, an interception and a forced fumble. Played fullback, too.
P Andrew Riddling, Clay, Jr.
Handled 41 punts with a long of 64 yards. Averaged 42.6 yards per punt and put 17 of them inside the 20. Hit 17 of 20 PATs.
Third team
Position, player, school, notable
DL Chance Faucheaux, Bolles, Sr.
Big Bulldogs lineman had 51 tackles, 15 for loss and nine sacks for Class 2A state runner-up. Added 10 QB hurries and a fumble recovery.
DL Terry Henry, Columbia, Sr.
Very strong presence on the Tigers line. Had 50 tackles, 20 for loss and 13 sacks as Columbia went 9-3.
DL Julius LaRosa III, University Christian, Jr.
Sturdy player on the line for Christians. Had 59 tackles, 17 for loss, seven sacks and recovered a fumble for Christians. Also blocked a punt.
DL Jalen Peters, Ribault, Jr.
The brightest spot in a tough season for the Trojans, he had 65 tackles (14 for loss) and 11 sacks, more than doubling his output from 2024. At 6-3, 220, already has excellent size. All-Gateway selection.
LB Kingston Brooker, Bradford, Sr.
On one of the state’s best defenses, he racked up 112 tackles and eight for loss to lead the Tornadoes to an 11-win season and regional finals.
LB Taylor Davenport, Baldwin, Sr.
All-Gateway Conference player had 56 tackles, blocked a punt, had 10 tackles for loss and three sacks. Added a couple pick-sixes. Valdosta State commit.
LB/DB Luke Harmon, Menendez, Sr.
Wrapped up stellar career with Falcons with 70 tackles, six interceptions, three forced fumbles and a couple recoveries.
LB Johdeem Jones, Raines, Jr.
Huge defensive play helped Vikings win state championship. Had 47 tackles, two picks, three forced fumbles and a couple recoveries for 14-0 Vikings.
DB Julian Delacruz, Columbia, Sr.
Safety was a strong last line of defense for the Tigers. Had 50 tackles, four interceptions and a fumble recovery for 9-3 Columbia.
DB Elijah Keys, Fletcher, Sr.
Headed to UCF after playing with the Beach Rats. Had three picks, a sack and 23 tackles. All-Gateway Conference pick.
DB Jacquari Parks, White, Jr.
Rangy 6-1 player has boosted production each season. Had 30 tackles and five interceptions this season and took one back for a TD. Broke up seven passes.
DB Santana Starks, Bolles, Sr.
Led state runner-up Bulldogs with six interceptions. Added seven pass breakups, 71 tackles. Racked up 366 yards on kick returns. Forced a fumble and blocked a punt.
ATH Jack Berquist, Ponte Vedra, Sr.
Truly a Jack of all trades for the Sharks. Racked up 1,476 all-purpose yards, the bulk of that (896) as a receiver. Had 57 catches and 10 TDs. Added four rushing TDs. Headed to Georgia Southern.
ATH Shamar Gibbs, Yulee, Sr.
Had 39 tackles, forced fumble and fumble recovery. One of the highest interception totals in the region (7) to help Hornets pull off major turnaround. Added help out of the backfield, too (30 carries, 129 yards, TD).
ATH Beck Rohe, Fernandina Beach, Jr.
Played everywhere for the Pirates. Passed for 127 yards, two TDs. Rushed for 66 yards, TD. Had 839 yards receiving, nine TDs on 54 catches. On defense, had 60 tackles, five for loss and three picks. Took a return back for a TD, too.
P Jake Fischer, Menendez, Jr.
Averaged 37.5 yards on 25 punts with a long of 56. Hit 11 of 12 PATs and 4 of 6 FGs with a long of 42.
Honorable mention
Defensive line
Stephen Akita, Paxon, Sr.; Kyten Davis, Columbia, Sr.; JP Dolan, Ponte Vedra, Sr.; Johnny Duckett, White, Jr.; Major Granados, Bartram Trail, Jr.; Brian Harris, Creekside, Sr.; Desmond Malpress, Atlantic Coast, Jr.; Jay’shawn McCloud, Clay, Jr.;, Jaden McCray, Columbia, Jr.; Jarius Rodgers, Fleming Island, Sr.; Geedarious Thomas, University Christian, Fr.; Kalani Tucker, Fernandina Beach, Sr.; Jaylen Underwood, Columbia, Jr.; Cameron Washington, Raines, Sr.; Sean Wolff, Episcopal, Sr.
Linebacker
Jaison Brown, Yulee, So.; Uriah Caguimbal, University Christian, Jr.; Cohen Cioffi, Bradford, Sr.; Bennett Cornelison, Menendez, Jr.; Matthew Hammett, University Christian, Jr.; Kadin Hanifen, Middleburg, Sr.; Christian Hayes, Bolles, Jr.; Jontavious Hobdy, Palatka, So.; Noah Hodge, Nease, Sr.; Kyle Hurtado, Nease, Sr.; Taz Kinghorn, Baker County, Sr.; Cory Matthews, Mandarin, Jr.; Aidan Piper, Bishop Kenny, Sr.; Ayden Ramos, Tocoi Creek, Sr.; Will Reynolds, Fletcher, Jr.; Zachary Sandell, First Coast, Sr.; William Striglers, Trinity Christian, So.; Jacob Weldon, Trinity Christian, Sr.; Irvin Williams, Jackson, So.; Travis Williams, Raines, Sr.; Xavier Williams, Impact Christian, Sr.
Defensive backs
Caiden Carn, Bradford, Damion Bridges, Nease, Sr.; Jelani Dawkins, Bishop Kenny, Sr.; Fionn Day, Ponte Vedra, Sr.; Jaden Dormevil, Matanzas, Sr.; Marquell Elmore, St. Augustine, Sr.; Za’khari Greene, Trinity Christian, So.; Jayden Haynes, Nease, Jr.; Miguel Jimenez, First Coast, Sr.; Kash Kolbow, Nease, Jr.; Vondarius Lane, Columbia, Sr.; Jabari McMillian, Atlantic Coast, Sr.; Mahrle Moe, First Coast, Sr.; Derek Page III, Orange Park, Jr.; Kenneth Robinson, Flagler Palm Coast, Sr.; Josh Stafford, West Nassau, So.
Specialists
Noah Archer, Christ’s Church, Jr.; Joel Bazinet, Oakleaf, Sr.; Giovanni Garcon, Oakleaf, Sr.; Jacob Landreth, Trinity Christian, Sr.
Athlete
Rayden Butts, Christ’s Church, So.; Michael Conner III, Oakleaf, Sr.; Jake Contner, Providence, Jr.; Jamison Denson, Westside, Sr.; Avery Griffin, West Nassau, Jr.; Josh Guy, Creekside, Sr.; Zay Hilliard, University Christian, Sr.; Michael Hills, Parker, So.; Jayden Jackson, Fort White, Sr.; Jacorri Lavoile, Eagle’s View, Sr.; Alexander Lee, Impact Christian, Jr.; Carlos Nedd, Christ’s Church, Jr.; Josiah Payton, Providence, Sr.; Chase Phillips, Bradford, Jr.; Antonio Queen, Jackson, Sr.; Jordan Robinson, NFEI, Sr.; Kyree Wilson, Mandarin, Jr.