Football 2025: BOB JONES PATRIOTS
"These kids are eager to show their talents and they are not complacent. They are hungry,”
A 1970’s TV commercial campaign for Campbell’s Manhandlers soup included the slogan, “how do you handle a hungry man.” Hearing what’s coming from the Bob Jones football program, the slogan is a perfect fit as the 2025 team is “hungry.”
“These kids are eager to show their talents and they are not complacent. They are hungry,” said Kelvis White, in his sixth season as head coach of the Class 7A Region 4 Patriots. “We don’t have many returners, but we are balanced on offense and aggressive and physical on defense. With six new coaches to go along with nine remaining coaches on our staff, including Stephen Jackson returning for his second season as offensive coordinator and Cal Crabtree, who came to us from Buckhorn, who will be our defensive coordinator, I think we have everything in place to be good.”
The Patriots 2025 schedule is exactly a copy of last year where the squad was 6-5 overall and 4-3 in the region losing in the first round of the state playoffs to Auburn High. Besides the seven tough region games, Bob Jones will also face Cullman (Class 6A, 5-6), Lee-Huntsville (Class 6A, 0-10) and Gadsden City (Class 6A, 6-4). White said of the upcoming schedule, “We can compete in all of them as our region is tough and balanced, and each week we’ll have to be ready to play and improve each week. We can’t take a step backwards.”
OFFENSE
“We hope to be 50-50 balanced the best we can and will have to hang our hat on running the ball, but that doesn’t mean we can’t throw the ball,” said White of his offensive squad that features only three starters, two receivers and a running back, returning from 2024.
In a most fascinating situation, Bob Jones assumed starting quarterback is Gakobey Gill (QB, 6-3, 205, Sr.) who was the starting signal caller at James Clemens in 2024. White said of the transfer, “He has a great football IQ, very calm, pocket awareness and strong arm, and has been impressive in his play during the spring and summer.” Gill will have backup support from Abram Aguilar (QB, 6-4, 210, Jr.), a transfer from Buckhorn and whose father is among the Bob Jones coaching staff, and freshman Alex Randolph.
At running back, Jaden Rice (RB, 5-10, 185, Jr.) is expected to carry the load in the backfield as he was a part-time starter last season where he had 69 carries for 540 yards and three touchdowns in his sophomore campaign. Getting to play fulltime missing most of his sophomore and junior seasons due to injuries is Kaleb Christopher (RB, 5-9, 170, Sr.) who is looked at as having a high football IQ and smart on how to carry the ball. White also indicated several other young players who are up and coming and could play in 2025.
The wide receivers will be led by two returning starters. Rhys Dorsey (WR, 6-0, 190, Sr.), a South Florida commit, posted 1,158 total yards and 11 scores last season which included 41 receptions for 763 yards. “You can check all the boxes on Rhys who has elite speed and is an explosive playmaker for us,” added White. Also returning to catch passes is Christopher Caterina (WR, 5-9, 195, Sr.) who is solid and dependable.
Other Patriots expected to see lots of playing time at catching the ball are Christopher, who will slide out from the running back spot to a slot position, and B.J. Carter (WR/DB, 5-11, 175, Sr.) who was a starter at cornerback the last two years and will make a transfer to offense and possibly play both ways when needed. “He’s a three-sport athlete who has elite speed and excellent vision and will most likely receive numerous Div. I offers when all is said and done,” said White of Carter. On defense last season, Carter had 22 tackles and five interceptions. Additional receivers who will contribute plenty of playing time are Ethan Gay (WR, 6-1, 180, So.), Carter Lindsey (WR, 5-11, 175, Jr.) and Josiah Edwards.
The tight end position will feature both Brayson Albin (TE, 6-1, 235, Jr.) and Keegan Malone (TE, 6-0, 245, Jr.).
The Achilles heel for the Patriots could be in the area of the offensive line as White said, “This is a fresh group of guys and not a lot of varsity playing time among them and is more-or-less a work in motion.” Seth Allen (C, 5-11, 275, Jr.) will be a solid addition at center. Guard play will come from Jamari Berry (OL, 6-0, 265, Jr.) and Henry Roberts (OL, 6-1, 265, Sr.) with Brendon Jethroe (OL, 6-4, 300, Sr.) being a hybrid-type player who will play guard and move over to tackle. Alongside Jethroe at tackle will be Sam Charbonnet (OL, 6-4,260, So.) and Dayton Turkle (OL, 6-4, 305, Sr.). White said of his sophomore tackle, Charbonnet, “He has good size and will be a big-time prospect by the time he becomes a senior.”
One additional offensive lineman who White is glad to have return is Jude Wheelock (OL, 6-3, 240, Sr.). “He played as a freshman then chose not to play football and concentrated on baseball for two years before returning to his roots of football for his senior season,” said White. “He has a high grade point average and has scored high on his ACT.”
DEFENSE
Six starters return on the defensive side of the ball for the Patriots. The squad gave up almost 30 points per game in 2024, but with so much experience from a year ago White is very optimistic about having a very good squad.
The aggressive play will start at the defensive line. Josh Williams (DL, 5-9, 305, Jr.) will in the middle at nose guard. He’ll lineup with two-year starter and squad leader Tyler Karl (DL, 6-2, 220, Sr.) with additional support from Rashad Jackson (DL, 5-9, 250, Sr.), Sheldon Sharp (DL, 6-1, 235, So.) and Cameron Ashley (DL, 6-0, 185, So.).
Linebackers are where the real personality of the defense may call home. The group includes Romeo Washington (LB, 6-0, 205, Sr.) who posted 110 tackles including seven for a loss and two quarterback sacks from his inside linebacker spot. He’s in his third year as a starter for the Patriots. Mason Johnson (LB, 5-11, 190, Jr.) and Nolan Boatang (LB, 5-11, 200, Sr.) will help out. The outside linebacker position will feature Kamdyn Stringer (LB, 6-5, 215, Jr.) who White called a great tackler and will be a Div. I-type player for Bob Jones. The other outside linebacker will be Nakobi Weatherspoon (LB, 6-2, 200, Sr.) who will rotate on occasions with Miles Mitchell (LB, 5-10, 185, Jr.).
“Pound-for-pound, Savion Pou (DB, 5-9, 185, Sr.) is the strongest player on the team and will lead the defensive backs from his safety position,” said White. Pou is aggressive, a hard worker and versatile and showed those qualities last season when he posted 82 tackles and two interceptions. Jaiden Guilford (DB, 6-3, 170, Sr.) will also set his feet in the safety position as will Aiden Preyear (DB, 5-9, 170, Sr.), a senior who had 71 tackles as a junior. At cornerback, look for Rome Malbreaux (DB, 5-9, 165, Sr.), Elijah Wells (DB, 5-11, 170, Sr.), A.J. Mitchell (DB, 5-9, 165, Sr.) and Wayman Kirkman (DB, Jr.) to rotate throughout for playing time at the position White feels good about and has confidence in how those players will perform.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Running back Kaleb Christopher will return as holder on field goals for returning kicker Josh Stewart (K, 5-19, 155, Sr.) who was 46/51 PATs and 2/3 FGs with 52 points total. Stewart also handled much of the punting duties a season ago, but this year will see Nolan Whigham (K, 5-10, 200, Sr.) handle most of the punting, but both are interchangeable at both kicking duties.
This team is out to prove themselves and doing so without a lot of ego,” said White. “This is a good team and will do what’s best for the team.” The players’ aggressiveness and the feeling of hungry to be winners will only come by being their own Manhandlers.
FUN FACTS
• The Patriots lost three All-State players off last year’s team
• Brayson Albin is rated the No. 1 long snapper in Alabama and No. 9 in the country in the 2027 class. He’s a Kohl’s All-American Honorable Mention and listed as a 4.5 star Rubio’s long snapper
• Alex Randolph is the younger brother to former Bob Jones All-State offensive lineman Alabama player Kendall Randolph, former Alabama A&M signee Roderick Randolph and Levi Randolph former Bob Jones All-State basketball player who went onto star at Alabama and then advanced to the professional ranks
