Recruit Spotlight: ATH Javon Antonio, East St. John High School, Class of 2018

by Jace LeJeune

There are a lot of great athletes in this state and so much so, it can be pretty easy to overlook a lot of great players that can play at the DI level. East St. John senior ATH Javon Antonio is definitely one of those players. Antonio is a freakish athlete as he is 6-4, 220 pounds and can run a 4.6/40. Not only does he have the natural ability and talent to become a big time player, but he also has the versatility to thrive as well. Antonio can play at any position and will thrive at any position that you can put him in to play. What makes Antonio so dangerous is that he really does not have a primary position, which makes it very hard for coaches to game plan for. Whether it is playing wide receiver, tight end, defensive end, linebacker, or even safety, Antonio can definitely do it all. If there is a primary position that Antonio does play for the Wildcats, it would have to be wide receiver. However, Louisiana Football Magazine’s recruiting expert Lee Brecheen believes that Antonio will come down as one of the best recruits to ever come out of the program and that even includes big time prospects over the years like Ryan Perrilloux (LSU). Brecheen is impressed with Antonio’s talent so much that he even put him on our All-South Louisiana team on defense. He even compared him to another athletic freak that currently plays on the defensive line for the LSU Tigers.

“Javon Antonio is the most athletic big guy that I have seen over the last three years,” Brecheen said. “He has so much speed and reacts to everything. He is the Arden Key (LSU) of high school football. I seen him play personally and is a very special player.”

Even though Javon Antonio has the talent of a big time DI player, he still has not received a lot of offers from those DI teams such as some of the other athletes around the state. Right now, Antonio is still waiting on more offers as he tries to figure out where he wants to continue his football career at. If teams get the chance to watch the talented East St. John senior in action, then, there will be definitely more offers coming his way. In today’s recruit spotlight, we caught up with Javon Antonio as he talked about his abilities, the positions that he enjoys playing, this season’s goals, and so much more!

LAFM: What is your name, position, and school you play for?

Javon Antonio, WR, East St. John High School

LAFM: What is your height and weight?

6-4, 220

LAFM: What is your ACT score and GPA?

ACT: 16; GPA: 2.8

LAFM: What is your max bench press, max squat, and 40 yard time?

Max Bench Press: 255; Max Squat: 275; 40: 4.59

LAFM: What are your top schools as of right now?

I am looking at schools such as Purdue, Northwestern, and Alabama, but I am waiting on more offers that my coach is going to try and help get me including Auburn and Texas Tech, but I am not done yet.

LAFM: You made our All-South Louisiana team. What does it mean for you heading into your senior season to be recognized as one of the best players in the state?

It means a lot to me because it took a lot of work for me to get there. There was off-season training and practicing in the summertime, but it definitely took a lot of hard work for me to achieve an accomplishment like that.

LAFM: What are the biggest strengths to your game?

My biggest strength is my catching ability, strength, and cutting ability.

LAFM: What are some areas to your game that you need to improve on before going to college?

I really need to improve on my route running.

LAFM: What are some things that you look at when choosing the school that you want to attend to?

I look at how I fit in their program. I also look at if I can step in there and make plays right away as well as the community the campus is around.

LAFM: What are some of the biggest accomplishments over your high school career?

I would say just really improving over the years ever since I was starting as a freshman and helping the team become a state championship contending team once again.

LAFM: Last year, the team had an up and down year finishing the year at 5-6. What are your thoughts on last season and what has been the team’s mindset for the start of the year?

Last season, we started off pretty slow, but we finished the season on a strong note. Nobody really gave us a chance to compete with Barbe in the playoffs because everybody thought that they were going to blow us out, but it turned out to be a close game. It just made us realize that we got to start off on a better note and continue to finish strong.

LAFM: This season, the team is at 1-2. What does the team need to do in the next couple of games to have a better season than last year?

We need to continue to improve in practice and continue to finish strong.

LAFM: Our recruiting expert Lee Brecheen says that you are one of the best athletes in the state and that you remind him of Arden Key. Even though you do play wide receiver, do you see yourself playing on the defensive side of the football?

I can see myself playing on defense in college. Whatever position that you want me to play, I will play it because I will get the job done.

LAFM: What is the best game of your high school career so far?

I would say the scrimmage against Edna Karr this season was the best game of my career. We weren’t going to let them come into our house and beat us. We sure didn’t.

LAFM: What do you like to do when the football season is over?

I like to play basketball, fish, and play with my nephews.

LAFM: What are your goals for the season?

My team goals are to go back and make it in the Dome. That is my number one goal and my other goal is to have 700 receiving yards.

LAFM: As a senior, what is your message to the East St. John team for the rest of the season?

My message would be to keep working and push hard so we can go to the Dome.

LAFM: Who are some people in your life that you need to thank for helping you be in the position that you are in today?

I want to thank my brother, my mother, and my coaches for putting me where I am today.

LAFM: There are a lot of great athletes in the state and we believe that you are one of those top athletes. However, it seems that you are not as talked about as much as some of the other great athletes in Louisiana. Do you feel like you are underrated?

I definitely do to be honest with you. I just try to work hard and just play the game. It motivates me to show people what they are missing out on.O

LAFM: Why should colleges have you on their football team?

I run the ball like I am a running back and can just play wherever I need to play at.

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