GREENACRES – Ronari Wilkins just wants to be great at what he does on the field.
The John I. Leonard ‘26 athlete, who primarily plays at both wide receiver and defensive back, is his team’s most prominent player at this time. With a desire to be recognized for his talents, the junior wants to expand on what he went on to accomplish this past season.
Going back to his sophomore year with the Lancers, Wilkins accomplished the following:
OFFENSE
•30 receptions
•665 receiving yards
•6 touchdowns
•60 rushing yards
•3 touchdowns
•725 total yards
•9 total touchdowns
DEFENSE
•38 tackles
The 6-foot, 157-pound two-way player spoke on his sophomore year at John I. Leonard.
“Last season was more for my team than this year,” Wilkins said. “It was more personal last year with all our seniors leaving and I wanted to send them off wit a good season. Unfortunately it didn’t go the way we planned, but I enjoyed every game playing with them boys. I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
Wilkins had more to say about that.
“I feel like I could have capitalized better for the team in some of those close games,” Wilkins said of John I. Leonard’s 0-10 season in 2023. “If I would have pushed a little more, it probably could have changed some of those outcomes.”
The offseason was a period for Wilkins to improve his craft so he could help his team make improvements in the win column for 2024.
“I try to keep myself busy,” Wilkins said. “If I’m not playing football, I’m playing basketball. I work out with my uncle every weekend. He’s my trainer. Also, my school participated in a lot of 7-on-7 (Miami, FAU, Oxbridge, King’s Academy). I also went to three camps and was also was a part of the 561 Showcase.”
Wilkins spoke on how Lancers head coach Austin Van Es has been instrumental in his development as a player.
“Coach Austin has a been a big help for me academically,” Wilkins said. “He is a very understanding and down-to-earth type of coach I would say tries to push you and hold you to a higher standard. You may not see it yourself, but as a player my wide receivers coach [Brian Williams] really pushes me and inspires me as a player. We have this bet that I’ll get farther than him. He keeps me on my toes and pushes me everyday.”
Now as we get into this season, Wilkins has been starting to experience some gains.
For example, in Week 2 against Royal Palm Beach, Wilkins caught six passes for 109 yards and one touchdown, while adding 75 kick return yards to register a combined total of 184 yards. This happened despite John I. Leonard losing to Royal Palm Beach, 59-19.
And now for Week 3 at Olympic Heights, Wilkins had his best game yet. In Thursday night’s (Sept. 5) showdown on the road against the Lions, the junior scored three touchdowns to help the Lancers pull out a 34-20 win.
Wilkins went on to state his junior season aspirations.
“This season, I want to be one of the top prospects out of the Class of 2026,” Wilkins said. “I want to have 1,500 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Me and my team want to beat Garcia, win at least six games, and make the playoffs.”
PHOTO CREDITS: Cameron Valvo
VIDEO CREDITS: Casz Clayton
Muck City Media Enterprises 
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