Countdown to Signing Day: DE David “DTre” Runner will ink with Lenoir-Rhyne

JUPITER – David “DTre” Runner is comfortable with his college choice.

Since June 8, 2024 – the day he earned his first offer – the Jupiter 2025 defensive end has had his eyes set on landing with Lenoir-Rhyne for the next level. 

He made official this past Wednesday (Jan. 29), the very day he announced his verbal pledge to the Division II school.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by D-Tre R 11 (@lldtre.runner)

“It was the sense of being at home from the first time I got up there, along with the high level facilities,” the 6-foot, 220-pound defensive end said.

Runner will be joined by fellow Jupiter senior Joe DeSantis (2025 OL) on the next level at Lenoir-Rhyne.

“We’ve been playing with each other since eighth grade,” Runner said. “We have been constantly making each other better and battling in practice.”

Runner went on to have a breakout senior season for Jupiter (10-2 final record; reached Class 7A regional semifinal round) by posting the following statistics:

•62 tackles

•23 tackles for loss

•10 sacks 

Best individual game: Week 4 at Spanish River in 28-13 win

•11 tackles

•5 tackles for loss

•2 sacks

He would go on to earn First Team All-County honors from the Sun-Sentinel, Palm Beach Post, and FACA.  

Senior Szn Highlights
62 Tackles
23 TFLs
10 Sacks
1st Team Sun Sentinel
1st Team Palm Beach Post
1st Team Faca@Runna81 @CristianOrth @Josh_Brooks_20 @S_McFadyen @Jhilly79 @JupFBRecruiting @101Warriors @NP_Florida https://t.co/N7vHBAnEXZ

— David “D-Tre” Runner (@Dtrerunnerr561) January 12, 2025

“Every year we talked about building on what we had,” Runner said. “So going 9-2 last year, we were not satisfied with the first round exit. We emphasized winning the first playoff game since 2004 and we did that. I wish we could’ve had an undefeated regular season by beating Palm Beach Central. But we still had a great season nevertheless.”

Runner will be remembered for being part of one of Jupiter’s best-ever classes. Joining him are the likes of DeSantis (2025 OL), Chris Vanhorn (2025 RB), Niko Casella (2025 DL), Jayden Jackson (2025 ATH), and Brogan Woeber (2025 K/P).

“Coach [Tim] Tharp did a great job in building up the program before Coach [Jason] Kradman got here,” Runner said. “We knew coming in freshman year that this would be the class to really get the program over the hump. Coach Kradman and the rest of the staff really helped us go out there and do what we knew we were capable of.”

PLEASE NOTE: Runner and several other senior teammates will sign with their respective colleges tomorrow afternoon (Feb. 5 at 1 p.m. – National Signing Day) at Jupiter High School.

PHOTO CREDITS: Jude Kolkana / Jk.fliks