Any time you catch a Port Charlotte football game, it's not hard to spot Myron Charles — between the 4-star defensive tackle's towering stature and his prowess in the trenches.
"We've watched him grow up since he was 6 or 7 years old, came through our Pop Warner system, and we've watched him mature into a man," said Port Charlotte head coach Jordan Ingman. "From a boy all the way to one of the top recruits in the United States of America."
High school football is back, and Charles heads into the 2024 season as the top-ranked senior in Southwest Florida. During his college recruiting process, offer letters stacked up for the lineman.
"Georgia, Texas, FSU, Ohio state, Miami, UF, Alabama," Charles said. "Did I say Georgia? Yeah. Everyone. Tennessee."
Out of 33 Division I schools, Charles narrowed it down to one, making his commitment to stay in the Sunshine State and play for Florida State.
"It just kind of reminded me of the program we have here, like comparing Coach Ingman and Coach Norvell, they're all so similar," Charles said.
Although Charles is happy with the choice he made in July, he said he is keeping his options open because "anything can happen."
The Pirates' defense forced four shutouts and allowed fewer than 20 points per game last year, but Charles says he and the team can give even more this season.
"I feel like mentally, I'm at a better spot — conditioning-wise, everything," Charles said. "I just feel a lot better. I feel more confident in my moves."
Port Charlotte came off of a 9-3 record in 2023, but with major weapons on both sides of the ball, the team has high expectations for this fall.
"I feel very confident in our team," said Port Charlotte senior running back Ike Perry. "I feel like our tempo and our leadership, we have a great quarterback, great team, great O-line helping me run the ball this year. I'm just ready. I'm honestly just proud."
And the Pirates are locked in, ready to make their first opponents of the season walk the plank.
"I know our guys are ready to hit somebody else," Ingman said. "We had a lot of practice where we've been thumping each other, and they're ready to compete against somebody else."
That chance comes at the Kickoff Classic on Friday, Aug. 16, as Port Charlotte faces Riverview.
Make sure to tune in to our ABC 7 High School football kickoff show on Thursday, Aug. 22, at 7:30 p.m. for a preview of the season.