No. 3: Keon Zipperer.

School: Lakeland.

Position: Tight end.

Grade: Senior.

HT/WT: 6-3, 240.

Colleges: More than 25 offers, including Alabama, Oklahoma, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Auburn, Clemson.

Some players have to work hard throughout their high school careers to attract the attention of college coaches by their senior year.

Not Keon Zipperer.

The Lakeland tight end has worked hard, but it didn’t take him long to attract the attention of college coaches. He was just a freshman when he received his first letter from a college in the spring, and the interest has grown from there. As he enters his senior season, Zipperer has more than 30 offers and is one of the top college prospects in the state.

At 6-foot-3, 240-pounds, he is ranked No. 32 in the state among seniors of all positions. He is the top-ranked tight end in the state and the ninth-ranked tight end in the nation.

“He’s a good talent,” Lakeland coach Bill Castle said. “It’s good to see him develop like he’s developed. He’s gotten stronger every year, and he’s still growing.”

Of course, this doesn’t mean that Zipperer will end up at tight end. Although most schools are recruiting him as a tight end, some colleges like him on defense.

Castle described Zipperer as “an exceptionally skilled” player who can play multiple positions.

“He’s got good hands,” Castle said. “He’s one of those players who can play in (next to the tackle) and out (like a wide receiver). I’m not sure where they’ll play him in college. He can play H-back. He could end up playing outside linebacker. He could end up playing a lot of positions once he goes to college.”

Zipperer has been primarily a tight end for the Dreadnaughts but has seen time on defense, and he likes playing defense. This year, he’ll likely see time in nickel packages (passing defenses) as a pass-rushing defensive end. He saw action on defense late in the year and recorded a sack in the playoff loss to Plant.

Offensively, Zipperer finished third among Dreadnaughts receivers last season with 15 receptions and led the team with 337 receiving yards and 22.4 yards per catch. He was tied for the lead with four touchdown catches.

Zipperer is hoping to be even more involved in the offense this season. He said he’s been working a lot with new quarterback Dywonski McWilliams.

“I’m his go-to receiver,” he said laughing. “He tells me that all the time.”

Castle noted that the passing game never really features one receiver but acknowledged that Zipperer will play a major role on offense.

“He’s going to be involved big time whether he’s going out for a route or he’s blocking on a stretch play,” Castle said. “That’s huge. You don’t see the ball in his hands, but he may cause us to have a 30-yard run with that block. They’re both equally important.”

It’s that versatility and athleticism that is attractive to colleges. That first letter he received when he was a freshman was from North Carolina.

“It made me work harder,” he said. “That’s a feeling you’ll never ever forget. Having your first offer, that’s the best feeling ever. I had a smile on my face the whole day.”

In the ensuing years, he’s had many more reasons to smile as the offers from major schools, including Alabama and Oklahoma, piled up.

“It’s been a good recruiting process, but it’s really hard,” Zipperer said. “It’s harder than what everyone thinks it is. A lot of schools tell you the same information, and you really have to check it out and see what it really is.”

Zipperer said his mother, Sharhonda, is helping him make his decision on where to go.

“I just want to feel like I’m home,” he said. “I want to go to a school that plays a lot of freshmen so I can get on the field.”

To help him be ready for college, Zipperer said he might play basketball this season and will go out for track and field again, which he said helps him stay in shape.

“I really want to go to college in shape,” he said. “If I’m in shape, that will help a lot.”