Aiden Galles has quietly developed into one of Lake County’s top football prospects, and the East Ridge High junior offensive tackle is drawing attention from major college programs.

Standing at 6-foot-6, Aiden holds offers from Ohio State, Georgia Tech, Florida State, Syracuse, Kentucky, Memphis, FIU and others. He has emerged as a standout this past summer after years of steady improvement.

East Ridge High head football coach Donnie Burchfield praised Aiden’s character as much as his talent.

“Yes, Aiden is a phenomenal person, not just a football player,” Burchfield says. “His family is very supportive and he leads by example through his work ethic. He’s great in the classroom and on the field.”

“The thing I admire most about him is that he doesn’t talk too much with his mouth, more so by putting work in all year long with personal training and offseason workouts too.”

Burchfield has watched Galles grow since the player arrived as an eighth-grader.

“As far as what he means to the team, I remember him coming in as an eighth grader and I see his humility as he goes through this process and to me that really stands out,” Burchfield says.

Aiden has stood out at football camps this year. His long wingspan and quickness off the ball help create time for the quarterback in the pocket and his strength and speed has also improved mightily.

While it took several seasons for Aiden to break out, this past summer marked a clear step forward. He has shown consistent improvement and continued learning the game while establishing himself as one of the area’s top players.

“The thing I love about Aiden is that he shows the boys that even when you develop into a great player and get recruited, that it doesn’t have to change who you are as a person,  Burchfield says. “Seeing him continue to be himself has really meant a lot to the team because he’s still serving the younger guys, showing up at Pop Warner youth camps, giving back to the community.”

“That is what you look for in a player.”

Aiden will certainly help anchor the offensive line for an East Ridge team that features one of central Florida’s stronger passing attacks. The Knights return senior quarterback Karon Palmer Jr. and receiver Lamar Garrison, who ranks among Florida’s top wideouts and likewise also holds multiple Division I offers.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

This season Aiden is poised to be among Central Florida’s top football players. He’s an athlete that every college coach in the United States needs to be going after. His size, speed, development and ability to give the QB time in the pocket is one of his greatest assets.