By Kyle Coppola
South Lake High’s Jesse Barker Jr.: A Scholar And Defensive Force
Groveland, Fla. – South Lake High School’s Jesse Barker Jr. is proving to be a force to be reckoned with, both on the gridiron and in the classroom. The standout 6’0 230lb defensive end has become a key player for the Eagles’ defense with his relentless pressure on opposing quarterbacks and his ability to disrupt offenses.
Barker, a member of the class of 2026, is known for his high football IQ and leadership on the field, but his excellence extends far beyond sports. With a 4.6 GPA, the well-rounded student-athlete is equally dedicated to his academic success, which has earned him the respect of his coaches and fellow teammates.
(It’s been a breakout season for the young defensive end. He attended camps all summer and has improved vastly.)
“Jesse is one of those rare athletes who excels in everything he does,” said South Lake Head Coach Brad Lord. “He’s got the physicality and instincts to dominate as a defensive end, but what really sets him apart is his commitment to excellence in the classroom. He’s the kind of player that makes everyone around him better. He’s like having an assistant coach out there on the field. He’s just a tough kid and has a can do attitude,” says coach Lord.
As Barker continues to refine his skills, he’s already turning heads with his versatility and athleticism. A vocal leader on the defensive line, his ability to stop the run and chase down quarterbacks has challenged opposing teams in 2024. Barker has 23 tackles this season along with two sacks. He leads the team in fumbles caused as well. He gets into the backfield and disrupts things which is exactly what you would come to expect from a kid who put an incredible amount of work in during the off-season and it shows.
With his relentless drive and focus, Jesse Barker Jr. is poised for a bright future, both as a football player and as a student. One of the best things about being a sports writer is getting to witness so many amazing athletes but it’s what they do in the classroom that I enjoy just as much. So a big shoutout to Jesse Barker Jr. and the rest of South Lake High as they prepare for a district game at Davenport on Friday evening.
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
