Football: Speedy Central WR Stinson poised for breakout season

FORT PIERCE — Xavier Stinson is determined to stay humble.

So, it’s understandable that Fort Pierce Central’s rising junior wide receiver doesn’t want to dwell on the college interest he’s received, or the potential Cobras coaches believe can turn into production this fall.

“I don’t want to say I’ve got interest and boost my own head up,” Stinson said. “I used to be so cocky, but I had to bring it back down because I realized anything can happen. If I think about those interests … I just can’t do that.”

Stinson may not want to go there, but it’s easy to see what colleges find appealing.

At nearly 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, he has the size schools covet.

He moves well and he moves quickly. Also, a sprinter on the track team, Stinson has been laser timed with a sub 4.50 second 40-yard dash. His top speed has been tracked at better than 22 miles per hour.

In other words, if Stinson was sprinting through a school zone, he technically would be speeding.

“The kid can move,” Central coach Mike Watkins said. “He is a very high ceiling kid. You don’t get those body types a lot. Sophomore, 6-foot-2, that speed. He’s completely different.”

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The measurables are obvious, as is the talent in practice. During a 7-on-7 session Monday, Stinson outleapt a cornerback for a long gain. When he was on defense, Cobras quarterbacks rarely even looked in his direction.

Stinson was the team’s third receiving option in 2023. He finished the year with 16 catches, 136 yards and scored one touchdown — against district champion Treasure Coast — in six games.

“I feel like I could have done a lot better because I wasn’t as good as I am now,” he said. “The last few games, the switch flipped for me. I’ve grown since then. Even the coaches say it. I’m a lot more confident now. Just the work I’ve put in. I know I can do good. I know what I can do on the field.”

Stinson’s confidence has grown throughout the offseason – in part because of a greater dedication to football. A three-sport athlete (football, basketball, track), Stinson has determined football is his main athletic focus.

He still has work to do.

Playing multiple sports, he’s still playing catch up on all the details of Central’s offense and his responsibilities on different routes.

But Watkins is encouraged by the improvement Stinson has already made and believes he can be a major recruit in the future.

“What he’s done in the weight room, and him being more physical has upped his confidence,” Watkins said. “Any kid that comes off the basketball court and onto the football field isn’t (immediately) sure of himself. He didn’t shy away from contact but contact just wasn’t his game. The confidence of the weight room, the confidence is coming in. He’s got the ball skills. He’s adjusting better to the ball.

“We have a bunch of guys were excited about, but just his speed is going to separate him.”

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Football: Speedy Central WR Stinson poised for breakout season