If you were ever looking for the definition of a Swiss Army Knife in high school football, look no further than St. Thomas Aquinas cornerback and athlete Jermiyah Douglas.

Douglas, a two-year team captain, played a vital role in the Raiders securing their state record seventh straight Class 5A state championship, and 17th overall, with a 29-0 victory over Lakeland at Pitbull Stadium on the campus of FIU. He had a 26-yard punt return to set up a score.

The Western Carolina University commit had four interceptions, a fumble recovery, 11 passes broken up, 38 solo tackles, a sack and three other tackles for loss. He said he embraced the role because of his versatility.

“Wherever the coaches needed me to play me anywhere, I’m always available and could just do what I’m told to do,” said Douglas, who returned a kickoff 96 yards for a TD in the preseason game. “Winning my fourth state championship here at the school is rare, and not many people can say they have done that.”

St. Thomas Aquinas also avenged a 29-22 setback last year to Chaminade-Madonna with a 27-21 victory at home. Douglas blocked a field goal with 6:28 remaining in the game, which would have knotted the game at 24-24.

When Douglas enrolled at St. Thomas Aquinas as a freshman, he wasn’t sure what to expect. However, the upperclassmen helped him adapt and improve as a player. He returned the favor this season, working with the younger players, and said the cultural experience of traveling to London to play the NFL Academy provided a memorable bonding experience for the team.

“Every day, we go out, and we compete against some of the best of the best players in the country, so when we get to a state championship game, there isn’t much we haven’t seen,” said Douglas, who became a full-time starter in his junior year.  “I think it started to click for me after my sophomore year.”

“Jermiyah epitomizes consistency as a successful player and productive leader,” St. Thomas Aquinas coach Roger Harriott said. “His powerful spirit and positive personality have been a blessing to our team and the (St. Thomas Aquinas) community.

“He made the type of impact that influenced and inspired his teammates to be great on and off the field,” Harriott added. “He’s an extraordinary role model and talented leader with his best blessings ahead of him.”

Jermiyah Douglas, from St. Thomas Aquinas High School, football player of the year, photographed on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.(Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/12/25/broward-7a-5a-football-defensive-player-of-the-year/