Naples’ Jonas Duclona will represent the SWFL at the All-American Bowl

NAPLES, Fla. – Jonas Duclona is one of the best high school football players not only in Southwest Florida, but in the entire country.

The Naples defensive back was selected to play in the All-American Bowl, a showcase game featuring the best seniors in the United States.

“Every goal that he set and that we set for him, he far exceeded them,” Naples defensive backs coach Marvin Gray Jr. said.

That’s what Duclona did during his four years in Naples. He was a three-star recruit and has already committed to play at the University of Cincinnati. Before that, however, he will play in the All-American Bowl.

“All the hard work I’ve put in over the four years I’ve been here, I’ve earned the opportunity to play with the best players in the nation,” Duclona said.

Jonas earned his All-American Bowl spot last summer when he competed at the FBU Camp in Naples. And then, just a few days ago, his All-American jersey arrived in the mail, making the dream come true.

“It’s cool, it’s a cool moment,” he said.

The moment he had been waiting for since he was a child.

“I never thought I’d get to that point,” Duclona said. “When I started competing with some of the best players around, I had the thought in my head that one day I would get the chance to do that.”

Duclona’s coaches have known for some time that she has this level of talent. Gray even said he knew Jonas was an All-American talent from the first game of his freshman year.

Duclona isn’t the only Naples player to make the All-American Bowl. The Eagles have thrown out reps over the past few years.

“It’s a testament to what we do week in and week out, month in and month out,” Gray said.

The All-American Bowl is set for January 7th in San Antonio, TX. Until then, Jonas is focused on the task at hand.

“I’m not really worried about any of that right now because I’m worried about my team,” Duclona said. “I’m trying to win a state championship before I leave high school.”