2023 fall camp: FAU 3-star commit Mike Wright III plans to lead Gardens to state

PALM BEACH GARDENS — Entering his fifth season as head coach at Palm Beach Gardens, Tyrone Higgins II knows a thing or two about how to put on a fall practice.

The Gators have their own method to the madness that is high school football. Welcome to "Swamp Camp."

After practices from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, players were rewarded with a three-hour practice session to end the week. Monday and Tuesday saw the team on campus from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Like any other practice, drills, dynamics and film sessions are commonplace, but the Gators are putting in the extra time in 2023 to build a bond that can't be broken.

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For example, a no phones policy keeps players locked in and the pockets in Higgins' cargo shorts full until practice is over.

Sitting down together for three meals a day helps teammates find camaraderie and family in one another.

Gathering to watch a movie helps players decompress — and hopefully take away an important message that'll resonate with them throughout the season.

Shadowboxing tournaments, of course, separate the men on the roster from the boys. Enter 2023 camp champion Christian Lopez, who won blindfolded, assisted by fellow senior teammate Michael Wright III.

"When you turn it into something competitive where we have to compete to win, it makes it even better. Players get to have fun and laugh with each other," Lopez said.

Wright says costume-filled antics and games throughout the week have helped strengthen the bond between the senior- and sophomore-heavy roster.

"A lot of things we do, people don't understand," Higgins said. "We just do things the 'Gator Way.'"

2023 set to be 'all right' for Mike Wright and defense

"Me and coach Higgins have built a bond I don't think any other coaches have with their athletes. He's like my other father," Wright said. That tends to be the relationship between players and coaches who started their football journeys together.

It is much the case with Wright and the other student-athletes on the 2023 roster, who Higgins affectionately calls his "babies." Every senior on this year's Gardens team played on a true freshman-led squad in 2020, the first group the then-new head coach had from the ground up.

"To become a senior leader of the team, he expects a lot from me, so I've got to lead by example and always be humble," Wright said.

"He's definitely a kid with an ego, which all kids have egos, but he's not as brash as people would think," Higgins said of Wright. "He's very receptive to being checked and learning and responding when he's not right in a situation."

"Mike has grown in so, so many ways."

Last fall, the speedster posted 46 tackles — 45 solo and two for loss. He also had an interception, a pass breakup, two fumble recoveries, a caused fumble and a punt block in 10 games. The 2022 season marked a long-awaited breakout campaign.

An injury-riddled 2021 sidelined Wright for all but three games of his sophomore season.

"I overcame that by getting bigger, faster and stronger and building up my confidence over the years," Wright said, adding that he also made changes to his diet.

Now, Wright is committed to play at Florida Atlantic University after graduation, following in the footsteps of former linebacker Higgins, known for leading the Owls to NCAA Division I-AA Playoff semifinals just two years after the program was founded in 2001.

But before Wright heads for Boca Raton, Higgins has given the three-star a new test for 2023.

"Mike is going to be a big part of offense this year. We kind of forced him into that role."

Gardens excited for new 'stud' QB

Another critical piece of Gardens' last four years is already off to the next level. After leading Gardens to its best record since his freshman season, quarterback Brand Campbell has taken his talents to Wabash College in Indiana.

"I'm not going to lie, I miss the kid. He's just a war daddy. He wanted to lock in and get the ball there — he was a leader on and off the field," Higgins said.

The offense now belongs to Miche Estime, a senior transfer from Forest Hill.

"People should definitely respect that he's in our system," Higgins said of Estime, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound dual threat. "He's got all of the physical tools. He's going to be a force to be reckoned with, I'm telling you."

In 2022, Estime backed up senior Robert Furney on a Forest Hill team that went 4-6. He completed 31.2% (20-for-64) of passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns. On the ground, he made 45 carries for 262 yards and two more touchdowns.

Air Force commit Caleb Chamberlin grabbed one of three picks by Estime during team offense practice on Wednesday. Still, Higgins feels confident that Palm Beach County will see the "stud" he sees by the time Gardens' Kickoff Classic against Calvary Christian rolls around on Aug. 18.

"He's going through some growing pains right now because of what he's asked to do here when you look to what he's done at Forest Hill. Offensively, we assign a lot more RPOs so it's a lot more learning and he's up to the challenge," Higgins said.

Downfield this season along with Wright, Estime will be able to find senior and 2022 postseason hero Devin Atwaters, David Lubin and junior Jacob Robinson. Gardens' lead receiver from last fall, Keyon Stephens, has also returned for his senior season.

"The offense will get there. You know how it is. Defense always has to be the big brother," Higgins said. "We've got a lot of young guys up front, but I got faith we're going to be all right."

Gators have sights set on states

"The goal I'm most excited to achieve this season is leading my team to a state championship," Wright said. He also looks forward to breaking a program record of 10 interceptions.

Higgins estimated that Gardens returned 30 players from its most recent 9-4 run, highlighted by 20 starters, including 11 on the defensive side of the ball.

As Gardens position groups broke it down on Wednesday to an emphatic cheer for "states," there's a clear, common belief that the Gators will be the county team that makes it to December in 2023.

Last fall, it was Palm Beach Central that reached the Class 4M state championship. For the first time since 2013, Gardens reached the region final. The Broncos clinched the region title over the Gators by just four points, a much-improved performance from a 35-14 regular-season loss for Gardens only a month earlier.

"At the end of the day, whoever wins, you want them to go to states and win," Higgins said of Central. "I was rooting for them when they were playing Apopka. It broke my freaking heart."

"We're blessed to have them as someone we have to play because it constantly makes us be better."

Tougher games come early in 2023 schedule

Classification: 4M Region 3 District 9

All games scheduled for 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Kickoff Classic: 8/18 vs. Calvary Christian Academy

8/25 vs. Atlantic

9/1 at Vero Beach, 7 p.m.

9/8 at Dwyer

9/14 at Glades Central

9/22 at Pahokee

9/29 at Palm Beach Lakes

10/6 Bye

10/12 at Royal Palm Beach

10/20 vs. Palm Beach Central

10/25 vs. Jupiter

11/3 at Park Vista

Emilee Smarr is the high school sports reporter for The Palm Beach Post. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach Gardens football: FAU commit Mike Wright III leads Gators