Observer Preps Athlete of the Week: Tanner Ingle

DR. PHILLIPS At this rate, Tanner Ingle — a junior defensive back for the Dr. Phillips Panthers — may end up with more touchdowns scored than any of his teammates on offense.

Ingle, a captain who also returns kicks alongside Emare Hogan for the Panthers (2-0), has already returned a kickoff, a punt and an interception for touchdowns this fall through just two games.

While Ingle was already a standout defender last fall as a sophomore, head coach Rodney Wells said the standout safety has made the most of his newest opportunity as a kick returner.

"He's just taken advantage of the opportunity (as kick returner)," Wells said. "There's a reason the team and the coaches voted him as captain — other than Dylan Meeks, we haven't had a junior captain."

Ingle got the ball rolling on the opening kickoff of the 2016 season, a kick by the Wekiva Mustangs he returned 90 yards for a touchdown to spark a 28-0 half for Dr. Phillips. A week later, against the Rams, Ingle returned a punt 44 yards and an interception 55 yards — tying a school record for touchdown returns in one game.

Q-AND-A

Of your three touchdowns you've scored these first two weeks, which one stands out to you as the most memorable?

Probably the punt return against Lake Mary. He kicked at first and I got scared — I thought I was going to get hit — so I dropped the ball. They ended up being like 10 yards away when I picked it up and I made two people miss and I took it back.

What's your favorite rush while playing defense?

Right now, I like playing safety when they have me blitzing.

You have had a lot of talented teammates since you came to the program as a freshman. Who is an older player you learned the most from?

By far, the most I learned was probably from Jamari Smith — the starting cornerback my freshman year. He's probably one of the most technical corners I've been around. He taught me a lot.

Each game on the schedule is important, but can you pick one in particular that you have circled on your calendar?

Olympia.

What's something about you most people don't know?

I like to read on occasion. I really like to read when I have time to. 

Of the books you've read, which would you most like to re-read?

Probably "Dopefiend" (by Donald Goines). It was just about a man overcoming obstacles, overcoming from how he was because of drugs — he just overcame it.

What's your dream job?

I'm looking into sports medicine and becoming an orthopedic surgeon — the human body interests me a lot.

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].