Athlete of the Week: Justin Felton II, Dr. Phillips High football

Even before the 2026 football season begins, Dr. Phillips High running back Justin Felton II already is making his presence known on the field.

At the Orlando QB Shootout and Battle in The Pit, Saturday, July 11, Felton II earned the RB MVP title. 

The rising senior has received an official offer from Warner University and interest from Syracuse University. 

What do you enjoy most about football? 

What I enjoy most about football is the competitiveness. It’s always an exciting feeling to play in the game going head-to-head against a team that wants to win the same as you.

When did you start football, and why did you join? 

I started playing football at the age of 4. At first as a kid, I didn’t know why I wanted to play — until I had the ball in my hands, and I started running. I found out that I was fairly fast. It was the happiest experience of my life as a kid. 

What is your best memory in football?

My best memory individually was my eighth-grade season in youth AAU football. I was a part of the Conway Falcons at the time, and we were up against our rival team, East Orlando Preds. … That season, I was the starting running back and one of the best players on the team. … We ended up winning that game by a slim margin because of the trenches and a high-power running game. I had almost 150 yards on the ground and one touchdown.

What has football taught you?

Working hard is literally the key to success. No matter if it seems the doors are open or closed, you still have to work hard to get what you want and set goals for yourself to achieve them.

If you were a coach, what speech would you give the team?

If you really want to play football, then you have to give it everything you got to earn it and learn it. Study it. Train for it and show out to prove how much you love it. It all comes down to the choice if you want to be good or be great.

What is your pre-game ritual?

My pre-game ritual is first, praying to God by myself or with a couple of my teammates to give us the strength, courage and mental focus to overcome the challenges that are against us and be grateful with the chances we have.

Afterwards, I seclude myself for a moment and listen to some of my favorite songs to get my hype and in a strong mental state. And lastly, this season, I rally the other RBs for group stretches and game prep.

If you could pick a different sport, what would it be? Why? 

Baseball. I think it would be a fun experience playing. I’ve literally never played baseball before, but being able to get my clothes and hands dirty, running from base to base, and even throwing a baseball, while trying to beat the runner to home plate, with my speed, seems exciting to me.

Who do you look up to the most? 

The person that I look up to the most is my father, Justin Felton Sr. He has always been there for me in every step of the way. He took the time and effort to help build the player I am now, and I’m very grateful that I have a father like him to support me.

What is something new you would like to learn?

For me being an offensive player, it would be interesting for me to learn something new in the defensive side of playing football — like playing cornerback, safety or even middle linebacker. Learning those aspects of the game … would make me a better football athlete.

Where would you want to live if you weren’t in Florida?

I would want to live in Japan, without a shadow of a doubt. It would be fun to learn a new language while also getting to experience fun theme parks or exhibits that relate to anime.

What future career do you want to have? 

I want to make it to the NFL as a professional football player. But if I don’t make it to the NFL or as a professional football player, my back-up plan is to pursue a career in filming and production as a producer or a director. I’m currently in the VPA Magnet Program at Dr. Phillips.

If you had to pick a spirit animal, which would you choose?

My spirit animal would be a lion. I have always had the determination to lead and the courage to do more and/or better than what people either think I can or underestimate my abilities to do and be. The lion is ferocious, strong and king for a reason — no matter what size they are. I believe the same thing about me.