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Tracking Brevard County’s star athletes on the national and international level:

More: Hobgood surfing stars a big hit at Brevard premiere of documentary

Damien Hobgood: The Satellite Beach native, a 14-year world tour veteran, will be inducted into the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame on Jan. 8 in Orlando. The former Rookie of the Year, who in 1995 was ranked as high as fourth in the world, scored 19.9 out of 20 at The Quiksilver Pro Fiji in 2004 and closed his career on the ever-challenging Big Wave Tour. His latest venture was appearing with his twin brother C.J., the 2001 world champion, in the much-acclaimed documentary, “And Two if by Sea.” 

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Also being inducted: Sebastian surfing icon and 1993 King of the Peak winner Bill Hartley, along with Cocoa Beach native Pete Hodgson, the 1978 U.S. amateur champion surfer who later blossomed with his surfing photography. Bobby Owens, Adele Faba, Will Lucas, Tyler Callaway and legends Rich Munson, Jesse Fernandez and Tony Caramanico also will be inducted Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 6 p.m. in Ballroom S320A-H at The Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

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Marcus Maye: The former Holy Trinity football star had a huge day for the New York Jets during Week 16 in the NFL, registering four tackles, pulling in his first interception of the season and batting away a late pass in a 16-10 upset of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Later, Boomer Esiason, speaking on CBS’ Post-Game Show, said Maye “has finally arrived,” after a couple of injury-hampered seasons. “That’s why they drafted him where they did (second round in 2017).” This season, Maye was in on 63 tackles, including seven Sunday in a win against Buffalo, from his free safety/center field position.

Mickey DeMorat: The 24-year-old former Merritt Island High and Eastern Florida State College standout golfer qualified for the first 12 events on the 2020 Korn Ferry Golf Tour, the Triple-A baseball version to the PGA Tour. DeMorat, who made the cut in the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, recently placed fifth at the Orange County National qualifier in Winter Garden, with two bogey-free rounds and was under par all four rounds. He played in five Korn Ferry events last year.

Jamel Dean: The former Cocoa High and Auburn football star posted his second interception of the season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a 23-20 loss to Houston during Week 16.  This season, he was in on 22 tackles from his cornerback and special teams positions.

Chauncey Gardner-Johnson: The former Cocoa High and Florida star was in on eight tackles (for the second straight game) during a Week 16 win by the playoff-bound New Orleans Saints. A recent story in The New Orleans Advocate praised Gardner-Johnson for his work off the field this season with at-risk and foster children in the New Orleans area, even buying them tickets and shoes, and has made a big impact in the Saints’ community. He was in on 46 tackles and had one interception in his rookie NFL season.

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Kelly Slater: Two months before his 48th birthday, the 11-time world surfing champion from Cocoa Beach finished eighth on the men’s tour after reaching the semifinals at the Pipeline Masters in Hawaii and winning his third career Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.

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Javian Hawkins: The former Cocoa High standout from Titusville, who ranks eighth in the NCAA with 1,420 yards (5.9 a carry), joins his Louisville Cardinals team in the Music City Bowl at 4 p.m. (ESPN) on Monday  against Mississippi State. 

Tre Nixon and Dylan Barnas: Nixon, a junior receiver from Viera, caught two passes for 54 yards, and Barnas, a senior kicker from Merritt Island, booted two field goals as UCF defeated Marshall 48-25 in the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa. Nixon finished the season with 49 catches for 830 yards (18.9 average) and seven touchdowns, while Barnas was 15-for-17 on field goals and 69-for-70 on extra points.

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More: First Florida Tech player in NFL brings mom to tears after beating odds

J.T. Hassell: The first Florida Tech football player to land a spot on an NFL roster, Hassell has been playing on defense and special teams for the Cleveland Browns and was in on seven tackles in his first four games.

Tracking Brevard’s Sports Stars appears twice monthly in FLORIDA TODAY. Have a star to track? Email hgrossma16@yahoo.com or leave a message at 321-242-3676.

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