Jamaica has been known to produce a fair amount of extremely talented football players that have gone on to ply their trade in various countries worldwide. Its focus on youth has become more dominant over the years with competitions such as the Flow ISSA Schoolboy Manning and DaCosta Cup Competitions being main attractions both locally and internationally. Given all this, we decided to take a look and analyze ten of Jamaica’s best young players, both here and abroad.10. Allando Dwayne Brown

Note: The following is in no specific order.

Photo: JC’s Brown to the right of Alex Marshall

JC Captain and Jamaica Youth national team representative, Brown has been a prominent player in schoolboy football in recent years. Captain of one of the best schoolboy teams in the island, Jamaica College, his rise to fame really began in the 2014 schoolboy football season when his consistency and excellent tackling led JC to win their second consecutive title. Since then captain Junior Flemmings and many other stars left the following year and Brown was forced to assume a leadership role in the team which he executed perfectly, leading his team to the 2015 Manning Cup title, their third in as many years. The 18-year-old debuted for the Jamaica U17 team on January 9, 2015 and has since made three appearances.

9. Omar Holness

Photo: Holness behind Darren Mattocks

22-year-old Omar Holness, former Wolmerian, was born on March 13, 1994. He currently plays for Real Monarchs in the United Soccer League (USL) on loan from Real Salt Lake as a midfielder. In the 2016 MLS Super draft, Holness was drafted in the first round by Real Salt Lake and was immediately sent on loan to gain experience. His international career so far includes representing both the U17 and U20 before achieving his first senior call up in a 3-1 defeat to Canada on September 9, 2014.8. Junior Flemmings

Photo: Flemmings in action for Tivoli Gardens FC7. Alex Marshall

Regarded as the best attacking prospect in Jamaica, Flemmings recently signed for the New York Red Bulls in January of this year. The 20 year old is one of the most highly-rated players to emerge from Jamaican schoolboy football in recent years, having captained Jamaica College and Jamaica’s U-20s. His trickery, pace and ability to dominate matches has been his trademark in his still young career. He made a substitute appearance for the Jamaica senior team but had more success with the youth setup, making 4 caps for U20 and 7 caps for U17, scoring 6 goals overall.

Photo: Marshall celebrates

After his recent performances in the 2015 Manning Cup Competition for St. Georges Collage, Alex Marshall had Jamaicans begging for his inclusion in the National Senior team. Marshall, who almost quit the sport last year due to a missed penalty against USA in CONCACAF U17 Championships, is arguably the best young attacking midfield presence in Jamaica at the moment. Predominantly left footed, Marshall’s vision, skills, pace and ability to escape from defenders with ease puts him in a class by himself. Hopefully he will be able to hone his talent and become the great Jamaican player many expect him to be.

6. Shemar Jemison

The Flow ISSA Schoolboy football competitions allow us to recognize raw, young and talented football players, such as Shemar Jemison from Wolmer’s Boys. Not always is a goalkeeper included in a ‘Top 10′, however, his consistency over the past two years as Wolmer’s Boys’ number ‘1’, pulling off spectacular saves and displaying man of the match performances has seen him propelled to be arguably the best goalkeeper in the schoolboy competition.

A confident character, Jemison’s talent hasn’t yet been recognized internationally though he was recently called up for the U20 men’s national team in preparation for the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Men’s Under 20 qualifiers. With humility and a bit more time no doubt Jemison will become one of Jamaica’s key players in the future.5. Alvas Powell

Photo: Powell

St Thomas-born Alvas Elvis Powell is still young at 21 years old. At six feet tall, the defender started his professional football with Portmore United making his senior debut in January 2012 before moving to Portland Timbers in 2014 on loan. He also made his senior debut for Jamaica in 2012 and helped them win the 2014 CFU title and recently won the MLS cup with Portland in 2015. 22 in July, Powell has already made his name when it comes on to his attacking prowess from defence and stamina which are key components to his game.4. Shevon Stewart

Photo: Stewart tries to slip past Excelsior goalkeeper Romario Palmer

Marshall’s attacking partner and captain of the St. Georges team, Shevon Stewart recently had a fantastic schoolboy football season but fell short in terms of titles, losing the Manning Cup to defending champions JC and losing the Walker Cup to Wolmer’s Boys. Known for his endless work rate and an eye for goal, Stewart was recently called up to the recent Jamaica U20 National team.3. Martin Davis

Photo: Martin Davis2. Jason Wright

A talented Davis, who is a 17-year-old midfielder and former St. Georges attacker, is an efficient passer of the ball and among the young prospects upon which the Jamaica National team will bank their future advancement. Davis can dribble with pace and has a low centre of gravity that helps him breeze past opposing players. Known to have an eye for the spectacular goal, Davis embarked on a youth program with Valencia a few years ago where he impressed the coaching staff. He also had a brief spell with Harbour View FC but recently signed for Toronto FC II in the USL.

Photo: Wright, who had a stint at Real Madrid’s academy as a 12-year-old1. Leon Bailey

Most persons will remember the stout diminutive striker in Jason Wright who was the talisman for Wolmer’s Boys during his years at the Heroes’ Circle based school. He was the leading scorer for them from 2010-2013 and also represented Jamaica at youth level in the 2012 CFU tournament as a member of the U17 team. Also he was top scorer at the 2011 U17 CONCACAF Championships and a member of the Jamaican U17 team that went to the World Cup held in Mexico. At 20, Jason currently plays for the Scarlet Knight soccer team at the University of Rutgers, located in Piscataway, New Jersey. Wright has become a key player for his team receiving accolades such as Unanimous Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, NSCAA First Team All-Region and top goal scorer for his team with 31 goals.

Photo: 18-year-old Leon Bailey

Though this list isn’t in any particular order, without any doubt the most highly rated young Jamaican player is Leon Bailey who currently plays for European club KRC Genk. In recent news, Bailey has come out and controversially expressed his anger at the JFF, citing that he might take his international career elsewhere and play for another country. His recent performances, however, has seen clubs like Chelsea and Ajax express their interest with the premier league club having come close to signing him in 2015. Top managers across Europe are continuing to keep their eyes on the Jamaican wunderkind who has made 22 appearances this season, scoring five goals.