Lorvens Florestal, seen here playing for his prep high school team in Florida, was a walk-on defensive end for the Charleston Southern University football team. | Submitted/Charleston Southern University
Lorvens Florestal, seen here playing for his prep high school team in Florida, was a walk-on defensive end for the Charleston Southern University football team. | Submitted/Charleston Southern University
When the Charleston Southern University football team opened its 2021 campaign earlier this month, it did so with heavy hearts.
An off-campus shooting in the West Ashley area of Charleston late last month killed the Buccaneers walk-on freshman defensive end Lorvens Florestal, according to a university press release.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported that Florestal came to CSU by way of Atlantic Community High School in Delray Beach, Florida, where the 19-year-old excelled at the prep level.
Atlantic High coach Jamael Stewart told the Sun Sentinel the loss of his protégé “hurt.”
“This one hurt a lot of people, man,” Stewart told the Sun-Sentinel. “Big time. ... It really challenges your faith.”
Stewart explained that he fielded calls from many of Florestal’s ex-teammates, who wondered how their brother on the gridiron could be taken so soon.
Florestal didn’t get to suit up for CSU, on which he enjoyed a short-lived reunion with defensive backs coach T.J. Jackson, who coached Florestal at Atlantic.
Jackson remembered Florestal for his work with underprivileged youth, the Sun-Sentinel reported.
WPTV in West Palm Beach reported that Florestal took home first-team all-county defensive team honors in 2020 after putting together a line of 41 tackles, including 22 for loss, and 15 sacks.
The Eagles were crowned tri-county champions in Florestal’s senior season.
Police told WPTV that Florestal was “an innocent bystander” at the time of the shooting.
No arrests have been made.
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