There’s no getting around the fact that the No. 1 destination for football talent every year in Florida is 2801 SW 12th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312.

It's the home of the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders. More state football championships (17) than any other football program in the state of Florida – seven-titles in a row – and have produced more collegiate and NFL talent than any other school in the country.

As head coach Roger Harriott and his coaches head toward the off-season, the objective is now restocking this team for 2026.

With a convincing 29-0 win over Lakeland for the second consecutive year, this program now prepares for the next season.

While so many gifted senior move on, there are positions to fill – and that will be done in the eight months ahead.

In a time when transfers are an automatic – with student/athletes coming and going – today we take a look at some of the prospects who are expected back for the 2026 season. While nothing is automatic, it is a starting point.  

THE JUNIOR CLASS IS LOADED

Coming off a 14-1 season and looking to keep things at the level this program has long been used to, having a group of juniors (2027) with so much talent is very important.

It will be tough to match the elite prospects coming back for the 2026 season. Top-flight talent such as Gerren Bray (OL), Jaden Carey (DB), Finn Crissy (WR), Jayden Dean (OL), Chase Goodrich (DL), Virgil Lemons (RB) and elite defensive end Wyatt Smith along with Under Armour Game performers Zayden Gamble (DB), Julius Jones Jr. (WR) and Mark Matthews (OL) will stand up against anyone.

The 2027 class also boasts William Billings (WR), Joey Bollo (DE), Ri’Chard Bowe (DB), Anthony Bostwick (DB), Chris Kern (P/K), Jordan Castillo (OL), Jonathan Clark (DB), Cody Conness (QB), Michael Digilio (OL), Cannon Gulla (LB), Samari Howard (DB), Kyle Infante (P/K), Michaeler Jean (DL), Shavis Linder Jr. (WR), Sean Thompson (WR) and offensive lineman Timothy Walsh Jr.

The Class of 2028 rising juniors will also be impressive with Thomas Berkhan (OL), Blake Calixte (QB), Collin Francis (RB), Damien Gregory (DL), Andre Jones (DB), Brian Luya (OL), fast-rising Ryan McPhun (LB), Llewellyn Peets III (DL), Christian Foster-Reid (DL), Juan Carlos Tabio III (DL), Leroy “Levi” Thomas (WR) and defensive back Joshua Wilson.

Also keep an eye on rising sophomores (2029) Christopher Coleman (WR) and Sho Wright (WR).

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS RAIDERS

Santa Ana Mater Dei, California, L 26-23

Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Andeson, W 72-6

Miami Christopher Columbus, W 42-7

Davie Western, W 45-6

Hollywood McArthur, W 31-7

Hollywood Hills, W 63-0

NFL Academy London, W 41-38

Coconut Creek Monarch, W 31-20

Plantation American Heritage, W 19-12

Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, W 27-21

Palm Bay Heritage, W 58-7

Coconut Creek, W 45-13

Hollywood McArthur, W 34-7

Fort Myers Riverdale, W 45-13

Lakeland, W 29-0

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/

For the past 55 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein), Instagram (OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

If you told Miami Immaculata LaSalle head football coach Helder Valle before the season that his team would win their first district title in 50 years and post a 12-1 record, there’s nothing about that statement he wouldn’t have liked.

But when you achieve success and believe in yourself as a team, there is no ceiling too high, and that’s why the loss to Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons in the Region Final was something that was hard to swallow.

Over the past few seasons, this program has established itself as a program that is one of the best in 2A – with quality coaching and outstanding play.

With every win in 2025, the Royal Lions grew in confidence. With several veterans combined with elite younger prospects, this is now a team that is ready for the challenge, and even though the stakes have risen with additional competition added to the mix, there is a belief that this off-season is only going to strengthen this program and see some new faces added to something positive.

WHAT’S EXPECTED IN 2026?

While a 12-win season is always a high bar to achieve, once you’ve been there, you understand that it’s a standard that needs to be set to stay among the top programs.

If this team is to be successful again in 2026, the Class of 2027 rising senior class will be important. Among the prospects expected to make an impact include three-year varsity starter Phillip Jones Jr. (OLB/DE). This is a gifted player that opponents need to gameplan for.

In addition, there are Jordan Diaz (MLB/DT), Anthony Gerald III (OL), Christian Guillaume (OL/DL), Torrance Jones (WR/FS), Kevin Matas (OL), Jaiden Rosado (OL) and versatile Tyrone Williams III (WR/CB).

As the rising seniors figure to add the experience and leadership, the underclassmen will also have plenty to add. Class of 2028 rising junior standouts Adrian Cox (RB) and Nate Merrell Jr. (QB) are special. But so are Alejandro Feria (OL), Kareem Forbes (DB), Trayton Jones (CB), Matteo Miller (PK), Jonathan Mompremier (DT/OG), Christian Perez (QB), Jayvion Robinson (WR), Christopher Spikes (S) and receiver Kamari Vasquez.

Also keep an eye on some freshmen (2029) from this year like Julian Alvarez (DE), Jayden Cabrera (OL), Marc Delacruz (WR), Antwan Jones (CB), John McCray (MLB) and Luis Ignacio Varela (RB).

IMMACULATA LASALLE ROYAL LIONS

Miami High, W 35-0

Miami Jackson, W 50-0

Miami Belen Jesuit, W 34-3

Miami Booker T. Washington, W 31-0

Miami Ransom Everglades, W 21-17

Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy, W 42-0

Miami Springs, W 49-12

Miami St. Brendan, W 40-0

Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy, W 21-18

Miami Dr. Krop, W 31-0

Homestead Somerset Academy Silver Palms, W 42-7

Miami Ransom Everglades, W 42-16

Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, L 20-17

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/

For the past 55 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein), Instagram (OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

It’s our first show of the new year and the South Florida High School Sports Radio Show took center stage with six impressive guests on a Monday night.

Each week, the FM 104.3 WQAM radio program attracts the newsmakers in high school sports, recruiting college sports – not only locally, but throughout the country.

The show gives listeners an opportunity to hear about college football programs statewide from the media that cover them. It also focuses on the coaches who use the state of Florida – Miami-Dade and Broward Counties in particular.

The program, which has run for nearly two decades and has been recognized nationally as one of the best of its kind, has become a popular listen for recruiting fans as well as high school sports purists, focusing on high sports and the newsmakers.

Here is a look at the way Monday went:

When head football coach Mike Smith and his Plantation American Heritage Patriots beat Orlando Jones to win the 4A state title for the second straight year, he proved that playing a tough schedule paid off. This week, he is in San Antonio as the head coach of the East team in the Navy All-American High School football game on Saturday.

COACH MIKE SMITH ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/mike-smith-head-coach-at-plantation-american-heritage-a7165

This past weekend, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas junior defensive back Zayden Gamble took part in the Under Armour All-American High School football game in central Florida and stood up against some of the best prospects in the country.

ZAYDEN GAMBLE ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/zayden-gamble-db-for-st-thomas-aquinas-af778

It’s the University of Miami against the University of Mississippi this Thursday night in the semifinal round of the college football playoffs at the Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, Arizona. Geo Millian stopped by to break down the game and the season.

GEO MILLIAN ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/geo-millian-miami-hurricanes-vs-mississippi-rebels-talk-e49c1

Chad Wilson from Gridiron Studs has been around football all of us his life. As a player, coach, mentor and as someone who continues to elevate young talent as a defensive back specialist. As a father of two sons who played high level college and NFL football, he understands the ins and outs of the game.

CHAD WILSON ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/chad-wilson-girdiron-studs-talks-recruiting-nil-b1e18

As young girl growing up with a father who was a football coach, WPLG TV News Anchor Kristi Krueger fell in love with the game. She talked about the exciting life and how it turned her into a life-long football fan.

KRISTI KRUEGER ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/kristi-krueger-chanel-10-wplg-tv-anchor-8a96a

It was a long high school football season across the country, and for programs in Florida, the culmination came a few weeks back with seven state champions crowned. Zack Poff the National Recruiting Editor for Max Preps looked back at a fun season – including Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, which finished in the Top 10 nationally.

ZACK POFF ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/zack-poff-national-recruiting-editor-for-max-preps-95192

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/

For the past 55 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein), Instagram (OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

@1043wqam @UHealthSports @AABonNBC @D2Dperformance @ZaydenGamble1 @UANextFootball @GeoMilian @CanesFootball @GridironStuds @KkruegerWPLG @WPLGLocal10 @MaxPreps @Zack_Poff_MP

DELAND – After winning their seventh straight state football title, several members of the Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas championship team hit the off-season in many directions.

For the senior class of 2026, heading toward college was the next step in their development as student/athletes, finishing up their final year in high school.

For the underclassmen who will return in 2026 under the direction of veteran head coach Roger Harriott, it’s off to other sports as well as football camps, combines and 7-on-7 events that will enhance their exposure.

For three Class of 2027 standouts and Offensive Coordinator Wesley Carroll, the first week of the New Year saw them join several other elite prospects in Orlando (for practice) and DeLand for the annual Under Armour Next All-America Game.

With underclassmen being able to play in the post season game, the experience of competing with and against some of the country’s best is something that not only helps as far as experience, but exposure is also paramount.

With recruiting analysts, fan websites and ESPN high school football reporters watching every practice at Disney’s Wide World of Sports, and the game on Saturday at Spec Martin Stadium in DeLand, the opportunity was certainly something that was a win/win all the way around.

For Class of 2027 prospects Mark Matthews (offensive lineman), receiver Julius Jones Jr. and defensive back Zayden Gamble, it was indeed a huge opportunity to open some eyes.

In this day of ranking players, it is tough to randomly say one prospect is better than the next without seeing them compete against one another. This event actually gets these athletes together to compete.

With NIL and the transfer portal taking center stage in college sports, getting exposure is more important than ever before.

With so many elite prospects on hand for these post season all-star games, there are more restrictions being put on seniors than ever before. Remember, when these young men are signing NIL deals, the clock starts immediately and that means that getting into college in the first week of the new year starts the clock as high school freshmen are competing for playing time as soon as they enter college.

With January, February and March important months for development, most programs are looking to add these incoming freshmen to the depth chart during spring. That is what the portal and these NIL deals have done to all college sports – with huge money being handed out.

“The entire landscape of recruiting has changed,” said Charles Fishbein of Elite Scouting Services. “To say that it has gotten out of hand is an understatement, but that is the direction we are moving in and you have to keep up or you will fall behind.”

 With prospects headed to such schools as LSU, Texas Tech, Illinois, Colorado, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio State, Vanderbilt, Michigan, BYU, Ole Miss, Utah, Texas A&M, Alabama, Oklahoma and other schools across the country, the underclassmen had the chance to see what they will be experiencing over the next year.

With more and more underclassmen being added to the game – with many NIL deals not letting these athletes compete in fear of injury, Matthews, Jones and Gamble got a huge jump with extensive exposure in the practices and playing time in the game, which Team Roses used dynamic performances from several of its superstars on Saturday. But perhaps none were brighter than game MVP and Texas verbal Easton Royal (Slidell Brother Martin, Louisiana) in its win over Team Peals, 23-9, in the annual contest.

Here is a look at why college coaches are excited about the continuing development of the three Raiders, who will be among the best in the country over the next 12 months.

Zayden Gamble, DB, 6’1, 180 – 3.8 GPA. Played most of the game and showed his many skills, combining speed, athleticism and the ability to make plays. He is one of the most sure tacklers you will find. He plays a competitive schedule and has to compete against elite prospects in practice every day.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19530451/Zayden-Gamble

Julio Jones Jr., WR, 5’11, 175. From the first time he stepped on campus two years ago as a freshman, you could tell that this was going to be someone very special. An elite playmaker with outstanding skills, speed and the ability to make plays anywhere on the field. He impressed in practice as well as during game action.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20767020/Julius-Jones

Mark Matthews, OL, 6’6, 305. Watching him for the first time during last year’s combine season, this was simply a no brainer. Size, quickness, strength and the ability to pick things up quickly. Because the offensive line is often the toughest place to make early projections, many who have watched him play believe that this is certainly a work in progress. He’s going to continue to get stronger and pick up so much from a technical standpoint. He’s already the best in his class in Florida, and during the Under Armour practices and game he showed that he will soon be regarded as one of the country’s best. Colleges and universities have already made him a priority.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19972142/Mark-Matthews

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/

For the past 55 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein), Instagram (OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..