As a player, Tyrus McCloud enjoyed so much success in college and in the NFL. As a coach, he is just starting to enjoy himself – as the head man at his alma mater.

When Davie Nova advanced to the first round of the 6A state football playoffs last season, it was validated that hard work and dedication can add up to something positive.

What McCloud and his staff have done with this program is start the building process – and as all fans know, especially in today’s landscape – getting to the top is not an easy task.

When McCloud left Nova decades ago, things were certainly not the way they are now, and that is been the toughest part of keeping Nova in the spotlight.

Known for its high academics and hours that run from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., building any successful program has always been a challenge, but years and years of producing top-flight student/athletes, like McCloud, proves that if you get the right people at the top, positive things can happen.

GETTING TO THAT NEXT LEVEL

If this football program is to once again reach the post season, the rising senior (2027) class will be the place to start.

With experience and leadership, this group is certainly a place where this team will look to this spring – and beyond.

That 2027 group includes players such as Kerlton Alexandre (WR), Joshua Bhimsain (LB), Ricardo Bryan (WR), Alex Collenberger (OL), Blondg Jean Francois (LB), Ashton Awofadeju-Harvard (DT/FB), Betho-Vens Julmiste (LB), Braelin McConn (RB), David Franklin-Miller (S) , Khymarri Peters (WR), Tyler Smith (DB), Troy Thomas (RB/WR) and Kymani Turner (WR/FS).

WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE FOR THIS PROGRAM?

While we know that it is very tough to predict the future – especially at this level – the Titans have a number of underclassmen who have the chance to be special – with a strong off-season.

Among the rising juniors (Class of 2028) will be Micah Davis (DB), Hans Oliver-Debrosse (OL), Marvin Joseph (CB), Ilan Levkowitz (K/P), Elijah Lopez (RB), Darvens Jean-Louis (RB), Caleb McGowan (DL), Davidson Noralus (LB/DE), Dillan Ramhi (OL), Davian Reid (QB/SS), Deshaun Thompson (WR/CB), Jeremiah Valcourt (OL/DL), Anthony Vattiato (OL), James Walker (LB/RB) and versatile Brandon Williams Jr. (RB/WR).

Even the rising sophomore group (2029) has some promising players who are helping right now. Prospects such as Darien Benjamin Jr. (OL), Javian Butler (TE/DE), Jodli Depal (DE), Gabriel Gutierrez (LB), Javion Jackson (DE), Aaron Jones (OL), Derrick Laurent (LB), Earl Walker Jr. (DE/LB), Dylan Williams (WR) and state-rated quarterback Deangelo Plese.

2025 Nova Titans

Fort Pierce Central, L 48-13

Coral Springs, W 14-12 (OT)

Fort Lauderdale NSU University School, L 17-6

South Plantation, L 21-14

Hallandale, L 30-15

Pembroke Pines Charter, W 21-7

Cooper City, W 21-7
Hollywood South Broward, L 21-20

Coral Springs Coral Glades, W 19-10

Hollywood Hills, W 43-13

STATE PLAYOFFS

Miami Southridge, L 49-0

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

For the past 56 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..

One of the most popular radio shows of its kind nationally moved to Thursday night once again this week for just one hour as a lead in to Florida Panthers hockey.

Three guests were featured as the South Florida High School Sports Show once again presented some interesting topics.

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 Thursday night went:

The University of Miami is finishing the second week of spring football practice as several new faces are vying for positions. With the spring game coming up in two weeks, David Lake from Inside The U talked about the offensive and defensive lines that are looking to replace some elite players.

DAVID LAKE ON THURSDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/david-lake-inside-the-u-3ba93

Florida International University’s football program is less than a week away from the spring game and several new faces have stepped up over the past three weeks. Can head coach Willie Simmons and his staff improve on last year’s bowl appearance? Brandyn Pokrass stopped by to talk about the Panthers and what to look for in the coming months.

BRANDYN POKRASS ON THURSDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/brandyn-pokrasss-fiu-football-reporter-21e95

When the Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas boys’ basketball team brought home the 6A state title a few weeks back, it marked the second time in as many years that head coach Julius Sandi and his Raiders brought home the state championship.

COACH JULIUS SANDI ON THURSDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/st-thomas-aquinas-boys-basketball-head-coach-julius-sandi-93009

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..

As he heads into his fourth decade as head football coach at his alma mater, North Miami Beach, Jeff Bertani continues to develop talent and meet challenges.

Always playing a tough schedule – with trips outside the area – Bertani and his Chargers look back on last year’s 6-7 season that included taking part in the first ever Florida Invitational Post Season playoffs, losing in the title game, 13-7, to Dunnellon.

While they fell short of making the FHSAA state playoffs, this is a team that boasted several top-flight prospects – including rising senior Andre Hyppolite, who made an impact on both sides of the ball.

Hyppolite is not the only Class of 2027 player who will return for the 2026 season.

Here are some others to keep an eye on:

James Augustin, DE/OT.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26485876/James-Augustin

Isaiah Charles, WR/SS.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22476369/Isaiah-Charles

John Gray, Athlete.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19428595/John-Gray

Andre Hyppolite, FS/WR.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19428607/Andre-Hyppolite

Josh Labissiere, LB/RB.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22267136/josh-labissiere

Stevenson Telfort, OL.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22960050/Stevenson-Telfort

Tamar Wright, DT.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/23622290/Tamar-Wright

SOLID UNDERCLASS WILL FUEL THE CHARGERS THIS COMING SEASON

With spring right around the corner, this is a program that not only has several rising seniors, but also quality underclassmen that figure to make an impact when play begins for real in last August.

CLASS OF 2028

Javon Alynscar, OL/DL.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26927282/Javon-Alynscar

Ty Hayes III, WR/CB.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/24463565/Ty-Hayes-III

Tyler Pierre-Louis, OT.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26485881/Tyler-PierreLouis

Adam Spivey, Slot.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22988300/Aiden-Spivey

AWAITING SPRING VIDEO

Sa’id Floyd, OL/DL.

CLASS OF 2029

Jimmy Jean-Baptiste, OL/DL.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26846212/Jimmy-JeanBaptiste

Bo Bertani, QB/FS.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/11737531/Bo-Bertani

2025 North Miami Beach Chargers

Tampa Carrollwood Day, L 28-20

North Miami, L 20-13

Punta Gorda Charlotte, W 20-14 (OT)

Hialeah American, W 46-0

Westland Hialeah, W 42-0

Lake Mary, L 45-13

Miami Carol City, W 14-13

Homestead South Dade, L 25-22

Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace, L 29-28

Naples St. John Neumann, L 20-14

INVITATIONAL PLAYOFFS

Cape Coral Oasis, W 42-0

Miami Booker T. Washington, W 20-6

Dunnellon, L 13-7

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

For the past 56 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..

In the six decades of covering high school football in south Florida, we have made sure that just because we list an individual prospect as someone to watch, we also make sure that we promote EVERYONE who plays the sport.

Picking out four of five players does not mean they are the best but only done to shine a complete spotlight on that individual. We do that often – and it comes 12 months a year. You will never find ANY source that cares more about the student/athlete than we do.

The one thing that we have done – and will always do – is watch players perform live and not listed to what is told of us or pop in a highlight tape.

We get to know each and ever player by seeing them play, talk with them and making our own observations on each prospect – no matter who they play for or what level they are expected to reach.

Making lists will get the attention, but actually talking about the student/athletes that you list is what college coaches want to see.

Because we attend everything – year-round – our advantage to see more prospects than any other source continues to get noticed by athletes, parents, coaches and by the college coaches who check out our daily prospect promotion.

Today, we bring you five rising senior (2027) running backs who we have watched in games, camps, combines and during their workouts, and that is what will always separate us from anyone else who does this.

Remember, we get out prospects – with their film and classroom work, and just because they aren’t singled out every day does not mean that we don’t watch them. If you aren’t mentioned today, you will be during the coming months.

Those who are familiar with our coverage understand that we cover entire teams, leaving NO prospect out.

Kamary Cooper, 5’11, 195, South Plantation. Before anyone ever heard about this young man, we were there watching and promoting his play and work in the classroom. As a guest on our weekly Broward County Athletic Association (BCAA) video showcase, he talked about creating a balance between his work on the football field and in the classroom. He went on to finish as a top 10 state runner with 1,839 yards and 20 touchdowns and led the Paladins to gain some valuable exposure.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22473011/Kamary-Cooper

Damien “Damo” Grant, 5’8, 180, Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy – 3.3 GPA. Track & Field. From the first time he carried the ball at the varsity level for the Mavericks as a ninth grader, we watched this impressive talent mature into one of the top runners in south Florida. In leading this program to a district title and a regional final matchup, he finished the year with over 1,300 yards rushing, adding to his amazing 2,727 total with 22 touchdowns as college coaches continue to watch what he brings to the table.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20312279/691cc189502a4bd69c34e670

Tyler Reid, 5’10, 170, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. Track & Field. This elite transfer from Miramar has been on the radar since Day 1 with the Patriots. Following in the footsteps of his older brother (Desmond Reid) – a one-time standout in south Florida before leaving for Western Carolina and the University of Pittsburgh – this young man has the speed, talent and game-breaking abilities as he already committed to attend Pitt after his final season. Finished his junior season with 104 carries 1,070 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20012149/Tyler-Reid

Cecil Smith, 5’8, 170, Miami Christopher Columbus. When Isaac Brown left Homestead to attend college in Louisville, coaches were searching for someone who could one day fill those rather large shoes. With plenty of speed and athleticism, this was a freshman, at the time, who was someone that coaches felt could be special. Well, as he begins his final season, transferring schools, this is a gifted talent that left a mark, leading Miami’s True North Classical Academy to a regional final – ending his junior year with a head-turning 1,420 yards rushing, 524 receiving and 16 touchdowns. He is easily one of the best rising seniors in south Florida!

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20496279/Cecil-Smith

Jahnard Young, 5’11, 200, Fort Lauderdale Dillard – 3.3 GPA. If you travel around the state and watch the impressive talent that Florida annually produces, you find prospects like this. Before he carried a ball at Sunrise Piper, transferred in the off-season to Plantation and eventually found a home with the Panthers this spring, this is a gifted football player who had already made a name for himself – way before he was on anyone’s radar in south Florida. This is a tremendous prospect who may be one of the best in the state – after beginning his career at Vero Beach and impressing everyone – from Treasure Coast players and coaches to colleges. His junior year with the Bengals saw him finish with over 1,500 yards and 20 scores.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17540739/690caf7b870e2f0be64137a7

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

For the past 56 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..