One of the most popular radio shows of its kind was on Wednesday night this week as football practice opened on high school football fields across the state of Florida from 6-8 p.m. on 104.3 FM – WQAM.
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 been 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 Wednesday night went:
This Saturday at XPE Sports Performance in Fort Lauderdale, Football Hotbed will help to kickoff the 2026 high school football season with their fifth annual media day. Brandon Odoi and his staff will welcome defending state champions Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, West Boca Raton and Plantation American Heritage as well as powers Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, Miami Palmetto, Miami Christopher Columbus, Miami Central, Miami Northwestern, Pembroke Pines West Broward as well as out-of-area schools Community School of Naples, Fort Myers Dunbar, Delray Beach Atlantic and numerous Miami-Dade and Broward schools from 8 a.m. until after 3 p.m.
BRANDON ODOI ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/brandon-odo-of-football-hotbed-on-media-days-8c094
There are very few reporters who have been busier than Andy Villamarzo from Rivals.com this spring and summer. From attending games, practices, camps, combines and media days, he not only covers the state of Florida, but is also a national high school writer – coming up with breaking news and state rankings all over the country.
ANDY VILLAMARZO ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/andy-villamarzo-of-rivals-dot-com-cf9ac
When it comes to following high school football nationally, Zack Poff from Max Preps simply has no rival. At the pulse of every program in the nation, he sees every program and elite prospects and continues to produce national rankings. He recently authored the pre-season national football rankings and stopped by to talk about the reasons why teams were rated high or low.
ZACK POFF ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/zack-poff-of-max-preps-focuses-on-national-recruiting-16b00
His teams have won the past two state titles and have been in the mix since taking over Plantation American Heritage. Coach Mike Smith has helped numerous prospects step into the spotlight locally, regionally, statewide and nationally – and has kept the Patriots in the spotlight. As his team gets ready for another season, he has put together another elite schedule.
COACH MIKE SMITH ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/head-football-coach-mike-smith-of-plantation-american-heritage-a2c5a
For over 30 years, Coach Jeff Bertani has been the head coach at North Miami Beach High. In that time, he has helped to develop talent that has gone on to play in college and at the professional level. In this day and age of transfers and student/athletes who are not loyal, his players have stayed around and helped the Chargers compete. With former players coming back all the time to coach and mentor, he has established something that is rare in public schools today.
COACH JEFF BERTANI ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/head-football-coach-jeff-bertani-of-north-miami-beach-begins-30th-season-2721c
With the start of summer practice on Monday and the official beginning of the 2026 high school football season, the next few months will certainly uncover more talent.
As athletes had the opportunity – over the past seven plus months to showcase their skills and jump on the radar screen for colleges and universities, the senior class are the prospects who are on the clock at this point.
With so much talent at every level, the senior class is battling for recognition and an opportunity to jump into the spotlight.
If you follow us for any length of time, you already know that are main reason for evaluating and promoting prospects for six decades is to give these young men an opportunity to continue to playing this game at the next level.
For the second straight day, we bring you some Class of 2027 football players. Some have already found their way on the radar – while others continue to make an impact.
Among those players to keep an eye on this season include Michael Millar (6'1, 160, DB, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Micheler Dumervil-Jean (6'3, 280, DL/OL, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Mylo-Elijah Tshinkola (6'4, 280, OL/EDGE, Coral Gables), Nathan Miller (6'6, 280, OL, Hollywood McArthur), Nicholas Motosko (6'2, 195, DB/LB, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons), Nick Dyer (5'11, 190, QB, Cooper City), Nolex St. Victor (5'11, 195, Athlete, Coconut Creek), Owen Conway (6'0, 205, LB, Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy), Quintero Frierson (5'10, 165, WR/Athlete, Miami Killian) and Rafael Salvatierra IV (5'9, 155, WR/Athlete, Miami Palmer Trinity).
The class also has Rah’Saan Williams (6'1, 245, DL, Miami Norland), Raphael Leite (5'10, 275, DL/OL, Davie Western), Rayvon Marcellus (5'11, 252, OL/DL, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons), Robert Randolph (6'2, 160, DB, Coral Gables), Ronald Riley (6'4, 315, OL, Miami True North Classical Academy), Rubin Ceasar III (6'4, 220, EDGE/TE, Plantation American Heritage), Santana Blount (5'9, 155, WR, Miami Carol City), Sawyer Fuchs (6'5, 275, OL/DL, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian Academy), Shane Martinez (6'0, 265, OL, American Heritage-Plantation) and Stephan Jean-Louis II (5'10, 170, Athlete, Davie Western).
Class of 2027 prospects continue to make a statement – like Symari Milner (5'9, 225, DL, Fort Lauderdale), Tah “Jirr” Sam (5'8, 155, WR, Hollywood South Broward), Tarri Cochran (6'0, 165, DB/WR, Miramar), Terrance Williams III (5'9, 165, RB/WR, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons), Tommy Neloms (6'2, 203 Athlete, Hollywood McArthur), Tramell Harris (5'9, 150, DB, Miami Central), Trent Gamble (5'8, 163, WR/DB, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian), Tuwan Grant (6'0, 185, WR, Miramar), Tyler Smith (5'11, 150 DB/Athlete, Davie Western) and Vamounyeh “Vamso” Keita (6'3, 220, TE, Miami Central).
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..
As football started across the state on Monday, there are several football prospects who have already found their way on to the radar screen.
With so many exposure events there are opportunities for athletes in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties to get noticed.
For this senior (2027) class that began the final year at the high school level, attracting college attention has been the objective since their started to play as freshmen.
As we have had the pleasure to see thousands of athletes and hundreds of teams live over the past seven months, it only enhances the chances to get these football players in front of college decision makers.
While we cover everyone and not just the star-rated athletes, it gives prospects at every level to get some much-needed recognition.
As the season draws closer, we will continue to promote and showcase the talent right here in south Florida.
Today, we will focus in on the Class of 2027 and bring you some talented young men that you may have heard of – and also some that are being exposed for the first time.
Among those players include Adrian Gilbert Jr. (5'10, 195, LB, Miami Springs), Aidan Bryant (6'1, 250, OL, Homestead), Aiden Leone (5'9, 160, QB/K, Coral Gables), Albert Stevenson (6'2, 215, LB/EDGE, Miami Southridge), Alexandar Pinder Jr. (5'8, 170, RB/WR, Fort Lauderdale Dillard), Amarion Ray (5'9, 170, RB/DB, Fort Lauderdale Dillard), Amir Jones (5'11, 250, Athlete, Hollywood McArthur), Andrew Davis Jr. (6'0, 190, DB, Miami Carol City), Angel Orozco (6'1, 285, OL/DL, Miami Christopher Columbus), Anthony Bacon (6'2, 220, TE/EDGE, Hialeah American) and Anthony Diaz (5'7, 160, WR, Parkland Douglas).
The Class of 2027 also features Bergen Birkeland (6'0, 170, WR/DB, Miami Westminster Christian), Brandon “Big Baby” Adams (6'6, 320, OL/DL, American Heritage-Plantation), Brandon Tammara (5'9, 225, OL, Cooper City), Brendan Beery (6'3, 206, QB, Miami Gulliver Prep), Brenner Krohn (5'11, 190, LB, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons), C.J. Dauphin Jr. (5'9, 190, RB, Miami Carol City), Cannon Gulla (6'2, 220, LB/EDGE, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Canyon Henry (6'2, 220, TE/LB, Miami Westminster Christian), Christian Lois (5'11, 185, QB, Miami Braddock) and Cody Conness (6'1, 200, QB, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas).
Other prospects looking to raise the bar in their career includes Cuttino Cooper (5'8, 165, RB/DB, Miami Palmer Trinity), Deandre Leonard (6'0, 175, Athlete, Miami Gulliver Prep), Edwardo Thompson (6'2, 225, EDGE, Miami Central), Jahni Smith (5'8, 175, RB/DB, Miami Palmetto), Jaiden Sheard (6'0, 190, DB, Plantation American Heritage), Kohl Thomas (6'0, 190, LB/EDGE, Miramar) Liam Vazquez (5'10, 170, DL/LB, Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace), Malik Denson (5'10, 175, WR/DB, Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy) and Meikhi “Tank” Desolomme (5'8, 180, RB/LB, Deerfield Beach).
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..
When Davie Nova head football coach Tyrus McCloud and his team finished the 2025 season, they reflected on a year that saw this program continue to turn the corner.
Nobody has to remind anyone what the landscape of high school sports is these days throughout the entire state – with transfers and coaching pay among the lowest anywhere in the country. But what coaching has come down to is wanting to give back and doing it for the love of the sport.
After a 5-6 season last year, the Titans saw many positives as the continue to build. Perhaps the biggest thing was making the state playoffs.
Even though they would lose to state power Miami Southridge, what Nova did was show the players who sacrificed so much was if you work hard and make the sport a priority, good things would start to happen.
As the 2026 season has now arrived, this team believes that making the playoffs is something that is reachable and a goal that they can set from the start of the year.
SENIORS WILL BE A HUGE PLUS
While a few prospects have moved on and others graduated, there is a belief that this Class of 2027 senior class has the chance to be special after a productive off season.
Here are some of those players to keep an eye on:
Ashton Awofadeju Harvard, LB/DL, 5'11, 233 – 3.5 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22512934/Ashton-Awofadeju-Harvard
Joshua Bhimsain, LB/DB, 5'10, 205.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20263584/Joshua-Bhimsain
Klaid Donescar, DB, 5'9, 163.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22492402/Klaid-Donescar
Betho-vens Julmiste, OLB/DE, 5'11, 195.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20890880/BethoVens-Julmiste
Joshua Robertson, OC, 5'8, 260.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/23435636/Joshua-Robertson
Kymani Turner, WR, 6'0, 155.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/24906353/Kymani-Turner
AWAITING GAME VIDEO
Kerlton Alexandre, WR, 6'2, 170
Julian Velazquez, DT, 5'11, 240
Manai Williams, OL, 5'11, 250
CLASS OF 2028
Hans Debrosse Jr., DT, 5'8, 245.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26939189/Hans-Olivier-Debrosse
Darvens Jean-Louis Jr., HB, 5'8, 160,
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/28097695/Darvens-JeanLouis
Deshawn Thompson Jr., WR/CB, 6'1, 180.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/28097537/Deshawn-Thompson
Jeremiah Valcourt Jr., OL, 6'0, 240.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/24087049/Jeremiah-Valcourt
Anthony Vattiato Jr., C/LS, 5'8, 185.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/24026538/Anthony-Vattiato
James Walker Jr., DB/RB, 6'0, 190.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/23626449/James-Walker
AWAITING GAME VIDEO
Jayden Floyd Jr., OL/DL, 6'2, 315
Caleb McGowan Jr., DE/LB, 5'11, 205
Bentellys Mosley Jr., WR 5'10, 170
Davidson Noralus Jr., LB/DE
Johnel Pierre Jr., S, 6'0, 185
Dillan Ramhi Jr., OL, 6'2, 225
CLASS OF 2029
Deangelo Plese, QB, 5'10, 160 – 4.5 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26649810/deangelo-plese
AWAITING GAME FILM
Kyle Barker, DL/OL, 6'1, 270
Darien Benjamin, Jr., OL 5'9, 247
Alex Johnson, DE, 6'2, 175
Aaron Jones, OL, 5'8, 238
Roger Tirado, DT/DE, 6'2, 240
DAVIE NOVA TITANS 2026 SCHEDULE
8/21 – Hallandale
8/27 – Deerfield Beach
9/10 - @Boca Raton Spanish River
9/17 - @Coral Springs Coral Glades
9/25 – Coral Springs Charter
10/2 – Miramar Everglades
10/9 - South Plantation
10/16 - @Lake Worth Park Vista
10/23 - @Boca Raton
10/29 - @ Pembroke Pines Charter
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..
As we countdown to the start of the 2026 high school football season, more and more Miami-Dade and Broward County prospects have found their way to showcase the skills that have helped to elevate their status.
Having the opportunity to attend several area showcase events that give many of the rising prospects a forum to attract some positive attention, we start another year doing what we have done for over six decades – promote athletes to colleges and universities across the country.
While we have continued to tell you how the star-rated athletes do not need the help of recruiting services and the media for exposure, many believe that getting a 5-star or prospect with numerous offers is a major accomplishment. It isn’t. Take it to the bank that long before many of these reporters “discovered” these standouts, they have long been on the radar.
The student/athletes that certainly need the held are those under-the-radar players who have continued to work hard and turn heads in front of a small group of coaches and fellow players.
Today, we have the pleasure of further getting some of those prospects out there for fans, media and college coaches to see what Miami-Dade and Broward will have to offer – away from the spotlight.
2027 - Alan Blackshere, DB/Athlete, 6’3.5, 195, Miami Carol City – 4.0 GPA. Yet another impressive talent that we had the pleasure of watching throughout his junior season at Miami Norland and knew right away that this was going to be someone that had a chance to be special with his size and athleticism. It wasn’t until the combine season that many of the recruiting websites found out about him and saw exactly what he brought to the table as a defensive secondary standout. His commitment to the University of Connecticut will turn out to be a steal for a program that has started many careers out. Keep an eye on his progress this coming season.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22887356/Alan-Blackshere
2027 - Tyler Chance, QB, 6’1, 185, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons – 3.92 GPA. With a state title already in hand, this impressive student athletes will play his final season at the high school level with the Chiefs, who have embraced his arrival with a solid spring and summer. This is someone who has the skill to play at a high level with arm strength, athleticism and a solid work ethic in the classroom. In addition to making an impact on the football field this off season, his recent visit to some high academic colleges will set the table for his future – beyond the gridiron.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16934524/Tyler-Chance
2027 - Davon Dericho, DB, 5’10, 170, Miami Killian. Even though he committed to the University of Colorado, a majority of those in south Florida really hadn’t watched him perform. This is a gifted football player who continued to impress this off season after everyone started to find out about his commitment to a Power 4 school. Watching him a number of times this spring and into the summer, you can tell why he is going to be special in his final season at the high school level and when he enters college next January. He is physical, athletic and skilled. As he continues to get stronger and builds up more confidence, you will see how impressive he will be. Another of the many Cougars who will be in the spotlight this season.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19947094/Davon-Dericho
2028 - John Rhoden II, WR, 6’1, 170, Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy – 3.85 GPA. Here is one of the prospects that will have an opportunity this coming season to truly explode. Watched him for the first time during his sophomore season at Pembroke Pines Charter and came away impressed. Recruiting services who watched him perform were totally sold on what he brought to the table. His ability to get open and make key catches will give him a chance to turn many heads in 2026. Finished his sophomore year with 23 receptions on 26 targets for 353 yards and a team-high six touchdowns. He ended with 405 all-purpose yards. On defense, in the secondary, he had some big plays which included an interception.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/23108362/John-Rhoden
2027 - Khamarian Young, WR, 6’0, 175, Hollywood McArthur. With numerous offers and a very productive off season, this quality talent will certainly define the Mustangs on the offensive side of the ball. If you watched him a year ago and continued to check his progress throughout the spring and summer, there is a reason why colleges have been making some valid offers. He is fast, talented and will get open against some of the best secondary performers. Keep in mind, when he practices against his own defensive backs every day, there are few better than what his elite teammates bring against him.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20363038/Khamarian-Young
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..