By now we all understand the football recruiting game.
It has come down to not whether you have watched a player perform, but what you see at combines, and six month old videos – since not one prospect has played a real game in full gear since December.
As an old school guy, I prefer to watch football talent from five feet away, not only seeing what they bring to the game from an athletic standpoint, but off the field as well.
While watching film has always been a nice enhancement, you never a see a dropped pass, over or under thrown ball, fumbles, holding, pass interference for being beaten repeatedly on the line of scrimmage.
Every Hudl video you see is the “best of an athlete” and not so much showing what their negatives are, and those negatives that are never shown often times complete the recruiting process.
When it comes to recruiting, college coaches have dozens of people they rely on to help completely judge talent. From recruiting services to media, high school coaches and fans, they want the input that will help them to form an opinion.
Keep in mind, anyone can watch a film and judge the positives that an athlete brings to the table, but what about the balance of the overall athlete? Are they good teammates? Do they get in coaches’ faces when things are going wrong? Do they continue to make mental mistakes? Are they cancer in the locker room or on the sideline when things are not going their way? Do they spend more time communicating with friends and family in the stands than they do their own coaches and teammates? That is ALL part of the recruiting process, and why so many completely miss out on prospects.
While everyone believes they have an “EYE FOR TALENT” – it is NOT the only thing that matters in this recruiting process. Not even close.
With that said, the new national rankings for the Class of 2026 (rising juniors) are starting to be released by all the networks, who mostly evaluate off of film and in shorts and a T-shirt at a combine.
WHERE DOES SOUTH FLORIDA STAND?
I always have an open mind when these first lists are released, and if it includes south Florida prospects, I am all ears. For all my negative energy and about stars and rankings, I love to see our own at least get some love.
Among the early rankings this class, prospects such as Plantation American Heritage quarterback Dia Bell, Miami Northwestern standout receiver Calvin Russell, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna recent transfer receiver Jabari Brady, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas impressive defensive back Justice Fitzpatrick and Plantation American Heritage speedy receiver Brandon Bennett are easily among the country’s best.
Also, Plantation American Heritage receiver Malachi Toney, and Miami Carol City linebacker Jordan Campbell – both early University of Miami commitments, and Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman gifted athlete Darryl Bell, an early FSU commitment, are also being regarded.
The talent in Miami-Dade for Broward Counties continue to run deep and getting some national attention with prospects such as Naijah Arnasalam (Athlete, Plantation), Kaj Baker (Athlete, Pembroke Pines Somerset), Jemel Bonica (DE, Miami Northwestern), Anthony Brown (OL, Miami Palmetto), fast emerging Derrek Cooper (Athlete, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), gifted J’Vari Flowers (CB, Miami Northwestern), speedy Jayden Ford (RB, Miami Central), versatile Elijah Hardy (WR, Miami Northwestern), Tedarius Hughes (S, Homestead South Dade), Jaffar Jean-Louis (WR, Plantation American Heritage), and cornerback Aldarius Johnson Jr. (Plantation American Heritage).
The 2026 class also boasts Wynton Jones (DB, Miami Palmetto), Bryant Junius (Athlete, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Tedrick Lee (S, Homestead South Dade), Liam Marley (DL, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian), Karon Maycock (S, Miami Central), Jaborree Riggins (WR, Coconut Creek Monarch), Dominic Turnbull (CB, Miami True North Classical Academy), and recent transfer Tyre Vieux (DB, Miami Edison).
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For the past 54 years, we have spent plenty of 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 (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..