For the past four years, Brandon Odio and his impressive staff at Football Hotbed has been promoting young players and following them to high school and college.
Part of the promotion has been hosting events along the way – and nothing that this organization does is more popular than hosting Media Day.
Every year since the beginning of this kickoff to the season, things have gotten bigger and better – and this year will top all the pre-season events that they have held.
On Saturday, Year 5 will take place at XPE Sports Performance, operating in conjunction with Xtreme Action Park at 5300 Powerline Road in Fort Lauderdale.
“When we started this event, it was with the idea of giving these young athletes maximum exposure with media and fan websites on hand to make the experience special,” Odoi said. “While there are other media days being held throughout south Florida, the one we host brings together a smaller group of teams and players, so the experience is special and not an assembly line.”
While teams will have the opportunity to interact with area media, there are also statewide websites that will be on hand to host interviews, take photos and shoot videos, making this a truly memorable experience.
TOP PROSPECTS, TEAMS WILL TAKE CENTER STAGE
With veteran head coach Roger Harriott and his seven-time defending state champion Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders on hand along with two-time defending state champion Plantation American Heritage (Coach Mike Smith) and West Boca Raton (Coach Dylan Potts) along with Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna and head coach Dameon Jones on hand, it is indeed a star-studded.
Remember, the Lions of Chaminmade-Madonna have appeared in the state title game 10 straight years.
In addition to those programs, state powers such as Miami Northwestern, Miami Christopher Columbus, Miami Palmetto, Miami Southridge, Miami Central and West Broward are expected to be on hand.
Besides West Boca Raton, other out of area programs coming to Fort Lauderdale includes The Community School of Naples, Fort Myers Dunbar, Royal Palm Beach and Delray Beach Atlantic will be on hand.
PROSPECTS WILL SHINE ON SATURDAY
With the outstanding teams that will be on hand, look for some of the top prospects to be there as well.
One of the prospects that everyone will want to hear from is Miami Christopher Columbus standout Am’ir Sears, who recently re-classified to 2027.
Other Top 100 seniors expected to be on hand includes Nick Lennear (WR, Miami Carol City), Mark Matthews (OL, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Julius Jones Jr. (WR, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Wyatt Smith (EDGE, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Zayden Gamble (DB, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Za’Kari Johnson (DB/Athlete, Miami Carol City), Demarcus Deroche (TE, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons), Jamar Thompson (DL, West Boca Raton), Jaylyn Jones (DB, Hollywood McArthur) and Anthony Jennings (WR, Fort Lauderdale Dillard).
Others who are expected to be at media say with their teams – with Ah’Mari Stevens (WR Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Bryce Williams (DB, Davie Western), Amare Nugent (DB, Plantation American Heritage), Jaîlen Hiłł (DB, Miami Carol City), Loia Valade (DB, West Boca Raton), Jaden Carey (DB, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Jemari Foreman (DB, West Boca Raton), T’ari Miller (DB, Miami Central), Sherrod Gourdine (Athlete, Hollywood McArthur), Trezavant Boyd (DB, Miami Central), Alan Blackshere (DB, Miami Carol City) and Trae “Tank” Proctor (TE, Plantation American Heritage).
Many reporters will want to talk with James Perrone (QB, Miami Central), John Gay III (DB, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Austin Coles (WR, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Samauri Howard (DB, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Jahnard Young (RB, Fort Lauderdale Dillard), Tyler Reid (RB, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Temorris Campbell Jr. (LB, Miami Carol City), Angelo Smith (DB, Hollywood Chaminade Madonna), Damari Jerry (DB, West Boca Raton), Davon Dericho (DB, Miami Killian), Ajavion Willis (DB, Miami Christopher Columbus), Jamal Robinson Jr. (WR, Miami Central), Lee Prince (RB, Miami Carol City), Arwin Jackson (RB, Miami Carol City), Zac Katz (QB, Miami True North Classical Academy) and Amos Bradford (RB, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna) to mention some of those seniors who will be at media day.
There will also be Top 100 Class of 2028 prospects at media day – like Neimann Lawrence (QB, Plantation American Heritage), Tromon Isaac (WR, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Aden Johnson (Athlete, Miami Carol City), Alexander Beltran (EDGE, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Quinton Rolle (DB, Miami Central), Peter Pierrre (WR, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Armani Strong (WR, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Meshi Dobson (EDGE, Weston Cypress Bay), Antonio Wilcher (DL, Miami Southridge) and Brady Quinn (QB, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna).
The juniors also have Desmond Christian (WR, Weston Cypress Bay), Micah Price (DL, Plantation American Heritage), Damien Harvey (DL, Miami Christopher Columbus), Nijal Thigpen (OL, Miramar), Andre Jones (DB, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Carlton “C.J.” Jackson III (Athlete, West Boca Raton), Edwin Augustin (DB, Davie Western), Justin Antenor (DB, Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy), Steven Moore (LB, Miami Central), Antron Branch (WR, Hollywood McArthur), Khavon Gipson (LB, Miami Northwestern), Marlin Johnson (DB, Weston Cypress Bay), Silas Allen (DB, Davie Western), Demetrius Ingram (DB, Miami Central) and Tremaine Mullen (RB, Plantation American Heritage).
THE SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY
8:00 AM – Community School of Naples
8:05 AM – Miami Northwestern
8:15 – Hialeah American
8:20 – Fort Myers Dunbar
8:30 – Coconut Creek Monarch
8:45 – Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy
9:00 – Miami Christopher Columbus
9:15 – Miramar
9:30 – Miami Palmetto
9:45 – Miami True North Classical Academy
10:00 – Miami Killian
10:10 – Miami Immaculata LaSalle
10:15 – Miami Southridge
10:30 – Coconut Creek
10:45 – Davie Western
11:00 – Miami Central
11:10 – Fort Lauderdale University School
11:15 – Royal Palm Beach
11:30 – Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
11:45 – Hollywood McArthur
12:00 Noon – Miami Carol City
12:15 PM – Miami Norland
12:30 – West Boca Raton
12:45 – North Miami
12:50 – Weston Cypress Bay
1:00 – Plantation American Heritage
1:15 – Doral Academy
1:30 – Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
1:45 – Sunrise Piper
1:50 – Pembroke Pines West Broward
2:00 – Delray Beach Atlantic
2:15 – Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy
2:20 – Miami Jackson
2:30 – Miami Springs
2:45 – Fort Lauderdale Dillard
3:00 – Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy
3:05 - Plantation
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..