What last week’s state championship football games at Pitbull Stadium at FIU proved was when it came to getting the best 14 teams together over four days, Florida was indeed in a unique spotlight.
While other states and regions can boast some top teams with plenty of talent, the sheer numbers that the Sunshine State churns out every year is indeed mind boggling.
As they say, the proof is in the final product, and all you have to do is turn on your TV or computer every Saturday and Sunday throughout the football season and you will see those very athletes who got their start right here in Florida.
SOUTH FLORIDA GRABS THE SPOTLIGHT
While the rest of the state did their thing – with Venice (7A) and Cocoa (2A) winning state titles, it was pretty much about Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach – with Chaminade-Madonna (1A, Coach Dameon Jones), Miami Northwestern (3A, Coach Teddy Bridgewater), Plantation American Heritage (4A, Coach Mike Smith), Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (5A, Coach Roger Harriott) and West Boca Raton (6A, Coach Dylan Potts) that pretty much stole the show.
As we continue to promote football prospects in all classes throughout the course of a year, today, we look back at five prospects that turned some heads.
2026 - Jamar Denson, WR, 5-10, 182, Plantation American Heritage. One of the promising receivers in the class had the opportunity to showcase his skills on a large stage and came out and more than held his own. A track & field standout that also gets it done in the classroom, holding down a 3.6 GPA. Caught six balls for 86 yards and a score in the win over Orlando Jones.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19484710/6543c218689883045cc9eb3a
2026 – Mark Hanniford Jr., WR, 6-2, 180, West Boca Raton. While this was a prospect that many knew after a solid season this year and his past at Delray Beach Atlantic as a sophomore, his performance in the state championship game was indeed head turning as several college coaches and fans saw him catch two long touchdown passes for 140 yards. In addition, he also gets it done in the classroom (3.8 GPA).
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18325926/Mark-Hanniford
2026 - Jaiden Roper, LB, 6-1, 207. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna. As soon as he arrived on campus after coming over from Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, the Lions knew they had something very special – and they were right. Instrumental in getting this program to its record ninth consecutive state title appearance. A 3.8 (GPA) student in the classroom, his state title game was indeed at another level with a game-leading 10 tackles, which included two tackles for loss.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19239806/Jaiden-Roper
2026 - Leon Strawder, QB, 6-1, 200, Miami Northwestern. Where do we start with this gifted prospect, who opened the season in the Broward County Showcase with four touchdown passes and 400 yards and simply never stopped putting up the numbers and giving the state champion Bulls a chance in every game. His 45 touchdowns and over 3,000 yards were only added to in the season finale where he threw for 361 yards and four touchdowns. Will be one of the most productive quarterbacks coming back for 2025.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19082566/Leon-Strawder
2027 - Ah’Mari Stevens, WR/Athlete, 6-0, 165, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. Sometime during the Raiders dominating performance against Lakeland to win their sixth straight state football title, the mention of the future started to surface, and if you are thinking about the players who will keep this program at the top, here is a player you need to put at the head of that list. This is one of the fastest players on a team loaded with amazing talent. A track & field standout, his performance in the title game was tremendous with five catches and impressive play on special teams.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19739206/AhMari-Stevens
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 54 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..