When the National Football League Draft starts on Thursday evening in Pittsburgh, the names of several college prospects will be read by the commissioner and others over three days.
While Miami Christopher Columbus and Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza is scheduled to be the first player taken by the Las Vegas Raiders, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner will be one of many Miami-Dade and Broward County-bred athletes who will have an opportunity to play professionally.
While this region of the nation has always been the epicenter for football talent – going back to the youth and high school level – the nation is still having the chance to see how impressive the football is in the #305 and #954.
When Mendoza the 6’5, 236-pound Mendoza is taken No. 1, it will be the first time since 1965 that a player from Miami-Dade or Broward is the first overall selection in the draft.
When the New York Giants selected Tucker Frederickson out of Auburn University, the Heisman runner-up from Hollywood South Broward High became the first ever player from south Florida to be selected. Some 61 years later, history will certainly repeat itself – with a #305 product, who began his high school career at Miami Belen Jesuit and then moved on to Christopher Columbus.
Mendoza, who was also a scholar athlete, started his collegiate career at the University of California before making a huge impact for the unbeaten national champion Hoosiers.
BAIN HAS ALSO CONTINUED TO IMPRESS
Over the past three years, Rueben Bain Jr. has continued to leave a mark as a defensive end force for the University of Miami.
Ever since his freshman season at local powerhouse Miami Central High School, the 6’2, 265-pounder has been considered as one of the elite players in college football.
Predicted to be a Top 10 selection on Thursday evening, Bain – like Mendoza – will help to shine a bright light on an area that has had more than its share of talent through the decades.
From a personal standpoint, I have had the opportunity – since 1960 – to watch every football player that competed in youth, high school, college and professionally play live and have been proud to have covered high school and college sports for over a half century. What will happen on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and the weeks after with free agent signings still excited me to watch these young men and their families celebrate the hard work that was put in against elite competition.
WHO ELSE TO KEEP AN EYE ON:
R. Mason Thomas, Edge, 6’2, 241, Oklahoma. This Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons standout is the son of former south Florida area standout Harvey Thomas. Big time player who has the chance to be special in the NFL.
D’Angelo Ponds, CB, 5’9, 182, Indiana. Following his head coach from James Madison, this Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna standout truly jumped into the national spotlight as a shutdown corner for the national champions. Was a youth and high school standout locally before a five-year college career.
While most analysts are no smarter than most of us, here are some of the names that many are throwing out that may have interest locally:
Wesley Bissainthe, LB, 6’2, 225, University of Miami (Miami Central).
Travis Burke, OL, 6’9, 325, Memphis University (Hollywood South Broward).
C.J. Donaldson, RB, 6’2, 230, Ohio State (Miami Gulliver Prep).
Ricardo Hallman, CB, 5’9, 183, University of Wisconsin, Fort Lauderdale University School (Miami Gardens TRU Prep).
Marvin Jones Jr., OLB/Edge, 6’5, 245, University of Oklahoma (Plantation American Heritage).
Nyjalik Kelly, Edge, 6’5, 256, University of Central Florida (Fort Lauderdale Dillard).
Patrick Payton, Edge/DE, 6’5, 260, Florida State University (Miami Northwestern).
Desmond Reid, RB, 5’6, 174, University of Pittsburgh (Miramar).
Tyreek Sapp, DL, 6’2, 273, University of Florida (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas).
GET READY FOR THE 2027 DRAFT WHEN SOUTH FLORIDA WILL ONCE AGAIN HAVE THE NO. 1 OVERALL SELECTION!
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..