While the first day of the 2021 National Football League Draft saw just two south Florida players come off the board, the second day – rounds 2 and 3 – would truly be a time when several local athletes jumped onto the radar screen – nationally.
With eight more selections, Miami-Dade and Broward County have 10 players taken in the first two day.
When Plantation American Heritage and Alabama standout defensive back Pat Surtain Jr., was selected with the 9th pick in the opening round by the Denver Broncos, we were under way.
South Florida once again grabbed a piece of the spotlight when Hialeah Champagnat Catholic/University of Miami standout defensive end Gregory Rousseau was selected 30th in the opening round by Buffalo.
To open up Day 2, Coach Pat Surtain’s team was at it again – when the Jacksonville Jaguars added Tyson Campbell with the very first pick in the second round.
Campbell received five-star recruiting rankings out of American Heritage. At Georgia, he came on strong as a true freshman in 2018, starting 11 games (45 tackles, one pass breakup in 14 appearances) for the Bulldogs. In 2019, he started nine contests (15 tackles, four pass breakups) but missed five games due to a turf toe injury. Campbell led Georgia with five pass breakups in 10 starts in 2020 (also made 29 tackles, 2.5 for loss, and intercepted one pass).
As soon as many got back in their seats after the pick of Campbell, the New York Jets got a lot better – with the pick of Elijah Moore from Mississippi, a gifted receiver from St. Thomas Aquinas. After starting his high school career at Western (Davie), this impressive talent began to blow up – and after a tremendous Under Armour All-Star appearance, his career began to take off. Finished with the second-most receiving yards in all of college football in 2020 despite matching up against SEC defenses every week. This young man is a difference maker!
After things settled down, the Los Angeles Chargers dipped into Broward County and FSU, when Asante Samuel Jr. (St. Thomas Aquinas) was taken with the 47th pick.
This is a very talented prospect, who has some elite traits that will go a long way toward making up for his lack of size. He has some of the slickest change-of-direction skills you will see at the position, and he can come out of his backpedal and drive on the football in an absolute instant. Could be one of the best cover corners in this draft.
The second round continued – when former Miami Northwestern and Louisville speedster Tutu Atwell was chosen by the Los Angeles Rams with the 57th pick.
One of the fastest players in the draft, and while some deem him small, he is a lot like Roscoe Parrish – and that alone should help him grab a roster spot with the Rams. Game-breaking skill player with home-run-hitting speed as a receiver and return specialist. Has a burst of speed that he turns on in a single step and beats opponents downfield in a foot race. Sells routes, uses his frame to shield away defenders, and extends his hands to pull the ball from the air.
THIRD ROUND SOUTH FLORIDA BONANZA
South Florida was not finished with Day 2 – as the New York Giants, selecting 71st, took former Deerfield Beach (UCF) standout cornerback Aaron Robinson. The Alabama transfer, who was the starting nickel back for Central Florida, is a productive cornerback. A physical player who engages receivers at the line of scrimmage. Strong for his size, defeats blocks, and works to make plays on the ball handler.
St. Thomas Aquinas got back into the draft action – when the Los Angeles Chargers took Josh Palmer – a Syracuse receiver with the 77th selection. This young man hasn’t followed a conventional path to the 2021 NFL Draft. The Canadian-born son of Jamaican parents appeared destined to succeed on the basketball court rather than the gridiron. Growing up in Brampton, Ontario, he was a promising basketball player who also played soccer and a little football. Nice-sized wideout with reliable hands. Sells routes, knows where he is on the field, and uses the sidelines well.
The third-round magic continued for south Florida and Coach Surtain’s Patriots – when Auburn world-class sprinter Anthony Schwartz brought the locals to their feet as the Cleveland Browns selected the 6-0, 180-pounder.
Can this impressive and fastest player get by “he’s a track guy” stigma? Has tremendous body control, and balance. In the passing game, he is a threat due to his is a home-run threat and defenders must account for his dynamic ability in the slot. He displays some physical toughness for being a “track guy” and would be a matchup problem in the slot.
THERE IS MUCH MORE
In addition to what we watched during the first two days, there are other south Floridians who are still on the board – and will look to the final rounds on Saturday as more prospects are expected land somewhere.
Here is a look at some of the locals that still remain:
Jose Borregales, PK, Miami/FIU (Miami Booker T. Washington). Has a chance to go third day to a team that needs someone who is as good as you get. The kicking game is huge at every level. As accurate as you will find, the Lou Groza Award winner is indeed as special as you get.
Shawn Davis, S, Florida (Miami Southridge). A rangy, scheme-versatile safety that’s shown to have value as both a single- and two-high safety. Although he’s shown the capability of being a true single-high type of safety, he wasn't allowed to play much of it in 2019. A quick-twitched option that covers a lot of ground during ball pursuit, he can flat-out run when given free paths to the ball.
Nick Eubanks, TE, Michigan (Plantation American Heritage). After five years in Ann Arbor, this graduate student only recorded 10 receptions for 117 yards and one touchdown on 13 targets. However, he spent most of his time in the trenches opening lanes for the run game. Originally joined the college football ranks as a four-star recruit.
Trevon Grimes, WR, Florida (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas). After first committing to Ohio State and then coming to Gainesville, this is still someone who brings plenty to the table, and NFL teams already know that. Nice-sized receiver with good athleticism. Possesses soft hands, uses his frame to protect the ball, and gives outstanding effort after the catch. Consistently comes away with the difficult catch and wins out for contested passes. Effective blocker downfield who gives effort.
Khalil Herbert, RB, Virginia Tech (Plantation American Heritage). Had a flashy run at Kansas before bursting onto the scene in a breakout campaign at Virginia Tech in 2020. In 11 games in 2020, Herbert logged 165 touches from scrimmage, tallying 1,362 yards with nine touchdowns. Herbert is a disciplined runner that plays within himself, has good vision, takes excellent angles, has good contact balance, and is a smooth operator.
Shamar Jean-Charles, CB, Miramar (Appalachian State). Instincts, determination, and a good attitude can take prospects far in football. An aggressive but undersized cornerback, he is likely going to have to fight for a place as a slot cornerback and special-teams contributor to make an NFL roster as a rookie.
Tedarrell Slaton, DT, Florida (Plantation American Heritage). An impressively built interior defensive line prospect. An extremely powerful player at the point of attack, he makes it difficult for double teams to move him off of his spots. He’s a true head-up 0-technique that thrives with maintaining both A-gaps. Slaton wins strictly off of bull rush attempts and it’s a method that’s been highly effective for him to this point in his career. Was a former offensive lineman.
Rashad Weaver, DE, Pittsburgh (Cooper City). After logging 47 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks in 2018, he missed the entire 2019 season with a knee injury. Picking up where he left off, Weaver collected 34 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks in nine games in 2020. He is a long and powerful defensive end that has upside in the NFL as both a 5-technique in a 3-4 defense or as a base end in a 4-3 defense. As a pass rusher, Weaver has sufficient rush variety and his length is a major asset.
James Wiggins, S, Cincinnati (South Dade). Starring for the Bearcats in 2018, hauling in four interceptions en route to second-team All-AAC honors in his first season as a full-time starter. Three of those picks were of the walk-off variety, securing victories for Cincinnati. NFL teams covet defensive backs that can take away the football and Wiggins made a habit of doing just that in the most clutch moments as a redshirt sophomore.
Rachad Wildgoose, S, Wisconsin (Miami Northwestern). While he was a surprise to come out, and his resume of game tape at Wisconsin was fairly lean and he only played in two games this season before a shoulder injury brought the end of his season, he is coming out of Jim Leonhard’s defensive system, which should offer an NFL team a smart, savvy defensive presence.
Marco Wilson, CB, Florida (Plantation American Heritage). The younger brother of former Gator corner Quincy Wilson, he’s a long and rangy prospect that has many tools in his toolshed. Wilson has experience time at both outside corner and in the slot as a nickel defender against multiple receiver sets. Wilson brings tremendous value as a blitzer. Hs proven to be one of the most athletic prospects in this draft, showcasing his many skills
For the past 51 years, we have spent time going from games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events. We will remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein- SFHSports) and Twitter (@SFHSSports - @larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..