When last weekend’s Under Armour Combine took place at Ives Park in North Miami-Dade County, there were some who felt that the level of talent at the event didn’t measure up to the usual star cavalcade this region offers up.
But that general statement was made without really thinking things out. This is south Florida. No matter who may be missing, there are tons of athletes ready to step in and steal that spotlight. The depth at every position is mind-boggling, to say the least.
Because 7-on-7 events have certainly taken the football landscape by storm, many are involved every weekend, and a combine to those who are already set with their college decision, is not important.
But getting back to that statement about the talent level not being what it normally is, could never be about the receivers who attended the combine.
First of all, this region and the state is home to the best receiving prospects in the nation – and it isn’t even close. Argue all you like, but facts are facts!
The Class of 2023 is so deep that any other area in the nation would be fooling themselves to even compare the athletes who will be on display in 2021.
This rising junior class includes such national prospects as the No. 1 rated 2023 receiver Brandon Inniss (Miami Gardens TRU Prep Academy), who turned in his usual MVP performance and will be attending everything that Under Armour hosts over the next two years.
But as good as he is, Inniss is not the only show that south Florida hosts. There were as many as 15 Power 5 receivers and tight ends – 10 from south Florida on hand for Sunday’s showcase.
Prospects such as gifted Jalen Brown (Miami Gulliver Prep), very popular Santana Fleming (Miami Carol City), versatile and very talented William Fowles (Miami Dade Christian), Miami Northwestern’s top pass catcher Andy Jean, rising standout A.J Jenkins (Coral Springs Coral Glades), Chaminade-Madonna standout Edwin Joseph, and two of the nation’s best in Nathaniel Joseph (Miami Edison) and athletic Hykeem Williams (Fort Lauderdale Stranahan)
HOW ABOUT THOSE 2022 STANDOUTS?
There is no way you can sleep on the 2022 class either. While there may not be as many elite prospect, there are several who continue to grab the spotlight.
Prospects like Florida-Georgia All-Star Game participant Camden Brown (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), impressive Bobby Golden (Miami Palmetto), speedy, game-changer Mike Jackson (Miami Palmetto), standout pass catcher Daverick Jenkins (Miami Northwestern), under-the-radar Joseph Kennerly (Deerfield Beach), play-making standout Jalen Rogers (Miami Northwestern), Jaylin Terzado (Hialeah Champagnat Catholic) and St. Thomas Aquinas tight end Mason Taylor.
In addition to those quality prospects, the Under Armour event also brought out some other gifted athletes – from as far away as the Panhandle and as close as Miami and Fort Lauderdale:
2022 – Rian Black, Rockledge
2023 – Darion Domineck, Orange Park Fleming Island
2022 – Gregory Gaines III, Tampa Bay Tech (TE)
2023 – Cedrick Hawkins, Cocoa
2022 – Jalyn Jackson, Fort Lauderdale Stranahan
2023 – Vanderevius Jacobs, Vero Beach
2022 – Matthew James, Boca Raton St. Andrews
2023 – Wayne Peart, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (TE)
2022 – Corey Reddick, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
2022 – Jmariyae Robinson, Cocoa
2023 – Pearce Spurlin, Santa Rosa Beach South Walton (TE)
2024 – Jaydon Williams, Bartow
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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..