Nobody understands how tough the past four plus months have been more than high school athletes.

This pandemic has altered everything from actually being in the classroom to competing in spring and summer.

For football prospects in all classes, the last time college coaches have really watched them is as far back as November and December of last year.

While spring and summer are usually a time when athletes can be evaluated and actually seen, it hasn’t happened that way.

Take the Class of 2022. During the past nine to 10 months, these young men have gained as much as 30 pounds and have grown up to five and six inches.

Those spring workouts and games – college camps and 7-on-7 events which usually uncovers talent that many had not ever heard about before, have not been available.

As we are now looking at the 2020 season, there are a number of south Florida prospects who are getting some recognition – and while there are many more than we will give you – the fact that over the next year – we will bring you thousands of prospects daily, will help keep many of our local stars in the spotlight.

While the start of the season is up in the air locally, we will at least get some of those future prospects out that have already put their names on the radar.

OFFENSIVE TALENT IS IMPRESSIVE

There are so many impressive athletes in this class – and during the season, we will continue to add to the prospects.

There are some impressive quarterbacks to keep an eye on – with Zion Turner (6-1, 180, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Kevin Smith (6-2, 200, Miami Palmetto), Carson Haggard (5-10, 180, Miami Gulliver Prep) and Peter Zamora (6-0, 190, Deerfield Beach) lead the way.

As usual, running backs will be impressive as well. Standouts Anthony Hankerson (5-8, 190. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Maurice Jones (5-9, 180, Miami Killian) and Jaziun Patterson (5-10, 170, Deerfield Beach) have already grabbed the spotlight nationally – as well as with college coaches.

There is never a year where marquee pass catchers aren’t shining brightly, and the 2022 class has some impressive prospects in Avari Marshall (5-8, 160, Hialeah Barbara Goleman), Devaughn Mortimer (5-11, 160, Fort Lauderdale Dillard), Zaylan Reese (6-1, 190, Miami Northwestern), Shayon Walton (5-10, 160, Hialeah Champagnat Catholic), Syveion Ellis (6-5, 200, Miami Edison), speedy Mike Jackson (5-8, 155, Miami Palmetto),  versatile Jai-Ayviauynn Celestine (Miami Northwestern) as well as emerging WR/TE Decarlo Donaldson (6-2, 200, Miami Gulliver Prep).

Every year, south Florida gets more and more respect on the offensive line – and with Julian Armella (6-6, 300, Miami Christopher Columbus), newcomer Daughtry Richardson (6-5, 265, Miami Edison), Shomari Seymour (6-5, 265, Plantation), versatile Jason Seraphin (6-3, 300, North Miami Beach) and Carol City transfer Jeffrey Bonica (6-3, 350, Miami Edison).

DEFENSIVE TALENT IS STILL DOMINATING

The Class of 2022 will also roll out stellar defensive prospects this coming season.

Starting out on the line with Alton Tarber (DT, 6-2, 305, Deerfield Beach), Daniel Lyon (DT, 6-4, 260, Homestead), Francois Nolton (DE, 6-4, 225, Miami Edison), Jamaal Johnson (DE, 6-3, 250, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Nyjalik Kelly (DE, 6-2, 215, Fort Lauderdale Dillard), Richard Thomas (DE, 6-2, 240, Deerfield Beach), Shemar Stewart (DE, 6-5, 236, Miami Monsignor Pace), Marvin Jones Jr. (DE, 6-4, 225, Plantation American Heritage), Kenyatta Jackson (DE, 6-4, 215, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Deshawn Willoughby (DE, 6-2, 235, Deerfied Beach) and Dante Anderson (DE, 6-3, 210, Homestead).

Linebackers Wesley Bissainthe (6-2, 200, Miami Central), Travious Lathan (6-2, 190, Miami Gulliver Prep), Tray Brown (6-0, 200, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons) and Leon Hart (6-2, 190, Miami Edison) are turning heads nationally already.

We already know when it comes to the defensive secondary, there is no region in the country like south Florida – with Earl Little Jr. (CB, 6-0 170, Plantation American Heritage), Alfonzo Allen (S, 6-1, 200, Hallandale), versatile Jacolby Spells (CB, 6-0, 170, Plantation American Heritage), Trevell Mullen (CB, 5-11, 150, Coconut Creek), Jaylin Marshall (CB, 6-3, 190, Hallandale), Brian Dilworth (CB, 6-0, 175, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Elijah McCantos (CB, 6-1, 170, Miami Edison), Websley Etienne (S, 5-11, 180, Davie Western),  and Semaj Flagg (S, 6-2, 190, Miami Booker T. Washington) already getting a huge jump from colleges all over the country.

Even kicker Will Bettridge from Miami Gulliver Prep will go into the 2021 season as one of the best in the nation in this class after showcasing his skills at national events.

As you know, while there were lots of prospects that are getting attention, we will continue to spotlight everyone in this class – and that you already know as we brought you nearly 2,500 football players from south Florida already this year.

For the past 50 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, nobody has evaluated more football talent than we have – and as we are in the midst of a pandemic like no other time before – 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..