When the University of Miami played at Virginia last season in an ACC regular season contest, the games came down to kicking.
While kickers and punters are often overlooked until they are needed, that overtime game came down to field goals by Virginia’s Will Bettridge and Miami’s Andy Borregales.
Bettridge, who was an All-American from Miami Gulliver Prep, and Borregales, who was rated as one of the top kickers in the country after playing at Miami Booker T. Washington, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna and Hialeah Champagnat Catholic certainly shined a spotlight on south Florida.
Through the years we have been able to develop top-flight kickers and punters, but over the past few years, colleges and universities across the country have relied on what this region of the country has produced and developed.
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Today, once again, we take a look some of those prospects that have a chance to land at several schools nationally.
RISING SENIOR CLASS (2024) LEADING THE WAY
Every year, you are going to find some quality punters and kickers who are ahead of the curve.
Because of the amazing year-round work ethic, the spotlight never fades.
Among the rising seniors to keep an eye on include Andrew Abu-Akel (K/P, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Kristian Hobbs (K/P, Miami Central), Michael Kern (K/P, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Alon Kochav (K/P, Plantation American Heritage), Gabriel Perez (K/P, Miami Southridge), Brandon Rabasco (K, Hollywood South Broward) and Miami Palmetto kicker Jad Rosario.
In addition, here are some other Class of 2024 specialists to keep an eye on:
Jake Aller, K, Parkland Douglas
Jake Arteaga, K, Parkland Douglas
Elmer Baca, P/K, Miami Jackson
Jacques Blanchard, K, Miami Gulliver Prep
Kade Bryson, K, Hollywood Hills
Robert Czeremcha, K, Miami Christopher Columbus
Dylan Dinerman, P, Miami Gulliver Prep
Gerald Escobar, K/P, Coral Gables
Ian Faulkner, PK, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
Juan Galarza, PK, Miami Palmetto
Collin Goff, P/K, Miami Ransom Everglades
Zane Knapp, K, Fort Lauderdale
Christian Lopez, K, Miami Braddock
David Marin, K, South Miami
Claiten Maysonet, K, Doral Academy
Nicholas McCarthy, K/P, Coral Springs Coral Glades
Steven Mendivil, K, Sunrise Piper
German Parson, K, Miami Booker T. Washington
Francisco Pileggi, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
Joshua Portillo, PK, Miami High
Cosme Salas, K, Miami Gulliver Prep
Demitri Stephenson, K, Miramar
Denzel Velasquez, K/P, Miramar Everglades
Jeronimo Cheff-Velez, K/P, Miami Coral Reef
RISING JUNIOR CLASS (2025) BOASTS SOME IMPRESSIVE TALENT
In addition to what the rising senior class is bringing to the 2023 season, there are some rising juniors who are among the best in the state as well.
Prospects such as Luca Guerra (K, Doral Academy), Gavin Katz (K, South Plantation) and nationally rated Nicholas Romero (K, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas) will be in the spotlight this coming season.
The Class of 2025 will also have some others to watch this coming year as well:
Lucas Avino, K, Miami Belen Jesuit
Jacob Corredera, P/K, Miami St. Brendan
Jayden Gomez, PK/P, Miami Palmetto
Abraham Gutierrez, P, Miami St. Brendan
Zane Knapp, K/P, Fort Lauderdale
Salvatore Mancuso, K, Miami Gulliver Prep
Nathan Mocada, Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy
Adrian Muelle, PK, Miami Belen Jesuit
Chris Murciano, Miami Gulliver Prep
Nick Navarro, PK, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
Joshua Norton, K, Miami Beach
Adam Piniero, K, Miami Ferguson
Ethan Silva, PK/P, Miami Archbishop Carroll
Christopher Wirth, K, South Plantation
RISING SOPHOMORE CLASS (2026) SHOWCASES QUALITY SPECIALISTS
Like the other classes, heading into the 2023 season, the group of rising sophomores are also anxious to show what they can do as well.
Keep an eye on standouts Pablo Gomez (K/P, Miami Dr. Krop), Thomas Lopez (K/P, Miami High) and Trace Poncev (K, Fort Lauderdale Dillard).
Here are some additional 2026 prospects to watch as well:
Matisse Bullrich, K, Miami Gulliver Prep
Alan Lopez-Ortiz, K/P, South Miami
Steven Cook Roberts, P/K, Miami Palmer Trinity
TRACKING SOUTH FLORIDA (MIAMI-DADE & BROWARD) PROSPECTS – CLASSES 2024-2027. LAST UPDATED: April 11, 2023. https://larryblustein.com/prospects/tracking-south-florida-prospects COLLEGE COACHES ARE WATCHING ALL THE TIME, SO LET’S KEEP UPDATING – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
For the past 53 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields across 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 (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..