It had been nearly two years since the University of Miami held the now famous Paradise Camp on campus.
The event, which was started some six years ago by head coach Mark Richt, and had been carried on through the Manny Diaz era.
What the camp does is stress fun while giving UM players of today and yesterday the opportunity to spend some time with the future.
Several key recruits from as far away as Utah, California, Nevada, Minnesota and New York came to Coral Gables to check out the school while showcasing their skills on the football field.
Even though the rain came, it didn’t stop the athletes and their families, coaches, players and former players a chance to experience Paradise Camp.
From Michael Irvin to Lamar Thomas, Jon Beason, Antrel Rolle, Edgerrin James, Calais Campbell, Deon Bush, Duane Starks, Joaquin Gonzalez, Brian Monroe, David Njoku, Dolphins’ rookie Jaelen Phillips and Gregory Rousseau – all were on campus.
SENIORS FRONT AND CENTER
Even though this came down plenty of underclassmen getting the chance to do their thing, the rising senior class also had some impressive talent as well.
Prospects such as Fernando Mendoza (QB, Miami Christopher Columbus), Earl Little Jr. (DB, Plantation American Heritage), David Connor (OL, Deerfield Beach), Dante Hunte (DL, Miami Central), Tellek Lockette (OL, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Elijah McCantos (DB, Miami Edison), Elijah Miller (OL, Miami Central), Ken Moore (CB, Miami Christopher Columbus), Darius Thomas (S, Miramar) and Miami Killian defensive end Derrick Willis all came out with something to prove to the coaches and those watching.
UNDERCLASMEN WELL REPRESENTED
As solid as the senior class was, the juniors (2023) were also the focus on this night – and prospects like Dwight Bootle (DB, Miami Killian), Joseph Colosi (OL, Plantation American Heritage), Ahmere Foster (S, Miami Christopher Columbus), Mark Gay Jr. (DB, Miami Killian), Jason Hammond Jr. (DL, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), major recruit Andy Jean (WR, Miami Northwestern), Jaden Miller (RB, Homestead South Dade), Levy Miller (RB, South Miami), British Mitchell (WR, Miami Edison), impressive and versatile Antonio Robinson, Jr. (Athlete, Miami Florida Christian), and Miami Edison defensive lineman Rodric Smith all showcased major skills and turned plenty of heads.
Also, Class of 2024 prospects are going to be special, and the camp highlighted some very impressive ones in Antoine Jackson (DB, Fort Lauderdale Dillard), Semaj Jackson (S, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Gavench Marcelin (DE, Miami Belen Jesuit), Michael Merdinger (QB, Deerfield Beach), Zaquan Patterson (DB, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Nicholas Serrano (OL, Miami Monsignor Pace), Dylan Stephenson (DL, Miami Killian), Decedric Stokes (WR, Sunrise Piper) and Fort Lauderdale Dillard receiver Marcus Striggles.
THE TALENT WAS ENDLESS
In addition to those prospects, Paradise Camp also attracted several others from Miami-Dade and Broward Counties:
2024 – Kael Alexander, QB, Weston Cypress Bay
2023 – Jason Bourciquot, WR, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna
2023 – Jaden Blackburn, DB, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
2022 – Fabrice Bois, RB, Deerfield Beach
2022 – Jeffrey Bonica, OL, Miami Edison
2023 – Jajuan Bradshaw, DB, Miami Christopher Columbus
2024 – Andre Brown, WR, Miami High
2022 – Raynell Chambers, CB, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
2022 – Solomon Charles-Pierre, DL, Miami Central
2024 – Lathan Croley, LB, Miami Palmetto
2023 – Aiden Davenport, QB, Miami Palmer Trinity
2022 – Gregory Davis, DB, Davie Nova
2025 – Davion Dixon, DL, Miami Belen Jesuit
2023 – Khristian Duarte, OL, Miramar Everglades
2024 – Joaquin Edie, WR, Weston Cypress Bay
2022 – Gabe Elmaadaway, Athlete, Deerfield Beach
2022 – Jorge Estevez, RB, Miami Florida Christian
2024 – Casey Etienne Jr., DB, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
2023 – Jahmar Everett, WR, Miami Palmetto
2023 – Chaz Felder, CB, Homestead South Dade
2024 – Robert Finlay, WR, Miami True North
2022 – Tommy Harley, OL, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian
2023 – Douglas Hernandez, S, Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy
2024 – Jason Ibarra, DB, Miami Christopher Columbus
2023 – Jeremiah Jean-Philippe, DB, Miami Gardens TRU Prep Academy
2022 – Cammern Jordan, CB, Sunrise Piper
2023 – Jeno Junius, LB, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna
2023 – Jabari Lewis, WR, Homestead South Dade
2022 – Jaiden Louis, LB, Miami Palmetto
2024 – Connor Lowe, DL, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
2022 – Ethan Joachim, DL, Calvary Christian Academy
2022 – Zachary Lovett, LB, Fort Lauderdale Stranahan
2024 – Stephen McCloud, WR, Miami True North
2022 – Jack McDevitt, OL, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
2022 – Jake McEntyre, CB, Davie Nova
2024 – Jayden Milfort, DL, Miami Belen Jesuit
2024 – Andres Miyares, QB, Miami Christopher Columbus
2024 – Gerald Modest, RB, Miami Edison
2023 – Angelo Morales, TE, Miami True North
2022 – Carlos Munez, RB, Pembroke Pines Flanagan
2023 – Jadyn Nelson, WR, Fort Lauderdale
2023 – Wayne Peart, DL, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna
2024 – Victor Perez, WR, Miami Belen Jesuit
2022 – Ernst Pierrlouis, QB, Sunrise Piper
2024 – Christian Porta, QB, SW Ranches Archbishop McCarthy
2022 – Alejandro Portuondo, QB, Miami Coral Reef
2022 – Raashaun Rainey, DL, Miami Central
2022 – Kristopher Ratliff, DL, Plantation
2023 – Erickson Reinoso, DL, Pembroke Pines Flanagan
2024 – Braylon Renna, WR, Pembroke Pines Flanagan
2024 – Fabian Rodriguez, QB, Doral Academy
2022 – Jake Rodriguez, OL, Miami Christopher Columbus
2023 – David Rosales, DL, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
2024 – Antravious Shropshire, DB, Homestead South Dade
2024 – Andrew Silva, DL, Doral Academy
2024 – Michael Solomon, CB, Miami True North
2024 – Jayden Stephens, S, Somerset Academy Silver Palms
2024 – Bryan Wallace, OL, Miami Killian
2024 – Jancent Wallace, LB, Miami Belen Jesuit
2022 – Jerome Wallace, OL, Miami Killian
2024 – Fraquan Warren, WR, Homestead South Dade
2024 – Robert Williams, DL, Miami Christopher Columbus
2023 – Shawn Williams, RB, Plantation
2023 – Marcus Woodley, LB, Somerset Academy Silver Palms
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..