FORT LAUDERDALE – With over 30 high school football programs on hand – from Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and even southwest Florida, the media on hand at the Fifth Annual Football Hotbed Media Day wanted to see the seven-time defending state champion Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders.

Right in the middle of a Saturday practice day as this national powerhouse continued to prepare for the 2026 season, a number of players flocked to the XPE Sports Performance Center to greet the media and fan websites who set up cameras and were waiting to ask the important questions that every football fan wanted answers to.

As head coach Roger Harriott had prior plans, his more than capable assistant coaches escorted dozens of players to get their time in the spotlight.

As individual players were asked several questions about the upcoming season, there was  the main interview room where only four players took center stage and had thousands watching live on Facebook.

As seniors walked around the facility to enjoy their time in the spotlight, it was Notre Dame commits Julius Jones Jr. (receiver) and Zayden Gamble (defensive back), Texas A&M-bound offensive lineman Mark Matthews and Edge Rusher Wyatt Smith, who will be headed to Ohio State next year, that had an opportunity to sit down and answer some questions about this season and the future.

Jones Jr., who has played since his freshman season, and is considered one of the best in the country, had the opportunity – along with Gamble and Matthews – to play in the Under Armour National All-Star Game last January as juniors.

That event certainly gave all three a running start on the national exposure needed, heading into their final season, and all three will start the 2026 season among the top 15 in the state of Florida and rated as the best in the country.

Remember, it was Jones Jr., who caught a key touchdown as a freshman in the state title game against Homestead and he has never slowed down.

Gamble and Matthews also used that appearance in the all-star event, competing against seniors, to vault themselves into the national spotlight.

As the focus was on those three, Smith has truly been talked about perhaps more than any other defensive end in the state as well as throughout the country. The 6’6, 245-pouder was easily one of the best in Florida a year ago, despite being hobbled with an injury.

Coming into the season as a huge favorite to win an amazing eighth straight state title, the focus is going beyond Florida.

“This year it’s all about bringing home a national title,” the players agreed. “We know that all of us worked extremely hard – and anything less than winning all the games on our schedule will not be considered a successful year!”

As the Raiders were indeed the team everyone wanted to see, they were not the only elite program that came out on this day.

A pair of two-time defending state champions – West Boca Raton (Coach Dylan Potts) and Plantation American Heritage (Coach Mike Smith) were joined by powers Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (Coach Dameon Jones) and Miami Central (Coach Derrick Gibson) were joined by a very impressive group of teams.

“Our objective was to bring in some elite programs,” said Football Hotbed Founder and CEO Brandon Odoi. “The media and recruiting services that came out were treated to as good an event as you can possibly have. The players, coaches, parents and fans will talk about this day for a long time.”

Also attending on Saturday were Community School of Naples, 4A state runner up Miami Northwestern, Hialeah American, southwest Florida power Fort Myers Dunbar, Coconut Creek Monarch, legendary head coach Tim “Ice” Harris and Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy, powerhouse Miami Christopher Columbus and veteran head coach Dave Dunn, Miramar, Final 4 7A program Miami Palmetto (Coach Mike Manasco), 1A state power Miami True North Classical Academy, Miami Killian, Miami Southridge, Coconut Creek, Davie Western, Fort Lauderdale University School, Royal Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons and rising power Hollywood McArthur.

In addition to those teams, 2A power Miami Carol City, Miami Norland, North Miami, Weston Cypress Bay, Doral Academy, Sunrise Piper, defending 6A state runner up Pembroke Pines West Broward, Delray Beach Atlantic, Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy, Miami Jackson, rising power Fort Lauderdale Dillard and Plantation.

PROSPECTS WERE INDEED IN THE SPOTLIGHT
While the St. Thomas Aquinas standouts were on display, there were others who attended on Saturday.

Among those who found a camera and microphone were recent Christopher Columbus University of Miami commitment A’mir Sears, as well as other Top 100 seniors such as UM commitment Nick Lennear (WR, Miami Carol City), Demarcus Deroche (TE, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, Miami commitment), Jaylyn Jones (DB, Hollywood McArthur, Miami commitment) and Anthony Jennings (WR, Fort Lauderdale Dillard, Florida commitment).

Others who also joined their teams were are expected to be at media say with their teams were Bryce Williams (DB, Davie Western, Nebraska commitment), Amare Nugent (DB, Plantation American Heritage, Florida commitment), Loia Valade (DB, West Boca Raton, Texas A&M commitment)and Trae “Tank” Proctor (TE, Plantation American Heritage).

Many reporters also had the chance to interview James Perrone (QB, Miami Central, Pittsburgh commitment), Jahnard Young (RB, Fort Lauderdale Dillard), Angelo Smith (DB, Hollywood Chaminade Madonna, Ohio State commitment), Davon Dericho (DB, Miami Killian, Colorado commit), Lee Prince (RB, Miami Carol City) and FIU commitment Zac Katz (QB, Miami True North Classical Academy) to name a few.

There were also Top 100 Class of 2028 prospects like Tromon Isaac (WR) and Brady Quinn (QB) from Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Desmond Christian (WR, Weston Cypress Bay), Nijal Thigpen (OL, Miramar), Edwin Augustin, Antron Branch (WR, Hollywood McArthur) and Khavon Gipson (LB, Miami Northwestern).

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For the past 56 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, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein), Instagram (OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..