DELAND – After winning their seventh straight state football title, several members of the Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas championship team hit the off-season in many directions.

For the senior class of 2026, heading toward college was the next step in their development as student/athletes, finishing up their final year in high school.

For the underclassmen who will return in 2026 under the direction of veteran head coach Roger Harriott, it’s off to other sports as well as football camps, combines and 7-on-7 events that will enhance their exposure.

For three Class of 2027 standouts and Offensive Coordinator Wesley Carroll, the first week of the New Year saw them join several other elite prospects in Orlando (for practice) and DeLand for the annual Under Armour Next All-America Game.

With underclassmen being able to play in the post season game, the experience of competing with and against some of the country’s best is something that not only helps as far as experience, but exposure is also paramount.

With recruiting analysts, fan websites and ESPN high school football reporters watching every practice at Disney’s Wide World of Sports, and the game on Saturday at Spec Martin Stadium in DeLand, the opportunity was certainly something that was a win/win all the way around.

For Class of 2027 prospects Mark Matthews (offensive lineman), receiver Julius Jones Jr. and defensive back Zayden Gamble, it was indeed a huge opportunity to open some eyes.

In this day of ranking players, it is tough to randomly say one prospect is better than the next without seeing them compete against one another. This event actually gets these athletes together to compete.

With NIL and the transfer portal taking center stage in college sports, getting exposure is more important than ever before.

With so many elite prospects on hand for these post season all-star games, there are more restrictions being put on seniors than ever before. Remember, when these young men are signing NIL deals, the clock starts immediately and that means that getting into college in the first week of the new year starts the clock as high school freshmen are competing for playing time as soon as they enter college.

With January, February and March important months for development, most programs are looking to add these incoming freshmen to the depth chart during spring. That is what the portal and these NIL deals have done to all college sports – with huge money being handed out.

“The entire landscape of recruiting has changed,” said Charles Fishbein of Elite Scouting Services. “To say that it has gotten out of hand is an understatement, but that is the direction we are moving in and you have to keep up or you will fall behind.”

 With prospects headed to such schools as LSU, Texas Tech, Illinois, Colorado, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio State, Vanderbilt, Michigan, BYU, Ole Miss, Utah, Texas A&M, Alabama, Oklahoma and other schools across the country, the underclassmen had the chance to see what they will be experiencing over the next year.

With more and more underclassmen being added to the game – with many NIL deals not letting these athletes compete in fear of injury, Matthews, Jones and Gamble got a huge jump with extensive exposure in the practices and playing time in the game, which Team Roses used dynamic performances from several of its superstars on Saturday. But perhaps none were brighter than game MVP and Texas verbal Easton Royal (Slidell Brother Martin, Louisiana) in its win over Team Peals, 23-9, in the annual contest.

Here is a look at why college coaches are excited about the continuing development of the three Raiders, who will be among the best in the country over the next 12 months.

Zayden Gamble, DB, 6’1, 180 – 3.8 GPA. Played most of the game and showed his many skills, combining speed, athleticism and the ability to make plays. He is one of the most sure tacklers you will find. He plays a competitive schedule and has to compete against elite prospects in practice every day.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19530451/Zayden-Gamble

Julio Jones Jr., WR, 5’11, 175. From the first time he stepped on campus two years ago as a freshman, you could tell that this was going to be someone very special. An elite playmaker with outstanding skills, speed and the ability to make plays anywhere on the field. He impressed in practice as well as during game action.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20767020/Julius-Jones

Mark Matthews, OL, 6’6, 305. Watching him for the first time during last year’s combine season, this was simply a no brainer. Size, quickness, strength and the ability to pick things up quickly. Because the offensive line is often the toughest place to make early projections, many who have watched him play believe that this is certainly a work in progress. He’s going to continue to get stronger and pick up so much from a technical standpoint. He’s already the best in his class in Florida, and during the Under Armour practices and game he showed that he will soon be regarded as one of the country’s best. Colleges and universities have already made him a priority.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19972142/Mark-Matthews

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For the past 55 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..