Recruiting News

STRANDED ON AN ISLAND: Key West Football Prospects Never Get The Exposure

Perhaps the one area in this country that cannot win for losing when it comes to football recruiting is Florida’s beautiful Keys.

For decades, if you come from Key West, you have lived in a rather large shadow that is tough to escape – even 150 miles away!

The Conchs have lived close to the most fertile place on earth for high school football – south Florida – and it has long been a tough act to follow.

While Key West has always had athletes, and placed several in college and in the NFL, it’s never easy to get college coaches to make the three hour drive required to see these gifted football prospects.

For many years, if the Conchs had talent, colleges would wait for them to come to Miami or other areas of Florida to see them play. Only elite football players would warrant a trip.

Today, we will give you 8 football prospects from Key West High and head coach John Hughes to keep an eye on – with hopes that college coaches will see these players and check them out this season:

2021 – Will Andrews, LB/QB. One of the most versatile and athletic prospects on the team. Not only does he play linebacker and quarterback, but he is a solid wrestler and happens to hold down a 4.2 GPA in the classroom. One of the catalysts of a team that is searching for a 5A playoff position in 2020.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/9749018/Will-Andrews

2022 – Michael Cates, DB. Another of gifted underclassmen that this program has, coming into the 2020 season. His size, athletic ability and knack of being where the ball is makes this quality talent someone to keep an eye on this coming season. Is a physical football talent who will battle for every ball. Is also solid as a special teams player.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/10237789/Michael-Cates

2022 – Preston Hence, RB. Last year’s MVP, who had 1,500 all-purpose yards is back for another year. This three-sport (baseball & basketball) athlete also scored 15 times for the Conchs, earning County Player of the Year honors. Colleges are already keeping an eye on this impressive prospect.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/10237772/Preston-Herce

2021 – Jason Jeudy, RB/OLB. Here is one of the talented and hard working prospects on the team. This off-season he worked very hard to put himself in a position for college coaches to keep him on the radar. No matter if it was running back or linebacker, he will be a force this coming season. Colleges need to check him out.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/10222665/Jason-Jeudy

2021 – Christian Opalsky, Slot/S. The grandson of former University of Miami running back Vince Opalsky, who recently passed, this is a solid talent who went to Coconut Creek and St. Thomas Aquinas after a tremendous youth career. A versatile football player who can run and make plays all over the field. Huge things are expected in 2020.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/9326294/Christian-Opalsky

2022 – Jeremiah Osborne, RB/FB/DL. Quality back who was born in Georgia and has shown that he is ready to make a statement on both sides of the ball – as a running back and coming up with huge stops on defense. Great size who is only going to get better over the next year.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/10237780/Jeremiah-Osborne

2021 – Max Ryan, DE/OT. Ask anyone who has played with or against him, here is a throwback player to the way it used to be. Hard worker, who is willing to give everything and anything it takes to win football games. Solid on both sides of the ball, this is someone who never stops playing the game. Hard worker in the off-season as well. The Conchs are looking for some big things from this young man this season.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/11252407/Max-Ryan

2022 – Marques Williamson, LB/RB. Yet another underclassman, who brings plenty to the table for this program as a two-way prospect that makes plays on defense as a linebacker and helps the many weapons on offense as a runner. Adds to what is an impressive attack for this program in 2020.

 TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/13180452/Marques-Williamson

https://www.hudl.com/profile/10237780/Jeremiah-Osborneor 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..