If you follow high school football in south Florida, you already know that when it comes to running backs, receivers, defensive backs and linebackers, this area has the market cornered on skill players.
The one area that has always been behind the rest of the country is the offensive and defensive line. While there have been several impressive prospects on both sides of the ball, there has always been a problem with quality depth. But that is changing.
Nowhere was it more evident than last weekend’s Rivals.com Camp Series at Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas.
While many of the quarterbacks, running backs and several other positions were jumping into the spotlight, Miami-Dade and Broward County line prospects more than held their own during drills and competition.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN ARE STARTING TO TURN HEADS
Over the past few years, colleges and universities have flocked to this area and have come away with impressive big men.
Thanks in part to so many events devoted to developing offensive linemen, athletes get interested earlier and are learning more than ever.
Among the 2025 (rising seniors on hand included Bryan Auguste (OT, Coconut Creek Monarch), recent Miami Central offensive tackle transfer Woody Celucien, Daniel Davis (OG, Davie Western), and quality guard Dayen Marouf-Araibi (Plantation American Heritage).
UNDERCLASSMEN ARE READY FOR THE SPOTLIGHT
As the 2025 rising seniors have already showcased their many talents, 2026 rising junior prospect like recent transfer Ben Gula (OT, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna) has a chance to be special. So do Class of 2027 rising sophomores Jayden Dean (OC, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Giovanni Garner II (OG, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Aiden Hartnett (OG, Plantation American Heritage), and guard Ronald Riley (Miami True North Classical Academy), who has been attending just about everything in the off-season.
DEFENSIVE LINE ONCE AGAIN MAKES A STATEMENT
As the offensive linemen are still breaking out with talent, the defensive line has been stacked with quality for a number of years.
Defensive ends, edge rushers and interior linemen continue to make their way from the #305 and #954 to the next level and beyond.
At the Rivals.com event, rising seniors (2025) such as gifted Randy Adirika (DT, Miami Central), Omarian Abraham (DT, Plantation American Heritage), nationally-recruited Floyd Dawens Boucard (DT, Miami Central), Nimari Brantley (DT, Coconut Creek), Darryll Desir (DE, Miami Norland), Mandrell Desir (DE, Miami Norland), Notre Dame commit Davion Dixon (DT, Miami Palmetto), Adrian Farrow (DT, Miami Norland), Brandon Joseph Jr. (DT. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), and Miami Northwestern defensive end Lewon Lurry Jr.
The deep class also features Tanary Moore (DE, Miami Norland), Alejandro Schmitt (OT, Pembroke Pines West Broward), fast rising Donta Simpson Jr. (DT, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Anthony Smith (DT, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Wilnerson Telemaque (DE, Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace), and versatile Alex Yearwood (Miami Norland).
THERE ARE SOME QUALITY UNDERCLASSMEN ON THE WAY
In addition to a huge group of rising seniors who turned heads last Sunday, the next wave of talent is also impressive as well.
Class of 2026 rising juniors like Jordan Davis (DT, Miramar), versatile and athletic Ryan Miret (DT, Miami Southridge), Khyze Smith (DT, Miami Norland), and defensive end Rodarion Tellez (Plantation American Heritage) will be counted on. So will rising St. Thomas Aquinas sophomores (2027) Joey Bollo (DE, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas Trevoris Finley (DE, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas)
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Year after year when colleges and universities talk about recruiting the state of Florida, the one position that seems to pop up right away is the gifted defensive backs.
The Sunshine State annually produces some of the elite secondary performers in the country – and it plays out at the collegiate level and beyond.
Last Sunday, while several elite prospects were doing their thing at the Rivals.com Camp Series at St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, several talented defensive backs – from 2025 through 2027 – were showing why this region of the state is always home to some quality safeties and cornerbacks.
NAMES THAT YOU WILL NEED TO REMEMBER IN 2024
While Florida has more than its share of gifted defensive backs for the upcoming season, Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, as usual, are stacked with game-changers.
There were dozens and dozens on hand and here are a few of those who you may need to watch this spring and summer: Cameron Anderson (S, Miami Northwestern), Jahar Brown (CB, Coconut Creek), nationally-rated Chris Ewald Jr. (CB, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Jaheim Hines (S, Miami Norland), Walter Manning (CB, Miramar Everglades), state-rated Zion Paret (CB, Miami Central), Kelvin Reyes (S, Pembroke Pines West Broward), and Miami Norland cornerback Isaiah Rock.
In addition, the 2025 class also featured Erick Rodriguez (S, Miami Killian), Kelly Sejour (CB, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), nationally recruited Gregory Thomas (CB, Plantation American Heritage) and Jaleel Walters (S, Coconut Creek Monarch) among several others who competed on Saturday and Sunday.
UNDERCLASSMEN ALSO TURNED HEADS
As we already stated, the talent was amazing in all classes, and when it came to the rising juniors (2026), the future in the #305 and #954 are in great hands – with Shmar Akande (CB, Miami Carol City), Amari Deer (CB, Coconut Creek Monarch), Jermiyah Douglas (CB, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Wynton Jones Jr. (S, Miami Palmetto), way under the radar safety Tedrick Lee (Homestead South Dade), major prospect Leonzay Merzius (CB, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Trevion Mizell (S, Davie Western) and rising national star Dominic Turnbull (CB, Miami True North).
Class of 2027 elite prospects Kenton Dopson III (CB, Miami Norland) and Jaylyn Jones (S, Davie Western) were also in the spotlight.
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Having covered combines and camps since they began over two decades ago, the excitement is always as new as the first time.
This past weekend the Rivals Camps Series came to south Florida as hundreds of football prospects gathered at St. Thomas Aquinas on Saturday and Sunday to not only get themselves on the recruiting map, but to compete against other prospects with the same dreams.
When these events first began with Nike being the corporate sponsor, the idea of furnishing video, photos and testing information was a selling point to colleges and universities.
While much of it remains the same, the testing has diminished in favor of teaching technique and competing. There are now dozens and dozens of events held to test speed and agility, so the focus on football is what these events are now about.
Rivals.com, which has been around the longest, runs these exposure events across the county, and while they usually host two in Florida, this year they cut it to one location, and while south Florida prospects dominate the landscape, the state of Florida was well represented from across the Sunshine State with elite players who are being recognized as national recruits.
SOUTH FLORIDA CAME OUT
The one thing that Miami-Dade and Broward counties have always been about is competing. The #305 and #954 have been known nationally as an area that produces an amazing amount of talent, but they also are regarded as players who will never back down from competition.
While the numbers over the two days reached nearly 800, Sunday was the day when the elite players were being pursued by schools from all over the country.
While many were getting their first look at these rising standouts, we have been very fortunate to have watched these young men for years – some back to their youth football days.
Among the Miami-Dade and Broward players who stepped up their game in front of the Rivals Scouts and writers included Class of 2025 rising seniors Randy Adrikia (DL, Miami Central), Floyd Dawens-Boucard (DL, Miami Central), Nimari Brantley (DT, Coconut Creek), Travaris Daniels (LB, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Darryll Desir (DE, Miami Norland), Davion Dixon (DL, Miami Palmetto), Elijah D’Oleo (WR, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Koby Howard (Athlete, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), and offensive lineman Dayen Marouf-Araibi (Plantation American Heritage).
Also, Penn State commit Bekkem Kritza (QB, Miami Central), Samuel Mitchell IV (DE, Davie Western), Antwaun Parham (WR/DB, Coconut Creek Monarch), Donte Simpson Jr. (DL, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Wilnerson Telemaque (DE, Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace), Jaleel Walters (S, Coconut Creek Monarch), and defensive tackle Alex Yearwood (Miami Norland)
UNDERCLASSMEN ALSO GRAB THE SPOTLIGHT
While the rising seniors received much of the attention, the Class of 2026 rising juniors also were singled out as well – with University of Miami commitment Jordan Campbell (DE, Miami Carol City) fast-rising Derrek Cooper (Athlete, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), top pass catcher Denairius Gray (Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), impressive defensive back Leonzay Merzius (Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna) and gifted Ryan Miret (OL/DL, Miami Southridge).
Class of 2027 rising sophomores also boasted talent like Jayden Dean (OC, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Julius Jones Jr. (WR, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), and two-year varsity starter Zac Katz (QB, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna). Keep an eye on nationally rated 2028 quarterback Neimann Lawrence from Miami Ransom Everglades.
The event attracted so many standouts that we promote throughout the course of a year.
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Nobody has to tell veteran Coach Matt Dixon what it takes to build a football program.
Here is someone who has been around the game for years and has faced every obstacle possible in building programs and developing prospects.
When he took over Somerset Silver Palms last year, the objective was to set the table for the future – with top-flight prospects who wanted to help build this team back to where it has been in the past.
As the first season ended 4-6, sure there was some disappointment that this team didn’t reach the state playoffs, there was indeed some light at the end of the tunnel.
What 2023 was all about for this program was to learn what winning losing was all about, and that certainly happened.
As they head toward spring football, there is a sense that the rising senior (2025) class will lead the way.
Among those gifted prospects include Mahki Bragg (CB, 5-10, 175), Eddie Childs (OL, 5-10, 190), Issac Cruz (K, 5-8, 150), Erick Garcia (RB, 5-10, 175), Caleed Jones (OL, 6-2, 275), and safety Jordan Lyons (S, 5-11, 185).
In addition, the class also features Manny Madrigal (MLB, 5-10, 190), William Massa (OT, 6-5, 285), Pernell Partee (RB/CB, 5-8, 150), Dane Pearson (OLB, 5-10, 185), and safety Stephen Zelaya (5-7, 145).
HOW WILL THE UNDERCLASSMEN IMPACT THIS PROGRAM IN 2024?
As the rising senior class is ready to step up and do their thing, the underclassmen is anxious to showcase their gifted athletes as well.
Class of 2026 rising juniors include Enrique Castellanos (DE/TE, 6-2, 205), (WR, 5-11, 175), Stoodley Foreste (OT/TE, 6-0, 205), Maleik Marcelin (WR, 5-10, 170), Matthew Marsh (OL, 6-3, 260), Humberto Serrano (QB, 5-11, 175), and talented receiver Willie Wilson (6-1, 175) along with Class of 2027 (rising sophomores) Jayden Davis (LB, 5-11, 185) and offensive tackle Manuel Menchaca (OT, 6-2, 210), and rising 2028 freshman defensive lineman Jayden Diaz (6-1, 220).
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In between an opening night loss to Miami Edison and a first-round state playoff setback to Miami Southridge, it was indeed a special year in Hialeah.
What head coach Tony Smith and Shaka Morgan-Rose and the Thoroughbreds accomplished during the season was put together nine straight victories, including five shutouts and another district title, outscoring the opposition 362-120.
While several gifted football players have moved on, several key members are back for the 2024 season and that is great news this spring and into the summer.
The rising senior (2025) class will certainly lead the way with talent, experience, and leadership.
Among those gifted prospects include Richard Alayon (OL, 6-3, 275 – 3.0 GPA), Demarcus Anderson (WR, 6-3, 195 – 3.2 GPA), Demetrius Brunson (RB, 5-9, 185 – 2.7 GPA), Daniel Chavez (OL, 5-10, 245 – 3.0 GPA), Laron Davis (LB/RB, 5-10, 185 – 2.8 GPA), Damarion Edgecomb (OL, 6-3, 265 – 3.5 GPA), Karon Jean-Charles (QB/WR, 6-3, 185 – 3.0 GPA), and gifted receiver Latron Powell (6-2, 195 – 2.8 GPA).
Also, keep an eye on Enson Prochette (LB/DE, 6-0, 225 – 3.0 GPA), Byron Reese (QB, 6-2, 175 – 3.0 GPA), Royce Reese (DL, 6-3, 265 – 2.56 GPA), Jason Russ (LB, 6-0, 225 – 4.0 GPA), Elie Tamir (WR, 6-0, 210 – 4.2 GPA), and defensive back Terrel Williams (6-1, 185 – 3.3 GPA)
UNDERCLASS IS VERY PROMISING
Like last year when this team lost some seniors, getting ready for the future with a productive group of underclassmen is essential to continue playing at a high level.
The rising junior (2026) class will feature Keandre Bernard (WR, 5-9, 165 – 3.0 GPA), Solomon Daughtery (WR, 6-1, 180 – GPA), Terrel Evans (DE, 6-6, 255 – 3.0 GPA), and defensive back Giovanni Morley (5-9, 155 – 3.0 GPA).
Even the rising sophomore (2027) class figures to be strong with Noah Bell (OL/DL, 5-8, 265 – 3.0 GPA), Temmoris Campbell (LB/DE, 6-2, 220 – 3.2 GPA), Andre Fletcher Jr. (LB, 6-1, 196 – 3.2 GPA), Udarius Jenkins (DB, 6-3, 185 – 3.0 GPA), and talented running back Ryan Mathis (5-9, 170 – 3.5 GPA)
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For the past 54 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 (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..