As long as many high school football fans can remember, when it comes to coaching and developing talent, there are very few who can match what Miami St. Brendan head coach Steve Smith brings to the table.

For decades, teaching the sport and developing talent have become the trademark of a coach who has filled the south Florida landscape with his knowledge of the game and bringing along some elite young players before they moved on to the next level – or in this day and age – to another school.

While his team finished 4-7 a year ago, there was plenty the players and coaches who got out of a season that ended with a first-round state playoff loss.

As the Sabres starts spring, there is an objective of once again taking the veteran players to the next level – while starting to develop many of the younger prospects who will use the next few months to get some film for colleges to check out and use in their recruitment.

With the rising senior (2027) class vital to the 2026 season, there are several underclassmen who will also have a chance to improve and put themselves in a position to help this team advance to the state playoffs again – while improving on last season.

This program will look to impact prospects from a year ago like Moises Rodriguez, Ethan Miller, Cameron Henfield, Jayden Dixon, Zaid Tovio-Garcia young Jakeem Ferguson and several others who are ready to help turn this program around.

CLASS OF 2027

Jayden Dixon, DB, 5'9, 165 - 2.7 GPA. 17 ACT.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22435328/Jayden-Dixon

Adrian Gazmey, OL/DL, 5'10, 230 - 3.43 GPA. 23 ACT.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19512800/Adrian-Gazmey

Zuberi  Graham Jr., DB, 5'9, 165 - 2.62 GPA. 15 ACT.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19542907/Zuberi-Graham-Jr

Ethan Miller, QB, 6'1, 175 - 2.75 GPA. 1250 SAT. 15 ACT.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26652544/Ethan-Miller

Moises Rodriguez, DL, 6'0, 230 - 3.06 GPA. 19 ACT.

TAPE:  https://www.hudl.com/profile/19463301/Moises-Rodriguez

Alexey Torrente, FB/DL, 5'9, 185 – 3.0 GPA. 1000 SAT. 17 ACT.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19512771/Alexey-Torrente

AWAITING SPRING VIDEO

Marco Gonzalez, OL/DL, 6'0, 230 – 2.74 GPA. 920 SAT. 15 ACT

Alejandro Martinez, K/P, 5'9, 175 - 2.51 GPA. 840 SAT. 12 ACT

Chris Pastrana, DB, 5'10, 160 - 3.34 GPA. 1220 SAT. 22 ACT

Jordan Roca, OL/DL, 6'0, 230 - 3.74 GPA. 19 ACT

Anthony Rodriguez, OL, 6'4, 275 - 2.53 GPA. 14 ACT

CLASS OF 2028

Elias Gutierrez, WR, 5'9, 160 - 2.76 780 PSAT.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22783146/Elias-Gutierrez

Charlie Harper, OL/DL, 5'9, 230 - 3.19 GPA. 1190 PSAT.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/24742716/Charlie-Harper

Cameron Henfield, WR, 6'2, 170 - 3.17 GPA. 960 PSAT.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26652558/Cameron-Henfield

Khamani Johnson, CB, 5'10, 150 - 2.52 GPA. 790 PSAT.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22763503/Khamani-Johnson

Troy Otzoy, OL/DL, 6'0, 265 - 3.19 GPA. 790 PSAT.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/23180070/Troy-Otzoy

Zaid Tovio-Garcia, DE, 6'1, 195 - 3.43 GPA. 890 PSAT.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26477948/Zaid-Tovio-Garcia

AWAITING SPRING VIDEO

Jayden Jean-Pierre, WR/DB, 5'9, 160 - 2.57 GPA. 940 PSAT

Daniel Noriega, DL, 5'9, 200 - 2.76 GPA. 870 PSAT

Jacob Ordonez, OL/DL, 5'9, 190 - 2.5 GPA. 820 PSAT

CLASS OF 2029

Patrick Couto, K/P, 5'8, 150 – 3.0 GPA. 870 PSAT.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26652599/Patrick-Couto

Jakeem Ferguson, WR, 6'2, 195 - 2.5 GPA. 660 PSAT.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26663948/Jakeem-Ferguson

Marco Gutierrez, QB, 5'9, 160 - 2.57 GPA. 800 PSAT.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26590491/Marcos-Gutierrez

Kelby Jones, DB/RB, 5'9, 155 - 2.5 GPA. 750 PSAT.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26652584/Kelby-Jones

Joseph Rodriguez, LB, 5'9, 165 - 3.71 GPA. 950 PSAT.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26652593/Joseph-Rodriguez

AWAITING SPRING VIDEO

Caleb Arrazcaeta, TE, 5'10, 190 - 2.71 GPA. 650 PSAT

Anthony Artilles, OL/DL, 5'9, 230 - 2.71 GPA. 940 PSAT

Chris Baetz, OL/DL, 6'0, 210 - 2.5 GPA. 770 PSAT

Sebastian Cruz, WR, 5'8, 155 – 750 PSAT

Noah Diaz, WR, 5'9, 160 - 2.71 GPA. 840 PSAT

Andres “Andy” Garganta, WR/DB, 5'8, 150 - 2.86 GPA. 840 PSAT

Conner Mestepey, DB, 5'10, 165 - 2.71 GPA. 830 PSAT

Alejandro Santana, LB, 5'10, 170 - 2.71 GPA. 990 PSAT

Adam Torres, WR, 5'9, 160 - 2.5 GPA. 1000 PSAT

2025 Miami St. Brendan Sabres

Miami Beach, W 28-17

Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy, L 56-0

Hialeah Gardens, W 35-0

Miami Dr. Krop, W 22-21

Miami Jackson, W 35-6

Key West, L 36-14

Fort Lauderdale NSU University School, L 42-6

Miami Immaculata LaSalle, L 40-0

Miami Northwestern, L 49-0

Miami Gulliver Prep, L 42-0

STATE PLAYOFFS

Miami Central, L 70-0

 MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/

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..

One of the most popular radio shows of its kind moved to Wednesday night this week with a big two-hour program.

Six guests talked college football, the opening of high school spring and the NFL Draft as the South Florida High School Sports Show once again presented some interesting information.

Each week, the FM 104.3 WQAM radio program attracts the newsmakers in high school sports, recruiting college sports – not only locally, but throughout the country.

The show gives listeners an opportunity to hear about college football programs statewide from the media that cover them. It also focuses on the coaches who use the state of Florida – Miami-Dade and Broward Counties in particular.

The program, which has run for nearly two decades and has been recognized nationally as one of the best of its kind, has become a popular listen for recruiting fans as well as high school sports purists, focusing on high sports and the newsmakers.

Here is a look at the way Wednesday night went:

The Battle 4 Broward 7-on-7 event was started four years ago to help officials get ready for spring with 20 teams playing together. Fast forward to this weekend and 36 teams from Miami-Dade, Broward & Palm Beach will play Saturday and Sunday with two different divisions looking to claim titles along with a lineman challenge with NFL and collegiate referees on hand to evaluate and teach. Jeff Pratt talked about this premier event.

JEFF PRATT ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/wqam/podcasts/south_florida_high_school_sports_radio/episodes/jeff_pratt_from_battle_4_browa-8329355

The University of Florida wrapped up their first spring with a new coaching staff and several first-year football players. Corey Bender from Gators Online stopped by to break down what was deemed a very successful month of football as this team gets ready for a challenging SEC season ahead.

COREY BENDER ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/wqam/podcasts/south_florida_high_school_sports_radio/episodes/corey_bender_of_gators_online-8329381

After appearing in the national championship game in late January, the University of Miami was back at it this spring with new faces and the same objective of being one of the top programs in the country. Jordan McPherson talked about the game last Saturday and which players turned heads.

JORDAN MCPHERSON ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/wqam/podcasts/south_florida_high_school_sports_radio/episodes/jordan_mcpherson_of_the_miami_-8329384

Brandyn Pokrass is a busy person as he covers FIU, USF and FAU football – and after attending last week’s FIU spring game in Miami – he was back at it last weekend. On Friday, he was in Boca Raton for the FAU spring contest, and on Sunday he was at Coach Brian Hartline’s USF debut in Tampa.

BRANDYN POKRASS ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/wqam/podcasts/south_florida_high_school_sports_radio/episodes/brandyn_pokrass-8329400

How about coaching a Heisman Trophy winner and having the opportunity to have a front row seat on NFL Draft day for the No. 1 selection overall. Miami Christopher Columbus head football coach Dave Dunn talked about what it was like to watch Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza grow into one of the best collegiate players in the country.

DAVE DUNN ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/wqam/podcasts/south_florida_high_school_sports_radio/episodes/head_coach_dave_dunn_of_miami_-8329414

Throughout his career as a talent evaluator and recruiter for Elite Scouting Services, Charles Fishbein has watched athletes from youth football to the NFL. He stopped by to look at some of the area’s prospects expected to get drafted over the next three days.

CHARLES FISHBEIN ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/wqam/podcasts/south_florida_high_school_sports_radio/episodes/charles_fishbein_of_elite_scou-8329426

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/

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..

By Dave Brousseau

POMPANO BEACH – Perhaps the two best high school softball teams in Broward will have the opportunity to prove they’ll have bragging rights for a full calendar year this evening.

Coral Springs Charter (17-2) and Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (21-1) each advanced to the BCAA Big 8 softball championship game with a pair of victories at Pompano Beach Community Park on Tuesday.

The championship game is set at 6 p.m.

Over the past decade Coral Springs Charter has defeated Cardinal Gibbons 12 consecutive times by a lopsided score of 142-0.

Stellar pitching was key for both teams advancing to the finale.

Junior right-hander Courtney Wahlbrink tossed a pair of shutouts (12-0 and 1-0) to lead the Panthers to their eighth consecutive Big 8 championship final.

Wahlbrink had nine strikeouts in the win over Cooper City and 12 more against Western, in a game the Panthers lone run was unearned.

“I know my team has my back,” said Wahlbrink. “I pushed through the best I could. I worked on the zone because I was tired a little bit, so I work on my spin and that do the work for me.”

Each of the Panthers two losses during the season came by just one run, a 1-0 loss to Oxbridge Academy in eight innings to open the season and 6-5 in eight innings to Melbourne.

Senior Lydia Berent, who signed to play college softball at Stanford, went five innings allowing two hits and struck out 12 in the Chiefs 10-0 win over West Broward. She only tossed one inning in the 20-4 semifinal victory over Pembroke Pines Charter.

Junior infielder Morgan Beavers had three hits, two home runs and six RBI in the win over Pines Charter.

“I told Morgan hasn’t had the number she wanted compared to the last two years,” said Cardinal Gibbons coach Emily Estroff. “I told her to stay patient and that we trust her in a much-needed moment.

 I was proud of her today.”

Gibbons scored double digit runs in games 14 times this season, including the last seven games played.

Dave Brousseau is a veteran journalist who worked at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and is a longtime BCAA Correspondent. Need to reach out to him? Contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

When the National Football League Draft starts on Thursday evening in Pittsburgh, the names of several college prospects will be read by the commissioner and others over three days.

While Miami Christopher Columbus and Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza is scheduled to be the first player taken by the Las Vegas Raiders, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner will be one of many Miami-Dade and Broward County-bred athletes who will have an opportunity to play professionally.

While this region of the nation has always been the epicenter for football talent – going back to the youth and high school level – the nation is still having the chance to see how impressive the football is in the #305 and #954.

When Mendoza the 6’5, 236-pound Mendoza is taken No. 1, it will be the first time since 1965 that a player from Miami-Dade or Broward is the first overall selection in the draft.

When the New York Giants selected Tucker Frederickson out of Auburn University, the Heisman runner-up from Hollywood South Broward High became the first ever player from south Florida to be selected. Some 61 years later, history will certainly repeat itself – with a #305 product, who began his high school career at Miami Belen Jesuit and then moved on to Christopher Columbus.

Mendoza, who was also a scholar athlete, started his collegiate career at the University of California before making a huge impact for the unbeaten national champion Hoosiers.

BAIN HAS ALSO CONTINUED TO IMPRESS

Over the past three years, Rueben Bain Jr. has continued to leave a mark as a defensive end force for the University of Miami.

Ever since his freshman season at local powerhouse Miami Central High School, the 6’2, 265-pounder has been considered as one of the elite players in college football.

Predicted to be a Top 10 selection on Thursday evening, Bain – like Mendoza – will help to shine a bright light on an area that has had more than its share of talent through the decades.

From a personal standpoint, I have had the opportunity – since 1960 – to watch every football player that competed in youth, high school, college and professionally play live and have been proud to have covered high school and college sports for over a half century. What will happen on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and the weeks after with free agent signings still excited me to watch these young men and their families celebrate the hard work that was put in against elite competition.

WHO ELSE TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

R. Mason Thomas, Edge, 6’2, 241, Oklahoma. This Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons standout is the son of former south Florida area standout Harvey Thomas. Big time player who has the chance to be special in the NFL.

D’Angelo Ponds, CB, 5’9, 182, Indiana. Following his head coach from James Madison, this Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna standout truly jumped into the national spotlight as a shutdown corner for the national champions. Was a youth and high school standout locally before a five-year college career.

While most analysts are no smarter than most of us, here are some of the names that many are throwing out that may have interest locally:

Wesley Bissainthe, LB, 6’2, 225, University of Miami (Miami Central).

Travis Burke, OL, 6’9, 325, Memphis University (Hollywood South Broward).

C.J. Donaldson, RB, 6’2, 230, Ohio State (Miami Gulliver Prep).

Ricardo Hallman, CB, 5’9, 183, University of Wisconsin, Fort Lauderdale University School (Miami Gardens TRU Prep).

Marvin Jones Jr., OLB/Edge, 6’5, 245, University of Oklahoma (Plantation American Heritage).

Nyjalik Kelly, Edge, 6’5, 256, University of Central Florida (Fort Lauderdale Dillard).

Patrick Payton, Edge/DE, 6’5, 260, Florida State University (Miami Northwestern).

Desmond Reid, RB, 5’6, 174, University of Pittsburgh (Miramar).

Tyreek Sapp, DL, 6’2, 273, University of Florida (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas).

GET READY FOR THE 2027 DRAFT WHEN SOUTH FLORIDA WILL ONCE AGAIN HAVE THE NO. 1 OVERALL SELECTION!

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/

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..