When there were 15 new head coaches named last year in Miami-Dade County, it was indeed a record season for Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.

While every year there is a turnover in both counties, last season defined the ambition that these schools have when it comes to football.

In an era where losing players to transfer has become the norm, some coaches just are not up to fighting the fight – after developing prospects as freshmen and sophomores - only to loser them before the start of their junior seasons.

While the pay is terrible and the hours long and tedious over 12 months, with camps, combines, conditioning, spring, summer, and the season, having the prestige of being a head football coach in the two counties seems to be worth it.

Jobs in Georgia, Alabama, Texas and other states offer more in the way of financial gains, but the pressure to win with lesser talent than any of those states. Just check Power 5 and NFL rosters and the 60 miles from southern Miami-Dade and northern Broward are hard to beat.

WELCOME BACK MAX

While we haven’t reached February yet, the need to fill head coaching positions is so important because the off-season conditioning and events.

After three state championships, Max Edwards was let go at Miami Northwestern and the Bulls paid the price, losing players and coaches.

Edwards, who was the defensive coordinator with close friend Tim “Ice” Harris this past season, was rumored by several schools to be the perfect candidate. In the end, he returned home to his alma mater earlier this week.

Miami Jackson, which has been up and down for a number of decades, may have started the turnaround when Edwards was named to take over the Generals.

Edwards is a tremendous football coach who relates to everyone. One of the most respected coaches in Florida, he brings with him years of winning experience and still has the fire it takes.

While Edwards has been the marquee off-season hires, he is not the only one.

After a year away from football, Nitro Baker, a one-time Miami Northwestern football and track standout, returns to Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy. He hand built this program to a winning level over the past four years.

Miami Killian, which was 12-1 just three seasons ago under Derrick Gibson had fallen on hard times. When Rudy Trevino was hired a few weeks back, the Cougars got someone who knows the community and has tremendous relationships with the youth coaches and parents.

After nearly two decades as head coach at Plantation, the popular Steve Davis stepped aside and turned over the keys to Daryl Strong, who knows the community and is very popular with the parents and student/athletes,

Strong has helped Davis teach, coach, and promote the players, so he is indeed a great fit.

The final hire so far this off-season, with a few positions still open, is a very familiar face to football fans in south Florida.

With experience in both counties, Jase Stewart returns to Miami-Dade County, taking over at Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy.

Stewart is regarded as one of the top football minds, having success at every stop he’s been at.

As new coaches pop up, we will continue to profile each one, keeping football fans up to date.

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

For the past 54 years, we have spent plenty of 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..

No matter where we travel, the reception that we receive for promoting and exposing football talent is something that we proudly accept.

At a time when these fan websites and recruiting services want to be the story, we rightfully take our place in the background and continue to bring prospects into the spotlight.

No matter what class, we are pleased to be part of the process – and unlike many of these “recruiting gurus” who claim to have all the answers without ever seeing these young men perform, we understand that the process goes way beyond the Xs and Os.

Once again today, we spotlight some prospects with their video link – in the class of 2027 – who are starting to get plenty of attention from college coaches across the nation.

Malik Denson, Athlete, 5-10, 175, Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20032119/6547bcc238636f0f7c34a487

Trevoris Finley, DL, 6-2, 220, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20421257/Trevoris-Finley

Jemari Foreman, DB, 6-0, 165, Plantation.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20704528/Jemari-Foreman

Aiden Hartnett, OL, 6-1, 270, Plantation American Heritage.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17994260/Aiden-Hartnett

Ji’Koi Highmsith, DL, 6-1, 190, Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20357665/JiKoi-Highsmith

U’Darius Jenkins, FS, 6-2, 165, Hialeah.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20013085/Udarius-Jenkins

Prince Lee, SS/OLB, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19585391/Prince-Lee

Carlos Avila Lopez, WR, 5-10, 170, Fort Lauderdale NSU University School.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19355992/Carlos-AvilaLopez

Shane Martinez, DL, 6-0, 220, Fort Lauderdale NSU University School.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17933481/Shane-Martinez

Amari Nugent, Athlete, 6-0, 177, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18720223/Amare-Nugent

Angelo Smith, Athlete, 5-8, 165, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19538994/Angelo-Smith

Byron Turner, Athlete, North Miami Beach.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19408549/Byron-Turner

Ja’kobi Williams, WR, Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/21478987/Jakobi-Williams

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

For the past 54 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields throughout the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. 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..

In a world where everyone is trying to make a dollar on hosting events that have no real ties to the recruiting world, Prep Redzone’s Stock Up Showcase came to south Florida last Sunday and turned some heads.

Without fan websites and media coverage on hand, the event attracted nearly 100 prospects who attended and were treated to college instruction and a network of promotions.

The event, which is held throughout the country and provides information to colleges and universities with evaluations, stopped at Holiday Park as prospects came from as far away as New York and as close as Fort Lauderdale to not only get their names out, but to compete.

With coaches from national champion Keiser University, Ave Maria, Florida Memorial and the University of Fort Lauderdale on hand, it was three hours of work and instruction that the athletes and their parents were impressed with.

THE BEST WERE RECOGNIZED

While there were no losers on this day, there were some top performers from throughout the state that were recognized.

MVP honors went to:

QUARTERBACK

2026 - Michael Clayton II, 6-5, 195, Sanford Seminole.

RUNNING BACK

2025 - Joshua Perry, RB, 5-11, 190, Orlando Edgewater.

OFFENSIVE LINE

2025 - Sadler Soles, 6-2, 280, Clewiston.

LINEBACKER

2025 - Oliver Vickers-Murphy, OLB, 6-0, 205, Boca Raton St. Andrew’s Academy.

DEFENSIVE BACK:

2025 - Thomas Young, DB, 5-11, 175, Orlando Christian Prep.

SOUTH FLORIDA REPRESENTS

In addition to those standouts, Miami-Dade and Broward Counties also stepped up as two prospects were rewarded for impressive testing, instruction, and competition.

DEFNSIVE LINE

2025 - Johannes Mager, DE, 6-4, 220, Homestead. On a team that advanced to the state title game for the second straight year, this is someone that NOBODY has talked about as a prospect, which is a total shame since he has everything it takes to be very special at this level and beyond. Came to this country from Germany and has already started to turn heads.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18769000/Johannes-Mager

RECEIVER

2024 – Decedric Stokes, 5-11, 155, Davie Western. Finishing up his career this past season, he was one of those prospects on hand that was looking for some exposure to land himself at a college next fall. Certainly, made the most of his opportunities with outstanding play and showcasing his skills during the drills. Some college is going to get someone very special.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15327627/Decedric-Stokes/about

In addition to those gifted athletes, there were several others who caught the attention of the college coaches and recruiting analysts on hand.

Among those rising seniors (2025) were Logan Andrews (WR, 6-3, 195, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Elijah DeWoskin (RB, 5-10, 190, Pembroke Pines West Broward), Alexander Dimartino (RT, 6-5, 270, Fort Lauderdale), Franklyn Johnson Jr. (TE/DE/LS, 6-1, 220, Pembroke Pines Flanagan), Jahmar Midi (DL, 6-1, 235, Sunrise Piper), Nathaniel Nelson (Athlete, Hialeah American), Amare Whetsell (WR, 6-1, 175, Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace), and new Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons quarterback Preston Wright (6-1, 200).

In addition to the rising seniors, there was also a strong group of rising juniors (2026) from the area that attended. Leading the way was recent Plantation quarterback transfer Jayden Chico (6-1, 195), Matthew Coleman (LB, 5-7, 170, Sunrise Piper), Damani Downs (WR/QB/DB, 6-2, 170, Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace), Jake Gomulinski (WR, 5-9, 160, Cooper City), Levi Hoss (OL, Coral Springs Coral Glades), Tyler Lind (DE/OLB, 6-5, 205, Hollywood Avant Garde), Nate Silvestre (QB, Pembroke Pines West Broward), Lagarious Tyler (OLB/RB, 5-8, 167, Fort Lauderdale) and rising Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas lineman Teddy Welch (6-1, 275).

The Class of 2027 was not left out either – with Jamaal Elliott (CB, Davie Western), Mason Hall (QB, 6-0, 165, Coral Springs Coral Glades), standout quarterback Jack Spaeder (6-2, 180, Coconut Creek Monarch), and Liam Vazquez (LB, Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace).

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

For the past 54 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields throughout the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. 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..

When you win several state championships and set a record for consecutive appearances in the state title game, your program sells itself.

For head coach Dameon Jones and his Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna Lions, the proof is certainly in what has happened on the football field – where this team has been to a state-record eight straight state championship games and continues to make an impact.

After sending a number of football players on to the next level – with more to come – the Lions have hit the off-season in a major way and the program, much like others in south Florida continues to show that if you win, the benefits will more than pay off.

While this region of the country has been recognized for the amount of transfers that take place, many schools have hit the ground running even before the start of spring. While the Lions are getting much of the spotlight before we even reach February, they are no alone.

Let’s face it – everyone gravitates to a winner. It’s human nature, and not just in athletics. It goes on every day in every walk of life, so it’s only natural that it has found its way to high school athletics. Over the past five years, over 1,000 student/athletes in football only have changed schools in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties alone! Those numbers could be on the low side.

With NIL college deals and transfer portals at an all time high, the process continues to find a home on high school campuses.

The success that the Lions have enjoyed at the national level is something that everyone has noticed. You just do not go unbeaten in the regular season two straight years, especially with a more than challenging schedule,  have an 80-13 record since 2015and fly beneath the radar. Parents notice. Fellow coaches notice. Student/Athlete also notice.

NEW FACES ARE STARTING TO ARRIVE

With a second-place national finish, Chaminade has enjoyed some early benefits with transfers already coming over.

Among the student/athletes making a move include 2025 (rising seniors) Camari Hall (Athlete, Hollywood McArthur), nationally recognized receiver Koby Howard (Davie Western), and defensive lineman Matthew Pointer (Fort Lauderdale)

Class of 2026 standouts such as R.J. Alphonse (DE, Miami Lakes Barabara Goleman), No. 1 national receiver Jabari Brady (Coconut Creek Monarch), versatile prospect Derrick Cooper (Athlete, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons), fast-rising offensive lineman Ben Gula (Weston Cypress Bay), Leonzay Merzius (DB, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons), Miami Norland kicker Noah Sidan, who was one of the best in Florida this past season, leading the Vikings to the 2M state final, and recent addition Elias Sturman – (OL, 6-1, 300) from Bradenton IMG Academy.

There is also the addition of Class of 2027 nationally-rated quarterback Zach Katz, already a two-year varsity starter from Miami True North Classical Academy/

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

For the past 54 years, we have spent plenty of 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..