If you have followed high school football in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties for any length of time, you already know how impressive the running backs have been.

Checking out college and NFL rosters you will see several gifted runners who started their careers in the two counties before moving on to the next level and beyond.

Because many powerhouse programs often get big leads, the numbers that could be posted are set back because others get playing time during many, many blowouts.

The days of churning out 2,000-yard rushers truly never existed in this region, but success has followed prospects all the way back to the 60’s and 70’s. Even producing 1,000-yard backs is something of a major achievement.

This year, there were a number of programs who relied on a quality running game to get their teams into the state playoffs – and even win state titles.

Here is a list of 15 running backs who went over 1,000 yards during the 2023 season:

2024 – Patrick Anderson Jr., 5-10, 195, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons. 1,109 yards and 3.4 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15064497/Patrick-Anderson-Jr

2024 – Isaac Brown, 5-10, 180, Homestead. 1,084. Louisville commitment.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18152262/Isaac-Brown

Ryan Castro, QB, Miami Archbishop Carroll. 1,240 yards.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/14985364/Ryan-Castro

2025 – Jacques Dixon, 5-9, 180, Fort Lauderdale NSU University School. 1,035 yards. 3.8 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16163962/Jacques-Dixson

2024 – Davion Gause, 5-11, 205, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna. 1,047 yards. North Carolina commit.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/14764717/Davion-Gause

2024 - Alexander Isaza, 5-9, 170, Miami Archbishop Carroll. 1,440 yards. 3.2 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/14985570/Alejandro-Isaza

2024 – Jarvis Johnson, 6-1, 210, Miami Westminster Christian. 1,344 yards. FAU commitment.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/14592856/Jarvis-Johnson

2027 - Jayden Johnson, 5-6, 150, Hollywood South Broward. 1,173 yards.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19588383/Jayden-Johnson

Jordan Jones, 5-7, 165, Miramar. 1,056 yards.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15164542/Jordan-Jones

2025 – Byron Louis, 6-0, 205, Plantation American Heritage. 1,224 yards. 3.8 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15887512/Byron-Louis

2024 – Jordan Lyle, 6-0, 195, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. 1,376 yards. Ohio State commit.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15321847/Jordan-Lyle

2024 - Rolando Perez, 5-9, 175, Somerset South Homestead. 1,372 yards.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/14014510/Rolando-Perez

2024 – Juan Rodriguez, 5-9, 190, Miami Norland. 1,179 yards.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17852188/Juan-Rodriguez

2024 - Sylus Villanueva, Miami Archbishop Carroll. 1,160.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/14985598/Sylus-Villanueva

2024 – Chris Wheatley Humphrey, Hollywood South Broward. 2,076 yards. Miami commitment.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15747625/Chris-WheatleyHumphrey

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

For the past 53 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..

It has quickly become one of the most competitive national high school football events in the country.

When the 2023 Broward County National High School Football Showcase took center stage from August 24 to 26, there were fourteen of the top-tier high school football teams in the country that gathered to spotlight the exceptional talents of young athletes.

This second annual event, presented by the Broward Educational Foundation, featured Georgia’s Milton High vs. Western High and Georgia’s Cedar Grove High vs. Monarch High. Also included were North Carolina’s Cardinal Gibbons High vs. Fort Lauderdale’s Gibbons High, Virginia’s Highland Springs High, Miramar, Maryland’s St. Frances Academy, Chaminade-Madonna High, California’s St. John Bosco, St. Thomas Aquinas, and DC’s St. John’s High and Plantation American Heritage.

On Wednesday night in Georgia, Milton, which played Western back in August, captured a state title in Atlanta and capped off a successful year for those who took part in this 14-team showcase.

Here is a look at how all the teams fared in 2023:

Chaminade-Madonna (14-0), 1M state champs, No. 2 nationally.

St. Frances Academy (5-6).

Cardinal Gibbons, Florida (9-4). Lost in the Region Finals.

Cardinal Gibbons, North Carolina (12-3). Lost in the Finals

Miramar (8-5). Lost in the Region Finals to eventual 3M state runner up.

Highlands, Virginia (13-2). Lost in the state finals.

St. Thomas Aquinas (14-1). Won 3M state championship. Top 15 nationally.

St. John Bosco (11-2). Finished in the top 10 nationally.

Monarch (11-3). Lost in the state semifinals.

Cedar Grove, Georgia (10-5). State champion

Western (9-4). Lost in the Region Final.

Milton, Georgia (13-2). State Champion

Plantation American Heritage (10-2). Lost in state semifinals.

St. John’s Washington DC (5-5)

“The Football Showcase is the only one of its kind and cements Broward County’s reputation as a hub of football excellence,” shared Dr. Kevin Perry, National Football Showcase Co-Founder. “That weekend offered a glimpse of the game’s future stars as young athletes who showcased their skills, determination, and team spirit to the ultimate test. Our 2024 games are already taking shape.”

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

For the past 53 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..

 As the 2023 season came to an end, there were a number of impressive athletes on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.

No matter what position you looked at, it was a given that a Miami-Dade or Broward football player would be among the best in the state of Florida.

With the Edge Rusher, Defensive End and Linebacker positions very much in the spotlight, putting pressure on the quarterback has been paramount, and for that reason, the number of sacks that an individual comes up with is news and a stat that many pay attention to.

In south Florida this season, there were several prospects who grabbed the spotlight for what they accomplished as pass rushers.

Check these impressive defensive performers out:

2024 - Caleb Turner-Allen, DE, 6-2, 235, Miami Dr. Krop. 26.5 Sacks.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16168953/Caleb-Turner-Allen

2024 - Gabriel Birnbaum, DL, 6-3, 265, Coconut Creek Monarch. 21.5 Sacks. FAU Commitment.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16031798/Gabriel-Birnbaum

2024 - Kedrick Burley, DE, 6-3, 230, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. 25 Sacks.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15354165/Kedrick-Burley

2024 - Trevon Chisholm, DT, 6-2, 224, Coconut Creek Monarch. 17 Sacks.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16035609/Trevon-Chisholm

2024 - Kenley Israel, DE, 6-3, 225, Miramar Everglades. 15.5 Sacks.

TAPE: https://access.qwikcut.com/highlights/6548058727335d63dc47a7a3

2024 - James Lewis, DE, 6-3, 235. Fort Lauderdale Stranahan. 18 Sacks.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17883014/James-Lewis

2025 - Lewon Lurry Jr., DE, 6-3, 225, Miami Northwestern. 15 Sacks.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17878723/654c05aeab9c2705ec6e42e7

2024 - Gavench Marcelin, DE, 6-3, 240, Miami Belen Jesuit. 21 Sacks. FAU Commitment.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/14592831/Gavench-Marcelin

2025 - Justice Martin, Edge, 6-1, 200, Fort Lauderdale NSU University School. 14 Sacks.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16524695/Justice-Martin

2024 - Willis McGahee IV, OLB, 6-2, 231, Miami Christopher Columbus. 14 Sacks. Nebraska commitment.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15239091/Willis-McGahee-IV

2024 - Shamar Meilke, DE, 6-5, 220, Miramar. 16.5 Sacks.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15345105/Shamar-Meikle

2025 - Julian Mendez, OLB, 6-1, 195, Davie Western. 16 Sacks.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18127310/Julian-Mendez

2024 - Luis Rojas, DE, 6-3, 215, Pembroke Pines West Broward. 18 Sacks.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17951130/Luis-Rojas

2024 - Brandon Rosenthal, DE, 6-1, 220, Miami Gulliver Prep. 18 Sacks.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/13305113/Brandon-Rosenthal

2025 - Jack Sawyer, OLB, 6-1, 220, Hialeah. 14 Sacks.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16251315/Jack-Sawyer

2024 - Cris Thornton, OLB, 6-6, 220, Fort Lauderdale Stranahan. 19 Sacks.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15257969/Cris-Thornton

2025 - Richardson Toussaint, DE 6-3, 255, Hollywood South Broward. 27 Sacks.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17594402/Richardson-Toussaint

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

For the past 53 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..

This past weekend in Tallahassee, there were 18 schools – five from Miami-Dade and Broward Counties who played for a state title.

With the off-season starting over the next few weeks, with camps, combines and 7-on-7 events on the horizon, the focus at Bragg Memorial Stadium on the campus of Florida A&M was on some prospects who made a splash for their respective teams.

From state champions St. Thomas Aquinas, Chaminade-Madonna and Christopher Columbus to runner up programs Miami Norland and Homestead, there were so many elite players who showcased their skills for college coaches, media members and recruiters.

Here are five prospects who caught the eye of several on hand:             

2024 - Blake Brewer, OL, 6-2, 270, Miami Christopher Columbus. From the end of the 2022 season to last Friday afternoon, here is a talented player who had the chance to make an impression as a quality lineman. Someone who was easily one of the most technical at the position. The two-time defending 4M state champs benefitted from having this young man up front.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/14592413/Blake-Brewer

2025 - Andreus Madison, WR, 6-1, 190, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. Every season there are new faces who emerge, and on a team like the five-time defending 3M state champion Raiders, quality prospects seem to pop up. Here is a talented young man who stepped up in the state title game to give this program a huge boost and showed the even though St. Thomas is losing some gifted players this year, there is indeed a bright future – as usual!

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15162533/Andreus-Madison

2024 - Anthony Mattison, LB, Miami Norland. On a team stacked with elite performers, here is a senior who turned it up in the title game against Tampa Berkeley Prep. His 12 tackles kept this team in the game until the end. With the focus on many other talented defensive players, he had some impressive games down the stretch in the playoffs.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19394070/Anthony-Mattison

2024 - Eduardo Nunez, LB, 6-1, 210, Homestead. Not only did he step up down the stretch in the playoffs for the Broncos, but this is a gifted talent that was one of the best defensive players in south Florida. He was way under-the-radar, and as we said in the past, whatever college brings him will benefit in a major way. Led the team in tackles for two straight seasons.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/14758830/Eduardo-Nunez

2024 - Gavin Shepard, CB, 5-11, 175, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna. When you watched the Lions play this past season, you had difference makers in every direction and on either side of the ball. This is a gifted talent who stepped up all season and was one of the reasons that this team was one of the best in the country. Because he had some of the best receivers and an explosive offense to go against every day in practice it gave him a chance to get better all the time. Has an opportunity to be special at the next level.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15028654/Gavin-Shepar

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

For the past 53 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..