When Willie Simmons was announced as the new head football coach at Florida International University, there was a feeling that things could be different.

With his many ties to the state of Florida and the fact that he loaded his coaching staff with names that many players, coaches and fans were familiar with, it was a given that recruiting would certainly pick up - and it has.

With an emphasis on blanketing south Florida – Miami-Dade and Broward in particular, the 2026 recruiting class has certainly turned heads throughout Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.

While recruiting is the entire lifeline to any football programs, FIU and Coach Simmons made sure that the people he had out in the field watching prospects were coaches that were highly respected by football fans throughout the community.

With locals Frank Ponce, Anthony Gaitor, Jelani Berassa, Benedick Hyppolite, Edwin Pata and longtime assistant Jovan Dewitt, the Panthers had a core of assistant coaches that have made a huge impact.

With a solid camp season, it opened some eyes to those players and their coaches that had not shown interest in the program before.

Taking nothing away from the previous regimes who carved out their own path, this group has been non-stop since taking over and it has shown with the 2026 recruiting class locally.

Among the local players who have made their commitment in this class include Miami Central running back Jayden Ford (5’6, 160), who is regarded as one of the best in the state.

Ford, who will be coached by Derrick Gibson in 2025, is quick and explosive, and when healthy he is as good as you get.

In Miami True North Classical Academy receiver Malik Penson (5’10, 176), the Panthers are getting a big-time prospect with plenty of high-level experience, playing against some of the best prospects in the nation.

He will be coached by Greg Laffere with the Titans.

In big Jordan Davis (OL, 6’4, 330) from Hollywood McArthur, this program is getting a standout prospect that has improved so much over the past two years as he heads into his final year.

He is strong, agile and continues to get better technically. He has a chance to be special.

Miami Carol City running back Justin Compere (5’11, 180) was recruited by a number of Group of Five schools over the past year.

He is quick, instinctive and elusive and will be special for head coach George Stubbs and the Chiefs this coming season. Along with Ford, it gives this program a huge 1,2 punch at the position.

Safety Jakari Johnson (6’0, 190) is another quality talent who comes in from Plantation and will play for first year head coach Robert Ortega this coming season for the Mustangs.

Perhaps the best kept secret so far in this class is Pembroke Pines Flanagan Edge prospects Michael Smarts. The 6’5, 230-pounder was looked at in the spring by a number of Power 4 programs because he is long, quick and has a huge upside.

Smart is playing his first season for head coach Benjamin Rolle and the Falcons after competing for former NFL standout Tyrus McCloud at Davie Nova the past two seasons.

He is someone that before this year very few people had watched play – and it turned out to be a plus for FIU.

Another elite prospect who has been on the radar for over a year is Sunrise Piper cornerback Jahmani Chin-Suer (5’10,160).

A catalyst for head coach Quentin Short and the district champion Bengals in 2025.

Playing for his father at Fort Lauderdale Dillard, gifted Dimitris Mincey Jr. became the latest commitment for this program over this past weekend.

This is another way under-the-radar talent, who can play multiple positions at 6’1, 205. He is also an exceptional student (3.6 GPA) in the classroom.

With all the talent that is aboard so far, perhaps the biggest commitment didn’t come from an offensive or defensive difference maker.

With dozens of major college programs keeping their eye on Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna kicker Noah Sidan, he pulled the ultimate surprise when he committed to FIU.

This is a proven kicker with a strong and accurate leg and was rated as one of the best in the country.

With several other commits in this class from Florida and around the country, there is a strong feeling that the Panthers and Coach Simmons are not finished filling out this class with game-changers!

Elite Miami-Dade/Broward Teams To Watch. https://larryblustein.com/news/there-are-elite-teams-in-miami-dade-broward-this-summer

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

MIAMI-DADE, BROWARD TRANSFERS? WE HAVE THEM FOR YOU. https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-off-to-a-huge-start-in-miami-dade-broward

For the past 55 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..

Once again on Monday night the South Florida High School Sports Radio Show took center stage with seven impressive guests.

Each and every week, the AM 560 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 show, which has run for nearly two decades, has become a popular listen for recruiting fans as well as high school sports purists, focusing on coaches and players in all sports.

Here is a look at the way Monday went:

While we often take special teams performers for granted, punters, kickers and long snappers have become vital to the success of football teams. Miami Gardens St. Thomas University kicking coach Oscar Castaneda talked about how this part of the game has grown.

OSCAR CASTANEDA ON MONDAY NIGHT: https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/special-teams-coach-oscar-castaneda-of-st-thomas-university-5fe39

While the high school football season only lasts from August until November for many, it’s the off-season that is nearly eight months long that is important. Veteran Doral Academy head football coach Eddie Delgado talked about what his Firebirds have done to prepare for the 2025 season.

COACH EDDIE DELGADO ON MONDAY NIGHT: https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/doral-academy-head-coach-eddie-delgado-fa9d6

When it comes to playing football and receiving an education, there can never be enough colleges and universities – and right here in south Florida we have several. Former West Virginia University standout Sean Walters talked about his Atlantis University program.

SEAN WALTERS ON MONDAY NIGHT: https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/atlantis-university-head-coach-sean-walters-92c27

The Crib Classic hosted the Miami-Dade vs. Broward All-Star Game and the 8^th Grade All-Star contest to end the 2024 season, and now they are ready to host the prestigious Second Annual summer 7-on-7 tournament and inaugural player combine. Jose Duasso stopped by to break everything down.

JOSE DUASSO ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/jose-duasso-of-the-crib-summer-classic-d5ee3

It’s no secret that there was plenty of disappointment in Tallahassee after last year’s season, but FSU has been impressive on the recruiting trail after a productive spring. Nick Carlisle covers the Seminoles and looked at it all.

NICK CARLISLE ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/nick-carlisle-fsu-football-rivals-247-56b09

With eight home games and a banner off-season, there is so much enthusiasm for the University of Miami football program as the 2025 season fast approaches. From NIL to recruiting, the Hurricanes are loading up and Geo Millian stopped by to talk about it.

GEO MILLIAN ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/geo-millian-canes-football-402c1

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

MIAMI-DADE, BROWARD TRANSFERS? WE HAVE THEM FOR YOU. https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-off-to-a-huge-start-in-miami-dade-broward

For the past 55 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.. 

MIAMI GARDENS – Some six hours after it began on a hot Saturday afternoon, the inaugural “King of the Gardens” 7-on-7 event at St. Thomas University came to an end.

With 14 teams entered in this event, it came down to a pair of teams who have worked very hard this off-season but have come up short a several colleges and universities across the country.

When the clock ticked down shortly before 9 p.m., Weston’s Cypress Bay had run a gauntlet and beat fellow Broward County school, Davie Nova, to hold the trophy high.

As STU head football coach Bill Rychel handed head coach Bret Hood the trophy, it capped off a day where football was indeed in the spotlight.

With over 200 offensive and defensive linemen taking part in a battle of the big men, another 200-plus talented football players battled for a title that was indeed prestigious.

With a final four that included Cypress Bay, Nova, Miramar and Miami Beach, the event was exciting as coaches and fans were treated to quite a day on campus.

The Saturday event was part of a huge weekend for the Bobcats, who attracted another 300 plus prospects on Sunday for a position camp and specialist event that coach Oscar Castaneda organized.

With St. Thomas University being one of the nation’s top NAIA programs, there were a number of players and their parents who were on the campus for the first time.

“We have traveled quite a bit this summer and have come up short in several events like this,” Hood said. “But like I told everyone all spring, this football team has really come a long way and we are super excited about the 2025 season.”

In addition to Cypress Bay, Nova (Coach Tyrus McCloud), Miami Beach (Coach Wilkie Perez) and Miramar, which had two teams under veteran head coach A.J. Scott, there were several other teams that took part – including Hollywood McArthur (Coach Robert Ortega), Boca Raton Saint John Paul II (Coach Jamaal Hunte), Hialeah Miami Lakes (Coach Julian Patrick), North Miami (Coach Gerald Cox), Miami Carol City (Coach George Stubbs), Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (Coach Jacky Candy) and head coach Maurice Russell at Fort Meade from Polk County.

Cypress Bay, which failed to make the state playoffs a year ago, have added some pieces along with some new coaches – and this spring and summer, those involved really made an impact – no matter where they went.

Among those making a statement on Saturday included Class of 2026 seniors Alex Genovese (WR, 5’9, 150), Chance Black (DB, 5’9, 165),  Jayden Mendez (DB, 5’11, 190), Micah Nichols (DB, 6’0, 190), Trentin Holder (WR, 5’11, 175), James Dixon (CB, 5’11, 195), and tight end Lorenzo Lopez (6’3, 220).

There were also Class of 2027 juniors C.J. Faso (DB/WR, 6’0, 190), Will Cullen (CB, 5’10, 170), Gabe Lemoine (WR, 5’8, 155), Peyton Lamarre (LB, 5’10, 205), Logan Pelliccio (QB, 5’11, 195), Zac Hersh (WR, 6’0, 185), Michael Millar (WR, 6’0, 175), and tight end Hunter Cullen (6’1, 210).

The Lightning will also have some Class of 2028 sophomores such as Jake Bass (LB, 5’11 190), Aiden Hutchinson (CB, 5’9, 150), Kaden Langford (TE/DE), 6'5, 215), Kai Roshaven (LB, 5’8 155) and tight end Martin Lopez (6’0, 190).

There are also Class of 2029 freshmen who figure to make an impact over the next few years – like Aaden Rodrigues (WR/DB, 5’9, 150), Steven Peterson (S, 6’0, 170) and linebacker Joaquin Lopez (6’0, 170).

Among the top Cypress Bay performers in the event included Logan Pelliccio (23 touchdowns and 0 interceptions), Michael Millar, Zac Hersh, Jake Bass and James Dixon.

Elite Miami-Dade/Broward Teams To Watch. https://larryblustein.com/news/there-are-elite-teams-in-miami-dade-broward-this-summer

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

MIAMI-DADE, BROWARD TRANSFERS? WE HAVE THEM FOR YOU. https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-off-to-a-huge-start-in-miami-dade-broward

For the past 55 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..

After one of the worst seasons in recent history, when the Florida State University football program finished 2-10, fingers were being pointed, and coaches were starting to feel uncomfortable about their future in Tallahassee.

In a time when the transfer portal and NIL deals can turn your program around in a year, there was no getting around the fact that the Seminoles, which had so much success with the portal in the first few years of the Mike Norvell regime, saw that way of building a program start go south.

The truth, especially in Florida is you can use the portal and strike up NIL deals, but you better be able to recruit – and that means going into hotbeds and coming away several program changers.

With several coaching changes being made, the one that may have been the key to turning this program back around was bringing in Tim Harris Jr. from the University of Central Florida.

If you have followed his career in coaching, you already know that no matter where he has gone – Miami Booker T. Washington High School to Florida International University, University of Central Florida, University of Miami and back to UCF – he has made an impact as a running back, receiver coach, offensive coordinator as well as being an amazing recruiter.

Harris joined FSU this off-season with the idea that if he could spark the recruiting in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, there was a chance that this program would start the upward climb. They have so far!

Harris Jr., who has followed in the footsteps of his father, Tim “Ice” Harris Sr., has become one of the best at what he does and has put himself in a position where a head college coaching job is just a matter of time.

Harris and one-time Plantation American Heritage head coach and Miami Dolphins’ standout Pat Surtain have certainly helped to increase he spotlight in the two-county area.

With the commitment of one of Florida’s elite football players and athletes – Jasen Lopez on Thursday – he added to what this team is doing to get back into an area that over the years has been more than instrumental in the Seminoles’ success.

Lopez, from Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna is perhaps the best two-sport (basketball) athlete in Florida after a tremendous season in 2024, helping to lead the Lions to another 1A state title.

Playing his first season with Chaminade-Madonna, he had more than laid the groundwork for his future for previous three seasons at Miami True North Classical Academy, and while there was plenty of hype, it was this past year when everything became a reality as he more than held his own against some of the top competition in Florida and nationally.

While Lopez made news with his commitment, it was not the first prospect that announced they would be heading to the state capitol from the loaded #305 and #954.

Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman standout athlete Darryl Bell III (6’0, 192, S) was the first to come aboard – before Harris arrived on the scene. He fell in love with the school in Oct. 2023 during a banner year, and even though they had a bad season in ‘24, remained loyal and will be very much a part of this 2026 class.

When speedy Brandon Bennett (6’1, 180, Plantation American Heritage) made his commitment back in early June, the Seminole landed a top-flight football talent, who had made major strides on the football field.

Once known for his blazing track speed, he had shown last year for the Patriots that he was also an impressive football talent, helping to lead the team to a 4A state championship.

With a need to make the defensive secondary stronger, safety Tedarius Hughes also jumped aboard in the summer of 2024, before the rough season, when he was at Homestead South Dade.

The 6’2, 180-pound safety made his move to attend defending 3A state champion Miami Northwestern in the off-season, and even though his stock as a player soared over the past four months, he also remained loyal and has stayed true to his original commitment.

The Seminoles also received commitments here in 2025 for the future from two players that many had not heard much about.

Miami Central linebacker Karon Maycock (6’1, 200) was a rising star that had plenty to prove, and even though he committed before the spring, it was during the months of April and May that college coaches from all over the nation watched him mature and showcase skills that many had never watched before.

Part of his growth can be attributed to one-time Seminole standout Derrick Gibson, who took over as Central’s head coach this spring and helped to influence a number of players the Rockets have.

If Maycock was an unknown, the commitment from Coral Gables 6’4.5, 335-pound offensive lineman Luke Francis came way out of right field.

The London, England native spent the 2024 season at the NFL Academy where he worked primarily on the defensive side of the ball before transferring to Coral Gables for his final high school season.

The Seminoles have done well with European talent over the years.

Elite Miami-Dade/Broward Teams To Watch. https://larryblustein.com/news/there-are-elite-teams-in-miami-dade-broward-this-summer

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

MIAMI-DADE, BROWARD TRANSFERS? WE HAVE THEM FOR YOU. https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-off-to-a-huge-start-in-miami-dade-broward

For the past 55 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..