If you have followed high school football teams this summer, you will notice how a number of them scheduled tours of colleges throughout the country.
While not everyone can afford to rent a bus, have food and lodging for over a week, it has become something that high school coaches are working toward all year.
Raising money to bring these young men to colleges and universities is now a reality. It seems like just about every high school is giving their student/athletes an opportunity to travel.
These visits to many college campuses is indeed and experience of a lifetime, but what makes the entire event extra special is the opportunity for these young men to not only see schools, meet coaches and take part in camps and 7-on-7, but the history lesson that they are experiencing is really something that many are not comprehending.
Many of these summer college travel experiences take the players and coaches to historical places that many read and learn about in U.S. History classes.
This summer South Dade head coach Chris Reid, in his first off-season, took 12 of his players on a trip to introduce them to schools and give the young men an opportunity to see some of Florida’s program.
Reid said that over the next few years the trips will be longer and include more schools, but wanted to give his team an experience of at least season some programs that they have a chance to play football and get a college education.
Along the schools that the Bucs visited were Keiser University, University of South Florida, Florida State University, Florida A&M University, University of Florida, Bethune Cookman University and Stetson University.
“It’s only the beginning,” Reid explained. “Next summer we will take our players to more schools. But I believe that the schools we attended were beneficial to the growth of our student/athletes and to our program.”
Among the prospects who received scholarship offers directly resulted to the trip included Class of 2026 standouts Tedarius Hughes (FS. Offered by FAMU) and Tedrick Lee (SS/LB. Offered by Bethune Cookman).
SOUTH FLORIDA (MIAMI-DADE & BROWARD) PROSPECTS – CLASSES 2024-2027. LAST UPDATED: June 26, 2023. https://larryblustein.com/prospects/tracking-south-florida-prospects COLLEGE COACHES ARE WATCHING ALL THE TIME, SO LET’S KEEP UPDATING – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Transfer Season Heats Up In Miami-Dade & Broward. https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-heats-up-in-miami-dade-broward
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..
WEST PALM BEACH – When Keiser University played for a national NAIA football title last year, the Seahawks captured the attention of football fans all over the country.
The program, under the direction of Doug Socha, has been nothing short of amazing since the first season – coming up on six years ago.
Since the first year, all this program has done is win. Year 1 in 2018 (6-4), 2019 (9-1), 2020 (9-1), 2021 (10-3) and this past season a 10-3 year that was indeed the best in the short history of the program.
With several players from Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast, the Seahawk have also tapped into Broward and Miami-Dade as the coaching staff has worked hard to bridge the gap between the high school coaches and the high schools.
The Keiser coaching staff shows up for everything and will go anywhere to show that they are willing to do what it takes to get you on campus.
Among the players from the 954 and 305 on the current roster:
Natrone Baptiste, DB, Fr., Hallandale
Denarold Beaucejour, WR, Fr., Miami Dr. Krop
Jertavis Black, DL, So., Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
Da’Shawn Bostic, DB, So., Miami Southridge
Alessandro Cantillo, DL, Sr., Miami Ferguson
Brian Edwards, DB, Jr., Miramar
Tyler Foster, WR, So., Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy
Austin Gray, LB, Sr., Coconut Creek Monarch
Riley Ingram, OL, Fr., Coconut Creek Monarch
Damon Jackson, DL, Fr., Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
Marcus Martin, DB, Jr., North Miami
Wendol Philord, DB, So., Miami Jackson
Seth Rolle, WR, So., Miami Monsignor Pace
Aris Skarecki, OL, Fr., Parkland Douglas
Bryson Williams, TE, So., Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
PHOTO COURTESY OF KEISER UNIVERSITY
SOUTH FLORIDA (MIAMI-DADE & BROWARD) PROSPECTS – CLASSES 2024-2027. LAST UPDATED: June 22, 2023. https://larryblustein.com/prospects/tracking-south-florida-prospects COLLEGE COACHES ARE WATCHING ALL THE TIME, SO LET’S KEEP UPDATING – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Transfer Season Heats Up In Miami-Dade & Broward. https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-heats-up-in-miami-dade-broward
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..
GAINESVILLE – It is certainly no secret that when it comes to recruiting football talent, the Miami-Dade and Broward County areas must be in the equation. Just look at the successful programs across the country.
Throughout the years the 305 and 954 have been at the center of sending elite talent – difference makers – to schools across the nation.
With Billy Napier still feeling his way back into the state of Florida, he is slowly trying to get back into south Florida with coaches who know the area and have the respect from high school coaches who are warming up to what the Gators are doing in the competitive Southeastern Conference.
While the team is doing well nationally and throughout the rest of the country, getting marquee prospects and teams on campus is essential. The name of the game is to have top-flight student/athletes and their families on campus.
On Wednesday, the Gators started to wind down the summer camp schedule with a pair of 7-on-7 tournaments that included national powerhouse Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna and talented Miramar. Two programs that continue to produce quality athletes that can help to infuse Florida with the type of talent that will bring them back to the top of SEC.
GATORS TRY TO SPARK A PIPELINE
While the schools has had its share of talented south Florida talent in the past, things are going slow in this recruiting cycle, but Napier and his staff are banking that the exposure this past spring and summer will pay off - as several prospects and teams came to campus and saw the amazing new facility that was finished last summer and is considered to be one of the of the best in the nation – with state-of-art services everywhere you look.
One step into the beautiful new facility reveals that there are just a handful of players on the current roster that actually come from a loaded south Florida area, and everyone knows that there needs to be a push to continue to add to the number. Relationships with the coaching staff is the most important part. The days of schools selling themselves are over. Now, the job lies with the coaching staff to keep recruiting flames alive.
Here is a look at the Miami-Dade and Broward players on the summer roster:
Jackson Crozier, Fr. OL, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons. A walk on player who made a huge impact at the high school level. Was a three-time Florida State Champion and served as a team captain. Earned All-State and All-County three times.
Andy Jean, WR, Fr., Miami Northwestern. Has a chance to be one of the nation’s best after a solid spring. Caught 19 passes for a team-leading 409 yards with three scores during his high school senior year.
Carlson Joseph, RB, Plantation American Heritage. Played in one game, making his collegiate debut, and rushing two times for five yards in the victory vs. Eastern Washington (Oct. 2). SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll.
Jason Marshall Jr., CB, Jr., Miami Palmetto. Started at cornerback in thirteen games… Finished the season with 29 tackles, 8 pass breakups, 1 TFL, 1 interception, and a quarterback hurry.
Cahron Rackley, S, So., Miami Palmetto. Another walk on player who was a quality high school player.
Tyreak Sapp, DL, So., Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. Saw action on the defensive line in all 13 games of the season, totaling 20 tackles (eight solo), 0.5 TFL and two quarterback hurries. SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll (2022).
Derek Wingo, ILB, Jr., Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. Saw action in 12 games with back-to-back starts to end the season… Totaled 24 tackles with 2.0 TFLs, sacks and quarterback hurries.
SOUTH FLORIDA (MIAMI-DADE & BROWARD) PROSPECTS – CLASSES 2024-2027. LAST UPDATED: June 22, 2023. https://larryblustein.com/prospects/tracking-south-florida-prospects COLLEGE COACHES ARE WATCHING ALL THE TIME, SO LET’S KEEP UPDATING – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Transfer Season Heats Up In Miami-Dade & Broward. https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-heats-up-in-miami-dade-broward
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..
CORAL SPRINGS - On the same day that Coral Glades head football coach Cameron Thomas broke the news to his team, parents and student body that he was stepping down to head in a different direction, the Jaguars quickly filled the head football position.
After helping to turn this program around, Thomas took his team to a post season and injected a winning formula. He developed talent on and off the field and gave this program something it hadn’t had – a winner!
Casullo, who has won state and national titles at Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas as well lifting Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy into the spotlight, comes to the Coral Springs area after a short stint at Cypress Bay in Weston. While with the Lightning he started to get the program back on track.
His hiring, while it was a surprise to many, is something that Principal Dr. Mark Kaplan and new Athletic Director Howie Schrager believe is a perfect fit for a program that not only has one of the finest facilities but also a unique drawing power from throughout Northwest Broward County.
“This is a great opportunity for me at this time in my career,” Casullo said. “I am surrounded by an amazing administration and a community that had a taste of winning football.”
The one thing that Casullo has that many south Florida coaches may lack are college contacts. His nearly two decades of coaching and teaching gave him the opportunity to make friends with many college coaches across the country who have recruited his players.
What Casullo represents is someone who has plenty of experience – coming from a family that has been involved in the game all of his life. His father Bob is a former coach at the collegiate level for 15 years, also spending 9 years in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Bucs. He also had the opportunity to coach in 2 Super Bowls.
“I have learned so much about this game from being around some great people,” Casullo said. “From my dad to Coach George Smith at St. Thomas Aquinas, there aren’t two more established and better teachers of this sport.”
During Casullo’s overall tenure (15 years) with St. Thomas Aquinas, the Raiders won 5 state titles and 2 national championships.
CORAL GLADES THROUGH THE YEARS
While Thomas elevated the Jaguars in 2021, the program has long struggled to maintain a winner. Over the past 10 years, they had just one winning season and compiled a 26-66 record:
2022 (2-8)
2021 (6-3)
2020 (2-2). Covid Season.
2019 (3-7)
2018 (2-8)
2017 (3-6)
2016 (4-6)
2015 (2-8)
2014 (2-8)
2013 (0-10)
SOUTH FLORIDA (MIAMI-DADE & BROWARD) PROSPECTS – CLASSES 2024-2027. LAST UPDATED: June 20, 2023. https://larryblustein.com/prospects/tracking-south-florida-prospects COLLEGE COACHES ARE WATCHING ALL THE TIME, SO LET’S KEEP UPDATING – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Transfer Season Heats Up In Miami-Dade & Broward. https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-heats-up-in-miami-dade-broward
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..
Throughout the month of June, high school football programs from across the country headed on a trip to various colleges as part of a caravan to check out schools.
This ritual, which is gaining in popularity, has been going on for nearly a decade, and while the purpose is to compete and see different schools, the experience for players and coaches becomes something they will remember for the rest of their lives.
Whether it’s in the state of Florida, to the northeast, southeast or Midwest, these caravans are not only providing these student/athletes with a chance to meet college coaches, but also visit cities and states that most only read about in their U.S. history classes.
For many of these football players, this is the first time they have been away from home, and in many ways, prepares them for life after high school – when they do make the choice to attend a school away from home.
With many schools heading out from south Florida this summer, one of the programs to get this opportunity of a lifetime was Dr. Michael Krop High.
Based in northern Miami-Dade County, head coach Tom Caporale and his team set off on a bus tour that would include North Carolina, North Carolina State, Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee, Tusculum, Georgia, Georgia State, Western Carolina, FSU, and the University of Central Florida. Even schools such as Buffalo and Arkansas State were at one of the multiple camp stops.
The college visits gave the coaches a chance to see some of the Lightning prospects – in all classes.
Rising senior (2024) quarterback/athlete Jamaal Haggins showed out well in the N.C. State and University of Tennessee camps, showing good measurables at 6-0, 180 with long arms, quick release and very accurate deep balls.
At the University of Georgia 7-on-7 camp he was also turning heads – including head coach Kirby Smart.
It was also in Georgia that Class of 2026 WR Jaden Page started to make a name for himself.
Also using the trip to further enhance his stock was 2024 defensive back Kal-el Pascal, who already holds multiple big time offers.
The 6-0, 185-pounder showed exactly why he is one of the best in Florida, showcasing his skills in front of coaches like former University of Miami and Hollywood Hills High product Willie Martinez (Tennessee) and veteran coach Wesley McGriff at Auburn, Even Fran Brown from Georgia raved about Pascal’s toughness and mindset as well as his phenomenal ball skills.
Some of the other players who truly watched their stock rise included 2024 LB/EGDE Caleb Turner-Allen. The 6-2, 230-pounder made an impression during drills. He ran a blazing 4.58 in the 40, which certainly brought a few offers in his direction.
Rising 2025 receiver/return specialist Xayvion Quarterman was another prospect that dazzled at Georgia and Tennessee. He will be a major part of the offense and is starting to get traction in recruiting!
SOUTH FLORIDA (MIAMI-DADE & BROWARD) PROSPECTS – CLASSES 2024-2027. LAST UPDATED: June 20, 2023. https://larryblustein.com/prospects/tracking-south-florida-prospects COLLEGE COACHES ARE WATCHING ALL THE TIME, SO LET’S KEEP UPDATING – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Transfer Season Heats Up In Miami-Dade & Broward. https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-heats-up-in-miami-dade-broward
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..