The numbers are staggering. People across the country shake their collective heads at how easy it seems to be when it comes to transferring schools in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.

There has been a running joke about how the Miami Herald and Fort Lauderdale’s South Florida Sun-Sentinel should run a Daily Transaction column so fans across the region and state can see who is going where.

While it’s long way until late August when the 2024 season kicks off – with spring and summer still ahead – but the numbers every day seem to grow when student/athletes pick up and move from one school to another without ever changing addresses.

While it has been commonplace over the past decade, this is something that NEVER took place 10, 20, 30, 40 years ago. You would have to move into a district or attend a private school to change schools. Today in our “School of Choice” society, all public schools need to do is make sure that there are desks available for those you are bringing in – and not just football.

We tend to gravitate toward football because it is a sport that gets attention and publicity.

There are two sides of transfers. You lose a student/athlete and you are bitter and offer up why the program the athlete left is far better than where they are going, citing that much of what has made that athlete attractive was accomplished at the school they left.

The other side of that coin are those schools who receive the athlete. They believe that if their program wasn’t winning or developing talent, colleges and universities would never flock and see these prospects.

When we did a story last week on Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna and the success the Lions have had and how they rebuild a program that has been to a state record eight consecutive state championship games, winning six, it was met with silence locally, but picked up plenty of momentum nationally.

This past weekend the “Transactions” picked up once again – as more and more students are leaving one school for another. The crazy thing, as we mention last time, June 1 is the target date where most of the transfers take place – at the end of spring and right before the busy summer gets started.

In case you missed the moves from last week, here they are:

CLASS OF 2025

R.J. “Reynaldo” Aguillar, OL, Miami Norland. Transfer from Hialeah American. 

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16993588/Reynaldo-Rj-Aguilar

Isaiah Anderson, WR, 5-10, 165, Coconut Creek. Transferred from Pembroke Pines Flanagan. 3.5 GPA. 

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16351371/Isaiah-Anderson

King Davis, RB, 5-10, 175, Miami Northwestern. Transferred from Miami Central back to his original school.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16147654/King-Davis

Elijah D’oleo, WR, 6-2, 180, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. Transferred from Pompano Beach Blanche Ely. 3.6 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17365547/Elijah-Doleo

Janaris Foster, DB, 5-11, 175, Coconut Creek. Transferred from Fort Lauderdale Stranahan.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16261966/janaris-foster

Devin Gonzalez, QB, 6-0, 180, Coconut Creek. Transferred from Weston Cypress Bay.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16423482/Devin-Gonzalez  

Dylan McCarthy, DB/WR, 5-9, 160, Coconut Creek. Transferred from Weston Cypress Bay.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16883636/Dylan-McCarthy

Samuel Mitchell IV, Edge, 6-5, 215, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna. Transferred from Pembroke Pines Charter. 3.7 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18496462/Samuel-Mitchell-IV

Calysis Parks, DL, 5-10, 260, Miami Northwestern. Transferred from Miami High.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16380914/Calysis-Parks

Zion Paret, DB, 6-0, 180, Miami Central. Transferred from Miami Northwestern. 3.0 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/14897225/Zion-Paret

Ricardo Paul, DE, 6-2, 230, Coconut Creek. Transferred from Coral Springs. 

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18044906/Ricardo-Paul

Dylan Robinson, LB, 5-10, 190, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna. Transferred from Hialeah American.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16636553/Dylan-Robinson

Mike Varga, LB, 5-11, 190, Coconut Creek. Transferred from Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy. 

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16177020/Michael-Varga

Jaylin Woods, WR, 5-11, 170, Coconut Creek Monarch. Transferring from Wellington.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16411592/Jaylin-Woods

CLASS OF 2026

Kaj “Nitro” Baker, Athlete, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy. Transferred from Miami Central. Elite track performer. 3.5 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15144891/Kaj-Nitro-Baker

Trayvon Mitchell, SS, 5-10, 165, Coconut Creek. Transferred from Pompano Beach Blanche Ely.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19396147/Trayvon-Mitchell

Jaden Page, WR, 5-11, 150, Miami Norland. Transferred from Miami Dr. Krop.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17741911/Jaden-Page

Elias Sturman, OL, 6-1, 300, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna. Transferred from Bradenton IMG Academy.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16191625/650cf7d15cb35d038caf3125

CLASS OF 2027

Tyler Chance, QB, 5-11, 175, Plantation. Transferred from Fort Lauderdale Dillard.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16934524/Tyler-Chance

Sean Thompson, OLB/WR, 6-2, 180, Miami Central. Makes a move down south from Hollywood South Broward.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19530845/Sean-Thompson

2028

Jaquan Washington, Athlete, Coconut Creek. Transferred from Fort Lauderdale Dillard. Youth football standout who is certainly in the next wave of talent.

TAPE: https://twitter.com/i/status/1740039510229147799

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

For the past 54 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 (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

While so many football fans try to find negatives with the off-season “all-star” 7-on-7 teams, the fact remains that having the opportunity to see some of the elite prospects perform is worth the price of admission.

This past weekend, some of the best high school skilled prospects in the nation flocked to Mills Pond Park in Fort Lauderdale for the South Florida Battle event.

From California, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, Alabama, North Carolina and just about every corner of the nation headed south to not only enjoy the great weather but see some of the prospects that fan websites and recruiting services have been talking about over the past year.

While it is NOT football, it is skill and it does showcase athletes who can run, throw, catch and defend.

The 7-on-7 off-season events have morphed into a billion-dollar business with advertisers and sponsors making these mega events possible with destinations all over the country providing a forum for some impressive prospects.

While Battle has long been at the head of the class in making these events possible, so has Pylon and several other groups who bring all this talent – high school and middle school – together to showcase the present and the future.

These events have become so popular and important that even on a huge weekend for college junior days nationwide, coaches kept their eye on players and teams – knowing that these young men will be recruits that will be a part of turning their programs around soon.

RAW MIAMI STACKED WITH ELITE PROSPECTS

While Jose Duasso and his Raw Miami team didn’t bring home the title this past weekend, you can guarantee that this is a team that you will hear plenty about this spring.

Loaded with gifted players from Florida and in many areas of the country. These athletes are being pursued by major colleges from coast-to-coast and they did not disappoint.

Among the offensive prospects this team has in the 2025 (rising senior) class includes Anjuan “Ace” Coleman (WR, Miami Central), Deion Deblanc (WR, Houston North Shore), Santonyo Isaac (WR, Tampa Bay Tech), under-the-radar Jared Lockhart (QB, Charlotte, Porter Ridge, North Carolina), Teriq Mallory (WR, Cheshire Academy, Connecticut), Cortez Mills (WR, Homestead), Nae’shaun Montgomery (WR, Miami Central), Khaleal Sterling (WR, Miami Central), King Walker (WR, Miami Central), Kenny Williams (WR, Miami Gulliver Prep) and Tampa Bay Tech’s nationally rated receiver Dallas Wilson.

Class of 2026 athlete Aaron Gregory (Douglasville, Georgia) and rising 2027 quarterback standout quarterback Zac Katz (Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna).

THE DEFENSE IS ALSO STACKED WITH QUALITY

As potent as the offense will be this off-season, Raw Miami’s defense is also impressive.

Leading the way in the Class of 2025 on defense are Anquon Fegans (S, Alabaster Thompson, Alabama), Chris McCorkle (CB, Sarasota Cardinal Mooney), Herlin Perry Jr. (CB, Providence LaSalle Academy, Rhode Island), Major Preston Jr. (CB, Bradenton IMG Academy), and Kelly Sejour Jr. (CB, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna).

There are also Sekou Smith (S, Miami Central), Rakeem Stroud (CB, Tampa Bay Tech), Hylton “Drake” Stubbs (S, Jacksonville Mandarin), Amari Wallace (S, Miami Central), and Lakeland safety Keon Young.

Class of 2026 players who are already making an impact feature FSU commit Darryl “Tre” Bell (Athlete, Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman), Jireh Edwards (S, Baltimore St. Frances Academy, Maryland), Jvari Flowers (CB, Miami Northwestern), and Jaelen Waters (CB, Seffner Armwood).

CAM NEWTON (C1N), LUKE NICKEL WIN IT ALL

Among the prospects everyone came to see included University of Miami 2025 quarterback commit Luke Nickel from Milton, Georgia, who was one of the best at the event as he played for Cam Newton’s (C1N) team, taking home the title in this prestigious weekend event.

Nickel, who was impressive during the two days, even received some valuable pointers from the one-time collegiate and NFL star.

FUTURE STARS SHINE

While south Florida is spoiled with all the talent that we see throughout the course of a year, there were some elite prospects that had even the most partial Miami-Dade and Broward football player, coach and fan shaking their collective heads with all the talent on display.

One of the top receivers in the country and LSU commit Dakorien Moore (Duncanville, Texas), Florida’s No. 1 player for the 2024 season D.J. Pickett (Zephyrhills), receivers Kaliq Lockett, Georgia linebacker commit Jadon Perlotte, fellow linebacker Noah Mikhail (LaVerne Bonita, California), receiver Jaime Ffrench (Jacksonville Mandarin), safety Trey McNutt (Shaker Height, Ohio) and tight ends Nate Roberts (Washington, Oklahoma), Linkon Cure (Goodland, Kansas), Kiotti Armstrong (Jasper, Texas) and Da'Saahn Brame (Derby, Kansas).

Quarterbacks Husan Longstreet (Corona Centennial, California), Antwann Hill Jr. (Warner Robbins, Houston County, Georgia), Texas commit K.J. Lacey (Saraland, Alabama), Jackson Kollock (Laguna, California) and Florida State commit Tramell Jones Jr. (Jacksonville Mandarin) were on hand.

So was Florida’s No. 1 Class of 2026 receiver Jabari Brady (Chaminade-Madonna) amongst so many others who were on hand.

Joining Newton’s team were 4th Quarter Mentality, 24K, Bootleggers, California Power, Certified Dawgs, Crab5, Young Kings, Defcon, Fast Houston, Ground Zero, Hard Knocks, KT Preps, Miami Immortals, NPA, Premium, Sound Mind Sound Body, South Florida Express, Team Flex, Team Tampa, Texas Threat, Trillion Boys and Tucson Turf and Literally Battle.

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

For the past 54 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 (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

There was a time when off-season 7-on-7 events were not attended by everyone. Times have definitely changed!

Throughout the past decade, the four months between the end of the regular season and the beginning of spring has been occupied by 7-on-7 all-star programs with football prospects from all over the country competing nearly every weekend.

From California to Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Arizona, Nevada, and in every corner of the country, these programs take center stage with media and recruiting services flocking to these events to watch and get interviews.

While skeptics will continue to say that this is NOT real football, colleges across the country feel otherwise, and that’s why this Saturday and Sunday at Mills Pond Park in Fort Lauderdale will be overloaded with teams from all over the nation and fans coming to see the current and future stars of the gridiron.

While Battle Sports is known for uniforms and equipment, the company has now dominated the 7-on-7 industry, hosting these events and showcase tournaments across the country for athletes in the 10u, 12u, 14u, 15u and the 18 and under high school varsity teams. Battle7 tournament games are defined by the highest level of competition and the highest level of sportsmanship. 

LOCAL TEAMS ARE READY

In the first decade of 7-on-7 tournaments you could not attend an event without a team from south Florida coming home with a first-place trophy. But times have changed and everyone in every football hotbed has athletes who are among the best in the country.

When play begins on Saturday afternoon for these high school standouts, south Florida will boast powerhouse DEFCON, Florida Stars, Hard Knocks, Miami Immortals, Miami Raw, South Florida Bless and a South Florida Express program that has long been the blueprint nationally – with athletes who are easily among the country’s best.

FOLLOW BATTLE SPORTS AT

https://www.facebook.com/BattleSportsCo/

https://www.instagram.com/battle7v7/

@Battle (Twitter/X)

PHOTO COURTESY OF BATTLE

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..

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..