Take a look at any high school football programs these days, especially during the pandemic, and you will see plenty of young prospects making an impact.
With so many impressive youth football players getting it done on football fields all over south Florida, and it is paying off.
It may sound strange, but because of the “transfer portal” and the NCAA allowing athletes to have an additional year of eligibility, the Class of 2023 just may be the big winners over the next few years.
What the pandemic did – along with the “transfer portal” – is altered recruiting. Colleges are not needing as many prospects for this 2022 cycle, as schools are facing choices.
By now, everyone knows the story about how TRU Prep Academy and school owner Mario Smith stepped in to save the day for NSU University School this past season during the pandemic.
With the school not allowing the Sharks to play sports this past season, the athletes who were still on the football team, which was loaded with prospects found a loophole and ran with it this past season when TRU Prep Academy served as the “host” for the football players – while still taking their classes at University School.
After winning the state 4A football title last December, Cardinal Gibbons and head coach Matt Dubuc have been building the Chiefs back to that championship level.
With some key losses from the championship team, the first order of business was to reload those vacancies – and with a solid spring and productive off-season, this is a team that heads into the 2021 season as the overwhelming favorite to win a third title in four years.
With much of the attention in south Florida spent on programs such as St. Thomas Aquinas, Miami Central, Miami Northwestern, American Heritage, Cardinal Gibbons, Champagnat Catholic and Chaminade-Madonna, it seems that many are forgetting about Miami Carol City.
As head coach Dorean James and the Chiefs continue to rebuild this program and make them a contender in 4A, this spring/summer has opened some eyes as the team is beginning to mature and come together.