Spring helps rising football prospects emerge
There was a time - not so long ago - when spring football was a month where players and coaches could evaluate what they need to do during the summer. There was really no pressure other than to get better.
Times have changed - and for those standout football prospects in Miami-Dade and Broward County, the month of May is now time to not only get better, but to be watched and evaluated by over 100 college coaches who have found their way to this region of the country.
In addition to the colleges getting more of an opportunity to see these prospects, the players also have more exposure than ever before.
Not only are there daily practices and scrimmages that have caught the attention of college coaches, but with a spring game and last weekend’s Second Annual Officials Clinic and Scrimmage at Tamiami Park, which attracted 40 schools, more and more athletes are being discovered.
“Having been through four decades of coaching here in south Florida, the opportunity that the players are now receiving is tremendous,” said first year Piper head coach Roger Mitchell. “The many avenues they have down here gives these talented young men more of the chance to impress.”
There were a number of schools who participated in last weekend’s scrimmage – from Miami-Dade and Broward. Taking part were Miami Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Miami Northwest Christian, Miami Palmer Trinity, Southwest Miami, Deerfield Beach, Plantation, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, North Miami Beach, Braddock, Coral Glades, Hialeah Goleman, Piper, Miami Archbishop Carroll, Monarch, Oakland Park Northeast, Miami Dr. Krop, LaSalle, Davie Nova, Miami Beach, Miami Belen Jesuit, Miami Sunset, Hialeah Miami Lakes, Coral Gables, Westland Hialeah, Flanagan, Pines Charter, Miami Coral Park, Fort Lauderdale Stranahan, North Miami, Mourning, Coral Springs, Hialeah American, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely, Miami Edison, Miami Ferguson, South Plantation, Hialeah Gardens and Pompano.
Prospects used the two days to grab the attention of the coaches, recruiting services and the media. Several jumped on the radar for the first time - while others backed up the hype.
Here are a few prospects who turned heads:
Peyton Bender, QB, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (2014): It was easy to see why Coach Mike Leach recruited this quality talent all the way from Washington State to play in the Pac-12. This is an accurate passer who makes great decisions and does what is needed to move the chains and get into the end zone.
Anthony Brown, DE, 6-3, 235, Miami Archbishop Carroll (2014): Talk about a well kept secret. Here is a prospects who has the chance to be very special. His size, athletic ability and knowledge of the game is becoming more and more evident as coaches are starting to see this gifted young man perform.
Steve Ishmael, WR/S, North Miami Beach (2014): What more can you say about perhaps one of the best two-way performers in the state? This is a talented, quick athlete who does the little things to get into the end zone. On defense, he will hit you and pick you clean.
Travis Liburd, RB/DB, Piper (2016): One of the players who will really make a huge impact this coming season. A very young performer who is athletic and has the speed to give the Bengals a threat from anywhere on the field. This is going to be one to keep an eye on.
Rashad Maine, DE, Miami Carol City (2014): Another prospect we watched on the offensive line last year for the Chiefs, but this spring, he has blown up as a defensive player - and in the events we have watched him at, he has shown that he will certainly be in the offensive backfield a lot in 2013.
Gerald Nesbitt, DL, Fort Lauderdale (2014): It’s safe to say that this is going to be one of those prospects who totally used this spring to elevate his status. This is a quality football talent who will get after you on defense, but also has the strength and athletic ability to play on the offensive line has well.
Lorenza Thomas, LB, Deerfield Beach (2014): The Bucks have plenty of athletes, but this is one that has to turn your head - a little bit. He can run, drop into coverage and even play tight end on the offensive side of the ball. Will end up being one of the top prospects at his position.
Victor Young, LB, Miami-Dade Christian (2014): One of the key returnees from the Crusaders’ best season ever, finishing second in the state among 2A schools, this is indeed a very impressive football player who will one of the leaders on the team. His ability to make plays is something that everyone has watched. Will be a very good player once again this season.
There are many more - and as you know - I will bring them all to you during the rest of the spring and into the summer.
We are always looking to help promote our area recruits for the current Class of 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. All you have to do is send a You Tube or Hudl link and information about the athlete to: Larry Blustein at Floridakids1@aol.com.
Follow Larry on Twitter at twitter.com/larryblustein.
