I've had the pleasure of working with some of the top high school authorities in the state - including Buddy Collings and Bull Buchhalter of the Orlando Sentinel, Brian McLaughlin of the Daytona Beach News Journal, Jack Watford of the FHSAA and Steve Dorsey of the Palm Beach Post - over the past few weeks to begin the selection process of the greatest football players to ever take the field in Florida.
The format of the team is taking shape, as are the players who deserve to be on it.
Announcements of all the honorees will take place during the two weekends of the state football championships in Orlando in December.
andre just a question, do you know if anyone is recruiting jaren jones of columbus. i know he is spliting time w/ gore. but he is still putting up big numbers each week. any idea?
Posted by: CJ | October 26, 2007 at 10:30 AM
Did you guys just drop off the blog map the last two weeks?
Posted by: Franco Lolan | October 27, 2007 at 11:38 AM
Yes, been too busy working on stories for the paper. It's a hectic time with the fall seasons ending, playoffs, all-county teams, the new season beginning, previews, and everything else.
Posted by: Bob Emanuel Jr. | October 27, 2007 at 12:24 PM
Bob Emanuel you guys better not screw #5 Emannuel Sourrin from Norland and #55 Sean Ferguson this year in the All-Dade selection. I know you guys LOVE Howard from Krop but come on what has he did in Big games?
Posted by: Yes Sir | October 29, 2007 at 07:50 AM
Lamont Green is the only player from Miami to win USA TODAY Defensive Player of the year. 1993 He was also first team all dade 3 years in a row 92,93,94 also first team all state 92, 93, 94.
Posted by: Mike Archer | October 29, 2007 at 08:47 AM
Yes sir, I don't pick the All-Dade team. That's Andre's job.
Posted by: Bob Emanuel Jr. | October 29, 2007 at 11:08 AM
Andre since I know the coaches vote on all dade selections I guess if you dont have a good relationship with other coaches some kids get screwed? What if coaches dont turn in stats I know some defensive coaches dont submit stats on tackles.
Posted by: realdeal | October 29, 2007 at 05:47 PM
Yes sir, Dont worry about Travis Howard from Krop he is a big time player he has comitted to Ohio State and Sourrin from Norland is an average player, What position does he actually play? Do some research Howard making first team all dade ia a no brainer
Posted by: Mike archer | October 30, 2007 at 07:38 AM
Mr. Mike Archer do your research Sourrin from Norland has 14 ints in his high school career and made 3rd team(should have been 2nd team) all-dade last year. He plays every position. He has 3 ints, one for td this year. He shut down Kraps best wr(lmao). I hear his nick name is "Super" in Miami Gardens. Howard did nothing last year and has not impress me at all this year. I like Walker from Homestead much better.
Posted by: Yes Sir | October 30, 2007 at 12:13 PM
Yo Andre whats up with all the Braddock people talking all that smack when they cant even stop Andy Jimenez and beat Sunset, Anyways whats your take on the district title game? Also, is the game going to be friday like its scheduled everywhere or saturday?
Posted by: HS | October 30, 2007 at 04:29 PM
Yes Sir, I guess the college scouts dont know anything then. Why is Howard from Krop one of the states top recruits and those other guys arent. Oh maybe its because his SAT score was above 1000. Thats why he can commit now and others arent being recruited!
Stop watching little league football!
Posted by: Mike Archer | October 31, 2007 at 08:24 AM
Mike Archer,
I can name thousands of college recruits who were busts. Howard is liked because of his 40 time and average skills.
P.S. I am a High School Football Coach who has 9 former players in the NFL ( 3 were drafted in the last draft!) I KNOW FOOTBALL!
Posted by: Yes Sir | October 31, 2007 at 09:59 AM
Hey Bob and Andre do not forget the 2 Davis brothers from Southridge or Sedrick Irving from Miami High! Those are three of the top ten backs in Florida High School History!
Posted by: Yes Sir | October 31, 2007 at 10:02 AM
@Mike Archer
Kenny Phillips was last Miami kid to win USA TODAY DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR samrt guy.
Do your research!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: TEE DRAPER | October 31, 2007 at 10:34 AM
Tee Draper, you are right I didnt do my research. But Yes Sir, stop worrying about Howard from Krop. You guys have the best player in Dade county and you cant get him the ball (Xavier Rhodes) thats who you should be excited about
Posted by: Mike Archer | October 31, 2007 at 01:47 PM
Guys,
Please post generic things and thoughts on the current players on the bulletin board post. This is intended for any discussion on all-time greats.
Thanks!
Posted by: Bob Emanuel Jr. | October 31, 2007 at 02:04 PM
Troy Davis, Darren Davis, Lamont Green and Sedrick Irvin were all apart of the Southridge state Championship team in 1993.
Green was the player of the year for the nation and Troy Davis was the player of the year in the state.
Posted by: Mike archer | November 01, 2007 at 07:44 AM
Yall Need to add Corey Kinsey From Palmetto senior high school..(1999-2001) he is 2nd or third all time in dade county for career rushing yards behind Frank Gore(1999-2001) and possibly Antwain Easterling(2005-2007)..
Posted by: DeeCane | November 01, 2007 at 10:33 PM
What about Cory Fuller of Miami Palmetto for LB? Or Micheal Barrow of Homestead SR. for LB?
Posted by: Football Guy | November 01, 2007 at 10:44 PM
sedrick irvin and lamont green gotta be first teamers
Posted by: john | November 02, 2007 at 07:55 PM
How about Brett Periman (MNW) Busta Rymes (MNW) Antonio Bryant (MNW) V.Morency (MNW) Nate Webster (MNW) Tony Martin (MNW) Melvin Bratton (MNW) Tolbert Bain (MNW) Harold Miles(MNW) Samson Howard (MNW)and the list goes on and on.Check us out.WERE TAKEN OVER
Posted by: Pete | November 04, 2007 at 11:37 AM
Update:
Sedrick Irvin, Troy Davis and Darren Davis are not under consideration. Running back is LOADED in this state's history -- Edge James, Emmitt Smith, etc. Frank Gore is under consideration.
Kenny Phillips and Lamont Green are also under consideration.
A list of the Top 100 will be worked on this week by the committee. From there, the All-Time, All-State team will be named. There will be some component of fan voting, which I'll keep you updated on.
The Top 12 Coaches were selected. Top 12 Teams will be picked tomorrow.
It's an exciting process, and one I'm glad to be a part of. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of worthy football players that will fail to crack the Top 100, so do not take any omission personally.
Posted by: Bob Emanuel Jr. | November 05, 2007 at 11:21 AM
For Top Coaches Fraizer of Miami Carol City has to be picked! He is like 3 for 5 in State Championships. 97-98 Miami Carol City team has to be in the top 5 also.
Posted by: Football Guy | November 05, 2007 at 01:58 PM
Coach Frazier is one of the 12.
Which year for Carol City?
Posted by: Bob Emanuel Jr. | November 05, 2007 at 02:21 PM
97-98 Miami Carol City team(second str8 champion year)
Posted by: Football Guy | November 05, 2007 at 06:38 PM
I also love 06-07 Lakeland squad. Just wish they could have played better Miami schools, like Booker T.,evil empire Northwestern, or even Central. However that team was a team! They were well coached and strong. They made Norland's beast rb Hannibal Beauford look like a jv player in the NFL!
Posted by: Football Guy | November 07, 2007 at 07:24 AM
In 1993 I remember Lamont Green won the Sam B. Nicola award from the Columbus, Ohio Touchdown Club. It goes to the nations top prep football player. Green was also the prep defensive player of the year from the Columbus Touchdown Club. Peyton Manning was the Offensive Player of the year.
Posted by: Ohiostatefan#1 | November 07, 2007 at 08:11 AM
Take a step back to the 60's. There was no defense for Gables QB Larry Rentz.
Posted by: Alberto Saldivar | November 08, 2007 at 09:06 AM
Please ensure we the avid fans are allowed to view your top 100 greatest player list...id like to see how many bulls are on that list go bulls
Posted by: anthony (j jonah) edwards | November 08, 2007 at 10:37 AM
In 1994 I attended the Florida -vs- Georgia high school all star game in Orlando,FL Lamont Green from Southridge Sr. played the best game I have ever seen a LB play in 25 years of coaching high school football. I am from Penn. St. territory and still I have not seen a better LB.
Posted by: david | November 08, 2007 at 10:38 AM
Is this team going to be based on what they did in high school or after high school?
I respect E.J. and Emmitt, but to say that Sedrick Irvin, Troy and Darren Davis are not under consideration is ludacris. Pleased don't forget that These boys played quality 6A football in Miami.
And Yes, Class rankings and regions do make a difference. Football in Miami is not a cake walk like it is in other parts of lorida.
Posted by: BigB305 | November 08, 2007 at 11:20 AM
Is this team going to be based on what they did in high school or after high school?
I respect E.J. and Emmitt, but to say that Sedrick Irvin, Troy and Darren Davis are not under consideration is ludacris. Pleased don't forget that These boys played quality 6A football in Miami.
And Yes, Class rankings and regions do make a difference. Football in Miami is not a cake walk like it is in other parts of lorida.
Posted by: BigB305 | November 08, 2007 at 11:34 AM
I respect your opinion, but this list is about the greatest players in the state's history. Out of the top 100, there will likely be 10-12 running backs. Considering football goes back 100 years in the state, you have to expand your judgment beyond just Dade or Broward County.
The Davis boys and Irvin were great players. I'm not going to argue that. But, to quote Men in Black, we're looking for the best of the best of the best.
Also, the list encompasses their whole career with a heavy emphasis on their high school exploits.
Posted by: Bob Emanuel Jr. | November 08, 2007 at 11:46 AM
brian griese at qb, and adrian mcpherson. and running backs: frank gore, troy davis. wr:ryan moore from dr. phillips and fred rouse.
Posted by: rick | November 09, 2007 at 12:16 AM
i gott put jacory harris at quarterback because he's the first qb to make elite 11 camp
Posted by: rick | November 09, 2007 at 12:24 AM
IMPORTANT:
1996 Heisman Trophy Race. Danny Wuerffel 1,363 votes, Troy Davis 1,174 votes.
2 Florida High School football Players first and second in the Heisman Race.
They need to be on that squad.
Posted by: BigBaby305 | November 09, 2007 at 12:35 AM
BigBaby, Sorry. Troy Davis is not making it. He is not even under consideration from the committee. His name did come up in initial nominations, but he was passed over pretty quickly.
Rick, of your nominees, only Frank Gore looks likely.
Posted by: Bob Emanuel Jr. | November 09, 2007 at 01:27 AM
I think that Mike Phillips is a good guy to have on the committe he was the writer that covered most of the top players in Dade in the 90's.
Posted by: Ohiostatefan#1 | November 09, 2007 at 08:47 AM
What about Markeith Cooper. He was around during the days of Sed Irvin and Darren Davis, and got more yardage than both of them. Don't forget he broke both the single game and single season rushing records during his senior year, not to mention he was a state champion wrestler. Also it is hard to argue that anyone in dade county football was more dominant than Najeh Davenport during the 1996 season. Of course he is injury prone and only played 1/2 a season that year but did rush for over 1000 yards and Central went 5-0 with him and 0-5 without him.
Posted by: Anthony | November 13, 2007 at 09:59 AM
I definelty agree with the nomination of Palmetto's Markeith Cooper
Posted by: Big B305 | November 16, 2007 at 10:38 AM