Through the course of any given football season, there are lists that come out that claim to have the best players for one class or another.

The Pre-Season Class of 2010 lists have started to come out, and while companies such as Rivals.com and Scout.com have their opinions, I have always been one to value the opinion of those who actually get out and see all the players that are rated and not just from watching game film. That's why when Elitescoutingservices and Friday Night Football Magazine, Florida released their top players for the Class of 2010, it was something that I value and subscribe to.

ESS and the football magazine travel to every corner of the state, watching games, seeing practices and attending several camps and combines in search of comparing one player from the next.

Here is a look at the athletes from Broward who made the Pre-Season Top 100:
 
Lamarcus Joyner, CB/WR, 5-8, 175, St. Thomas Aquinas: After watching him dominate as a sophomore and junior for Southwest Miami, this gifted football talent will spend his final season playing a key role for the defending national champions. Speed, athletic ability and the knack of knowing where the flow of the play is has made him a national recruit. Another athlete who can play 5 positions and never leave the field of play.

Brandon Linder, OT, 6-6, 280, St. Thomas Aquinas: From the first time we watched him play as a sophomore, it was easily to tell that this was going to be a national recruit. His quickness, strength, knowledge of the entire line of scrimmage and work ethic puts him in a class with former Raiders Sam Young (Notre Dame), Andrew Datko (FSU), Daniel Wenger (Notre Dame) and Marcus Gilbert (University of Florida).

Gio Bernard, RB, 5-8, 200, St. Thomas Aquinas: The true measure of this impressive back came last year, as a junior for the national champion Raiders. His quickness, strength, durability and breakaway speed gives him the chance to become one of the nation’s premier backs. Like so many quality players who come from athletic families, he is following in the rather large footsteps of his brother, Yvenson, a standout runner at Oregon State.

Ivan McCartney, WR, 6-2, 175, Miramar: They call him “sticks” because of his slender build. They say he looks a lot like his cousin, Chad Johnson, who has carved out quite a niche in the National Football League, but any way you break this quality football player down, it adds up to a tremendous football player. Has tremendous hands, runs great patterns and has the ability to catch the ball against anyon. Was the catalyst in the Patriots’ run last year in the playoffs, and is expected to do much of the same in 2009!

Cody Riggs, CB, 5-9, 170, St. Thomas Aquinas: If you needed validation of this young man’s talent, just flip in a DVD of last year’s 5A state title game against Lakeland where he was all over the field. His football instincts combined with his impressive speed makes this a player who will be a huge get for any collegiate secondary. He rarely lets someone get behind him and has the ability to also break on the ball and make a play at anytime. Also considered one of the top sprinters and long jumpers in the nation.

Devon Wright, RB, 6-0, 185, Taravella: Forget the fact that he is has only played two years of  football, this may be one of the fastest-rising running back prospects in the country. He has quickness, balance, great size and the ability make people miss – often! Don’t be surprised at how fast he climbs the charts over the next few months. He is already the two-time defending Broward County rushing champion with the 2009 season coming up.

Tony Grimes, CB, 6-0, 170, Hollywood Hills: While many who evaluate and recruit the state of Florida seem to be on top of many quality athletes, here is one that everyone completely whiffed on from the start. A three year starter who has been playing at a high level since he hit the football field for the Spartans, this gifted athlete has been working his way up the charts – quickly. While he may eventually end up at a safety position, his cover skills are impressive without the impressive speed that some colleges are fooled by. Watch him play and see how physical he is and you will be sold – like the 20 colleges who offered him in the spring!

James White, RB, 5-10, 185, St. Thomas Aquinas: The other part of a duo that could be one of the best in the nation. A quick, strong, impressive back who has the size to run between the tackles and the speed to bounce it outside and take it the distance. What makes this athlete so impressive is his ability to filter out of the backfield to make catches and create mismatches in the defense. He is also a baseball player, which adds to his overall athletic ability. Keep your eye on this quality football player!

Demar Dorsey, S, 6-2, 180, Boyd Anderson: Having watched this gifted athlete play a number of times, you continue to see why some schools like him as a safety, while others love his speed and cover skills enough to put him at the corner position. Having had the opportunity to watch him since his days of youth league football and following his progress, his best position is at safety. He does better playing with the football in front of him. (Committed to Florida).

Shawn Corker, WR, 6-1, 185, Cardinal Gibbons: Here is a player that illustrates  everything you need to know about the recruiting game. Last year, at this time, there wasn’t one person who knew who this gifted football talent was. Now, as we head toward the summer, he is regarded as one of the top performers in a receiving class that is easily as deep as it’s ever been in the state of Florida. A great route runner, who plays the game with a physical presence and knows what it takes to use his body as well as his mind. Another player who is on the rise toward the top.

Jonathan Feliciano, OT, 6-4, 275, Western: Talk about someone who was never looked at before he sold himself to colleges across the country, he was a player who was actually talked about two years ago by former head coach Doug Dutton who spoke about his athletic ability, great feet and explosion at the line of scrimmage. This is easily one of the top prospects at the position, and while he gains more experience, there is little doubt that this three-year player will climb the ladder faster than any other player at this position in the state. A huge find – in more than one way! (Committed to Miami).

Brian Robinson, DB, 5-10, 185, St. Thomas Aquinas: Came out of the 2008 season as one of the most athletic and physical defensive secondary performers in the region. Follows in the footsteps of his father, a one-time Fort Lauderdale Dillard and Auburn standout as a gifted athlete who is capable of making big plays, using his knowledge of the game, quickness and exceptional balls skills. Colleges love his all-out style of play, which has become his trademark over the past two years.

Keion Payne, CB, 6-0, 170, St. Thomas Aquinas: After watching him develop from his days in youth football and in the first two years at nearby Dillard High, this quality football talent makes the move to play for the Raiders this season. A good size cover-corner prospect who has quickness and athletic ability. Is starting to get more physical, which colleges just love from a player with this size.

Clifton Coleman, DB, 5-10, 170, Boyd Anderson: Yet another quality prospects who will parlay speed and raw athleticism to play cornerback in college. What he needs to do is get bigger and stronger than he is now. In addition, he will be asked to play receiver, which is something that head coach Mark James likes from his athletes. Keep an eye out for this young man.

Justin Wilson, LB, 6-0, 218, Western: If there was another athlete who proves that seeing him live is the way to better appreciate what he can do to help a team, here he is. A quick, agile, strong and athletic prospect who has everything it takes to develop into a quality player. While he plays on both sides (running back) of the ball, he is also a two-sport (wrestler) athlete who has tremendous balance and a plays with a toughness that you cannot teach.

Vinnie Mauro, LB, 6-1, 215, St. Thomas Aquinas: After a brilliant junior season, this impressive prospects returns to give the defending national champions a player who is a sure tackler, has speed, drops into coverage and is as intense as you will find. One of the most athletic players at this position, he is also an outstanding baseball player who had 8 homers this past season.

CLASS OF 2011 STARS
While much of the attention is on the upcoming senior class, I have come up with an ongoing list of Broward County stars in the Class of 2011. It's never too early to give these players a boost:

QUARTERBACKS
Imonni Carswell, 6-1, 185, Plantation
Chris Leyva, 5-10, 180, West Broward
Myles Notkin, 5-10, 160, Cooper City
Jake Rudock, 6-2, 170, St. Thomas Aquinas
Dominic Thomas, 5-8, 155, Pines Charter

RUNNING BACKS
Danny Epstein, 5-10, 185, Cypress Bay
Berry Dugue, 6-1, 215, Piper
Joe Lyles, 5-6, 150, South Broward
Jordan Polite, 5-10, 175, Taravella
Orville Reynolds, 5-9, 175, Douglas
Joseph Rold, 5-8, 190, Douglas
Junior Sylvestre, 6-0, 190, South Broward
Cedric Thompson, 5-11, 210, Everglades
Corey Tindal, 5-11, 175, Stranahan
Terrell Walker, 5-9, 165, Nova
Marquise White, 5-10, 180, Coconut Creek

RECEIVERS
Danny Adams, 5-11, 150, Cardinal Gibbons
Tevin Allen, 5-7, 144, Western
Randall Bailey, 5-10, 160, Everglades
Courtney Bynes, 5-10, 160, Boyd Anderson
Jack Crittenburger, 5-10, 170, Cardinal Gibbons
Phil Dorsett, 5-11, 170, St. Thomas Aquinas
Arthur Drayton, 5-9, 175, Stranahan
Rashad Greene, 6-0, 165, St. Thomas Aquinas
Reggie McKnight, 6-0, 161, Hollywood Hills
Stephen Montgomery, 5-10, 180, McArthur
Mario Pannunzio, 6-1, 190, Cypress Bay
Clinton Seays, 6-2, 170, Ely
Jesse York, 5-11, 180, Boyd Anderson

TIGHT ENDS
Daniel Figueroa, 6-3, 210, Everglades
Mike Fratanni, 6-2, 220, West Broward
Zak M'Sahal, 6-2, 190, Monarch
Varian Roberson, 6-2, 195, Cypress Bay

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Raymond Abel, 6-2, 310, McArthur
Austin Barron, 6-2, 240, St. Thomas Aquinas
Wendy Belizaire, 6-1, 295, Boyd Anderson
Daniel Donnelly, 6-3, 250, Monarch
Kevin Eason, 6-0, 255, Ely
Shawn Hogan, 6-2, 260, Piper
Chris Holmes, 6-3, 325, Taravella
Russell Haughton-James, 6-6, 285, Western
Kyle Jossfolk, 6-0, 220, Cypress Bay
Adam Levinson, 6-2, 260, Douglas
Jared Maldonado, 6-3, 282, Hollywood Hills
Dwayne Montgomery, 6-4, 250, Dillard
Arsen Pasque, 6-3, 255, Everglades
Andrew Reyes, 6-3, 240, St. Thomas Aquinas
Geordan Robinson, 6-4, 255, Piper
Greg Rozier, 6-1, 275, Ely
Sebastien Tuff, 6-2, 315, Boyd Anderson
Tyler Turner, 6-1, 285, Piper

DEFENSIVE LINE
(DE) – Alvin Arnold, 6-2, 190, Hollywood Hills
(DE) - B.J. Dubose, 6-5, 230, Northeast
Daniel Ford, 6-3, 280, Stranahan
Jonel Graham, 6-2, 235, Everglades
Kenny Hankerson, 6-0, 200, St. Thomas Aquinas
Bobby Hart, 6-3, 260, Cardinal Gibbons
Joe Henry, 6-4, 245, Everglades
Derek Lopez, 6-0, 270, Taravella
Akeem McCloud, 6-0, 230, Ely
Dwayne Montgomery, 6-3, 225, Dillard
Tanner Motta, 6-0, 190, Cardinal Gibbons
(DE) – Shaun Ward, 6-1, 225, Boyd Anderson

LINEBACKERS
KaShawn Butler, 6-0, 185, Nova
Jeremy Cash, 6-0, 195, Plantation
Casseus Clemente, 6-1, 205, Everglades
Cameron Cooper, 5-9, 200, Plantation
Ben Gajus, 6-1, 190, Douglas
Spencer Garneau, 6-2, 215, Cooper City
Andrew Gooding, 5-11, 200, Piper
Cyrus Johnson, 5-11, 185, Ely
Conrad Johnson, 5-10, 190, Dillard
Kurt Joseph, 6-1, 205, South Plantation
Wayne Lyons, 6-0, 190, Dillard
Steven McBride, 6-0, 180, Nova
Kent Turene, 6-2, 220, Boyd Anderson
Keelan Wilks, 6-0, 225, Cardinal Gibbons
Mike Williamson, 6-1, 195, McArthur

DEFENSIVE BACKS
Harmon Brown, 5-9, 180, Boyd Anderson
Timothy Burton, 5-8, 181, Cardinal Gibbons
(S) – Noel Cesar, 6-0, 188, Northeast
(S) – Richard Dorvilus 5-11, 188, Hallandale
Pastel Francis, 5-10, 175, Hollywood Hills
Kendall Fullington, 5-11, 170, Cypress Bay
(S) - Jess Goins, 5-10, 176, Hollywood Hills
(S) – Kadeem Hunt, 5-10, 170, Creek
(S) – Taylor Jobb, 5-11, 185, Douglas
Kenyatta Lawrence, 5-10, 165, Douglas
Gekari Murray, 5-9. 165, Piper
(S) - Nick North, 6-0, 170, McArthur 
(S) – Wesley Toussaint, 6-2, 180, Piper
(S) – Denzel Wimberly, 5-9, 195, Cardinal Gibbons

PUNTER/KICKER
Sebastian Alvarez, 5-9, 145, Hollywood Hills
Luckenson Bernardin, 5-8, 150, South Broward
Conor Doole, 5-11, 155, West Broward
Matt Lobelsky, 5-7, 155, Cooper City
Daniel Yanks, 5-6, 150, Cooper City

You can reach Larry Blustein via e-mail at FloridaKids1@hotmail.com. He can also be heard every Thursday night (9-10) on the Miami Dolphins High School Gridiron Report on WQAM (560 AM).