With the ink barely dry from National Signing Day, and we already are starting on the next wave of talent that will be the object of colleges across the country.

Last Saturday, the Nike Combine rolled into North Miami and a record 1,300 Class of 2011, 2012, 2013 and even 2014 players converged on North Miami Stadium to see how they stack up against some of the best in South Florida, and of course from around the state.

They came from as far away as Gainesville and Orlando, and as close as the first year program at Alonzo and Tracy Mourning High School in North Miami to take advantage of a free event that helped to measure speed and agility.

One of the players who grabbed the spotlight in the event was St. Thomas Aquinas junior receiver Rashard Green. The 6-0, 185-pounder was among the top prospects who ran and tested for strength and agility.

Green, who helped to lead the Raiders to a 12-1 record this past season, came to Fort Lauderdale from Georgia. His play at receiver and on special teams was something that college coaches watched and appreciated. His opportunity to start his final season on Saturday was important.

“I have always been taught that you take advantage of every opportunity you can to make a name for yourself,” Green said. “Being out here gives me a chance to see what I need to work on from a physical standpoint.”

The Nike Combine on Saturday was one that consisted of timing and testing. The football portion will come in two months.

While Green was one of the top players on hand, he certainly wasn’t alone in the quest to grab attention. Plantation safety Jeremy Cash was on hand with players from Ely, Pompano Beach, Coconut Creek, Deerfield Beach and St. Thomas Aquinas to name a few schools.

“I will play in a number of 7-on-7 events this spring, get ready for spring practice and compete in a few combines,” said Cash, who already has a number of colleges interested. “This was great opportunity to see how fast (4.57) I could run and to see what I need to work on.”

South Plantation receiver Robbie Anderson was there with a number of BCAA athletes who figure to make an impact during the 2010 season.

“This was truly one of the most impressive turnouts we have ever had down here,” said Nike/ESPN Rise event organizer Kynon Codrington. “But nothing South Florida ever does is surprise to any of us.” 

WRESTLERS GET READY FOR THE REGIONALS
With the district wrestling championships now in the books, area wrestling programs will head off to four destinations this Friday and Saturday as the Race For Lakeland continues.

The 4-1A Regional event will be held at Cardinal Gibbons, the 4-2A tournament is being hosted at Jensen Beach, and the Class 3A tournaments will have two sites that BCAA teams will be involved in.

The southern teams will travel to Miami’s Ronald Reagan High for the 4-3A tournament and the northern schools will head to Park Vista in Lake Worth for the 3-3A event.

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).