It seems like it was just yesterday when we were watching the Class of 2009 football talent from Broward County sign on the dotted line to attend colleges in the fall. Well, actually, it wasn't that long ago.

Here it is three weeks after National Signing Day, and football is once again grabbing the headlines for the rising seniors. The Class of 2010 is now on the clock, and while in the past, it was spring and early summer before exposure events were being held, things are starting to get going a lot earlier this year.

So far, there have been a few 7-on-7 team tryouts and practices, and a couple of combines that have exposed a number of area players to fan websites. But the real measure of exposure for our local kids will come at a unique Apr. 25 event at Cardinal Gibbons High School.

The Elite Scouting Services Camp/Combine will attract over 400 rising seniors, juniors and sophomores to a day-long event that will feature testing, instruction, football skills events as well as one-on-one drills and 7-on-7 team competition. Kickers, punters and long snappers will also have the chance to attract college scholarships as well.

While many events that are run by Nike, Under Armor and several other companies expose the athletes via fan websites, the Elite Scouting Services competition will send test results, filming and personal information directly to colleges. That is something that nobody has ever claimed they can do for the kids, and with budgets tightening all over the country, this is sweet music to the ears of coaches, parents and the players.

"The thing that really got us fired up to do this is the number of kids who did not sign scholarships to attend colleges this past February," said Charles Fishbein, President of the company. "What makes this very unique is that we are also inviting parents and family members to attend so they can see exactly what it is that their football player does."

Having parents and family members involved will also show them how they can be proactive in the recruiting process, helping those who are already laying the groundwork.

Fishbein points to the need to get everyone noticed – much like the BCAA does with its annual all-star game, spring testing combine and recruiting fair that is held each year. Not just the athletes who are gearing up for Division 1 programs, but all schools that are always searching for ways to get more information on athletes from this region.

"When we heard about what Elite Scouting Services are doing to help the kids, this was something we wanted to be a part of," said Cardinal Gibbons Offensive Coordinator Matt DuBuc, who attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock. "To get information and send them directly to colleges across the country and not appear on some fan website is something that I have never heard about. This gives the athlete direct exposure to dozens of colleges."

While budgets have been cut across the board in recruiting, the need for colleges to find out as much about players as early as possible is a must. Smaller colleges who used to visit the area will no longer have the money to fly in, get a motel and stay around. For the most part, numbers, film and evaluation from this local event will be the lifeline for many youngsters trying to grab a piece of the spotlight.

With local high school coaches getting involved in the testing and drills, the opportunity to showcase our own coaches is another major selling point. It's also a way that many will be able to see other athletes they may not have the chance to watch during the course of a spring and a summer.

"I have been involved in camps and combines for years, and the one thing that has always bothered me is the way some amateur fan website operator will get out a poor time or sub-par performance on an athlete," Fishbein pointed out. "At this event, while we are not keeping fan sites away from the event, we are asking them to sit in the stands and observe. Giving them access to the field would be just like any other event where keeping a lid on the information is totally impossible."

The event has already started to fill up, so get on board with this progressive idea that puts the entire family in the action. To register, go to www.elitescoutingservices.com – or call 305-467-4386 for more information.

CAPPING OFF THE STATE WRESTLING TOURNAMENT
Congratulations to Cardinal Gibbons 125-pounder Paul Marcello and 145-pound Frank Pettineo Jr. for bringing home individual state titles last weekend at the 45th State Wrestling Championships at the Lakeland Center.

The Chiefs had four wrestlers in the finals with Marcello and Pettineo, and C.J. Burke (135) and Domingo Simmons (119) coming in second. Cardinal Gibbons finished a few points behind Fort Myers Riverdale for the 1A team title.

In 2A, while St. Thomas Aquinas had a number of competitors place, the Raiders didn't have anyone in the finals. They did finish fourth among 2A schools, which was won by Brandon for the ninth consecutive year.

Cypress Bay senior Alex Abramat (125) was the lone 3A wrestler to appear in the finals. He finished second, but gave a great showing for the Lightning and head coach Pat McNamara.

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).