With baseball, softball, track and flag football playoffs in full swing, the fields across the BCAA are as crowded as ever as football began its spring practice for the month of May last Saturday.
Dozens of school headed out to the field to get a look at what needed to be replaced and tweaked over the next few months before the state of the 2010 season.
From defending 6A state champion Miramar to powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas, the objective this time of year is the same: get the players ready for a summer that is no longer just about lifting weights and running.
Across Broward County, players and teams will take part in clinics, 7-on-7 tournaments and enough summer camps to keep everyone busy and in shape during those hot months.
As I travel across the state, looking at the players and teams, I often come across many BCAA players who are searching for that edge, and even though the money is a bit tighter this year, you will still see many of them looking to get better and learn more.
For the past few years, this column has uncovered so many football players by watching them at a young age and projecting what they could be by the time they reach the high school level.
I will certainly not let you down this year as I will bring you the players and teams who are making news all summer. Here is a start by previewing the top players to watch for this spring:
CLASS OF 2011
Rashad Greene, WR, 6-0, 185, St. Thomas Aquinas: After coming in from Georgia after his sophomore season, here is a talent that has more than lived up to his hype. One of the most impressive route runners in the state, he has thrust himself into the national spotlight. He is a big time talent who has not even come close to his potential. Has also shown that he is a gifted punt returner as well.
Bobby Hart, OL, 6-5, 290, St. Thomas Aquinas: This Cardinal Gibbons transfer is one of the youngest players in the class. A one time wrestling prospect, he combines impressive strength with great footwork to become a prospect that has the chance to become even better than he is now. Has to work on keeping in shape to prevent injury down the line.
Kevin Grooms, RB/DB, 5-10, 170, South Broward: When the 2009 season began, there were very few across the state of Florida who had ever heard of this impressive athlete. Now, as 2010 unfolds, it would be tough to find someone who isn’t aware of what this gifted athlete can do on both sides of the ball as well as a special teams player.
Bryant Dubose, DE, 6-4, 240, Northeast: Ever since watching him as a sophomore, there is little doubt that this prospect has had quite a future ahead of him. A former basketball player who uses his quickness, and athletic ability to dominate the line of scrimmage.
Marcus Roberson, DB, 6-0, 175, St. Thomas Aquinas: After starting his career off at nearby Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson, this impressive talent has settled in and now has colleges watching his ability to play in the secondary. He has the size to be a very good defensive back.
Wayne Lyons, S, 6-0, 190, Dillard: One of the smartest football players in the state, this three year performer has found a way to balance his superior athletic ability on the football field with his impressive work in the classroom. This is a leader who makes very few mistakes.
Kent Turene, LB, 6-2, 220, Boyd Anderson: Finally, this is a player who is getting the recognition he truly deserves. A very physical athlete who is impressive against the run, but has improved a great deal against the pass as well. Will continue to get better and emerge as one of the best in the state. Colleges are very impressed at what he can do on the football field.
Ryan Shazier, DE, 6-2, 210, Plantation: From the first time we watched him play as a sophomore, there was little doubt that this was an athlete who had the chance to do some big things at the next level. The only question remains is will he play with his hand down, where he is nearly impossible to stop, or will he play outside linebacker? The answer to that question will come when he arrives at the college of his choice.
Phillip Dorsett, WR, 5-9 175, St. Thomas Aquinas: Since his days as a youth quarterback, this is a speedster who really jumped into the spotlight last season. His first as a starter for the Raiders. A track standout who is impressive as a sprinter and a long jumper.
Steven Montgomery, DB, 5-10, 185, Miramar: This is a prospect, who has played the past two years at nearby Hollywood McArthur, and has gone from an under the radar prospect to receiving BCS offers early this spring. This is a physical player who colleges believe will emerge as one of the best in the state by the end of the 2010 season.
Nile Lawrence-Stample, DL, 6-2, 295, Nova – (Committed to Florida State): Yet another player we had the pleasure of watching early last year when he was a 255-pound linebacker, who had the quickness and agility to drop into pass coverage and actually keep up with running backs and tight ends. Now, he is moving to the defensive line. where he has the opportunity to become one of the best.
Jeremy Cash, S, 6-1, 190, Plantation (Committed to Ohio State): After beginning his career at Miami's Ransom Everglades, last season, playing safety for the Colonels, this was a player who established himself as one of the best in South Florida. Plays with tremendous passion and intensity and has become a very physical player. Not only is Cash a good player on the field, he is a great kid off it as well.
Jake Rudock, QB, 6-2.5, 180, St. Thomas Aquinas: After waiting his turn to step into a starting role with the Raiders, this quality two-sport (baseball) athlete has turned plenty of heads. From a talent standpoint, he may be one of the better quarterbacks that has come through this school. He has a nice arm and can make most of the throws asked of him, but also needs to protect the football better. Nobody has worked harder to get better.
Harmon Brown, DB, 5-8, 175, Boyd Anderson: A returnee from one of the state's top secondaries, make no mistake, this is one of the best cover-corners you will find. An aggressive player who can read and react as well as anyone. He plays much bigger than his size.
Shaun Ward, DE, 6-2, 225, Boyd Anderson – (Committed to Maryland): After watching him play several times over the past two years, it's easy to see why every college we talked with just loves this physical, quick defensive standout who has become an effective pass rusher while still being able to stop the run. This is yet another prospect that has the chance to climb the ladder over the next seven months.
CLASS OF 2012
Dami Ayoola, RB, 5-11, 180, St. Thomas Aquinas
Adrian Burton, DB, 5-10, 165, Blanche Ely
Brandon Butler, S, 6-1, 185, Boyd Anderson
Cole Champion, LB, 5-11, 190, St. Thomas Aquinas
Kamerin Davis, OL, 6-5, 280, Boyd Anderson
Erick Hallmon, 6-0, 195, Cardinal Gibbons
Jelani Hamilton, DE, 6-4, 235, St. Thomas Aquinas
Antonio Harris, S, 5-11, 160, South Broward
Tracey Howard, DB, 5-10, 165, Miramar
Avery Johnson, WR, 6-3, 180, Blanche Ely
Kevis Jones, QB, 6-2, 195, Northeast
Rashad Kelley, RB, 5-9, 175, South Plantation
Malcolm Lewis, WR, 5-10, 170, Miramar
Dineko Moss, LB, 6-0, 205, Piper
Hoy Thompson, S, 5-10, 175, South Plantation
SPRING SCHEDULE
Here is a look at the games that will be held during the month of May that will include BCAA teams:
May 20
Piper at Pompano Beach
May 21
Miramar (Red vs. Blue)
Douglas (Cardinal vs. Silver)
Blanche Ely at Miami Carol City
Cypress Bay (Blue vs. Gold), 10 a.m.
May 26
Coral Glades at Pembroke Pines Charter (Flanagan)
Nova at Everglades
Fort Lauderdale at Western, 6 p.m.
Cardinal Gibbons at Plantation
Dillard at Miami Norland (FIU North)
May 27
Stranahan at Coconut Creek
Hialeah American at Hollywood Hills (Lockhart Stadium)
McArthur at North Miami (FIU North)
South Broward at South Plantation
Miami Senior at Flanagan
Northeast at Boca Raton, 7:30
West Broward at Hallandale
May 28
Boyd Anderson at Pahokee, 7:30
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). |
