Each year, hours after National Signing Day, fans across the country want to know which athletes to start following for the upcoming class.

In the past, many players in the next wave of seniors would be somewhat of a surprise. But now, thanks to camps, combines, 7-on-7 events and fan websites, which are on hand to record just about every name in all classes, the class of 2011 is not really new to many fans at all.

With early events such as the Nike Combine, which will be held Saturday at North Miami Stadium, high school players are exposed early. Even some athletes who won't be seniors until 2012 and 2013 are on the radar already.

Although many analysts from websites and recruiting services attend games, practices and camps, it often is tough for them to see all the players. Watching film is always an enhancement, but many fans still cannot comprehend what goes into the total evaluation of a player.

The evaluation goes way beyond running a fast 40-yard dash or lifting a lot of weight. The recruiting process also evaluates the character of a player. That simply cannot be tracked from a game film or from watching from 30 yards away.

Colleges can see how talented an athlete is by watching a game film. They cannot tell you what a great teammate he is or how the athlete reacts to certain situations.

Talking to the player, his coach, friends, teammates and family members usually provides what is needed for a total evaluation.

Also, seeing the athlete in different arenas outside of football -- such as wrestling, basketball, baseball and track -- also helps in the evaluation process.

``The reality of it all is that you cannot walk up to an athlete, get a phone number and watch the player to get a true evaluation,'' said Charles Fishbein, who furnishes information to colleges who sign many athletes on his word. ``I talk with high school coaches, teammates and sometimes teachers before I hand in a total evaluation on the athlete. That is why this type of work is not for everyone. It takes time to do it the right way.''

Choosing the best athletes in Miami-Dade and Broward counties is never easy. This is a region of the country where new stars emerge weekly, and, for that reason, the lists of top area athletes often changes after evaluators watch practices, 7-on-7 events, camps, spring games and summer workouts.

COMING AND GOING

Each year, there are a number of players changing schools. So far this offseason, quarterback Rakeem Cato and receiver Tommy Shuler have departed Miami Springs for Central. Highly rated receiver/defensive back Tacoi Sumler no longer is at Gulliver Prep. He is enrolled at Christopher Columbus.

Also in Miami-Dade County, impressive freshman running back Lorenzo Woodley has moved from Belen Jesuit to Christopher Columbus, and Hunter Boyett, one of the top eighth-grade quarterback prospects in the nation, has left Westminster Christian and will compete for playing time at Gulliver Prep.

Tight end Carlos Carvajal, who played the past two years at American, has taken his 6-6, 220-pound frame to Hialeah.

In Broward County, speedy receiver Tevin Allen no longer is at Western.

The gifted athlete is now at St. Thomas Aquinas, and West Broward received a huge addition to the team when defensive end Rex Graham moved from Miami Krop.

Highly regarded rising junior quarterback Devonte Mathis moves from Carol City to Miramar.

DAYS TO ILLINOIS

This year, Hollywood Hills had five players sign on National Signing Day. If talented Ean Days had stayed around, the gifted defensive back would have made it six for the Spartans.

After his freshman year, Days and his family moved to Kingsland (Ga.) Camden County, where he starred for three years. On Wednesday, the 6-0, 205-pounder, who rushed for more than 1,300 yards and scored 15 touchdowns last season, signed with the University of Illinois as a defensive back.

We are always looking to help expose our area recruits for the 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 classes. All you have to do is send a DVD and information about talented athletes to: Larry Blustein, P.O. Box 3181, Hallandale Beach, Fl., 33009.

Larry Blustein is co-host of the Miami Dolphins Gridiron Show every Thursday evening from 9 to 10 on WQAM (560 AM). Have a comment? E-mail lblu

stein@MiamiHerald.com.