Having been to every Nike Camp since the event began more than a decade ago, it still carries with it a huge name that attracts talent.

Although many critics will maintain that some of the elite players never attend this test of speed, agility and football, I respectfully have to remind those critics that this is South Florida, and if eight or 10 athletes do not show up, you still have a show like no other.

Student-athletes do not attend everything. It’s not just here. In Texas and California, many of the athletes who the recruiting analysts deem “elite players” do not attend either, lumping those same areas together with South Floridians.

Last Sunday at the University of Miami, nearly 300 talented athletes came out to compete. Sure, Tracy Howard from Miramar wasn’t there, but Duke Johnson of Miami Norland was. Amos “A.J.” Leggett of Miami Gulliver didn’t make it, but Carol City’s Ernest Freeman did. University of Miami commitment Willie Bailey from Hallandale did not make it, but nationally rated tight end Sean Price and his impressive teammates came down from Ocala North Marion.

Anywhere else in the country, 10 to 12 marquee players missing from such an event would create a huge talent void. Not here. I cannot tell you how impressive this state has become — every year. The talent level is mind-boggling.

For every player who didn’t show, there were so many others who jumped out. Not just rising seniors, but players from the classes of 2013 and 2014 players, as well.

Watching this particular Nike event is something of a must for all football fans. This is the place where nearly every quality player from across the state wanted to be.

Quarterback Nick Patti, who led Orlando Dr. Phillips to the Class 6A title game against Miami Central, is easily one of the best players in Florida, already fielding an offer from his hometown school, UCF. You admire Patti because he seeks out competition.

Patti burst onto the season after being named as one of the best quarterbacks in the Elite-11 competition last month. To showcase his skills further, he participated in the Nike Camp in Miami. “You go where the best will be,” he said. “We played Central last year, and we know what type of athletes they have down here.

“It’s a great opportunity to play with and against some of the best in the country.”

Patti was selected as the quarterback MVP and University of Miami commitment Keith Brown of Norland was the linebacker MVP.

• We always are looking to help give expose to our area recruits for the classes of 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. All you have to do is send a DVD and information about the athlete to: Larry Blustein, P.O. Box 3181, Hallandale Beach, FL, 33009.