It didn’t take long for word about Ermon Lane to spread across the St. Thomas University campus Saturday during the Airo/IMG 7-on-7 football tournament.

In what turned out to be one of the most prospect-rich events held on any 7-on-7 field, the 6-1, 180-pound Lane, from Homestead, was on display. As a member of the tournament champion South Florida Express, this prospect confirmed what many had known, Lane is one of the best in the country.

This is the same Lane who played tight end for a Richmond Giants’ youth program that was so rich in talent, seeing the ball was not easy. But once Lane had the chance to showcase his skills in high school, his star has been on a meteoric rise.

“I look back at those youth football days and they were fun,” Lane said of the Giants’ Pop Warner national championship team. “It’s no wonder a Jaquan Johnson, Tim Irvin or any of those other tremendous players we had on the team are getting national recognition. That’s where it all began for all of us.”

Lane’s impact at the high school level has come as a dominating receiver. He is fast, deceptively strong and as athletic as you will find. His return skills will open doors at any level, and his ability to take the best defensive backs apart is what has made him one of those “must-get” prospects.

Those who have played with and against him continue to marvel at how easy he makes things look. In games, he is the one that other teams spend the week scheming against. In 7-on-7, he pretty much does what he wants.

University School quarterback Sean White has thrown for more than 5,000 yards in his first three seasons. In that time, he played with — and against — some of the best receivers in the region. This year, working with Lane, as part of the South Florida Express, White and Lane have been on the same page — often.

“I have never been around a receiver that is as talented and makes things look so easy,” White said. “He is certainly one of those receivers who makes a quarterback look so much better.”

He is not the only great receiver out there. Among those receivers who are already getting attention include Steve Ishmael (North Miami Beach), Tyre Brady (Homestead South Dade), JoJo Robinson (Miami Northwestern), Jacob McCrary (Miami Coral Reef), Henderson “Prince” Gray (Miami Monsignor Pace), Corey Holmes (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Isaiah McKenzie (Plantation American Heritage), Cornelius Floyd (Miami Gulliver), FSU-bound C.J. Worton (Homestead South Dade) and Miami Norland’s 6-6 standout Kendrick Edwards.

In addition, the Class of 2014 also features players such as Stanley Clerveaux (North Miami), George Rushing (Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons), David France (Hialeah), Kendon Davis (Oakland Park Northeast), Chris Taylor (Coconut Creek N. Broward Prep), Trevon Lee (Ft. Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons), Odis Grimes (Miami Northwestern), Nathaniel Terry (Homestead South Dade), Derrick Tindal (Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson), Dennis Turner (Fort Lauderdale Dillard), Christian Blake (Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons), Jimmy Gonzalez (Davie Western), Nickolas Gonzalez (Hialeah), Kadeem Goulborne (Weston Cypress Bay), Antiwone Johnson (Coral Gables), Lamar Parker (Miami Washington), Kenneth Rawls (Pompano Beach Ely), Tanares Robinson (Miami Northwestern), Zaquon Tyson (Miami Norland), Malcolm Vandergraff (Miami Killian) and Kwasim West (Miramar), to name a few.