In My Opinion

Summer camps will showcase many young stars

 

After a month of spring football, with hundreds of college coaches flocking to South Florida to see some of the best football talent in the country, it’s time to get to work!

As many football prospects across the country take a break over the next month, our local athletes are just getting started. Too many camps, combines and 7-on-7 events to keep an eye on to continue to gain that edge.

If you would like to watch some of the best athletes in the country do what they do best, just follow each week as we take you right where the action is. .

But before we send you off to watch events such as the Dolphins Academy 7-on-7, Nike 7-on-7, $10,000 Battle of the Beach 7-on-7 or any of the many team camps and linemen showcases, there are some rising prospects you need to get a good look at this summer.

Check out these six big-time prospects:

•  Kelly Benson, QB, Miami Monsignor Pace: After two up-and-down years, things began to fall into place for this quality prospect. With a recent college offer in hand, this could be a very interesting summer for an athlete who has everything you are looking for in a signal caller. His summer experience and participation in 7-on-7 tournaments will have people seeing why he has been close to breaking out for the past two seasons.

•  Brett Israel, QB, Parkland Douglas: Here is a rising junior (Class of 2015) prospect who has worked his way up the ranks — from youth football — through junior varsity, and now with the summer on the horizon, he has the chance to show his leadership and athletic skills for a program that will showcase him throughout the summer. Israel could be one of those true under-the-radar talents.

•  Torrance Gibson, QB, Plantation American Heritage: Could this be Florida’s best athlete? It’s a good bet that if you have watched him play football, run track or do any of the many other sports that he does well, you can answer that question. This summer this tremendous talent has the chance to turn some more heads — at camps and 7-on-7s. This is one of the next great players, and he’s just a junior!

•  Jordan Kronkite, WR/RB, Miami Westminster Christian: This rising junior has already proven that he has what it takes to be successful at the next level. His speed, athletic ability and knack of making the big play, is what every college coach loves about him. Reminds many of a taller version of current Michigan State (former University School) standout Macgarrett Kings.

•  Justin Morgan, Athlete, Deerfield Beach: No matter where you put this Class of 2014 senior, he gets the job done. After a stellar junior year, he followed up with a very strong offseason and a spring when college coaches started to keep a close eye on him. He is a potential headline maker on a very talented team.

Travonte Valentine, DT, Hialeah Champagnat: This 6-3, 330-pounder, who already has thrust himself into the national spotlight after three successful years at Palm Bay’s Bayside, heads south to play for coach Mike Tunsil and the Lions — what an incredible athlete this program will have.

Read more Larry Blustein stories from the Miami Herald

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    Tunsil has young Lions on the rise

    For much of the spring and summer, Champagnat Catholic’s football program has found a way to find the spotlight — a glow that is usually reserved for the Centrals, Booker T. Washingtons and other South Florida powers this time of year.

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University of Miami coach Al Golden addresses the media after his team's White vs. Orange Spring Game on Apr. 13, 2013 at Sun Life Stadium.

    In My Opinion | Recruiting

    UM attracts recruits with Al Golden’s football camps

    Al Golden never had reservations about what his six summer football camps would mean for the culture of South Florida. That was backed up with his most recent June events that concluded with more than 2,000 youngsters — many new fans — and a sense that when talking camps, this has to be a must.

  • In my opinion

    Young Belen Jesuit team on the rise again

    Standing in the hot sun — nearly an hour from campus — Belen Jesuit came to the Florida Atlantic University team camp to get a barometer where this team stands, heading into its first year at the 8A level.

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