Posted on Wed, May. 07, 2008

One of the duties I enjoyed most when I was the high school writer in Miami-Dade from 2000-2006 was making my way around the county to visit coaches and players during spring practice. It gave me an opportunity to meet the future college and pro stars of tomorrow and get an idea of whom to key-in on throughout the recruiting process later in the fall.

This spring, I've gone back to my roots as part of The Herald's new effort to beef up its recruiting coverage. Our expected launch date for feature stories, updated recruiting charts and more is at the start of June. But for now, I plan to provide updates, highlights and even photos from each school I visit during my spring tour this month of Dade, Broward and Palm Beach. My first few visits Monday included stops at Hialeah American, Carol City and Miramar High, where some of the nation's top 2009 recruits currently play. Among the stars out at practice: defensive end Olivier Vernon, quarterback Eugene Smith and receiver Steadman Bailey.

AMERICAN

The Patriots had more than 60 kids at Monday's practice, the first time since the start of the spring when players were allowed to wear full pads and participate in hitting. And there definitely was some hitting going on.

Coach Ben Aarestad's team rode its fifth-ranked yardage defense in Dade to an impressive 7-3 season and 3-2 record in District 13-6A in 2007. If the Patriots are going to be as successful this fall, they're going to need to be just as good on defense.

American returns only three starters on offense -- none from its backfield, which included quarterback Columbus Bryant or running backs Brandon Baker and Demetrius Stone. Delmon Lumpkin, a 6-1, 195-pounder from the '09 class and a track standout in the 200 meters, is expected to be the primary runner in an offense that will be extremely young this coming season. Lumpkin had four carries for 80 yards and a touchdown last season and has speed to burn. But he might have to toughen up a little. He kept complaining with every lick he took Monday (although that could just be from getting hit too much by Vernon).

Aarestad points to two other possible future standouts on offense -- 2010 offensive tackle Roney Lozano (6-3, 230) and 2011 running back Rodney Madison (5-6, 150). Lozano, who recently moved to South Florida from Kansas City, has added 15 pounds of muscle since arriving and appears to have the frame and footwork to be a sleeper in the current sophomore class in Dade.

Defensively, though, is where the Patriots have most of their talent, led by Vernon. The 6-3, 250-pound senior-to-be was an All-Dade second-team selection last season at defensive end after racking up more than 12 sacks.

Monday, though, he was at middle linebacker, learning how to play in coverage for the first time. Vernon, who committed to the University of Miami following an unofficial visit in February, said he has been intrigued about playing a flex linebacker/defensive end position in college. UM is only recruiting him currently as a defensive end. Vernon said schools such as Alabama, Florida State, South Florida, South Carolina, West Virginia, Illinois, Rutgers and Auburn are still calling him and offering him the opportunity to play in a role much like the Dolphins' Jason Taylor, Vernon's favorite NFL player.

''I still feel the same toward Miami, but I'm a soft commitment,'' Vernon said. ``I'm still giving other schools a chance to show me what they got.''

We'll see just how good Vernon is at linebacker on May 23. That's when the Patriots take on Killian and running back Lamar Miller (Dade's top recruit) in a spring jamboree at 8 p.m. at Tropical Park.

American has a few other '09 recruits who are hoping to impress colleges. Outside linebacker Andy Trujillo (6-1, 215) still has no offers, but has a big body and football skills some school ought to like by the end of this spring. Defensive tackle Robert Harvey (6-1, 250) has gotten offers from Alabama State and Florida A&M but could see better offers with an impressive spring. He likely will start both ways this season -- and alongside Lozano on the right side of American's offensive line.

Aarestad said another '11 recruit to follow is cornerback Maure Rendon (5-8, 170). Rendon and Madison were the stars on the Patriots' 5-2 JV team last season and played on the varsity near the end of last season as true freshmen.

MIRAMAR

Not too far from American are another group of Patriots -- coach Damon Cogdell's Patriots at Miramar High, where nine staters on both sides of the ball are back from a 7-4 team that lost in the first round of the playoffs a year ago to North Miami Beach.

Quarterback Eugene Smith (6-4, 190) and receiver Steadman Bailey (6-0, 185) are the can't-miss national recruits in the school's '09 class. Smith, Broward's leading passer last season with 2,101 yards, 25 TDs and 6 INTs, is considered the No. 6 overall quarterback in the country by Scout.com. Bailey, who caught 41 balls for 981 yards and 10 touchdowns, is likely South Florida's top receiver recruit. Both will get plenty of coverage as the season progresses. But I wanted to share with you some other names to watch from the Patriots, who finished as the overall runner-up at former Dolphin Heath Evans' 7-on-7 tournament last month.

The other '09 recruits to watch include: ATH Brandon Pierre (5-9, 160), cornerback Tremaine Shepherd (5-10, 170), strong safety Brandon Hunter (5-10, 170), FS/WR Quinton Byrd (6-0, 178), cornerback Maxwell Gibson (5-10, 170), DE/FB Cleartiss Davis (6-0, 180), receiver Terrance Gourdine (6-2, 185), linebacker Tevion Gamble (5-11, 190), running back Orwin Atkins (5-9, 170) and linebacker Andre Bryant (5-10, 200). Byrd has offers from South Florida and FIU. The Patriots also have three huge junior linemen in right tackle Vincent Westcarr (6-5, 280), left tackle Kalvis Bell (6-2, 255) and lineman Jacory Brown (6-5, 290).

The 2010 class is led by some of Broward's best -- linebacker Jamaal Bass (6-0, 195) and receivers Ivan McCartney (6-2, 170) and Dante Chambers (5-11, 170). McCartney excelled at the UM Nike Camp in April. He and Chambers more than compliment Bailey in the Patriots' talented receiving corps. Running back Dominick Bryan (5-11, 195) is another sophomore to watch.

CAROL CITY

For the first time in 26 years, the face overlooking Carol City's program does not belong to coach Walt Frazier. Instead, it belongs to longtime assistant and defensive coordinator Harold Barnwell, who has the task of trying to turn around a proud program that has gone a combined 6-16 in its past two seasons combined.

I've got a Q&A with Barnwell I plan to share later this week. But I do have some names to share right now that Barnwell says he believes will eventually be a part of the Chiefs' turnaround. Most are in the 2010 class. But the '09 class at Carol City does have at least one name to follow -- defensive end Cory Henry (6-4, 245). The Chiefs' second-leading tackler from a year ago should have a few offers by the end of the spring. He already has one from FIU.

Recruiters figure to make a stronger push at Carol City in 2010 when receiver Allen Hurns (6-0, 175) and ATH Antron Jackson (6-1, 170) are seniors. The two standouts just helped the Chiefs to the Class 4A state runner-up finish in track and field. Jackson finished second in the high jump. Jackson anchored the Chiefs' runner-up team in the 1,600-meter relay. Other top '10 recruits include linemen Robert Hollin (6-2, 255) and Chris Scott (6-2, 250).