South Florida has many promising prospects

BY LARRY BLUSTEINlblustein@MiamiHerald.com

Last Saturday, I attended the First Annual Dolphins Academy 7-on-7 Tournament, which was sponsored by former Edison great Nat Moore and his foundation.

Moore turned out to be good luck for his alma mater as the Red Raiders came out of nowhere to win the event and earn a trip to New Orleans (July 10-14) to compete for the national crown. Congrats to coach Daryle Heidelberg and his team.

While many in attendance expected to see the usual 7-on-7 event, where some of the teams don't bring the best players for one reason or another, they were actually treated to a performance that many are still talking about.

Some of the regions very best seniors were on display -- Killian's Lamar Miller, Miramar's Eugene Smith and Norland's Xavier Rhodes -- but the real treat came from Class of 2010 and 2011 standouts.

Norland showed off its hard-throwing 2011 quarterback Jerrard Randall. Even North Miami's Deandre Jasper, a 5-8, 155-pounder, showed how impressive the Class of 2012 will be.

For every senior such as Brandon Oliver (Southridge), Larry McCoy (Edison) and Kenny Whittaker (Columbus), there were juniors such as Lamarcus Joyner (Southwest), Jakhari Gore (Columbus), Ivan McCarthy and Donte Chambers (Miramar), Devon Johnson (Taravella), Willis White (Miami Springs) and Marshyl Rothman (Jupiter Christian).

PLAYERS TO KEEP AN EYE ON

As we watched all these fantastic football players perform during the day, looking at so many young players in the region, I decided to get a list together of the promising prospects to keep an eye on.

While Joyner, Johnson, White and Gore will be among the nation's top players for the next class, there are so many quality football players in South Florida who could make the Class of 2010 as good as the 2008 group turned out to be.

As we head into the heat and humidity of summer, here is a list of some of the top Class of 2010 players to watch for.

There are a group of quarterbacks we have been on the radar for a few years now, and as they all get ready to play a major role, Nick Becker (6-1, 185, Pine Crest), Brandon Doughty (6-3, 190, North Broward Prep), Jeffrey Godfrey (5-10, 170, Central), Eddie Sullivan (5-10, 160, Boca Raton) and Ryan Williams (6-4, 220, American Heritage) all look very good.

When it comes to running backs and South Florida, this has to be one of the best years ever.

In just a 60-mile radius, you have Michael Anderson Jr. (5-10, 170, Hallandale), Gio Bernard (5-9, 190, St. Thomas), Carlos Campos (5-8, 165, Sunset), Eduardo Clements (5-10, 185, Booker T. Washington), Brandon Gainer (6-0, 195, Central), Jakhari Gore (5-10, 170, Columbus), Corvin Lamb (5-10 180, Northwestern), Cassius McDowell (5-9, 185, Deerfield Beach), James White (5-10, 170, St. Thomas), Anthony Williams (5-8, 165, Central), Hosey Williams (5-9, 170, Southwest Miami), Nick Williams (5-9, 170, North Miami Beach), Devon Wright (6-1, 160, Taravella) and one of the nation's top players, Matt Elam, a 6-0, 195-pounder, from Palm Beach Lakes.

SOME PROVEN TALENT

Several junior receivers have already proven that they will be something special like McCarthy and Chambers, White and Joyner.

Here are some others who figure to get plenty of attention as well, starting with E.J. Alvin (5-11, 175, Central), Sean Corker (6-1, 180, Cardinal Gibbons), Greg Dent (6-0 175, Glades Central), Stevie Green (5-8, 160, Boyd Anderson), Michaelee Harris (6-0, 170, Northwestern), Allen Hearns (6-0, 175, Carol City), Ted Meline (6-2, 175, Westlake Prep), Jelani Rouland (6-3, 160, Booker T. Washington), Isaiah Williams (6-2, 170, Miami Springs) and Jayvon Wrentz (6-0, 172, Booker T. Washington). Tight end Gerald Christian (6-3, 220, Dwyer) is also big time.

 

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