Miami Herald Preseason Miami-Dade Top 25
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By LARRY BLUSTEIN
lblustein@MiamiHerald.com
With summer fast approaching, we have narrowed down the list to 25 top seniors.
While rankings are always subjective at best, our list was compiled from watching thousands of athletes perform with full gear on in football arenas, giving them the opportunity to showcase their football skills and not just a combine performance or a 7-on-7 event, which are helpful, but in no way definitive, and in no way what college coaches want to hear when seeking information.
The names you will see here, and in the many lists to come throughout the year, are based on countless hours spent in the spring and the early portion of the summer, physically attending events, talking with youngsters and their coaches.
While we understand that everyone has an opinion, in the coming months, names will be added and moved around to give you a working list for the start of the 2009 regular season, and then updated again at the completion of the year, giving us the advantage of seeing more football games and practices in South Florida
Expect over 100 athletes to sign D1 scholarships from Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
1. Corey Lemonier, DE, 6-4, 230, Hialeah: After watching this gifted athlete this spring, we felt the kid was without a doubt the top player in the state of Florida. He is big, fast, explosive and just plain nasty on the field.
2. Eduardo Clements, RB, 5-10, 185, Booker T. Washington: A steady line from scrimmage runner, who uses his speed and pass-catching ability to create plays that many backs just cannot make.
3. Jeffrey Godfrey, QB, 5-11, 180, Central: His velocity, quick release, speed and leadership has put him in a position to shatter Miami-Dade County total offense marks. Despite his lack of height, everyone who has watched him feels that he will be a record-setter at every level he competes at!
4. Todd Chandler, DT, 6-0, 300, Northwestern: Watching him since his impressive sophomore year, there was no doubt that was yet another prototypical defensive tackle with strength, quickness and the ability to penetrate the offensive backfield. (Committed to Miami).
5. Michaelee Harris, WR, 6-1, 185, Northwestern: Here is the perfect example of quickness, athletic ability and character all rolled up into one perfectly designed athlete who has great hands, runs solid routes and has the ability to get off the line scrimmage against anyone!
6. Brandon Gainer, RB, 6-0, 210, Central: Ask any coach about the different running backs they recruit and all will tell you that having someone who is capable of carrying the ball 25-30 times a game at any level is a must.
7. Willis Wright, WR/S, 6-1, 200, Miami Springs: He is easily one of the top prospects in the class. While many have only discovered his many talents this past spring, here is an athlete who has been getting it done on both sides of the ball for the Golden Hawks.
8. Joshua Reese, WR, 6-0, 180, Central: Burst onto the scene last year as a junior for the Rockets with his ability to catch the ball, separate himself from the defenders and run some of the best routes that any receiver in the state can run.
9. Lyndon Trail, DE/TE, 6-6, 200, Booker T. Washington: While many point to Jason Taylor as a perfect example of being tall and lean, many college coaches are hoping that he can put 40 pounds on his frame over the next few years and be something like Taylor was in College and into his early years in the NFL.
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