Rashad West has been around top level high school football talent all of his life. From his youth days growing up in the Bradenton area, to playing for one of Florida's best high school coaches (Paul Maechtle) at Southeast High, he has learned the sport of football from the best.

So, when the Western High coach watched Jon Feliciano perform last year, he was surprised that colleges weren't all over the 6-4, 290-pound offensive tackle, who was one of the most athletic big men he has watched.

''It was amazing to me that even as a junior, that more people didn't stand up and take notice,'' West said. ``It's unusual to watch a kid this big with so much athletic ability and move around the field so quickly.''

While Feliciano flew way beneath the radar screen for a Wildcat team that was in the rebuilding process, it took this gifted athlete to sell himself to colleges to get the attention he deserved.

While schools such as Akron and Indiana started to notice, wanting to get a better look at this gifted athlete, Feliciano didn't waste any time. Even though he grew up in New York, he has always admired what was going on in Coral Gables. His dream of one day playing for the University of Miami was closer than even he imagined.

''I knew that if I was going to make something positive happen, I would have to be the one to start selling myself,'' Feliciano recalled. ``I knew that I wasn't getting the press that everyone else was receiving, so I had to sell my abilities.''

FIND THE RECOGNITION

His first exposure came during a Scout.com event at Dade Christian at the end of March. He showed that his footwork and athletic ability would certainly be something to sell.

After sending off a film, the Hurricanes became interested. After all, they needed offensive line help and to miss out on something this good in their backyard was a part of the recruiting process that coach Randy Shannon and his staff were looking to improve on.

Once the coaches had the chance to see what Feliciano could do, it was a matter of making it happen, and when they offered, it was simply a no brainer.

While Western hadn't been a hotbed for Division 1 talent throughout the years, they were about to send the University of Miami the second lineman from the school. Joey Fantigrassi played for the Hurricanes back from 1998-2002.

''This was a dream come true,'' Feliciano said. ``Even though I had started to get attention with colleges telling me that they would come and see me in the spring, UM made the move and I more than happily said yes.''

While his mother, Alicia, knew that her son was getting some interest, this single mother had no idea that she would be able to watch her son get and education and play football less than an hour from home.

''She still has to pinch herself to make sure it's real,'' Feliciano said. ``In fact, my entire family back in New York feels the same way. They can hardly believe it. It didn't sink in to everyone yet.''

In addition to Feliciano, the Wildcats have two other players who have the opportunity to play Division 1 football in linebacker Justin Wilson (6-1, 215), who has received attention from Missouri and defensive back/receiver Brandon Harris (5-9, 170), who is being looked at by the University of Buffalo.

ESS COMBINE

The impressive Elite Scouting Services Camp/Combine will be held April 25 at Cardinal Gibbons, 2900 N.E. 47th St., Fort Lauderdale for position players and April 26 for kickers, punters and long snappers.

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