It's officially a little over three months before the first day of spring football practice, and while baseball and track seasons have just begun, much of the attention still revolves around football.

From 7-on-7 tournaments and practices, to combines and other events, the focus is still on football. No matter what camp or combine rolls around, athletes from throughout South Florida flock to events to gain an edge on the competition, and at a time when receiving a college scholarship is getting tougher, February, March and April have become more important than ever.

Last Sunday, the scene shifted to the Miami Dolphins' practice facility in Davie, where more than 200 athletes from throughout the state came to showcase their many skills at the Under Armor event.

With Deion Sanders and Cris Carter on hand to watch and teach, this was one of those events that kicked off what promises to be an offseason that will require Class of 2010 athletes to run, lift weights and show off their football skills during drills.

`SOME OF THE BEST'

''This is great for the kids,'' Carter said. ``Look around and you can see some of the best in Florida who came here to get themselves on the map.''

While many attended the UA event to enhance their already impressive resume, there were others who came to put themselves out there for the state -- and the nation -- to see.

For Dillard linebacker Desmond Bozeman, the chance to compete against some of the best in the state was the reason he attended. Like many who opted not to do all the testing, Bozeman wanted to see how he stacked up on the football field.

''I don't think I'm ready physically to test yet,'' he said. ``But it's great to see all the players you read about all the time on the internet sites.''

While parents are concerned how much an event like this or the one Nike will soon host will help their child, it comes down to being better off getting any exposure -- even if it is on a fan web site.

Critics contend, with good reason, that colleges pay little attention to times and other things posted on fan web sites. They are correct. I talked to 10 college coaches on Sunday and Monday, and not one inquired about the event. If they went off information that fan sites posted, they would be looking for job every year. They will never put the trust into kids they cannot invite to their own camps and see for themselves. I cannot blame them.

When you understand the purpose of these combines, you can fully follow the process. What these events are for is to use a measuring stick, and in the process, the major companies get the chance to showcase their product. That is what the end result is.

What I do is attend and talk to a number of players, getting to see where their interest lies, what they are doing in the classroom and use my nearly 40 years of experience in evaluating talent to head them in a direction that will pay off on National Signing Day. Keep in mind, there are nearly 65 kids who still are looking for schools for the Class of 2009.

INSTRUCTION AND FUN

Whether you come to see such impressive players as Lamarcus Joyner (newly of St. Thomas), and his teammates Vlad Rock and Gio Bernard with transfer quarterback Turner Baty, or to see upstarts such as Sheridan Hills lineman David Delsoin, Philip Dorsett (St. Thomas), Isaiah Williams (Miami Springs) and Clarence Murphy (Hollywood Hills), or newcomers, the event is supposed to provide instruction and fun.

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