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.''

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