The University of Miami got plenty of production from Maurice Sikes earlier this decade. But in the past five years alone, Pace has upped its output, churning out six speedsters from its defensive backfield that have found their way onto College Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) rosters.

Three -- Western Michigan cornerback Tommy Mama (2005), West Virginia free safety Quinton Andrews (2006) and East Carolina strong safety J.J. Milbrook (2003) -- are expected to be starters next season. Two of the other three, cornerbacks DeMarcus VanDyke (2007) and safety Lovon Ponder (2004), have been starters for the Canes. Cornerback Tervaris Johnson (2006) has been a reserve.

Second-year coach Alvin Slaughter has plenty more speed to offer with his 2009 class at Pace -- including three members of the state's fastest high school 400-meter relay team.

The relay's anchor, Kayvon Webster (6-0, 175), already has 10 scholarship offers and was under the watchful eye of West Virginia assistant Doc Holliday on Thursday afternoon. Slaughter said he will start Webster, who runs a legit 4.4 in the 40-yard dash, at free safety and receiver this season.

The All-Dade first-team selection caught 18 passes for 404 yards and five touchdowns in Pace's new spread offense a year ago. But Slaughter still isn't sure where Webster will end up at the next level. Slaughter said Florida and Vanderbilt want Webster as a receiver, and Alabama, Syracuse, Kansas State, West Virginia and Auburn like him as a defensive back.

Sterling Griffin, a 6-2, 177-pound receiver, has no such worries. The state runner-up in Class 2A in the 400 meters and the second leg of the 400-meter relay squad is going to catch passes at the next level. He hauled in 25 passes for 807 yards and nine touchdowns last season. South Florida and FIU were the first two schools to scout Griffin. But he could expect more with a strong senior season.

No college program has offered 5-6, 178-pound return man Derrick Hopkins a football scholarship yet. But if they watch film of Hopkins in 2007, they might confuse him for a smaller version of Pro Bowl return man Devin Hester. Last season, Hopkins flashed his 4.38 speed and returned four punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns before finishing as the state runner-up in the 100 meters (10.83 seconds) last month. Slaughter thinks someone will jump on Hopkins soon enough. But if it doesn't work out, Slaughter said UM and Tennessee are both considering taking Hopkins on a track scholarship.

Pace has one other senior-to-be who could see a college offer soon -- 6-2, 235-pound defensive tackle/fullback John Sennett, the team's strongest player. Sennett, who according to Slaughter benched 315 pounds eight times, has I-AA schools looking at him. Slaughter said 6-6, 280-pound right tackle Vincent Brown, a senior playing his first season of varsity football, could be a sleeper by season's end.

The 2010 and 2011 classes at Pace are filled with nice prospects too, none bigger than 2010 left tackle John Ragoo. The 6-7, 310-pound sophomore didn't play football in 2007, but has the frame to develop into a big-time prospect by the end of this season.

Charles Fashaw (6-5, 200) was a hero on Pace's state championship basketball team in March. But he caught every ball thrown his way Thursday and looked like a 2010 tight end to watch.

Join the discussion

Note: If this is your first time using our NEW commenting system, you will have to LOG OUT and then LOG BACK IN.

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.CommentBody@

@Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@