RECRUITING
Miami Herald Preseason State Top 100
By LARRY BLUSTEIN
lblustein@MiamiHerald.com
While there are many lists that come out throughout the course of a year, giving fans and high school football followers a sampling of the athletes to keep an eye on, keep in mind that rankings will always be subjective at best.
Our lists are annually 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 a number of people giving us input along with the countless hours spent in the spring and summer, physically attending events, talking with youngsters and their coaches.
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 football games and practices from Key West to Pensacola and everywhere in between. In addition, keep in mind that this coming year, like every year, the state of Florida will produce over 400 Division 1A prospects, so being a top 100 player isn’t the only indicator of being a top-flight major college football player. Also, 265 of the 400 plus last year came from Palm Beach to Key West!
We believe that the Class of 2010 is a very special year. Here is a breakdown of the top 100 prospects from Florida:
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. This one-time basketball standout is a great kid off the field. Remember, this is the school that produced such standouts as defensive lineman like the famed Ted Hendricks, Corey Liuget and Adawale Ojomo recently, and many believe Lemonier is even better – with only two years of football under his belt.
2. Matt Elam, DB, 5-11, 200, Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer: The No. 1 junior in the state last year, this quality two sport (basketball) athlete has been on the radar screen for three years now – since he was a freshman at Palm Beach Lakes. This is the kind of athlete who can play 5 different positions on the field, and make an impression at all of them. He may be the most versatile and talented player in the state. (Committed to Florida).
3. Christian Green, QB, 6-2, 200, Tampa Catholic: Make no mistake, when he gets to the next level as a receiver, this could be one of the nation’s most dominant players. While he isn’t the best quarterback in Florida in this class, his potential to become an elite national player was on display in the spring during a 7-on-7 tournament where he showcased his skills as a receiver against some of the best the Southeast has to offer. Have watched him back since his sterling sophomore year.
4. Lamarcus Joyner, CB/WR, 5-8, 175, St. Thomas Aquinas: After watching him dominate as a sophomore and junior for Southwest Miami, this gifted football talent will spend his final season playing a key role for the defending national champions. Speed, athletic ability and the knack of knowing where the flow of the play is has made him a national recruit. Another athlete who can play 5 positions and never leave the field of play.
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