Posted on Thu, Jun. 04, 2009

As he stands on the sideline, talking with his receivers, Jeffrey Godfrey is plotting his next play. He is thinking about what will happen during the next series. He has always been that way.

At 5-11 and 180 pounds, the Central High senior quarterback has heard all the critics have their say about what he isn't or might not be at the next level. He has overheard college coaches talking about what will happen when they get him on campus, thinking of turning him into a receiver or defensive back.

For those who have followed his career, growing up in Miami, at Edison High during his freshman season and at Central the past three years, they laugh at the very thought that this gifted run/pass prospect will play any other position than the one he has been groomed for all of his 17 years.

Godfrey is not someone who is playing the position because there is nobody else to play it. He is back there because he's the best senior in Florida, and perhaps the entire Southeast. He has the credentials to back up the hype that began nearly three years ago.

While many who cannot fully grasp what this talented prospect represents, maybe they should sit down with college coaches and recruiters who know the game. During the spring practice, it was Godfrey who entertained more than 100 college coaches from all over the country, and not one left with any doubt in their mind.

OK, so he is not the prototypical drop-back passer that some schools are looking for, but as the captain of a spread offense, this strong-arm, quick-footed standout might have no rival. He is a 300- to 400-yard-a-game player who will beat you with his arm, feet and mind.

As college coaches watched him in a spring practice, all agreed he was making throws that established college quarterbacks aren't making, and that endorsement came from SEC, ACC and Big Ten coaches who have more than watched their share of outstanding prospects.

What Godfrey has become is so impressive that even his detractors continue to find things to pick apart, and while it bothers his teammates and family members, he has learned to let it roll off his shoulders.

In the spring game against a Belle Glades Central team that is as athletic as you will find, many found fault with the three interceptions he threw rather than focus on the fact he passed for more than 300 yards and guided an offense that rolled up more than 600 yards against one of the most impressive programs in the state.

While many kept pointing to the fact the Rockets got a bulk of their yards against backups, coaches and fans could only laugh at such a foolish comment, especially when Godfrey and the Rockets have been putting up these types of numbers for three seasons.

While nobody is touting the Rockets as the national champions, this program understands that to convince anyone they are for real, beating Northwestern is not an option.

Last year, the Rockets beat the Bulls, stopping a lengthy winning streak, but even though that victory was huge, it became hollow when Godfrey and his teammates couldn't finish the job, losing to the Bulls in the playoffs.

Even his head coach, Telly Lockette, a one-time Northwestern standout running back, knows the Rockets will need to beat Northwestern twice, which is never an easy task.

Godfrey has offers from FSU, Georgia, Michigan, Miami, USF, Tennessee and USF -- with schools such as Oregon, Florida, Ohio State and many others watching over the next few months.

The offense the Rockets have put together is truly impressive with Godfrey and a senior class that includes running back Brandon Gainer (6-0, 210), senior receivers Derrick Knowles (5-9, 185) and Joshua Reese (6-1, 186), and linemen Shawn Brown (6-2, 300), Stanley St. Jean (6-3, 260) and Booker T. Washington transfer Jose Jose (6-1, 330), who committed to Tennessee.

The senior class also boasts some talented seniors in linebacker Derrick Danby (6-0, 190), end Jose Sosa (6-2, 230), and Hialeah transfers Marcus Fairley (6-0, 215, linebacker) and end Lebranden Richardson (6-1, 200).

The Rockets also will rely on a junior class that features receiver Charles Gaines (5-10, 179), running backs Delray Lewis (5-10, 180) and Edison transfer Devonta Freeman (5-10, 175) as well as linemen Marquis Lucas (6-4, 295) and John Miller (6-2, 255), who also plays on defense.

Speaking about the defensive side, the Rockets figure to be stronger with linebackers Dwight Jackson Jr. (6-0, 195), Oliver Vigille (5-11, 186) and a potential star in Miles Pace, a 6-0, 230-pounder who began his career at American.

IT'S ALL RELATIVE

With former Miami Dolphins tight end Greg Baty's son, Turner, at St. Thomas Aquinas, the area has some recognizable names this year.

Baty's teammate, Austin Whipple, is a sophomore quarterback at St. Thomas and the son of University of Miami offensive coordinator Mark Whipple. At Cypress Bay, junior receiver Mario Pannunzio is the son of University of Miami special teams and tight ends coach Joe Pannunzio.

7-ON-7 SEASON STARTS

The second annual Miami Dolphins Academy 7 on 7 high school football tournament presented by the National Guard will take place Tuesday, June 9, at Central Park in Plantation.

The two-day event begins Monday, June 8, with a symposium focusing on character development and specific skill training.

The tournament begins Tuesday, June 9, with round-robin play and then single elimination. The winning team will represent South Florida and the Miami Dolphins in the 2009 HSPD National Championships in Minnesota on July 9-12.

More than 35 high school teams from tri-county area will be represented at the event, including: Boyd Anderson, American, Barrington Christian Academy, Belen Jesuit, Blanche Ely, Booker T. Washington, Chaminade Madonna, Christopher Columbus, Coral Reef, David Posnack, Dr. Michael Krop, Miami Edison, Hialeah, Jupiter Christian, Miami Country Day, Miami Jackson, Miami Springs, Miramar, North Broward Prep, North Miami, Northeast, Northwestern, Nova, Palmer Trinity, Palmetto, Parkway Academy, Pope John Paul II, Sheridan Hills, South Dade, Taravella, University School, Village Academy, West Boca, and West Broward.

Note: We are always looking to help expose our area recruits for the classes of 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. All you have to do is send a DVD and information about the athlete to: Larry Blustein, P.O. Box 3181, Hallandale Beach, Fla. 33009.

Larry Blustein is co-host of the Miami Dolphins Gridiron Show every Thursday evening from 7-8 on WQAM (560 AM). Have a comment? E-mail lblustein@MiamiHerald.com