For those who watched Teddy Bridgewater for the first time last year, as a sophomore quarterback at Northwestern, you were treated to quite a show. A 16-year-old taking the Bulls to the state title game in his first season at the high school level -- it wasn't supposed to be like this. Not this fast.

But having followed this extremely gifted athlete for the past four years on the youth football and baseball field at Bunche Park in North Miami-Dade, this is as impressive an athlete as you will find. Maybe as gifted an all-around talent as I have watched since the late 1960s.

Bridgewater is someone who can line up at quarterback, receiver, defensive end, linebacker or anywhere in the secondary and garner serious major college attention. Plus, on the baseball field he is a pure hitter who runs, throws and knows the game inside and out -- the total package.

This spring, Bridgewater is introducing himself to some of the elite players in the Class of 2010 as a key member of the South Florida Express, which will travel to the University of South Florida for a prestigious 7-on-7 tournament March 14-15 that features such Miami-Dade standouts as Darius Davis (American Heritage), Richard Leonard (Killian), Michael Strauss (Gulliver), Jakhari Gore (Columbus) and Booker T. Washington's Eduardo Clements, Quinton Dunbar and Jelani Rouland.

''I love this,'' Bridgewater said. ``To come out here and mix it up with these guys is what my life is all about.''

Bridgewater told coach Brett Goetz and his staff that he would play anywhere on the field and be the best player at that position.

''You watch him for a period of time and say that he will make a great receiver after catching a ball one-handed against a top prospect,'' Goetz said. ``Then the next thing you know, he is throwing a 65-yard ball right on the money. The young man has the confidence you never see from a kid his age.''

Clements, who is regarded as one of the most complete running backs in the nation, smiles when he sees Bridgewater play. He knows he might be watching the best Class of 2011 prospect in the country.

''I don't see how anyone in the country could be any better than Teddy,'' Clements said. ``Just watch him and you appreciate what a freak of talent he is. This is someone who has speed, great hands, confidence and a knowledge that he is the best. You never find a young guy like this so far ahead of the rest like him. His future is somewhere out in space.''

• We are always looking to help recruits for the Class of 2010, 2011 and 2012. Send a DVD and information about the athlete to: Larry Blustein, P.O. Box 3181, Hallandale Beach, FL, 33009.

Larry Blustein is cohost of the Miami Dolphins Gridiron Show every Thursday evening from 9 to 10 on WQAM (560 AM). Have a comment? E-mail lblus

tein@MiamiHerald.com.

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