They have college coaches writing, calling, texting and coming down as often as possible to see them. There's no missing the three elite Division 1A linebackers at Cypress Bay has to offer the opposition in 2008.
While seniors Phil Walker, Austin Gamble and Shane Gordon have been receiving offers from colleges across the country, there are many opinions on which one is the best. If you are sitting down to evaluate each player, there are several things that need to be addressed.
What player projects to be the best at the next level? Which of the three can play the run as well as dropping back in coverage? What player of the three, with combine testing aside, is the best pure football player? Ask three different people those questions and you get three different answers. Even coach Mark Guandolo isn't sure.
''What we have here are three tremendous football players who all have different styles,'' Guandolo said. ``They all bring something special to this football program.''
What do each bring to the table? We decided to make the comparison from watching all three several times over the past two years -- in a number of situations.
• Phil Walker, OLB, 6-1, 210. Evaluation: A strong and quick athlete who reads plays very well, plays the run and drops into pass coverage instinctively. His closing speed and overall athletic ability will always keep him around the ball. Had 60 tackles last season after coming over Mater Academy. His athletic ability is certainly the thing that has gotten him to this level. Colleges in the mix: Auburn, West Virginia, Georgia Tech, Miami and Rutgers.
• Austin Gamble, SLB, 6-2, 225.
Evaluation: Having been around the game all of his life with his father being a part of the Miami Dolphins organization for a number of years, this is the kind of football player you want to be a part of your team. While he is still learning many of the mechanics, he dazzles you with his quickness and strength. This playmaker also placed in the discus and shot put at the recent state meet. He is a true run-stopper who has improved his pass defense. When he puts everything together, he could be one of the best in Florida.
College in the mix: While many others will be checking his progress out during the spring and into the summer, the University of Miami is the school he has been looking at. The position is filling up quickly with quality in Coral Gables.
• Shane Gordon, MLB, 6-0, 220.
Evaluation: We have had three years to watch and evaluate this quality football player who remains one of the state's top players. From his impressive state championship game performance in a win over South Sumter as a freshman to some key offseason combine events, here is a football player who has the experience and knowledge of making plays. He is strong against the run and has become a very good defender against the pass. Gordon has more than 140 tackles and 20 quarterback sacks in the past two years alone.
Colleges in the mix: Miami and Florida International.
Who's the best? While I am not trying to skirt the issue because we will get into a good discussion with anyone, I do believe that all three have redeeming qualities that best fits different colleges. That's why you have to feel strongly about each one making a serious impact and the next level -- and perhaps beyond.
LINEBACKERS GALORE
While we ponder the fate of Walker, Gamble and Gordon, here are some more South Florida linebackers who are already making a name for themselves:
Frankie Telfort, 5-10, 195, Miami Gulliver Prep; Quan Fletcher, 6-1, 240, Dr. Krop; Conor O'Neil, 6-1, 195, St. Thomas Aquinas; Devon Butler, 6-1, 217, Everglades; Toney Moore, 6-1, 214; West Palm Beach King's Academy; Antwon Higgs, Jon Bostic, 6-2, 220, Palm Beach Central; Daniel Mack, 6-0, 195, Miami-Dade Christian; Antwon Higgs, 6-2, 240, Pompano; Caesar Rodriguez, 6-3, 215, Miami Columbus; Phillip Delisser, 5-11, 185, Miami Killian; Kenneth Dillard, 5-11, 190, Miami Northwestern; Brandon Hawthorne, 6-0, 185, Pahokee; Clarence Doe, 6-1, 230, Fort Lauderdale Dillard; Tyriek Gracia, 6-1, 185, Miami Monsignor Pace; Jamal Bass, 5-11, 190, Miramar; Roderic Blount, 6-0, 200, Miramar Everglades; Odane Gordon, 6-1, 210, Hollywood McArthur; Jacob Geffard, 6-2, 190, Oakland Park Northeast; Isaac Geffard, 6-2, 190, Oakland Park Northeast; Taylor Marsh, 6-1, 200, Jupiter Christian; Derrick Marrero, 5-11, 180, Miami-Dade Christian; Jarrod Alexander, 5-9, 200, Miami Central; Judes Amilcar, 6-2, 220, Boca Raton Olympic Heights; Damon Knight, 6-1, 190, Miami Central; Marcus Lemons, 6-0, 198, Miami Sunset; Jamal Robinson, 6-0, 190, Miami Doral Academy; Brent Singleton, 6-1, 205, American Heritage-Plantation; Greg Smith, 5-11, 205, Hallandale; Michael Bange, 5-11, 210, Plantation American Heritage and Samuel Brown, 5-10, 195, Glades Central among others who will continue to emerge, and we'll bring you them as they do.
EYE ON FLORIDA
While it would be easy for Jupiter Christian coach Bill Powers to rest on the school's first football state title, the memories of the Eagles' amazing win over Tallahassee FAMU in the 1B title game is still in his mind.
Realizing how much effort, skill and luck goes into winning any kind of state championship in Florida, his focus is directly on bringing home yet another championship, and with several key players coming back, Jupiter Christian will be one of the teams to beat in 2008.
The Class of 2009 will not only bring back talented athletes such as Austin Lewis (RB/LB, 5-9, 175), Byron Dames (LB/FB, 5-7, 220), James Foster (TE/NG, 6-1, 190) and Brent Eiskant (OL/LB, 6-0, 190), but also bring back quality depth.
Eric Atkinson (P/DB, 5-11, 160), Tom Brandon (OL/DE, 6-0, 215), Josh DenAdel (S, 5-8, 150), Charles Grissom (WR/S, 5-7, 145), Andy Hackett (OL, 6-4, 260) and Taylor Marsh (OL/FB/LB, 6-1, 210) all received plenty of quality minutes in the state title game.
The Class of 2010 is also very talented -- with Marshyl Rothman (QB, 5-10, 175) and Will Powers (RB/LB, 5-9, 180) leading the way. Both had a major hand in bringing home a 1B crown. Both Rothman and Powers, the son of the head coach, are future Division 1A players.
Other 2010 standouts include Kyle Hafer (OL, 5-9, 185), Danny Meyer (LB, 6-0, 180), Weston Pederson (WR, 6-1, 170), Zach Pellam (NG, 6-3, 270), Wesley Wallace (OC, 5-11, 180)Ray Desamour (LB, 6-0, 200), Matt Downs (OL, 5-9, 190), Greysun Early (DB, 6-2, 175), Josh Emilson (DE, 6-1, 200), David Engling (DB, 5-7, 155), and Derek Woods (LB, 6-0, 180).
The Eagles also boast Class of 2011 athletes Vince Moas (OL, 6-1, 230) and Ryan Powers (LB, 5-6, 155), who also were part of the title team.
Larry Blustein's weekly recruiting column appears every Friday. Blustein is co-host of the Miami Dolphins Gridiron Show every Thursday from 8-9 p.m. on WQAM (560 AM). Have a comment? You can contact Larry via e-mail at FloridaKids1@hotmail.com.
