When it comes to recruiting, there is no area in the country that is more alive on National Signing Day than South Florida.

Last year, almost 200 players -- from Palm Beach to Key West -- were awarded Division 1 scholarships. Over the past two years, 365 players were placed at schools as close as Miami, FIU and Florida Atlantic -- and as far away as Oregon State and Stanford.

While only seven colleges play football in the state of Florida, most of these outstanding athletes are forced to head off to other regions of the country, which has gone on for years. Add in those who head to a two-year community college program, and the numbers are staggering.

Without community college football in the state of Florida -- primarily in South Florida -- many of the athletes bred on youth and high school fields across the region, are left to perfect their craft in another state.

Community college football has been a no-no in this state forever. In fact, it is written in the charter that there will be no football played at a number of impressive community colleges across the state. While the idea of having Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Indian River hosting a football program in the past seemed like a good idea, it's something that wouldn't get past the front gate these days with an economy that has no room for a costly venture like football.

OPENING THE DOORS

At a time when athletes are searching for a place to play after high school, community colleges from across the country have opened their collective arms to welcome Florida players. The big winner over the past seven years has been California, where 119 area players are competing from South Florida, and nearly 300 from the state of Florida. That adds up to more competition for scholarships at four-year programs with the current Class of 2009 as well.

With California producing more talent and bodies than the Sunshine State annually, it took time for the programs to adopt a rule that would allow outsiders admission to compete in California.

''We were probably the last to get aboard with players from outside the area,'' said John Featherstone, who has coached El Camino College since 1985. ``When you don't award scholarships and have limited grant money, you tend to stick with the kids in your area and state.''

Featherstone is certainly one of those coaches who knows that as good as California players are, and they are loaded with talent, the infusion of outside talent, especially from Florida, has made a difference. His team won it all last year, which earned the veteran coach National Coach of the Year, which backs up his 172-73-1 record.

At the age of 59, Featherstone has coached his share of talented football players since leaving his mentor Don Coryell and San Diego St., his alma mater, three decades ago.

The problem with community colleges in California getting the Florida athlete is simple. There is no recruiting or contact from the community colleges. All the players who are playing took the first step with the understanding that most would have to pay out-of-state tuition coast the first year. Some, however, are waived.

''The players we have need to provide for themselves,'' Featherstone pointed out. ``We can get them assistance and also find them jobs, but with the cost of living, especially here in Southern California, it's not an easy thing to stick with.''

A BIG BOOST TO PROGRAM

Join the discussion

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.repliedToText@

@Nyx.replyAnswerText@

Reply to this Comment @Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@