Miami Central LB and former UM commit finds home with Nebraska, McCoy signs with FSU
Earlier this week, Miami Central’s Vince Shavers decommitted from the University of Miami.
But the Rockets’ 6-1, 205-pound three-star linebacker found a college home thanks to a “father figure” with local ties, who now coaches in the Midwest.
Shavers signed with the University of Nebraska on Wednesday and was one of four Central players to sign letters of intent on Wednesday morning during a ceremony at the school’s gym.
Shavers, who had over 50 tackles and seven sacks this season while helping the Rockets to an 8-4 record and an appearance in the Region 4-2M final, was one of several standouts from Miami-Dade County to sign with the Cornhuskers.
“All the energy from those coaches made me feel at home,” Shavers said. “It’s a family over there and I’m a high-energy person so I liked that.”
One of the biggest connections for Nebraska on landing South Florida talent like Shavers and others like Columbus linebacker Willis McGahee IV and Gulliver Prep defensive back Amare Sanders is former Homestead High coach Phillip Simpson, now a defensive quality control coach for the Huskers.
Simpson led Homestead to its first appearance in a state championship in 2022 before accepting the position at Nebraska.
“Coach Simpson is like my father at Nebraska,” Shavers said. “We’re trying to change the program up there and win a national championship.”
Another Rocket who hopes to win a national championship someday soon is receiver Lawayne McCoy, who signed with Florida State. McCoy had long been committed to the Seminoles.
“It’s just a blessing and kind of a surreal moment,” McCoy said. “Finally being a part of Florida State is a dream come true.”
Central also had quarterback JC Evans sign with James Madison University and linebacker Lamar Smith signed with Tennessee-Martin.
DEFENSIVE DUO TO UM, FIU
Less than two weeks after winning a second straight state championship, it was a victory of another kind early Wednesday afternoon for the Columbus football team.Leading the way from the Explorers’ group of signees were a pair of defensive linemen, Daylen Russell and Robert Williams.
Russell proudly held his two hands together to make a “U” as he inked his deal to attend the University of Miami while Williams signed up to attend FIU.
“It was always about the U and nobody else,” Russell said. “Ever since Coach (Mario) Cristobal got there, they’ve pretty much been on me and now I’m excited to get to Coral Gable and help this program be great.”
Russell spent the last two state championship seasons with the Explorers either clogging up the middle from an interior defensive line position or on the outside as a defensive end. Last season he finished with 70 tackles including 11 TOL’s (tackle for loss) and led the team in sacks with 12.
Williams played right next to Russell on the D-line and carved his own niche in helping the Explorers defense become one of the top units in the state.
Quarterback Alberto Mendoza, after being courted and offered by James Madison, donned an Indiana cap but with good reason. JMU head coach Curt CIgnetti recently made the jump to become Indiana’s new head coach last month and took Mendoza with him.
Tight end Benjamin Blackburn and defensive end Dylan Stephenson each signed with Stanford and cornerback Jeff Bandy will enroll at Brown University.
Other football signees included Willis McGahee IV (Nebraska), Jose Leon (Appalachian State, Jason Ibarra (Trinity) and the Pineda brothers, Tristan and Cameron, both headed to Tufts University in Boston. Columbus’ non-football signees were Duriel Moss (Track & Field, Florida State), Alejandro Romagosa (Cross Country, North Florida) and wrestler Anthony Piaia who signed on with Ottawa University.
BILL DALEY
BARNEY TO NEBRASKA
Four-star wide receiver Jacory Barney suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in practice his freshman year at Miami Palmetto. Still, he went to every game and was assured by former Panther greats like Brashard Smith and Leonard Taylor that his day would come.
They were right, and after a spectacular high school career, Barney headlined signing day at Miami Palmetto with his official pledge to Nebraska on Wednesday morning. He had been committed since July 1.
In addition to Barney, linebacker Char’quez Lee and cornerback Lawrence Johnson signed with FAU, linebacker Lathan Croley pledged to Holy Cross and tight end Rodrigo Diaz-Martorella rounded out the class with his commitment to Columbia.
Barney took the stage in Miami Palmetto’s auditorium last, walking up the steps in his LED sneakers that lit up red for Nebraska. He said his decision hinged on where he felt wanted the most — and that was with the Cornhuskers. Barney chose them over Miami and Texas A&M.
The highest-rated recruit at Palmetto, Barney showcased his versatility in four seasons with the Panthers. In 2023, he led Palmetto to a 9-2 record and took snaps at quarterback, running back and wide receiver along the way.
CHRIS DAMOND
MORE SIGNINGS
Belen Jesuit: Gavench Marcelin (FAU); Booker T. Washington: Jamorie Flagg (FSU); Edison: Kobe Boykin (Jackson State), Dinellson Exume (USF), Chenellson Exume (USF); Gulliver: Amare Sanders (Nebraska); Homestead: Isaac Brown (Louisville); Norland: Jamari Howard (FSU), Tycoolhill Luman (Rutgers), Tyclean Luman (Rutgers), Jeremiah Marcelin (Pittsburgh), Donavan Philord (Campbell), Raynor Andrews (Rutgers); Northwestern: Adrian Posse (UAB); Southridge: Jayquan Reid (Western Michigan); Westminster Christian: Jarvis Johnson (FAU).
