If you follow high school football in south Florida, nobody must tell you how quickly a program can turn things around.
With more transfers than any other area in the country, these two counties – with enormous talent – can see average teams become contenders with the addition of a few pieces.
Last week we spoke about the rising sophomore (2027) class and the impact they will make in the 2024 season. Those young men, many who have already made an impact, will be the future for several football teams.
During the course of an off-season (January to early August), the movement of student/athletes is mind boggling with the pipeline wide open and looking at that next huge group of transfers coming up right after spring – June 1, with several new faces joining teams for the summer and the preparation of the season ahead.
Today, we focus on the Class of 2026 (rising juniors), which is a group that has been nationally recognized already and is poised to make a major difference.
Among those elite players include speedy Kaj “Nitro” Baker, Athlete, who leaves Miami Central to return to Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy, state rated Dylan Bennett, MLB, who played at West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman last season and will move to Plantation American Heritage, Booker T. Washington DE transfers Jamel Bonica, (MIAMI NORTHWESTERN), and the state’s No. 1 receiver Jabari Brady (HOLLYWOOD CHAMINADE-MADONNA), who came in from Coconut Creek Monarch.
Other players from the class that already on the radar includes University of Miami commitment Jordan Campbell (MIAMI CAROL CITY), a defensive end who comes in from Miami Norland via Hialeah American, the suddenly popular versatile athlete Derrek Cooper (CHAMINADE-MADONNA), who makes the move from Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, speedy and gifted defensive back J’Vari Flowers (MIAMI NORTHWESTERN), a Miami Central transfers, potential star offensive lineman Ben Gula, who makes the move to Chaminade-Madonna after being discovered last spring at Weston Cypress Bay.
The 2026 group will also shine the spotlight on emerging quarterback Florentino Lopez, who heads to Miami Northwestern from Hollywood McArthur, fast-rising Chaminade-Madonna defensive back Leonzay Merzius, who starred for Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, national defensive back Herlin Perry Jr., who heads south to Miami Central from Providence LaSalle Academy, Rhode Island, receiver Jaborree Riggins, a one-time Fort Lauderdale standout , who is looking to play a big role with state-rated Monarch, and kicker Noah Sidan, who already showed why he is easily one of the best with two game-winners last season at Miami Norland. He has moved on to Chaminade.
WAIT, THERE ARE MORE
After a look at that amazing wave of talent, the 2026 class also has some more game-changers who are changing schools.
Among those are R.J. Alphonse, DE, Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman (HOLLYWOOD CHAMINADE-MADONNA), Jonathan Bredy, DL/OL, Oakland Park Northeast (COCONUT CREEK), Jayden Chico, QB, Fort Lauderdale (PLANTATION), Justin Compere, RB, Immokalee (MIAMI NORLAND), Jamall Cooper, WR, Miami Booker T. Washington (PEMBROKE PINES FLANAGAN), Kymani Corbett, QB, Homestead South Dade (MIAMI KILLIAN), Jaden Curry, OL, Miami Northwestern (HIALEAH MIAMI-LAKES), Christopher Damis, CB, Coral Springs (PLANTATION), Amari Deer, Athlete, Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy (COCONUT CREEK MONARCH), Damian Dickenson, RB, North Lauderdale Somerset Prep (COCONUT CREEK), Joshua Houston, RB/DB, Fort Lauderdale NSU University School (FORT LAUDERDALE ST. THOMAS AQUINAS), Marlow “M.J.” Hiddo, DE/OLB, Homestead (Goulds Palm Glades), and linebacker Duane Johnson, who leaves Miami Killian for Homestead.
Others to watch are Jayden Loving, OC, Coral Springs (PLANTATION), Da’Sean Miller, LB, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (FORT LAUDERDALE ST. THOMAS AQUINAS), Trayvon Mitchell, SS, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (COCONUT CREEK), Jaden Page, WR, Miami Dr. Krop (MIAMI NORLAND), Javarius Robinson, Athlete, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (COCONUT CREEK), Alejandro RoMay, DL, Coral Springs Charter (FORT LAUDERDALE CARDINAL GIBBONS), Gerald Thomas, DE/OLB, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (COCONUT CREEK MONARCH), Teddy Welch, OL, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (PLANTATION AMERICAN HERITAGE), Caleb Williams, DB/Athlete, Pembroke Pines Somerset (DAVIE WESTERN), and recent athlete Jordan Wooden, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (MIAMI MONSIGNOR PACE).
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For the past 54 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein) Instagram (@OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..