MIAMI – For decades, this time of year, late February, and March – we see camps and combines throughout the country that shine the spotlight on high school football prospects that are on the radar, and of course those who are trying to catch the attention of recruiting and fan websites.
For many companies, the investment of hosting these talent showcases comes down to advertising their product to potential future customers.
While the result for many will be a college scholarship, attending these events has become the thing to do – competing against talent that athletes read about and watch throughout the year.
Because of social media, everything has been magnified as photos, interviews and videos show up all over the internet – as fans, writers and recruiting analysts expose and evaluate potential stars of the gridiron.
Having been around these showcase events since they began well over 30 years ago, they do serve a purpose.
On Saturday and Sunday, Under Armour rolled into Miami and Ives Park for two days of exposure and showing off some of the amazing talent we have in this region.
High school coaches, parents, athletes, and fans poured into Northern Miami-Dade as this ritual took place – and while everyone wasn’t recognized or singled out – it was something that many will remember for a lifetime.
Under Armour, Nike, Rivals and just about every other company you can think about hosts these events, and while colleges follow along and watch film and see the testing numbers that are posted, it’s the months of May and June that they are consumed with when they can watch these student/athletes up close during spring and summer camps.
WHO LOOKED GOOD
Because we promote and expose these athletes year-round, the prospects who emerge from an event such as Under Armour, is great, but nothing that those who follow this year-round, are surprised by.
With national writers and analysts on hand, the focus was on prospects from all over the country and in the state of Florida.
Our objective at these showcases is to check out the Miami-Dade and Broward prospects.
On this day, players such as Pembroke Pines West Broward receiver Joshua Moore, Homestead receiver Cortez Mills, Miami Booker T. Washington standout defensive back Miami Central defensive tackle newcomer Floyd Boucard (Mobile Christian, Alabama), Miami Northwestern receiver Jade Card and his teammate, defensive back Zion Paret were watched by everyone on hand.
Moore and Mills are among the best in the nation.
This past season, while covering many teams, you come across prospects that very few know about or watch.
Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy receiver Dwayne Wimbley Jr. is one of those prospects we had the pleasure of watching live. He is not only an emerging football talent but is also a stellar basketball prospect.
While several positions are always watched, the south Florida stop always features some impressive receivers.
In addition to Moore, Mills and Wimbley, prospects such as Miami Central’s Kha’leal Sterling and West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman transfer, Naeshaun Montgomery - Coconut Creek Monarch's Antwaun Parham, and Miami Northwestern 2026 athlete Calvin Russell were also impressive.
One of the running back prospects we have been watching for several years, following him to Cardinal Gibbons as a freshman is Derrek Cooper, who was singled out as a top running back. He is now at Chaminade-Madonna, and while he is a running back, the thing that has always made him special is his ability to lineup just about anywhere.
Other locals who turned heads on Sunday were Miami Norland twins Darryll Desir and Mandrell Desir, who have everything going for them – on and off the playing field.
Another standout we had the pleasure of watching since the 8th grade is USF commit Caleb Harris, a technically sound offensive linemen from St. Thomas Aquinas.
Monarch’s Bryan Auguste – another prospect we spotlighted during the off-season – was impressive as those who had no prior knowledge of his talents were bowled over.
Rising senior Miami Central linebacker Ezekiel Marcelin was also a head-turner, which everyone figured. He is quick, can cover and get it done in the classroom.
The future is also bright with Miami Carol City Class of 2026 standout Jordan Campbell, who committed to Miami.
Watching the defensive backs was also plenty of fun, and beside Hanks, there were others who have already made a lasting impression. St. Thomas Aquinas 2026 cornerback Justice Fitzpatrick is the younger brother of NFL defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Chris Ewald was also someone who stood out as he is getting bigger and more physical as a corner at Chaminade-Madonna. He also gets it done in the classroom. Pembroke Pines Flanagan safety Jonathan Carter, and versatile Miami Christopher Columbus safety Bryce Fitzgerald.
The quarterback position had numerous standouts – and 2026 Plantation American Heritage prospect Dia Bell continues to showcase some major skills.
Last year at this time, there was some buzz with Bekkem Kritza competing for the starting job at Miami Central. He left, but now as a Penn State commitment is back and will play for the Rockets in 2024.
Miami Norland athlete Jahmari "Smitty" Smith did his thing on both sides of the ball. A true im[pact player,
MORE LOCALS DID THEIR THING
With hundreds of athletes, trying to spotlight every one of them is not easy, and the fact that we do spotlight EVERY football player in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties during a year, we did see some talent that grabbed some of the spotlight.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Randy Adirika (2025 - Miami Central)
Adrian Farrow (2025 - Miami Norland)
Julian Terry (2025 - Miami Gulliver Prep)
Romando Johnson (2025 - Coconut Creek Monarch)
Richard Scott (2025 - Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas)
Donta Simpson Jr. (2025 - Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna)
Wilnerson Telemaque (2025 - Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace)
Lewenski Ydore (2025 - North Miami)
LINEBACKERS
Dylan Gill (2025 – Homestead South Dade)
Jacob Joseph (2025 – Davie Western)
Patrick Lawrence II (2025 – Miami Palmetto)
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Kenton Dopson III (2027 - Miami Norland)
J’Vari Flowers (2026 – Miami Northwestern)
Camari Hall (2025 – Chaminade-Madonna)
Jaylyn Jones (2027 – Davie Western)
Teddrick Lee (2026 – Homestead South Dade)
Leonzay Merzius (2026 – Chaminade-Madonna)
Amari Wallace (2025 – Miami Central)
Jaleel Walters (2025 – Coconut Creek Monarch)
QUARTERBACKS
Zachary Katz (2027 – Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna)
Dylan Pelliccio (2025 – Pembroke Pines West Broward)
Tyler Shattuck (2025 – Pembroke Pines West Broward)
Jack Spaeder (2027 – Coconut Creek Monarch)
Ennio Yapoor (2025 – Miami Norland)
RUNNING BACKS
Agyeman Addae (2025 – Miami Christopher Columbus)
King Davis (2025 – Miami Northwestern)
Elijah Hardy (2026 – Miami Northwestern)
Sterling Joseph (2025 – Miami Edison)
Nicholas McCall (2025 – Miami Central)
RECEIVERS
Willie Anderson (2025 – Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace)
Johnny Arneus (2025 - Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas)
Anjuan Coleman Jr (2025 – Miami Central)
Shamar Fowles (2025 – Miami Carol City)
Darius Johnson (2025 – Miami Northwestern)
Si’mor Price (2025 – Hollywood South Broward)
Cameron Sapp (2025 – Miami Palmetto)
Kyle Washington (2025 – Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna)
AWARDS HANDED OUT
At the completion of the camp, the following athletes received invitations to 2025 Under Armour Next All-America Games:
2025 Under Armour Next All-America Game Invitees:
Class of 2025
DB Chris Ewald
DB Tae Harris
One player from the Class of 2025 that has already committed to the Under Armour Next All-America Game was also recognized:
WR Nae’shaun Montgomery
Other players recognized following their performances at Sunday’s camp include:
Defensive Line MVP
Floyd Boucard (2025)
Offensive Line MVPs
Caleb Harris (2025)
Kerby Vital (2026)
Running Back MVPs
Derrek Cooper (2026)
Shawn Simeon (2025)
Linebacker MVP
Adam Balogoun-Ali (2026)
Quarterback MVP
Jordan Durham (2025)
Wide Receiver MVPs
Jayvan Boggs (2025)
Winston Watkins (2025)
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
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..