As we head toward the second week of spring football in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, there will be several prospects starting to shine for colleges and universities from all over the country to watch.
As some of the younger players look to jump onto the spotlight for the first time, there are several rising seniors who have made major strides since the end of the 2024 season. Prospects who have stood out at camps, combines, 7-on-7 events and in other sports.
Today we look at five Class of 2026 football players who are rising up the ranks fast:
Shmar Akande, CB, 6’2, 180, Pembroke Pines West Broward. Ever since he stepped onto the field at Hollywood South Broward, you could tell how special this quality defensive player was. His ball skills, ability to cover and make plays was a signal for opponents not to throw in his direction. He is quick, athletic and will make plays all over the field. His addition to head coach Brian McCartney and the Bobcats has been huge as the team looks to accomplish some big things. This Toledo commitment also has a solid work ethic in the classroom – holding down a 3.8 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19697422/Shmar-Akande?
Kaj Baker, RB/Athlete, 5’8, 165, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy. Playing for your father (Derrick “Nitro” Baker) is never easy for many athletes, but for this impressive talent, it’s the only thing he knows, and he has responded in a major way as a versatile football prospect and as a star who is one of the top track and field performers (10.38 100m 20.89 200m dash) in the state. Once this young man gets his hands on the ball and uses his instincts and vision to find a hole, he is off to the races. His speed is amazing and goes together with his abilities as a football player. His arsenal of talent extends as a receiver out of the backfield or one day as a slot performer. Did we mention that he is one of the best return specialists in Florida as well? In addition to making a major impact on the football field and track over the past four years, he is a superior student in the classroom – with a 3.5 GPA.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15144891/Kaj-Nitro-Baker
Camaul King, S, 6’0, 180, Miami True North Classical Academy. The real measure of any athlete when watching them play is to see their performance live – and that was exactly what sealed the deal when evaluating his play. You can watch all the film or listen to what someone says about a prospect, but unless you lay eyes on them, you can never fully break down what they do well. Watching him play, he is indeed a “baller” who has turned out to be a leader on the field with his ability and skill to make plays. He plays so well in space and uses his (4.4 – 40-yard dash speed) to get the job done against any level of competition. As lethal as he is on the football field for head coach Greg Laffere and the Titans, his work in the classroom (4.0 GPA) is opening some doors as well as being eligible to enroll early in January of 2026.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19337278/650affb690ef7306e01f0a5b
Zamari “Pop” Marquez, SS, 5’10, 175, Fort Lauderdale Dillard. The first thing you notice when watching this quality talent perform is his motor. He never stops. Follows up plays from start to finish and puts himself in position to make more plays. While he plays the safety position for head coach Dimitris Mincey’s Panthers, he does approach the game more like a linebacker. He is always ready to hit and come up with the game-changing play. In addition to what he brings to the game as a defensive player, keep an eye on his role as a special team player as well. He uses many of those qualities that stand out in the rest of his game. His work in the classroom (3.0 GPA) is also impressive. Colleges need to lock on to what he does this spring and into the summer.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19371767/Zamari-Marquez
Kamron Wilson, Edge, 6’5, 220, Miami Southridge. Last year it was Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna standout Derrek Cooper who basically came out of nowhere to be an elite, nationally recognized recruit. This year, we introduce you to this quality football talent who emerged at the end of last season as one of the huge surprises. While he was a talented football player in 2024 for head coach Pierre Senatus and his district champion Spartans, it was his performances at several off-season events that also opened eyes – especially at Syracuse University where he committed. The reasons that this young man is so impressive on the field is his athleticism, physical strength and quickness and his length. It is very tough for a quarterback or a runner to escape him because of everything he brings to the table. If his work on the football field wasn’t impressive enough, what he brings to the table as a student (4.0 GPA) is equally as impressive!
PHOTO COURTESY OF MIAMI SOUTHRIDGE
SOUTH FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS RADIO SHOW RECOGNIZED. https://www.millionpodcasts.com/high-school-podcasts/
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
MIAMI-DADE, BROWARD TRANSFERS? WE HAVE THEM FOR YOU. https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-off-to-a-huge-start-in-miami-dade-broward