Enough walking on eggshells with the coaching “stipend” joke.
It’s time to stop sweeping this issue under the rug and meet it head on. How can administrators sleep at night when their coaches, who work 12 months a year are being paid a lot less than minimum wage to shape the future of this country.
While many believe that it’s all about sports, this is where you show how little you know about this vital subject.
What our head coaches and their assistants, in all sports, are doing, is influencing young men and women – in and out of the sports arena.
Coaches spend far more time with their student/athletes than parents and teachers combined. They are there to guide these young students and help them solve life’s problems in addition to leading by example as mentors.
When professional athletes talk about their high school coaches and how they played such a major part in their life, many just pass those comments over and pay no attention to the facts.
No matter what sport it is, it’s a good bet that they are working year-round. Whether it’s off-season conditioning and helping raise money to travel and participating in important events at colleges and universities, there are so many demands made – in and out of the classroom – our coaches and their staffs are putting in the time, often spending hours and hours away from their own family.
When you are an administrator and making a comfortable income, the last thing before you go to bed at night is to think about how vital coaches are to the schools and your students.
It's almost disgusting that we even have to talk about this – while other states and private schools are compensating coaches for what they do around the year.
Perhaps the recent slap in the face that high school athletes will be able to strike up their own Name, Image and Likeness deals is a further embarrassment to this coaching profession.
While our athletes are not leaving the state, and most likely will never move away, our more than capable teachers/coaches are departing from communities that they have been a huge part in – some all their lives.
The state of Florida, south Florida in general, has some of the worst pay in the nation. You wonder why we have a teaching shortage? Our loyal and longtime teachers – especially in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties – must beg for a raise. That is truly sad and speaks volumes about how many local and state school districts could care less.
IS THERE IS A SOLUTION?
Instead of closing their collective ears when this subject comes up, it may be time to listen and not just continue to push things off – again and again.
Since the student/athletes are going to make money, it may be time for athletic directors to loosen rules and give these coaches an opportunity to be compensated as well and have some well-earned dignity.
In several school districts in the Midwest and other progressive areas, they are letting their sports teams sell uniform advertising with patches, tastefully, placed on jerseys like they do in NASCAR. The revenue is passed on directly to the coaches and not grabbed by the athletic department.
Here is a suggestion to administrators. Maybe it would be in your best interest to reach out to other parts of the nation and see what they are doing to at least keep their coaches home. In many cases, it’s local boosters that help fund local schools, but no matter what it is, lets find out.
While this is just another waste of time article, attempting to reach those who really care and have the power to do something about this issue, we will leave you with this. The average stipend for coaches in south Florida – at public schools – is a whopping $12 per day!
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
Miami-Dade/Broward Summer Top 20. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-summer-top-20
Are You Keeping Up With Miami-Dade & Broward High School Football Transfers? https://larryblustein.com/news/keeping-up-with-miami-dade-broward-high-school-football-transfers
For the past 54 years, we have spent more 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 (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
When football fans across the country feel that their area is the best when it comes to producing talent, Florida fans have to laugh.
When it comes to loading up college and NFL rosters, Miami-Dade and Broward Counties take a backseat to nobody!
While we are used to the train of talent that runs through the #305 and #954, we rarely step back and look at all the talent that is produced from the amazing youth programs to high school rosters.
As we are waiting for the start of the 2024 season, today we will take you back 10 years to 2014 and check out prospects we all knew were going to be special.
The No. 1 player in the state was certainly no mistake as Miami Central running back Dalvin Cook gave everyone a glimpse of a future at FSU and into the NFL.
But as great as Cook was, and he showcased some running talent that turned heads every week, he was not alone 10 years ago.
South Florida also boasted players such as DE Chad Thomas (Booker T. Washington/Miami), WR Ermon Lane (Homestead/FSU), DL Travonte Valentine (Hialeah Champagnat Catholic/LSU), RB Sony Michel (Plantation American Heritage/Georgia), QB Sean White (University School/Auburn), OT Trevor Darling (Miami Central/Miami) and RB Joseph Yearby (Miami Central/Miami) among the top 20 in Florida.
There were some other football talent in that class that also made a major impact like WR Isaiah McKenzie (Plantation American Heritage/Georgia), QB Treon Harris (Miami Booker T. Washington/Florida), DT Khairi Clark (Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna/Florida), WR C.J. Worton (Homestead South Dade/Florida), S John Battle (Hallandale/LSU) DT Anthony Moten (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas/Miami), DE Demetrius Jackson (Miami Booker T. Washington/Miami), WR Corey Holmes (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas/Notre Dame), CB Chris Lammons (Plantation/South Carolina), DE Richard Yeargin III (University School/Clemson), OLB Mike Smith (Miami Central/Miami), S Michael Johnson (Hialeah Champagnat Catholic/Louisville), OT Yodny Cajuste (Miramar/West Virginia), CB Nigel Bethel (Miami Booker T. Washington/Texas Tech), QB Quinton Flowers (Miami Jackson/USF), QB Peyton Bender (Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons/Washington State), WR Jojo Robinson (Miami Northwestern/Arkansas), WR Trevon Lee (Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons/Duke), and CB Deatrick Nichols (Miami Central/USF).
There were also prospects like DT Edgar Cerenord (Plantation American Heritage/Duke), TE Ravian Pierce (Plantation/Mississippi State), CB Al Harris (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas/South Carolina), CB Ryan Mayes (Miami Northwestern/Miami), WR George Rushing (Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons/Wisconsin), WR Steve Ishmael (North Miami Beach/Syracuse), WR Kendrick Edwards (Miami Norland/Arkansas), WR Trye Brady (Homestead South Dade/Marshall), Athlete Trayone Gray (Miami Carol City/Miami), CB Quincy Wilson (University School/Florida), OC A’lique Terry (Hialeah/Wake Forest), S Andre Godfrey (Miramar/Utah), WR Gilbert Johnson (Homestead/Georgia), RB Brandon Powell (Deerfield Beach/Florida), RB Madre London (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas/Michigan State), WR Jacob McCrary (Miami Coral Reef/West Virginia) and CB Juwan Dowels (Plantation American Heritage/Syracuse) to name prospects in the Top 100.
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
Miami-Dade/Broward Summer Top 20. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-summer-top-20
Are You Keeping Up With Miami-Dade & Broward High School Football Transfers? https://larryblustein.com/news/keeping-up-with-miami-dade-broward-high-school-football-transfers
For the past 54 years, we have spent more 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 (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
As summer camp opened Monday throughout the state of Florida, there were a few notable transfers that took place in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
The two areas which have watched nearly 200 prospects come and go in just the two counties, the last minute push to secure a spot in the state playoffs sparked some impressive moves.
As the season is just a little more than two weeks away, some teams felt a need to strengthen their rosters as the most competitive season in a generation will see basically every state championship contender improve their schedules perhaps like never before.
While schools across the country have solved the major issue with being in the national championship hunt, it all points to strengthening their schedule, and as the opponents get tougher, more talent is needed to compete.
Here are some of the moves made just this past week as the scramble is on to have the best rosters possible:
CLASS OF 2025
Cortland Brownfield, QB, 6-1, 185, Miami Edison. Transferring from Baton Rouge, Louisiana – 3.5 GPA. The Red Raiders just got a huge addition with a gifted football player who has it all – on and off the field.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15226086/Cortland-Brownfield
Zachary Davis, LB, 6-0, 255, Homestead. Transferring from Portland Central Catholic, Oregon. A major talent who comes across country with many big-time schools looking in his direction. The Broncos landed a real prospect.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16855562/653da364da5c260cc400261a
Lorenzo Diaz, OL/DL, 5-10, 230, Doral Academy. Transferring from Doral Ronald Reagan – 3.2 GPA. There is no getting around the fact that the Firebirds needed someone with his versatility and experience.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16587580/Lazaro-Diaz
Jesse Hinojosa, DE, 6-0, 260, Miami Palmetto. Transferring from Miami Archbishop Carroll. Was key in sending the Bulldogs to the 1M state semifinal. Had a huge off-season.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16522046/Jesse-Hinojosa
Zion Lancaster, DE/TE, 6-6, 200, Miami Edison. Transferring from Tolleson, Arizona. Game changing highly regarded prospect who already has plenty of schools watching.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20163159/Zion-Lancaster
Adrian Lima, PK, 5-10, 176, Homestead. Transferring from Miami Felix Varela. Gives the Broncos a much-needed weapon on field goals and extra points.
TAPE: https://x.com/i/status/1811510670447317395
Deion Macon, LB, 6-0, 180, Coconut Creek Monarch. Transferring from Coral Springs – 3.0 GPA. Solid player who provides quality depth for a team that is ready to challenge again in 6A.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19680700/Deion-Macon
Sebastian Marrero, WR/FS, 6-1, 170, Coconut Creek. Transferring from Coral Springs – 3.1 GPA. Track & Field. Another quick athlete who could play on either side of the ball.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18145065/Sebastian-Marrero
Elijah McDowell, WR, 5-11, 173, Coconut Creek. Transferring from Hollywood McArthur. This is a hungry football player who will help the Cougars.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18642490/Elijah-Mcdowell
Miguerson Renelus, DL/OL, 6-1, 285, Coconut Creek Monarch. Transferring from Parkland Douglas – 3.5 GPA. Another player with size and technique to add depth.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18604193/Miguerson-Renelus
Jefferson Saintcius, LB, 6-0, 190, Sunrise Piper – 2.7 GPA. Transferring from Coral Springs Coral Glades. Solid football talent who only adds to what the Bengals are building.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16616323/Jefferson-Saintcius
Terrance Smith II, WR/Athlete, 5-9, 170, Miami Immaculata LaSalle. Transferring from Lehigh. Solid two-way prospect who fits right in with the Royal Lions.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16904506/6553f1ef9a90f2077800ff8c
Eric Thomas, DT, 6-5, 305, Miami Northwestern. Transferring from Lehigh Acres East Lee. Major addition to the Bulls. Great size and athletic ability.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17884577/Eric-Thomas
Zequan Wright, RB, 5-9, 175, Miami Norland. Transferring from Palm Beach Central – 3.8 GPA. Major talent – huge addition to the Vikings.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19253179/Zequan-Wright
CLASS OF 2026
Reginald Camille, DL, 6-4, 220, Plantation American Heritage. Transferring from Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons. Special player who is expected to make a huge impact.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19379576/664e7e2ccf12c1cba4f86baf
Kallen Martinez, DB, 6-3, 170, Davie Western. Transferring from Bradenton IMG Academy. Big time 4-star athlete who has a chance to push the Wildcats to their first ever state football final.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17854309/Kallen-Martinez
CLASS OF 2027
2027 Ethan Bradford, 6-0, 180, RB/LB, Pembroke Pines West Broward. Transferring from Belle Glade Glades Day. The Bobcats continue to add some future players to an already gifted team. Keep an eye on this program in 2024.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16677103/Amos-Bradford
Jayson “Bam Bam” Farfan, DE, Miami Northwestern. Transferring from Jacksonville Raines. This one-time youth standout is headed back to south Florida and is yet another piece of the Bulls’ puzzle.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/21060479/Jayson-Farfan
Jayden Jackson, DL, 6-2, 265, Coconut Creek. Transferring from Davie Nova. Only adds to what the Cougars already have up front on what will certainly be a stingy defense.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19727852/Jayden-Jackson
Cedric Mitchell Jr., WR, 6-0, 165, Pembroke Pines West Broward. Transferring from Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. Here is one of those young prospects that will only add to what this program is doing on offense.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19671978/Cedric-Mitchell-Jr
Jamal Robinson Jr., WR, 6-3, 170, Miami Booker T. Washington. Transferring from Miami Killian. Keep an eye on this gifted football player who has the chance to be very special in what the Tornadoes are putting together.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19947897/Jamal-Robinson-jr
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
Miami-Dade/Broward Summer Top 20. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-summer-top-20
Are You Keeping Up With Miami-Dade & Broward High School Football Transfers? https://larryblustein.com/news/keeping-up-with-miami-dade-broward-high-school-football-transfers
For the past 54 years, we have spent more 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 (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Recruiting, as we all know, has changed so much in just the past five years.
Transfer portal, NIL and other tools that are used in recruiting have changed the way colleges are now looking at high school prospects.
Back in the day, most of the concentration was being paid to the current senior class, but because of a year-round quest for exposure, every athlete that lines up and plays a high school varsity game is now on the radar.
Because the scholarships are now focusing on experienced transfers, the high school athlete must start selling themselves way before the process is supposed to begin.
More and more freshmen, sophomores and juniors are just as important in the process as the seniors are – as relationships are formed earlier than they used to.
While the current senior (2025) class is getting ready for the upcoming season, they are also making commitments that will certainly thrust them into that spotlight.
As summer practice begins today to get ready for the 2024 season, we will check in on some 2026 juniors, who are still turning heads in south Florida.
Keep an eye on some of these impressive prospects in Miami-Dade and Broward County football players.
Starting on offense, there are University of Texas commitment Dia Bell (QB, 6-3, 190, Plantation American Heritage), Calvin Russell III (WR, 6-4, 180, Miami Northwestern), Jabari Brady (WR, 6-2, 185, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), University of Miami commit Malachi Toney (WR, 5-10, 185, Plantation American Heritage), Jasen Lopez (WR, 6-0, 175, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Brandon Bennett (WR, 6-0, 180, Plantation American Heritage), Denairius Gray (WR, 6-1, 170, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Calerbe Hermane (TE, 6-4, 205, Davie Western), Ryan Miret (OL, 6-4, 285, Miami Southridge), Jordan Davis (OL, 6-3, 330, Davie Western) and Elijah Hardy (WR, 6-0, 180, Miami Northwestern).
There are also Anthony Brown (OL, 6-3, 315, Miami Palmetto), Jaborree Riggins (WR, 6-4, 185, Coconut Creek Monarch), Jeffar Jean-Louis (WR, 5-10, 170, Plantation American Heritage), Jayden Ford (RB, 5-5, 150, Miami Central), Bryan Granger (OL, 6-3, 270, Pembroke Pines West Broward), Jamar Denson (WR, 5-10, 175, Plantation American Heritage) and Khyze Smith (OL, 6-4, 301, Miami Norland).
KEEP AN EYE ON SOME ELITE DEFENSIVE TALENT
Throughout the course of the upcoming season, we will be bringing more emerging stars – like these defensive prospects Justice Fitzpatrick (CB, 6-2, 185, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), J’Vari Flowers (CB, 5-11, 170, Miami Northwestern), Jordan Campbell (LB, 6-3, 235, Miami Carol City), FSU commit Tedarius Hughes (DB, 6-3, 175, Homestead South Dade), Dominic Turnbull (CB, 6-2, 175, Miami True North Classical Academy), Tedrick Lee (S, 6-0, 180, Homestead South Dade), Shmar Akande (CB, 6-2, 180, Miami International Academy), Phillip Goodrich (LB, 6-0, 210, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Aldarius Johnson Jr. (S, 6-2, 175, Plantation American Heritage), Herlin Perry Jr. (CB, 6-1, 170, Miami Central), Karon Maycock (S, 6-2, 210, Miami Central), Leonzay Merzius (DB, 6-0, 181, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Liam Marley (DL, 6-3, 240, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian), Jemel Bonica (DE, 6-4, 225, Miami Northwestern), Tyre Vieux (DB, 6-0, 160, Edison), Wynton Jones Jr. (DB, 5-11, 165, Miami Palmetto), Dylan Bennett (MLB, 5-11, 210, Plantation American Heritage), R.J. Alphonse (DE, 6-3, 220, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna) and Cleveland Gary III (OLB, 6-0, 210, Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace).
Also watch elite athletes such as fast-rising Derrek Cooper (6-1, 195, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), FSU commit Darryl Bell III (5-11, 175, Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman), Bryant Junius (DB, 6-1, 190, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Terrence Campbell (6-2, 225, Miami Central) and speedy Kaj Baker (5-7, 160, Pembroke Pines Somerset).
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
Miami-Dade/Broward Summer Top 20. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-summer-top-20
Are You Keeping Up With Miami-Dade & Broward High School Football Transfers? https://larryblustein.com/news/keeping-up-with-miami-dade-broward-high-school-football-transfers
For the past 54 years, we have spent more 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 (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
When you attend a 7-on-7 event, there is a tendency to watch many of the star-rated prospects who have already grabbed the spotlight.
But in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, there is so much talent, you can never uncover and promote enough.
What we do year-round is see athletes play live, which is something that others don’t do, but still rank and break down these quality football players.
On Saturday, the first #305/#954 The Crib 7-on-7 Classic was held at Miami’s Ransom Everglades. While Miami Norland came away with the title, beating Miami Central, there were other teams and players who made an impact.
Today, we look at five prospects who may have been overlooked, but still peg the talent meter.
This has been a long summer – and there have been many events, which have provided a canvas for these young men to grab some of that spotlight.
2026 - Jamar Denson, WR, 5-10, 182, Plantation American Heritage – 3.6 GPA. This two-sport (track) athlete has turned into one of the more dangerous prospects in south Florida. Solid route runner, who enhances his entire game with speed and great vision. Is dangerous coming out of the slot position – all he needs is his hands on the ball and he will do the rest. The more you watch him play, the more you are impressed at what he brings to the football field,
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19484710/6543c218689883045cc9eb3a
2025 - Devin Gonzalez, QB, 6-0, 180, Coconut Creek. As we have looked at this quality talent in the past – following him from Pembroke Pines Flanagan to Weston Cypress Bay and now with the Cougars. One of the top returning senior quarterbacks who combines football intelligence with skill and making the most of the athletes around him. Has worked on being a total quarterback, making all the throws and extending plays – when needed – with his legs. While college coaches are watching, it will be his final season that should determine where he attends college.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16423482/Devin-Gonzalez
2027 - James Perrone, QB, 6-2, 170, Miami Southridge. After a sensational freshman season, here is someone who has indeed put himself on the map as one of the top young prospects. While the Spartans fell short last season, you can guarantee that this offense will be very tough to stop with this impressive young man leading the way. Has shown the ability to throw short, intermediate and long passes with accuracy. Colleges are already watching his progress.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19687356/6531667b8cd5620af8bd6b20
2026 - Herlin Perry Jr., DB, 6-1, 170, Miami Central. Comes to play for the Rockets from LaSalle Academy in Providence, Rhode Island and has already made an impact. He is long, athletic and instinctive. This is a young player who has an opportunity to elevate this program over the next two years and do it at a high level. With the gifted receivers this program has, you will continue to see him get better and better.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16690138/Herlin-Perry-Jr
2025 - Kyjuan Taylor, RB/DB, 6-0, 195, Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman. As the Gators continue to make a push to be competitive against some of the areas top programs, it’s players like this who can get it done on both sides of the ball. As a runner, he has the explosion and vision to get to the second level and has the speed to get to the outside as well as run tackle-to-tackle. He not only had a solid spring, but also made the most of his team camp experiences – with college coaches looking on.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16153200/6674a0dae310896670948team 289
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
Miami-Dade/Broward Summer Top 20. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-summer-top-20
Are You Keeping Up With Miami-Dade & Broward High School Football Transfers? https://larryblustein.com/news/keeping-up-with-miami-dade-broward-high-school-football-transfers
For the past 54 years, we have spent more 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 (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..