Whether you buy into rankings or not, everyone loves to see their name.
Let’s face it. If you are ranked in any list, you are over the moon and believe it’s as valid as they come. But if you are not listed, the validity of the author(s) of these subjective measuring sticks just plain do not know the game and they should get another profession.
Having compiled lists for nearly six decades, there are no formulas to compare athletes unless they play against one another, or you see them live.
What lists have turned into are popularity contests. There are frankly too many people who listen to the advice of others who do not watch these prospects either. So what you get are evaluations based mostly on what happens and camps and combines – without pads and helmets, often based of physicality and NOT skill and leadership.
In addition, if you take any starting list of 150 players, by the time you publish the final list, it is a proven fact that 75 percent of the original list will not look anywhere like it did originally.
We must understand that because there are so many prospects in the state of Florida, each game, practice, camp or combine will have the authors of these rankings making numerous changes.
With that said, the recent early national Class of 2026 player rankings have been released and a number of Miami-Dade and Broward prospects are included – like every year.
Darryl Bell III, Athlete, 6-1, 180, Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman. Only in south Florida – with some of the best and most productive youth programs anywhere in the country, this amazing talent was more than ready to step in and make a difference in his very first season at the high school level. His dominance on either side of the ball and on special teams had programs like FSU making an offer from the start of his young career. With a solid 3.2 GPA in the classroom, this is a student/athlete who has lived up to all the hype.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17750834/darryl-bell-iii
Jabari Brady, WR, 6-3, 195, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna. As we have stated in the past – before this elite playmaker made his move from Coconut Creek Monarch to the 1A powerhouse Lions, what else about this quality talent that has not been echoed dozens and dozens of times? This is an impact player that is extremely hard to cover with one player, and he showed it throughout the year, leading the Knights to the state semifinals. As elite as you will find, and he has only scratched the surface!
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14832320/637c2260ab92460b50dfb1ab
Justice Fitzpatrick, Athlete, 6-0, 170, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. There is no getting around how gifted and versatile this impressive talent is. From his key interceptions as a freshman to what he put together in the off-season and during this past year, there is little doubt that this is a major prospect that continues to get better and tested by some quality receivers. The younger brother of standout NFL secondary performer, Minkah Fitzpatrick, his growth, and maturity has been noticed by every college and university and has been an asset to the five-time defending state champion Raiders.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17955822/Justice-Fitzpatrick
Calvin Russell, WR/Athlete, 6-4, 185, Miami Northwestern. You could tell from the time he stepped on the field as a freshman last year, this may be the most athletic talent in this class anywhere in the nation and it may not even be close. Not only is he a premier receiver, but also plays quarterback and is an elite basketball player. He will be part of the resurgence of this program in 2024. No matter if you’ve watched him play or not, the results speak for themselves.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17878157/Calvin-Russell
Malchi Toney, WR, 5-10, 180, Plantation American Heritage. Another elite football player was someone who made an impact from the very first game he took part in as a ninth grader on national television against Las Alamitos of California. All he has done since then is dominate and play way above his year. He has been so impressive that the University of Miami landed him after just one varsity season! A huge impact player that has two full years remaining.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17846385/65a1fa13c1199d03eca72dd7
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 54 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields throughout the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. 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.
This is the time of year when several people hold camps and combines, and while exposure is always helpful, many of these companies are in it to make money.
The true measure of any event is how they follow up with the student/athletes who attend. Prep Redzone is a company that has rapidly passed by these “money-makers” who emerge during January and February and aren’t seen for another 10 months. They are never seen at games or summer camps. It is not a good look, and high school coaches, parents and athletes have started to pick up on it.
If you follow Prep Redzone Florida during the course of a year, you already know that prospects are promoted and evaluated every day. Go to the website and you will see.
After a few years of hosting events on the west coast of Florida, this Sunday, January 17th, the Prep Redzone Stock Up Showcase is coming to south Florida, and Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, The Keys, Collier, Lee, Martin, Indian River, Highlands, Hendry and all of the areas that make up south, southwest and the treasure coast will be right in the epicenter as college and high school coaches will instruct and evaluate, getting prospects out.
Holiday Park, in the heart of Fort Lauderdale, will be the place to be for three hours of instruction and major exposure.
“We have put student/athletes on the map that no football fan had ever heard about,” said Analyst Shannon Jordan. “No matter where it is in this state, we have provided the team and player exposure.”
The Prep Redzone Stock Up Showcase is a great opportunity for high school football prospects to get exposure. Testing results will be recorded for colleges across the country to access following the event. It is open to athletes from 2024-2027!
With Prep Redzone scouts in attendance, dedicated to highlighting top performers, players will receive unparalleled coverage before, during, and after the event on PrepRedzone.com and social media.
PrepRedzone.com is an approved scouting service in accordance with NCAA bylaws, policies, and procedures. College football coaches from all divisions (Division 1 - NAIA) are permitted to subscribe.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE EVENT
After check-in, athletes will have a professional headshot taken for identification and will have their height/weight recorded. From there, the showcase is broken into three portions: testing, position-specific drills, and 1-on-1 competition. Testing will include the 40-yard dash (hand-timed), pro shuttle (hand-timed), L Drill (hand-timed), and broad jump.
SESSION BREAKDOWN
Check-in: 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Testing and Drills: 12:00 pm-3:00 pm
Coverage and photos of the event will be available in the days after the event on PrepRedzone.com and primarily on https://prepredzone.com/florida/
“This is a huge opportunity for athletes from Pensacola to Key West to jump on the recruiting radar with people who cover the game and state throughout the year,” said Recruiting Analyst Drew Johnson. “We cover camps, combines, 7-on-7 events, spring football, summer football and the entire season. That is something that very few can do.”
College coaches across the country continue to make Prep Redzone Florida their first stop every day to read profiles, team and recruiting information and get recruiting information.
Sign Up At: https://events.prepredzone.com/e/946/register/stock-up-showcase-florida
USE COUPON CODE: BlusteinStockUp2023
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
As we continue to ease into the off-season and attend many, many events to help promote and assist in the recruiting process, we uncover talent that we have been fortunate to watch first hand.
At a time when college coaches are looking beyond the Xs and Os and concentrating on character and other important part of the recruiting process that you have to know about the student/athletes.
Our success has been based on not only evaluating but going way beyond the star-rated prospects who are on everyone’s radar.
Over the years, we have been fortunate to watch some of the best football players of all-time, but we have also been honored to uncover talent that many have not watched or talked with.
Today, as we continue to bring you Miami-Dade and Broward talent, we have five more class of 2025 football players to keep an eye on throughout the spring and summer.
Logan Andrews, WR, 6-3, 190, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. Coming from an athletic family where his mother was a collegiate softball player and his sisters are at a high level of volleyball, here is someone who is ready to take his game to the next level. As he moves from Cardinal Gibbons for his final season, he has a chance to be one of the Raiders centerpiece receivers.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16865389/Logan-Andrews
Curtis Bryant IV, S, 5-11, 170, Miami Southridge. When you talk about exposure, there are many athletes who are often hidden by the fact that while their teams are not in the spotlight, they are not getting the fill spotlight. This impressive talent has emerged as one of the best safeties in south Florida because of his talent and the fact that head coach Pierre Senatus and his Spartans are a program that continues to play at a high level.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/14880618/Curtis-Bryant-IV
Trent Dubuc, WR, 6-0, 180, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons. Here is a gifted student/athlete that we had the chance to watch since he started playing youth football, and while there is no guarantee that being the son of a football coach, there is that advantage of being around the game seeing what hard work and dedication will bring. Has turned out to be a sure-handed, quick slot receiver that is looking forward to his final year at the high school level. Player a big role in the success of the team this past season, and is expected to bring plenty to the table in 2024.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16122770/Trent-DuBuc
Deangelo Thompson, DE, 6-4, 215, Miami Central. With players such as Reuben Bain, Armondo Blount and current rising senior Randy Adirika grabbing much of the spotlight, this coming season will be the year that this one-time Miami Springs has a breakout season. Brings so much to that table as an edge rusher who has length quickness and the ability to recognize the flow of the play. As he showed in last year’s game against district rival Miami Norland, he has what it takes to be very special. The only thing separating him from the next level is experience and getting enough reps.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16484527/Deangelo-Thompson
Antonio Ward, S, 5-9, 175, Coconut Creek Monarch. While he isn’t the largest secondary performer, he is indeed one of the most instinctive and gifted. Whether it’s at the safety position or in space, his ball skills and knack of being around the action, coming up with game-altering tackles, gives him a huge advantage and will draw plenty of attention this off-season. Quality football talent that makes the Knights stronger on defense.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16336292/Antonio-Ward
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 54 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields throughout the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. 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..
When it comes to recruiting for over the past five decades, we have earned our reputation with college coaches, high coaches, student/athlete and fans for being able to see prospects live.
The one thing we have long preached is if you cannot get out an see these young men live at different events and at games, you are limiting yourself to the most important part of talent recruiting – CHARACTER.
You cannot see important things about an athlete that colleges and universities cannot see sitting at home or in their offices on the computer. Things that are vital to the process.
For 54 years the one thing that has set us apart from most is our ability to attend practices, camps, combines, 7-on-7 events, spring and summer football – and part of 100 live games a year. That is why our rankings and player evaluations include EVERYTHING that colleges are searching for.
During the season, we release players, rankings, and profiles on the thousands of football players we have seen – and not just heard about. That way we have the opportunity to not only single out star-rated prospects, but also many football players that are under-the-radar.
Today we bring you five Class of 2025 football players. Some you may have watched – while others you have never heard much about.
From Pensacola to Key West and everywhere in between we have the opportunity to see, up close and personal, athletes that many only see from their home computers or hear about from coaches, pushing prospects out to be publicized.
Randy Adirika, DL, 6-4, 265, Miami Central. You want to talk big time playmaker; this is someone who you need to pay attention to. As a sophomore, he lined up next to freshman All-America Reuben Bain. Last season, as a junior, he played right next to Miami signee Armondo Blount. He gets to the quarterback and is a major run stopper. Is as good as anyone in the state.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17667842/65837db4f327b10bacdc481d
Darius Curington, OL, 6-2, 300, Miami Edison. From Jackson to American, back to Jackson and now as a member of head coach Luther Campbell and the Red Raiders, this is indeed one of the way under-the-radar offensive lineman, who continues to grow, mature, and learn more and more about the game. Could emerge into one of the best in south Florida.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15869701/darius-curington
Darius “Boobie” Johnson, WR, 5-11, 160, Miami Northwestern. Ever since arriving two years ago from Edison, this is someone who has shown plenty of promise, and while he has played for two head coaches, this is an off-season that should reveal is speed, athleticism and ability to play this game at a high level. A student/athlete, he holds down a 3.5 GPA in the classroom, which will help to open doors at the next level as well.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16850022/Darius-Johnson
Jonathan Rousseau, DB, 6-1, 180, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons. Having the opportunity to watch him play three times this past season, there is no doubt that this is the next man up for head coach Matt Dubuc and the Chiefs. Not only is a hue physical cover man, but his ability to help shut down the run is also quite impressive. In addition, he gives this team someone who can make an impact on special teams. As well as he does on the football field, his work in the classroom (3.4 GPA) is also a huge enhancement to college coaches at the next level.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16201639/6563d9f002b31d0d843c64b0
Olivier Zamor, DT/NG, 5-11, 260, Pembroke Pines Charter. The very first thing you notice about this impressive talent is his low center of gravity and motor that never stops. Whether it’s from the interior tackle position or at the nose guard, his strength and athletic ability along with his passion gives him an advantage. He has a knack for being around the ball and has tremendous vision. Coaches love what he brings to the table as a team player, which goes a long way. This is the kind of player that head coach Keidran Willis loves on his teams.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16595342/Olivier-Zamor/highlights
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 53 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields throughout the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. 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..
By now, you already know how many football prospects we have the opportunity to watch live, and that is something that area coaches, student/athletes and parents have noticed.
The very fact that we have the honor to have our home base in the most fertile and gifted area in the country for producing football talent gives us a major advantage – and we certainly make good use of that opportunity.
While we have covered the entire state of Florida for well over five decades, we understand how important it is to see these young men at camps, combines, 7-on-7 tournaments, spring, summer and in the regular season live.
While football is played between late August and mid-December, we have made our coverage and exposure year-round, providing a forum for prospects in all classes and at a very level.
We continue to point out how important it is to see prospects with 5 stars and those who have none.
Today, we bring you five more prospects to keep an eye on – in the off-season and throughout 2024:
2025 - Sean Burke, TE/DE, 6-6, 210, Hollywood South Broward. Following in the footsteps of his father and older brother, who both played for the Bulldogs, this is one of those hidden gems. Someone who can lineup on either side of the ball and has the size and athletic ability to turn heads for years to come. He is a very hard worker who has been around the game all of his young life and continues to benefit from having supportive people around him.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16198393/65524ed9d45e9c0ba0b3ac42
2025 - Amari Isaac, Athlete, 6-1, 200, Hollywood Hills. Talk about an under-the-radar football talent. After watching him three times live this past season, this is a prospect that will need to be watched this coming season. A very gifted football player who has size, speed and is loaded with athleticism. He finished with 58 catches, 727 yards, 11 touchdowns – as well as 10 tackles, and 1 force fumble on defense.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18455319/Amari-Isaac
2026 - Jordan Davis, OL/DL, 6-4, 315, Miramar. Over the years the one thing that you could depend on when you watched the Patriots play is they would be big and athletic up front. Some things never change. With this two-way rising junior, you have someone that college coaches have started to watch for several reasons. His athletic ability stands out right away, and playing on both sides of the ball will always open new avenues. In addition, his 3.9 GPA puts him in a space where college coaches will have so many options – on and off the playing field.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19598731/656914739a914b0bfc6ec584
2026 - Franki Sosa Jr., Athlete, 6-2, 175, Westland Hialeah. Another of those fast-rising young prospects that we have here in south Florida. A gifted player who has size, quickness and plenty of athletic ability – as a receiver, quarterback, special teams and on the defensive side of the ball. This off season will be very important to his maturity and overall exposure as he will have a huge opportunity to watch his stock rise.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18054235/Franki-Sosa-jr
2026 - Marquis Williams, WR/S, 5-11, 165, Miami Gulliver Prep. Surprise, surprise – another tremendous athlete from a program that has turned out more than its share. Versatile, quick, and skilled are the things that you will notice right away. Equally as impressive on either side of the ball as he uses his track (100m (11.2) 200m (22.9) speed along with his play-making abilities. His work in the classroom (3.7) will also open plenty of doors.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17739650/Marquis-Williams
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 53 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields throughout the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. 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.