The state of Florida has a various and indulgent school soccer recruiting tradition. From Pensacola to Miami, it’s a state loaded with prep soccer expertise that has many happenings, and generally a number of necessary items of stories inside one 24-hour interval.
This ongoing article is a one-stop store for recruiting data together with interviews with recruits, plus data for prospects that announce go to plans, dedication dates, and their precise school choices themselves, amongst many conventional subjects.
There are additionally going to be video highlights of high recruits from seven-on-seven occasions, camps, combines, and even particular person prospect exercises from throughout the state of Florida.
Moreover, it is a place to realize details about how Florida school soccer applications UCF, Miami, Florida State and Florida are doing alongside the recruiting path.
There will even be dedication lists, and total recruiting information for the Florida school soccer groups which are all competing with one another.
Lastly, discussing how the in-state applications try to fend off applications exterior the state of Florida borders like Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Clemson amongst others, to land the most effective gamers the Sunshine State has to supply.
Keep locked in, as that is the place information across the state of Florida’s recruiting panorama could be discovered.
Jan. 15 – 2 p.m. replace
Only a fast thought of one of many gamers now within the Switch Portal from the Alabama Crimson Tide, and that is large receiver Tyler Harrell.
Popping out of Miami (Fla.) Columbus, he was neglected by some colleges. Maybe it was the 6-foot and 165-pound measurement that scared off some school soccer applications. That is a typical Florida recruit although.
For an extended, very long time, all of the Florida school applications — Miami, Florida State, Florida, UCF, USF, Florida Worldwide and Florida Atlantic, have signed gamers like this younger man. They put most of these prospects within the weight room and vitamin applications, and a few years later, growth!
Effectively, Louisville nonetheless wished Harrell inside its 2018 recruiting class (as did some others, however in all probability not as many as there ought to have been). He did nicely earlier than his first switch to Alabama.
The Cardinals needed to a wait a bit, however in 2021, Harrell caught 18 passes for 523 yards, an amazing 29.1 common, and 6 touchdowns. Then, he took off for Bama.
Whereas Harrell has entered the Switch Portal once more, take into accout one thing that even school soccer coaches generally overlook. Not each prospect creates quick impression. Some do, sure, however that is the exception and never the rule.
Harrell was proof of this truth. With all the uncooked and highly-talented prep soccer recruits that come out of Florida, a few of them merely wanted a while to provide outcomes, particularly on the Energy 5 degree.
Whereas many colleges maintain the win-now angle, it is perhaps smart for a few of them to watch out of not overlooking the obvous bodily abilities of a few of Florida’s high expertise that may want a 12 months or two to develop earlier than exploding.
There will definitely be many extra gamers like Harrell that come out of Florida, filled with pace and big-play capability. Not all of them are polished prospects, nevertheless. Faculty coaches ought to all the time a minimum of contemplate fascinated about the long run.
Jan. 15
One of many extra gifted athletes that performed on the 7v7 Elite match was large receiver Marcel Williams from Pompano Seaside (Fla.) Blanche Ely.
Throughout the match, the 5-foot-11 and 185-pound receiver took a number of moments to be interviewed concerning the early phases of what occurred throughout his recruiting course of, in addition to speak a bit of about his over sport.
He was straight ahead with what he believed he wanted to work on most as a receiver.
“My pace, so I can get out of my breaks quicker,” Williams started. “All the things, so I is usually a top-tier receiver in my class.”
On the flip aspect, Williams additionally mentioned what he felt he does greatest as a large receiver, and he was level clean as soon as once more.
“Catching the ball.”
Williams confirmed delicate arms and a pure capability to take action by extending his arms away from his physique. As a part of his continued studying course of, he’s additionally going to see an prolonged position this subsequent fall.
“I’m planning to be moved throughout. Simply serving to out my offense so we are able to hopefully go to (the) state (finals).”
Moreover, Williams mentioned he’s seeking to play protection in 2023 and he’s open to taking part in on that aspect of the ball as nicely.
“It doesn’t matter,” Williams answered when requested about being recruited as a cornerback. “No matter faculty is the most effective match for me.”
Totally transferring the dialog in the direction of the recruiting entrance, Williams has already earned 5 provides.
“Maryland, Akron, Western Kentucky, Alabama State, and Grambling State.”
There have been different applications already involved with him, too.
“Florida State a bit of bit. FAU a bit of bit, yeah.”
Assuming Williams performs offense in school, he’s not as involved concerning the idea as he’s the flexibility to be a primary possibility.
“I simply wish to be a significant component within the offense.”
After seeing Williams run and catch on Saturday, he will definitely have an increasing number of provides headed his manner.
Jan. 14
The primary seven-on-seven match of the 12 months has began right here in sunny Florida. It was the 7v7 Elite Championship Collection match at Merritt Island Excessive Faculty.
A number of of the notable prospects that stood out immediately, and tonight’s replace will spotlight one key prospect that confirmed a flexible ability set.
Working again/large receiver Gerald Modest from Miami (Fla.) Booker T. Washington. A working again prospect from the category of 2024, or so it was thought, Modest lined up out large for Bless 7v7.
He confirmed a fantastic first step out of his stance, good capability to get out and in of his breaks, appeared pure as he caught the soccer away from his physique, and the flexibility to shortly cease and begin after the catch.
Modest has already acquired provides from applications akin to Illinois, Florida State, Miami, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Charlotte, and Ole Miss, amongst others.
Will probably be attention-grabbing to see how school soccer applications recruit modest shifting ahead, as he’s able to being within the backfield or on the perimeter on the school degree.
Additionally taking part in for a similar group could be one other large receiver that’s rising, Marcel Williams from Pompano Seaside (Fla.) Blanche Ely. Extra about Williams and some extra prospects on Sunday morning.
Nice begin to the seven-on-seven season by way of 7v7 Elite’s match.
Jan. 13 – Replace #2
Some of the pure working backs in the whole state of Florida, and the nation, could be Stacy Gage. The 5-foot-10 and 200-pound runner has determined a change in surroundings was wanted.
He’ll play for Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas this subsequent season. They have already got a wealth of expertise and have gained 4 consecutive state titles, so including a nationwide high 100 recruit like Gage will support the Raiders additional.
As for Gage, he is been closely recruited for a few seasons. The Oklahoma program has a shot as a result of Gage has household ties to that space, and he is been eager on Ohio State, Florida, and different applications as nicely.
Backside line, Gage is without doubt one of the greatest pure working backs for the category of 2024 and it’ll be attention-grabbing to see him play for Saint Thomas Aquinas earlier than he heads off to the faculty of his selection.
Jan. 13
Article cowl photograph is of Arkese Parks.
Primarily based on the latest historical past of recruiting, the month of January has a number of prospects that start to emerge. 2023 won’t doubtless be any completely different.
Past the plain big-time Florida prep skills like cornerback Charles Lester from Sarasota (Fla.) Riverview, edge Adarius Hayes from Largo (Fla.) Excessive Faculty, and large receiver James Randle from Daytona Seaside (Fla.) Mainland, amongst others, there are nonetheless quite a few 2024 prospects that not that many individuals find out about.
Some are from the Florida Panhandle and gained much less publicity due to it (see the primary two gamers on the listing beneath for examples), or for another purpose they only haven’t had sufficient recognition but.
Listed here are ten prospects, amongst many others, that both simply began to, or ought to begin gaining extra recruiting consideration. Simply maintain these prospects in thoughts as the category of 2024 recruiting information begins to select up.
Jason Patterson, RB, 6-0, 200, Sneads (Fla.) Excessive Faculty
Artavius Jones, DL, 6-4, 280, Blountstown (Fla.) Excessive Faculty
Riley Trujillo, QB, 6-4, 190, Jacksonville (Fla.) Bartram Path
Rodney Hill, LB, 5-11, 210, Palm Coast (Fla.) Flagler Palm Coast
Quentin Taylor, CB/S, 5-11, 170, Minneola (Fla.) Lake Minneola
Kendall Jackson, DL, 6-3, 250, Gainesville (Fla.) Buchholz
Arkese Parks, WR, 6-1, 180, Tampa (Fla.) Wharton
Joshua Lloyd, Edge, 6-2, 230, Deerfield Seaside (Fla.) Dillard
Tayshaun Burney, S, 5-10, 165, Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day Faculty
Jordyn Bridgewater, WR, Winter Backyard (Fla.) West Orange
Jan. 11 – Replace #2
The UCF Knights additionally supplied Madison’s teammate (see the replace beneath this one) and fellow large receiver, Likelihood Robinson. Robinson racked up 31 receptions for 609 yards and 13 touchdowns this previous season.
Like Madison, he has quite a few provides already together with however not restricted to Georgia, Ole Miss, Missouri, Kentucky, Auburn, Florida State, Michigan State, Miami, Illinois, Kentucky, and Maryland.
Watching Robinson play stay, he has some comparable tendencies to former nice gamers. One may even argue that Robinson’s type of play resembled former NFL nice and now Corridor of Fame member Marvin Harrison. Take into accout, that is type of play; no person acknowledged he is on the extent Harrison was. Take a look at the clips for one’s self.
Jan. 11
Among the best large receivers in Florida, and the whole United States, picked up a proposal from the UCF Knights.
Scroll to Proceed
James Madison II was part of one more state title run for Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas this previous season. It was the fourth consecutive title for the Raiders, and Madison was an instrumental half within the crew’s success.
He caught 19 passes for 407 yards and 6 touchdowns this previous season. That is an amazing 21.4 yards per reception for Madison.
The pace and athleticism of Madison are obvious, they usually include a 6-foot-3 and 205-pound body. His accomplishments and pure expertise helped him to have earned provides from applications like Michigan State, Colorado, Miami, Florida Sate, Georgia, LSU, Auburn, Penn State, Tennessee and Oregon amongst others.
Jan. 9
Good morning to all of the recruit-a-holics on the market. Some beneath the radar prospects which have lastly begun to get the eye they deserve.
Xavier Lucas, CB, 6-2, 185, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Dillard
One other prolonged cornerback from Dillard. Antoine Jackson simply signed with Miami from Dillard, and he’s comparable in measurement as Lucas. Lucas battles within the run sport, doesn’t thoughts taking part in bump protection, and possesses good open-field pace.
Vanderbilt, Michigan State, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, Temple and Miami are a number of the applications that Lucas holds a proposal from so far. Right here’s a take a look at his movie:
Solomon Williams, OLB/DE, 6-3, 235, Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day Faculty
Has begun to study the nuances of being an edge defender. Good pure weight distribution and may attain 250 kilos as he goes by way of a university energy and conditioning program. Most significantly, Williams can transfer nicely laterally. This enables him place flexibility as an outdoor linebacker and a defensive finish that would often drop into protection. Additionally makes use of highly effective arms to disengage from blockers.
He’s beginning to choose up fairly a number of provides. Simply because the new 12 months, Williams has Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, UCF, and Wake Forest.
Jake Weinberg, Ok, 5-10, 160, Lake Value (Fla.) American Heritage
It’s uncommon for kickers to earn provides early. Weinberg truly has a number of provides to select from, and already did. Now a Florida State Seminole, Weinberg is rated because the No. 1 2024 kicker within the nation by Kohl’s Skilled Camps, a corporation that works with kickers throughout the nation.
Good for Weinberg for placing within the work to be acknowledged at such an early stage of his profession, having his school already paid for, and taking part in Energy 5 soccer with FSU.
Lawal McCray, DE, 6-6, 250, Daytona Seaside (Fla.) Mainland
The Buccaneers are identified for high expertise, and the 2024 class has a number of Energy 5 prospects. McCray is without doubt one of the younger males that’s lastly on the radar in a giant manner. Size, quickness, and a body that can permit him to be 275-plus in school are all evident. He’s been selecting up provides like Rutgers, Auburn and this one:
That is not the one defensive finish that Michigan supplied lately.
Xavier Porter, DE, 6-4, 270, Tampa (Fla.) Catholic
Porter has placed on appreciable good weight through the previous two seasons at Catholic. He is able to taking part in defensive finish inside a three-man or four-man defensive scheme.
Apart from Porter’s latest provide from Michigan, in-state applications like UCF, USF, and Florida State are recruiting him onerous as nicely. Porter needs to be seeing fairly a number of extra provides coming his manner, as will a number of proficient gamers inside the Tampa Catholic program.
Jan. 6
**Among the best guys within the recruiting enterprise has been Larry Blustein. He is actually been within the recruiting world since 1970. Here is an necessary publish that Blustein lately put up:
**There are fairly a number of class of 2023 prospects which are nonetheless uncommitted and unsigned from the state of Florida. He is one from down in South Florida. Take a look at these stats:
Apart from the category of 2023 prospects, there are an abundance of underclassmen prospects throughout Florida that can see a spike in provides over the subsequent a number of weeks. Keep in mind, school soccer is coming to an in depth with the nationwide title sport between the Large 12’s TCU and SEC’s Georgia this subsequent Monday.
After that, school coaches shall be rather more lively with provides. It is sometimes the case annually. A lot of thos provides will definitely be prolonged to prospects throughout the Sunshine State. Listed here are a number of already doing nicely.
**One of many hottest names within the class of 2024 could be Homestead (Fla.) exterior linebacker La’Derrick Brunson. He has picked up provides from Colorado, UCF and Florida State since Jan. 1.
The Homestead space has lengthy since been probably the greatest talent-producing space in South Florida. All the south fringe of Miami, actually, has fairly a number of good gamers; that undoubtedly contains the Homestead Excessive Faculty program.
Here is a publish from Brunson’s most up-to-date provide from the Noles:
**One other prospect that is gaining main consideration from recruiters and has executed so for a very long time could be Miami (Fla.) Columbus edge defender TJ Capers. He is asserting his choice on Saturday. Capers will choose from Colorado, Miami, Georgia, Louisville and Southern California.
Jan. 4
After watching the Underneath Armour All-American Sport, simply wished to share ideas about a number of gamers from the state of Florida. Fast hitters, if one will.
**Andrew Harris and Michael Harris, twins and former UCF commitments, each performed nicely. Michael was credited with six tackles. That was probably the most for any participant within the sport. Andrew completed with three. The twins are nonetheless deciding on the place they are going to go to high school.
After the Underneath Armour sport, Andrew talked about UCF and Arkansas, the place former UCF defensive coordinator Travis Williams has gone, as being two of the choices for once they signal on Feb. 1.
**UCF signee John Walker impressed, however he was not the one defensive lineman from Florida that did.
All-around defensive lineman Rueben Bain needs to be thought-about one of many nation’s greatest no matter place. He simply discovered a approach to transfer previous blockers, and that is been the norm all through his highschool profession. Search for him to have a direct impression for the Miami Hurricanes. He performed at Miami (Fla.) Central.
**Sticking with the protection, cornerbacks Sharif Denson from Jacksonville (Fla.) Bartram Path and Robert Stafford from Melbourne (Fla.) Eau Gallie each confirmed their footwork and quickness. Denson will play at Florida and Stafford at Miami.
**One other defensive participant that was across the soccer could be Lewis Carter, linebacker from Tampa (Fla.) Catholic. He recorded 5 tackles on the night and the longer term Oklahoma Sooner proved to be one of many extra bodily gamers within the sport.
**Whereas top-notch cornerback Cormani McClain nonetheless didn’t signal his letter of intent with Miami or some other faculty, his abilities had been on show all night. It is unbelievable how athletic the 6-foot-
**Shifting to offense, unning again Richard Younger solely gained 20 yards from seven carries, however he had little room to run (similar with most different working backs). He hit the opening onerous and made probably the most of his carries. He confirmed why he’s the traditional downhill working again, but in addition with a burst of pace that almost all don’t possess. He performed for Lehigh Acres (Fla.) Lehigh.
**Fellow working again Cedric Baxter, Jr. scampered 13 yards for a landing and totaled 32 yards from seven carries. Baxter’s all-around working again instincts had been obvious as soon as once more. The Orlando (Fla.) Edgewater product has signed with Texas.
**Shifting away from offensive ability gamers, offensive lineman Roderick Kearney confirmed his quickness in opposition to some nice defensive linemen. He simply has actually good ft and an amazing quantity of upside. Kearney performed for Orange Park (Fla.) Excessive Faculty and can attend Florida.
**
Jan. 1 – Night Replace
After getting back from Underneath Armour’s practices immediately, a number of factors to make. Listed here are variety of the gamers that deserve point out after some actually good competitors immediately.
John Walker, DT, UCF signee from Kissimmee (Fla.) Osceola — See video up high for his explosiveness. He can flat out transfer. Additionally confirmed endurance with accepting and using teaching.
Walker has improved his block destruction methods. A number of instances he was in a tricky battle and ended up profitable a one-on-one due to shifting the offensive lineman’s arms off of him. Outcome: sack.
Lucas Simmons, OT, Clearwater (Fla.) Clearwater Academy Worldwide – Good kick step mixed with higher and higher arms because the day moved ahead. Actually like how Simmons competed. Is likely to be the most effective offensive deal with on the day, and he was definitely going in opposition to top-notch move rushers.
Rueben Bain, defensive finish, Miami (Fla.) Central – Finest move rusher. Bain is a beast. The Miami Hurricanes are gaining a 2023 recruit that may are available and play immediately on passing downs. Plus, along with his pure tenacity, Bain is able to taking part in a number of spots alongside the line of defense and continues to be aggressive. Rush finish, sturdy aspect finish, and even defensive deal with are spots he could make performs.
It’s a robust argument that Bain is the nation’s greatest pure move rusher, and I definitely haven’t seen a greater one. He was on fireplace immediately. The next video is simply a part of the proof:
Richard Younger, working again, Lehigh Acres (Fla.) Lehigh – Whereas most of these occasions with out going full tackle-to-the-ground type practices don’t profit energy working backs, that didn’t cease Younger from exhibiting his pace and imaginative and prescient.
He’s additionally fairly elusive in tight quarters, utilizing brief, uneven steps to maneuver by way of the second degree of the protection. Alabama and Nick Saban are gaining a fantastic working again.
Sam M’Pemba, defensive finish, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy — He is actually coming round to taking part in defensive finish. He was a decent finish as a junior for IMG. M’Pemba has continued so as to add mass and maintain his pace on the similar time, as nicely.
He’ll doubtless want a 12 months or two of apply time to develop into actually big-time for the Georgia Bulldogs, however M’Pemba has all of the upside on this planet.
Elliot Washington, cornerback, Venice (Fla.) Excessive Faculty – Washington’s measurement and energy support him with redirecting a number of the receivers at Underneath Armour. Now, which spot within the secondary does he find yourself taking part in for the Penn State Nittany Lions?
Together with his total skills, nickel nook, boundary nook or exterior nook are all doable. Search for him to play as a freshman at Penn State.
Search for extra updates from Underneath Armour practices arising over the subsequent few days.
Jan. 1 – Morning Replace
Heading over to the Underneath Armour All-American Sport apply in a short time to see quite a few prospects compete. There shall be updates about a number of prospects from the state of Florida.
Talking of, will probably be enjoyable to see UCF signee John Walker combine it up with high-level expertise through the UA apply.
The 6-foot-4 and 310-pound Walker performed for Kissimmee (Fla.) Osceola. He’s anticipated to make an immediate impression for the Knights.
As a reminder, updates (pictures and movies included) later immediately from the UA apply. So test again with this text as will probably be up to date with extra data.
Subsequent, one thing that’s all the time good to see, a participant getting in work.
Considered one of Florida’s greatest, Darren “Goldie” Lawrence, is the participant within the video beneath. He’s from Sanford (Fla.) Seminole and had quite a few school provides, together with Florida, UCF, Miami, Louisville, West Virginia, Michigan State, Ole Miss, Georgia Tech and Pittsburgh, and determined to signal with Florida State.
Lawrence is without doubt one of the best younger males an individual may meet. Good luck to him in Tallahassee.
Final for this replace, a direct take a look at how necessary getting concerned with younger prospects could be.
Jaime Ffrench, a category of 2025 recruit, has been an apparent Energy 5 prospect, based mostly on his play throughout seven-on-seven motion alone, for a minimum of two years.
He has additionally been doing nicely for Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin. Ffrench has been taking part in since his freshman season.
He snatches the soccer out of the air like a big-bodied receiver, and likewise has the strikes to realize lots of yards after the catch.
Past Notre Dame, different provides embody however aren’t restricted to, Florida, Florida State, USF, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, Coastal Carolina, Maryland, Ohio State and Michigan.
It is a younger man that has an opportunity to be one of many state of Florida’s most extremely coveted prospects.
