Archive for the ‘High School Football’ Category

Latwan Anderson is a Miami Hurricane

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Apparently ending what has turned into a bit of a soap opera since February 4th,  Glenville High School (Ohio) defensive back Latwan Anderson has committed to the University of Miami.  Anderson was scheduled to make an announcement at a press conference Wednesday morning but the conference was postponed because Glenville H.S. head coach Tedd Ginn Sr. was not able to make it.    According to Sports Illustrated,   Anderson is a Cane and will make the official announcement some time next week.  View Latwan Anderson’s highlight video.

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Ja’Juan Story Turning Heads Nation Wide

It took a little while but the entire nation is starting to hear what Gridironstuds.com has been saying for close to a year now and that is Ja’Juan Story is a beast.

Story was introduced to me by one of his high school coaches Robert Kazmier while we were discussing a hot 2010 Nature Coast High School prospect named Tevin Drake (signed with Western Michigan).  Actually,  the conversation turned to Ja’Juan’s older brother Antwan,  the 10.6 100 meter dash fullback before Kazmier hit me over the head with some startling news.   Antwan had a younger brother who was bigger and faster than him.   Most people would have hung up on the coach at this point figuring him to have a problem with lying but we’re in the Sunshine State and things like this are possible.  There’s one thing that never lies and that’s the eye in the sky so Coach Kazmier directed me to the highlight video and Story looked every bit the 6′4″ 180 lbs and 4.35 forty that was said.

Fast forward to 2010.   Thanks to Tevin Drake and others from the 2010 class,  Nature Coast Tech High School is no longer tucked so neatly into the corner of the Tampa area suburb known as Brooksville.  Jerome Brown is the most famous descendant for now but Nature Coast Tech is threatening to crank out an NFL player real soon.  Perhaps Ja’Juan Story is that guy.

Story entered into last week’s Bradenton Under Armour combine with a growing list of impressive college offers.  That list will grow after Story put on a show at the combine.  Under less than desirable running conditions,  Story put up the fastest 40 yard dash time at the camp with a 4.57.  He then took his size and speed to the 1-on-1 and 7-on-7’s.  Story did in defensive back after defensive back enroute to growing his legend.    Story has offers now from at least one school in each of the BCS Conferences with FSU, USF, Pitt, Kentucky, North Carolina, Iowa St. , Minnesota and West Virginia being a few to ask that he be their guy.

There were rumors out there that South Florida was the leader for his services but Coach Kazmier explained, “We went down there and met the staff and checked out a basketball game,”  Kazmier said.  “He liked it but he’s going to be thorough when making this decision.  He has a good head on his shoulders and he’s going to make the decision that’s best for him.”

The truth of the matter is that Story has no current leader and that’s probably best.  Offers are going to continue to pour in for him so there will be much to consider in the ensuing weeks and months.  No doubt there will be plenty of developments in Story’s recruiting this Spring.  Stay tuned.

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Top 2010 Recruit Killed in Murder Suicide

It’s always sad when you hear stories like this.  A young man on his way to a promising future only to have it cut short by violence.  It seems we are getting at least one of these stories per year now as youngsters struggle to get out of their environment and onto the promise of a great opportunity.

The latest victim is Rajaan Bennett out of Powder Springs, Georgia (McEachern High School).   Bennett was an outstanding running back at McEachern as he racked up over 1,800 yards his senior year and this was after grinding out 1,001 as a junior.  From a recruiting stand point,  Bennett was a 5′11″ 210 lbs, could bench press 325 lbs and squat over 500.   That’s a stud by anyone’s standards and with that Bennett had the grades to get into Vanderbilt,  the school he signed with on February 4th.   The promise of a great education and possible football future laid ahead of him.   However,  it was all snuffed out last Thursday as Bennett intervened in an argument between his mother and her ex-boyfriend.   Apparently,  the argument was over money and got out of hand.   When all was said and done,  Bennett was shot and killed by the mother’s ex-boyfriend, Clifton O’Neal Steager a Detroit native who also severely wounded Bennett’s friend before turning the gun on himself.

Every year now we are seeing young men who have made a tremendous sacrifice to achieve and when they do,  they have it all thrown away by senseless violence whether it comes in the form of domestic, gang or juvenile.  It’s a horrible testament to what’s going in our American cities as young men live a day to day struggle to survive.

You can check out Bennett’s exploits on the field on his highlight video:

YouTube Preview Image

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Under Armour Combine Miami Report

Over 250 of the best talent in South Florida converged on the Dolphins Training Facility this past weekend to take part in the Under Armour Combine.

Athletes’ height and weight were taken and they were tested in drills such as the 3 cone, 300 yard shuttle, pro shuttle, bench press, vertical jump and of course the 40 yard dash.

This year’s crew of competitors were not as fast as last year’s crew.  The 2010 class at the Miami UA Combine had a number of skilled position players go under 4.5 in the forty.  This year’s group had only a handful but that does not mean that there aren’t some solid players in the 2011 class.

In terms of who laid down the fastest forty time,  that one was easy.  Former Gulliver Prep wide receiver and soon to be Columbus High School Explorer Tacoi Sumler.  Sumler ripped up the 40 yard track in a blazing 4.33 time that made the scout on hand do a double take on his stop watch.  Sumler is an explosive athlete that has been on display for a the last three years.  His star continues to shine bright and his stock continues to rise.  Plantation H.S. defensive end, tight end Ryan Shazier cranked out an impressive 4.44 weighing in at 201 lbs.  Between Sumler’s time and Shazier size / speed combo,  that supersede anything that took place at last year’s Under Armour Combine in Miami.

Other times of note were: Phillip Dorsett WR (St. Thomas Aquinas) 4.43,  Avery Johnson - WR - (Ely H.S.) - 4.40, Marquis Noble WR (Bucholz H.S. - Gainesville) 4.49, Deontae West - DB (Hialeah H.S.) 4.54, Gary Holmes - RB - (Seminole Ridge H.S.) 4.52,  Melvin Noel - WR - (Dr. Krop) 4.53,  Tim Burton - CB - (Cardinal Gibbons) 4.57, Brandon Rose - CB - (West Broward) 4.57, Jeremy Cash - DB - (Plantation) 4.58, Andrew Johnson - CB - (Southridge H.S.) 4.59.

I was quite impressed with the way Niles Lawerence from Nova High School moved around.  The 6′2″ 297 lb. Lawerence was a linebacker,  believe it or not, last season for the Titans.   Lawerence laid down a 4.90 in the forty which was a time that rivaled quite a few of the wide receivers, running backs and defensive backs in attendance.  Lawerence is a prospect that is picking up steam with schools like Florida St., Michigan and Cincinnati taking a look at him.

DT Patrick Williams from University School showed his cat like quickness in 1-on-1 drills with the offensive linemen and impressed many in attendance.  St. Thomas Aquinas’ Jelani Hamilton was a big body moving well.  The 6′4″ 250 lb. Hamilton carries his frame like a linebacker and has the potential to make some things happen this upcoming season.

I spent a lot of my time eyeballing the 7-on-7 and 1-on-1 sessions.  Not surprisingly,  Northwestern’s Teddy Bridgewater was the most competent, confident and capable quarterback in the group.  Gavin Block of Dr. Krop H.S. in Miami showed some good things but not many QB’s stood out.

The Wide Receiver group had a number of solid players.  North Broward Prep’s A.J. Sebastiano is the most polished wide receiver in this class.  I continue to be impressed by his route running ability, releases from the line of scrimmage and overall football I.Q.   He’s not a blazer on the watch but is as fast as he needs to be to get away from any of the defensive backs covering him.  Andrew Johnson,  brother of former Ely High School standout Patrick Johnson, shows some great speed on the field.  With a little bit of polish he’s going to be a force to reckon with.  St. Thomas Aquinas’ Phillip Dorsett and Tevin Allen were impressive in the 1-on-1 and 7-on-7 sessions.  Both players looked explosive and comfortable running routes and sitting down in zones.  Sumler does not only rely on his speed,  he brings an accomplished route running ability to his game which makes him even more of a threat. Jesse York,  junior from Boyd Anderson H.S.,  is a brash, confident receiver who has substantial physical tools.  He’s one to keep an eye on.  Marken Michel also shows a tremendous amount of skill.   Michel has a powerful build, excellent quickness, good speed and an understanding of his wide receiver position.  He’s an underrated star that deserves some attention.

The defensive back group has some promising stars.  Jeremy Cash (Plantation H.S.),  was all over the field in the limited amount of reps you get at events like this.  Cash and teammate Ryan Shazier were hard not to notice when they took the field and were flying around.  Boyd Anderson’s Harmon Brown was full of talk but could back it up.  Reminded me a lot of Class of 2010 standout Tony Grimes with his intimidation and aggressiveness.  Brown has the confidence to play the cornerback position and adds to that some solid skills.   Cardinal Gibbons’ Tim Burton has the build and the skill to make big things happen in the Chiefs’ secondary in 2010.  Southridge High School’s  CB Andrew Johnson and Gerod Holliman also stood out in this group.  Both players are extremely competitive and when there’s a play to be made,  they are eager to make it.  Johnson and Holliman show great defensive back skills and good footwork.   They have benefited from the resurgence of Southridge High School under coach Pat Burrows.

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Top Ten 40 Times at 2010 Under Armour Orlando Combine

Pretty good times at the 2010 Orlando Under Armour Combine despite the fact that the event was conducted in wet conditions.  Mike Bellamy,  running back from Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda, FL was a name that many were mentioning.  He’s one to look out for this upcoming 2010 season.


Top Ten 40 yard dash times at Orlando Under Armour Combine

Player High School State Time
Rashad Green St. Thomas Aquinas FL 4.46
JJ Keels Florida Air Academy FL 4.49
Courtney Byrnes Boyd Anderson FL 4.5
Mike Bellamy FL 4.5
Justus Pickett NC 4.51
Brian Poole Bradenton FL 4.51
Jeff Driskell Hagerty FL 4.54
Blake Countess Good Counsel MD 4.54
Tyjuan Fray Ocala FL 4.54
Ryan Watson Deatur AL 4.55

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Under Armour Combine Dates for 2010

There may be an Under Armour Combine coming to a place near you. If you are a 2011, 2012 or 2013 football player looking to get a shot at a major college football scholarship, then attending one of these camps could increase your chances. Gather amongst some of the top athletes in your area and compete. If nothing else, it gives you a chance to see where you stack up against other players and what you may need to work on. Check out the dates below and for more information on registering for one of the combines, visit the Under Armour Combines website: http://combines.underarmour.com/

Feb

21

Football | Feb 19 - Feb 21 | Davie, FL

Dolphin’s Training Facility

Feb

28

Football | Feb 26 - Feb 28 | Bradenton, FL

IMG Academies

Mar

7

Football | Mar 5 - Mar 7 | Glendale, AZ

U of Phoenix Stadium Practice Field

Mar

14

Football | Mar 12 - Mar 14 | San Diego, CA

Del Norte High School

Mar

21

Football | Mar 19 - Mar 21 | Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College

Apr

4

Football | Apr 2 - Apr 4 | Bedford, TX

Pennington Field

Apr

18

Football | Apr 16 - Apr 18 | Charlotte, NC

Panthers Practice Facility

Apr

25

Football | Apr 23 - Apr 25 | Atlanta, GA

Georgia Dome

May

23

Football | May 21 - May 23 | Metairie, LA

Saints Practice Facility

Jun

6

Football | Jun 4 - Jun 6 | Lake Barrington, IL

Lake Barrington Field House

Jun

13

Football | Jun 11 - Jun 13 | Denver, CO

Foothills Indoor Sports Complex

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Class of 2010 Gridironstuds.com Signees

Here’s A List of the Class of 2010 Gridironstuds.com Members who signed Letters of Intent

GRIDIRONSTUDS.COM SIGNEES
QBs
1 Jake Heaps - BYU
2 Phillip Sims - Alabama
3 Connor Wood - Texas
4 Jesse Scroggins - USC
5 Brandon Doughty - Western Kentucky
6 Devin Gardner - Michigan
7 Dallas Lloyd - Stanford
8 Ricardo Young - Virginia Tech
9 Mark Leal - Virginia Tech
10 Marshyl Rothman - Cornell
11 Munchie Legaux - Cincinnati
12 Trevius Folston - Jacksonville
13 Greg Watson - Fresno St.
14 Chris O’Leary - Indiana St.
15 Joe Boisture - Michigan St.
16 Joe Brennan - Wisconsin
17 Jermaine Kelson - Marshall
18 Jeremy Johnson - West Virginia
19 Leron Thomas - Hampton
20 Trey Demler - North Dakota
21 Jacob Russell - Eastern Kentucky
RBs
22 James Potts - Buffalo
23 Lache Seastrunk - Oregon
24 Deontae Cooper - Washington
25 Eduardo Clements - Miami
26 Giovanni Bernard - North Carolina
27 James White - Wisconsin
28 Corvin Lamb - Louisville
29 Tevin Drake - Western Michigan
30 Brady Earnhardt - Army
31 Taylor James - Princeton
32 Ethan Grant - TCU
33 Shontrelle Johnson - Iowa St.
34 Antwan Chisholm - Marshall
35 Jakhari Gore - LSU
36 Corey Grant - Alabama
37 Lucky Radley - Utah
38 Anthony Brown - USC
39 Darion Hall - Miami
40 Jeremy Davis - Miami
41 Ramon Abreu - Arizona St.
WRs
42 Kyle Prater - USC
43 Chris Dunkley - Florida
44 Kadron Boone - LSU
45 Michaele Harris - Louisville
46 De’Joshua Johnson - Florida St.
47 Adrian Coxson - Florida
48 O.J. Ross - Purdue
49 Ace Sanders - South Carolina
50 Allen Hurns - Miami
51 Darius Millines - Illinois
52 Shawn Corker - Texas Tech
53 Cortney Lester - Buffalo
54 Quadrias Mireles - Mississippi
55 Fred Pickett - Marshall
56 Kevin Smith - Washington
57 Greg Dent - Florida St.
58 Kenny Shaw - Florida St.
59 Tyrone Williams - Ohio St.
60 Chris Boyd - Vanderbilt
61 James Louis - Ohio St.
62 Arione Scott - Towson St.
63 Jonathan Taylor - Central Michigan
64 Trevor Niemann - Dartmouth
65 Salath Williams - Pittsburgh
66 Clayton Cooper - Air Force
67 Jordan Evans - Brown
OL
68 Parker Mack - Princeton
69 Cody Gibson - South Carolina
70 Chris Acosta - Louisville
71 Perry Meiklejohn - UCF
72 Sean Marben - Navy
TE
73 Braddie Ellison -
74 Brice Hawkes - Syracuse
75 Marcus Howard - San Jose St.
76 Alex Welch - Notre Dame
77 Harrison Jones - Alabama
DL
78 David Perry - Miami
79 Joe Grap - Frostburg University
80 Robbie Zauck - New Hampshire
81 Nordly Capi - Colorado St.
82 Josh Shirley - UCLA
83 Carter Street - Louisiana Tech
84 Holmes Onwukaife - Florida St.
85 Deon Rogers - Louisville
86 Jackson Richards - Texas Tech
87 Corey Lemonier - Auburn
88 Johnathan Hankins - Ohio St.
89 Lynden Trail - Florida
90 Max Beaulieu - Syracuse
LB
91 Jeff Luc - Florida St.
92 Ed Foley - Jacksonville
93 Quintin Tucker -
94 Desmond Bozeman - Western Michigan
95 Justin Birkenholz - Central Connecticut
96 Zach Greenwald - Sacred Heart
97 Ellis Glaw - Dartmouth
98 Doug Rigg - West Virginia
99 Victor Burnett - Washington
100 Anthony Beard - SMU
DB
101 Vladimir Rock - Mercy Hurst
102 Khambrel McGee - FIU
103 Tony Grimes - Ole Miss
104 Joe Johnson - Marshall
105 Cody Riggs - Florida
106 Johnnie Simon - Western Michigan
107 Dwellie Striggles - Buffalo
108 Matt Elam - Florida
109 Joshua Shaw - Florida
110 Lorenzo Waters - Rutgers
111 Corey Ford - Towson
112 Cullen Christian - Michigan
113 Spencer Boyd - Notre Dame
114 Dion Bailey - USC
115 Shaquille Richardson - UCLA
116 Johnathan Dowling - Florida
117 Jaylen Watkins - Florida
118 Adrian White - Texas
119 Earnest Thomas - Illinois
120 Chris Badger - Notre Dame
121 Lo Wood - Notre Dame
122 Jonathon Mincy - Auburn
123 Dyshawn Davis - Syracuse
124 Demarcus Milliner - Alabama
125 Daniel Jones - Northwestern
126 Gareef Glashen - Rutgers
127 Darius Robinson - Clemson
128 Terrence Mitchell - South Florida
129 Reynaldo Kirton - Harvard
130 Brian Jones - Ball St.
131 Antoine Tharp - U. Mass.
132 Lamarcus Joyner - FSU
133 Kyle Abberton - Yale

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Tevin Drake, Ja’Juan Story Receiver Marshall Offers

Nature Coast coach Mark Lee spent the past few days at the American Football Coaches Association in Orlando talking to former coworkers.

Among them was first-year Marshall coach Doc Holliday, who was hired in December. Lee worked with Holliday at West Virginia in 1999.

The result of their brief reunion was a pair of scholarship offers for Nature Coast senior running back Tevin Drake and junior receiver/defensive back Ja’Juan Story.

Drake spoke with Holliday on Wednesday morning and will take an official visit to the school next week. He has plans to visit Western Michigan this weekend.

Drake, who finished as the North Suncoast’s second leading rusher of all-time with (5,103) career yards and (71) touchdowns, had an offer from Miami last summer (it was later rescinded) and turned down an offer to take an official visit to Minnesota. He also had been in communication with Oregon and Georgia at various points of the recruiting process. Drake said Wednesday in a text message he also has offers from Florida International, Florida Atlantic and Memphis.

“They can’t believe he’s available,” Lee said. “When Doc talks that highly of a kid that’s a good thing. He’s one of the top recruiters in the country.”

Story received his first offer in August from Florida International. Lee said there’s a lot of interest surrounding the 6-foot-4, 180-pound Story.

Complete Story:
Drake is visiting Western Michigan this weekend also.

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Disasterous 24 Hours for Tennessee Football

First it started with the decommitment of top rated linebacker from Westlake High School in Atlanta, Michael Taylor on Sunday. Then came the loss of head coach Lane Kiffin. This also resulted in the loss of defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin and recruiting henchman Ed Ogeron. Now recruits are saying bye-bye to the Vols. Tennessee’s attempt to become relevant in the college football world has been put in a figure four leg lock.

Lane Kiffin leaving is obviously a big deal but the biggest loss for Tennessee is Kiffin’s dad Monte Kiffin. I have spoken to several defensive recruits and the majority have said that the major reason they are considering Tennessee is because of the chance to work under Monte Kiffin and get an “NFL education.” Now that opportunity is gone and so are the recruits, one by one.

Evidence of what I am saying can be found in the fact that over the last 24 hours, Tennesse has lost commitments from top recruits Brandon Willis, Calvin Smith, Delvin Jones and A.J. Johnson. All four of these players along with Taylor who decommitted on Sunday, play on the defensive side of the ball. With Monte Kiffin packing his bags for USC, the appeal of Tennessee to these recruits has dwindled in value like an Internet stock portfolio.

There’s still highly recruited defensive ends Jacques Smith and Corey Miller still committed to Knoxville for now but with others bolting, they may rethink their plans. Anymore jumps off of the Tennessee ship could lead to another disaster for the Vols and that’s a rush to hire leading to another hire that’s “not right” for them.

There are whispers of Mike Leach coming. That will certainly deter some defensive talent from Knoxville unless Leach were hired and saddled up with a high impact defensive coordinator. Oh I tell ya, this recruiting things is crazy. I almost can’t wait for the next piece of big news from some college campus. It’s like “As the World Turns” right now.

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Sony Michel …. Ahead of His Time

8th Grade Running Back Turns Football Establishment on it’s Ear.

It’s 7:58 P.M. on a Monday in the Michel household. Sony Michel grabs the remote control for the living room television and changes the channel to Fox Sports. Someone remarks that the game (FedEx Orange Bowl) is not on yet but Sony could care less. The game will be on soon and he wants to be on the channel before it’s time. For Sony Michel, it’s been a lifetime of doing things before he’s supposed to.

Michel burst onto the scene in 2009 when he strapped American Heritage High School on his back and led them to the playoffs behind his 1,800 yards rushing and 20 TDs. Certainly, these are strong numbers but certainly nothing that has not been accomplished by other backs in the great state of Florida. However, when you consider that Michel was 14 years old and in the 8th grade, you are forced to realize that Michel is in uncharted waters.

Yes, I said it, Michel is in the 8th grade. American Heritage is a private school that services children from kindergarten through 12th grade. This fact allowed Michel to take the field as an 8th grader and take the State by storm.

Many have been amazed by what Sony Michel has accomplished but for those in the Michel household and in the surrounding Pembroke Park neighborhood he grew up in, there was never any doubt that Michel would excel on the varsity gridiron this year.

“I expected him to do well,” said Marken, one of Sony’s older brothers who is a highly talented wide receiver on American Heritage’s team. “He was not going to be your typical 8th grader.”

Doubts from outsiders has been a way of life for Sony also. However, the doubts about Sony have not been about what he can do. They have been about his true age. Not many 8th graders are 5′11 180 lbs. with 4.4 speed and 10.9 speed in the 100 meters. As Sony grew up playing football and running track, there was always controversy about his age. This would always come after Michel either ran a team into the ground on the gridiron or left them in the dust on the track. Official meetings by event organizers after Sony’s performances were the norm. Sony never let it bother him.

“I got used to people hatin,” said Sony. “It made me feel like I was real fast.”

Sony was born on February 17, 1995 in an Orlando, Florida hospital. A fact backed up by strong head nods from his father sitting on the couch. Sony’s father thinks it’s ridiculous that these doubts exist especially when he was there to see his son born 14 years ago.

Sony’s athletic career began on the baseball diamond. He and Marken played baseball for three seasons before the baseball program at their park folded. One day, a football coach from their neighborhood park spotted both Sony and Marken and encouraged the pair to play football. Coach Dennis Butler took the brothers onto his 80 lb. team and introduced them to the sport. With their good size but limited knowledge of the game, both brothers were placed on the offensive line their first season. They would never see the line again after that first year.

The following season, Marken, who’s 20 months older than Sony, moved up to a higher weight class and Sony stayed behind. One day while Coach Butler was away from practice, Sony destroyed the starting running back in a hitting drill. Butler’s assistant coach called him and told him that he thinks Sony had the talent to play running back.

“I was surprised at his determination to play running back,” Butler said. “He did not want to go back on the line.”

That determination would mark Sony’s rise to success as he never looked back from that point forward. Sony would eventually replace the starting running back who moved to another park’s football program. From then on, he would run through, around and over opposing defenses leading his team to many victories. Sony would team up with Marken again on the 115’s and the two were a formidable pair. As a member of the 165 lb. team at West Dade Optimist, the pair led their team to a win over Luther Campbell’s Liberty City team. Campbell’s team had not lost a game in five years.

A big part of Sony’s game on the gridiron is his speed. From an early age, Sony showed the ability to run.

“I think running the bases made me faster,” Sony explains.

By 11 years old, coach Butler started a track team to “give the kids something to do.” Sony was an instant success. He would go on to win every 100 meter event that he entered into that season and this led to biggest noise about his age.

“I had to bring my original birth certificate to one meet,” said Sony.

His dominance and size led to much skepticism but in the end, opponents were forced to deal with the fact that he was of legal age for his group.

“The same ones that said he was too old were the same ones that looked stupid when be brought his birth certificate,” Marken stated.

By the time 8th grade rolled around, Sony was ready for bigger and better challenges. He had dominated the youth leagues and even had a stint in a league known as the Diamond League. The league was started by a coach in the neighborhood who wanted to keep the kids out of trouble. What the Diamond League allowed Sony to do was compete against 17 year olds when he was 12. Sony did not take the Diamond League by storm as he had at South Florida Optimist but it did give him the opportunity to bang heads with older kids and have no fear of older competition.

When the 2009 season rolled around and Sony was brought to American Heritage, his eyes were on varsity eventhough others had their doubts. An assistant coach for the varsity team insisted that there was no way that an 8th grader could take a varsity football pounding. One afternoon in summer drills changed that thought.

American Heritage head coach Byron Walker observed Sony giving 11th and 12th graders all they could handle and declared that the kid would play varsity.

Sony’s varsity career as a running back did not start in spectacular fashion. He had a couple of good performances but then came game four of the season which Sony’s oldest brother Allan describes as “the turning point.”

Sony gutted a then undefeated North Broward Prep football team for 281 yards and three touchdowns including a kickoff return taken to the house. Sony went from the 8th grader who could survive playing varsity football to the 8th grader who could dominate varsity football. Sony’s 14 carries per game now went to 22 carries per game and coach Walker rode the workhorse all the way to the 2nd round of the Florida State playoffs.

At season’s end, Sony accumulated 1,825 yards rushing on 248 carries for an average of 7.36 yards per carry with 20 TDs. At this pace, he would end up with 9,125 yards for his career surpassing Emmit Smith’s state of Florida career rushing record. It’s a thought Sony has not spent a lot of time with.

“My goals are really year to year,” said Sony. “I started out this year just wanting to rush for 1,000 yards.”

It’s an example of Sony’s humility despite his never ending success.

“I believe in these two (Sony and Marken) more than they do,” older brother Allan said.

Sony’s highlight video on Gridironstuds.com has been met with both amazement and skepticism. The emails have come in asking about his true age and expressing doubt. Sony did repeat one grade growing up but even if he accomplished all that he did this year as a high school freshman, it would still be remarkable.

A lifetime of playing on teams that were low in numbers and playing against older competition prepared Sony for what many people felt was impossible.

“I always told him that he’s just going to have to get the ball and run because there isn’t much blocking,” Butler said.

It all led up to the amazing performance that Sony had in 2009 and to the amazing performances that he will continue to put up in front of people who aren’t ready to see it. Sony Michel is truly ahead of him time.

You Can View Sony Michel’s highlight video at Gridironstuds.com.  Click here now.

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