The annual Miami Nike High School football camp can comfortably make the case for being the most talent laden event in the Nike showcase each offseason. The 2010 event did not disappoint as what seemed to be about 300 or so prospects participated.
Often times the focus in these events are on well known prospects. With that being the case, it’s a joy to find the undiscovered and the diamonds in the rough.
Miami LaSalle High School’s Courtney Moshood would fall into that category. I was warned about Moshood’s skills by South Florida recruiting guru Larry Blustein and he really hit the nail on the head. Moshood displayed great explosion, speed and balance in the drills. He then took those tools to the competitive drills (7-on-7 and 1-on-1) where he built a bit of a name for himself. Moshood can get it done on both sides of the ball with great cornerback skills and wide receiver talents to boot. The 5’9″ 155lb. Moshood is one to watch during the summer and this upcoming football season.
Moshood’s LaSalle teammate QB Rafi Montalvo also stood out in what was an unimpressive QB group performance at the camp. For a 6’0″” 186 lb. QB, Montalvo could really spin the ball out of his hand and make all the necessary throws. He was also as accurate as any other QB in attendance. Size will be an issue for Montalvo as he attempts to get recruited as a QB but skill will not be a knock against this prospect.
Northwestern’s Teddy Bridgewater did well to show up and solidify himself as one of if not the top QB prospect in the Country of South Florida. Bridgewater had no problem locating open receivers in half field 3-on-3 drills and at this point, Bridgewater can do those type drills in his sleep. Countless reps in 7-on-7′s now means Bridgewater can now spot an ant sitting down wide open between two blades of grass. Though slight of build, Calvary Christian QB Javan Shashaty consistently found the open man in 3-on-3 drills displaying the skills that led to 3,200 passing yards and 38 TDs in 2009.
Florida 6-A champs Miramar H.S. had a full presence at the event as over a dozen players participated. This included a quintet of receivers (Malcolm Lewis, Jeremiah London, Donnell Harris, Khambrel Jenkins and Devonte Mathis). There’s no doubt that Miramar opponents will have to keep their nickel and dime coverages handy this season.
American Heritage Plantation H.S. wide receiver Marken Michel continues to impress in the camp circuit. Michel left several DB’s in space covering air as he was by himself catching a football. His explosiveness off of the line and ability to befuddle DB’s during his routes has left him consistently open against most trying to cover him. Tacoi Sumler was as smooth as ever. With word on his speed hitting the airwaves, Sumler has used that to find himself open routinely on short to medium routes.
St. Thomas Aquinas wide receiver Rashad Greene was arguably the most impressive WR in attendance. Green is fluid and wastes no motion going in and out of his breaks. This makes him a tough assignment for all defensive backs. Glades Central defensive back Jamie Wilson was also a tough draw for defensive backs trying to look good on Sunday. Wilson had one of the best catches of the day going up high to “Moss” a defensive back in 3-on-3 drills. Although teammate Andre Davis is getting most of the attention, Tampa Jefferson High School wide receiver Chris Moore may have stolen some of the spotlight with his speed, precision and fluidity running routes. Wide receivers were in deep supply and to think that you could point out all the top performers in this group, you would be nuts. Northwestern’s Eli Rogers could not be covered in 1-on-1′s. North Broward Prep’s A.J. Sebastiano had more trouble than usual getting separation but it didn’t matter because he took the ball away from defenders that were glued to him on some routes.
The defensive backs were also impressive at the event. Former McArthur high school turned Miramar Patriot Steve Montgomery showed great change of direction and explosion. Montgomery is holding offers from Maryland, Western Kentucky and UCF. He is looking for a Florida St. offer and the Seminoles would be a front runner if and when they do come forward with one. Treasure Coast High School continues to show that Jeff Luc is not the only star. Coach Aaron Shepard brought down defensive backs Keelin Smith and Lamarcus Brutus. Both players more than held their own in all the drills. Smith, an oddly tall cornerback at 6’3″ neutralized many a wide receiver at the line of scrimmage with his ridiculous reach and strength. Brutus used great instincts and awareness to find himself in throwing lanes. Brutus had one of the best interceptions of the day going up high to take a ball out of a receiver’s hands.
Johnathan Aiken was another defensive back that stood out showing great quickness and technique to foil several plays in the 3-on-3 sessions. Miramar’s Tracey Howard continues to build on the momentum he built up during Miramar’s state championship run. Howard has an eye for the ball and a nose for the big play. Howard will team up with Montgomery this season to give Miramar a defensive backfield that people will notice.
8th Grader Sony Michel continues to hang with the big boys turning in a solid performance against some of the top talent on hand. Mikail McCall traveled all the way from Illinois to participate in the event and he made the most of it. The 2011 running back has an impressive build to go along with great athletic ability. The individual who traveled the furthest for the camp, Harvey Langi was also the camp’s running back MVP. Langi came from Binghamton, Utah to take part in the camp.
There was also an impressive group of offensive and defensive linemen on hand. University School’s Abraham Garcia, a mountain of a prospect, standing at 6’4″ 339 lbs. The 2012 offensive lineman showed great technique, feet and balance in 1-on-1 drills. Zach Debell from Tarpon Springs stands 6’7″ 260 lbs. and showed why schools from coast to coast are interested. DeBell moves his frame well and looks like he can add quite a bit more weight. No discussion of prep offensive linemen is complete without mentioning Giorgio Newberry of Ft. Pierce Central. Newberry was in attendance and did his thing.
The defensive linemen were talented as well. Avery Young (Palm Beach Gardens) was as athletic and strong as any defensive lineman out there and the offensive line had their hands full dealing with him in 1-on-1′s. Giovani Francois from Bradenton Southeast looks like a star in the making. He showed a lot of heart, grit and determination in competitive drills, not to mention quickness and strength. Homestead’s Ricardo Williams is a specimen that will continue to rise this recruiting season. The 6’5″ 210 lb. product was a load in competitive drills. Willie Paisley, who played with Carol City in 2009 and is headed to Miramar next season is a prospect to keep your eyes on. Paisley was a MVP at the Schuman’s Underclassman combine last month. At 6’1″ 328, he’s a bad matchup for most offensive linemen in front of him. St. Thomas Aquinas’ Jelani Hamilton (2012) showed his worth. Hamilton is a strong prospect with good size speed and determination. Hamilton likes to compete and once he irons out some technical flaws he will spend a lot of time in opponent’s backfields. There were just too many impressive offensive and defensive linemen to name them all.
Overall, the talent at the camp was deep and many sure fire Division-I prospects displayed their talent.
High School Football
abraham garcia, andre davis, avery young, courtney moshood, devonte mathis, donnell harris, giovanni francois, harvey lane, jamie wilson, jeremiah london, johnathan aiken, khambrel jenkins, lamarcus brutus, malcolm lewis, marken michel, mika'il mccall, rafi montalvo, rashad greene, ricardo williams, sony michel, steve montgomery, willie paisley, zach debell
