Class of 2021 Prospects Made A Major Impact

Larry Blustein February 17, 2021 @ 08:34 AM

With the recent release of the final Class of 2021 Florida High School Football ranking, several prospects used this season to change the perception on the recruiting front. Because of the pandemic, the NCAA kept its member schools in a “not contact” period, which made the season tougher on those prospects looking to make an impression. <img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-109777" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/02/Prep-Redzone-GrabbingtheSpotlight-8-300x187.jpg" alt="Top 100 Class 2021" width="300" height="187" />In the over a year since college coaches could see these football players live, there has been growth, maturity and plenty of positives that have transpired without the college coaches getting an opportunity to see this all unfold. THE TOP TIER IS STILL ELITE While there was movement by some prospects from the first ranking we did last summer, athletes such as Alabama bound [player_tooltip player_id="32612" first="J.C." last="Latham"] (OL, 6-6, 310, Bradenton IMG Academy), University of Oklahoma signee [player_tooltip player_id="32614" first="Mario" last="Williams"] (WR, 5-11, 170, Plant City), Miami Palmetto defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id="32611" first="Leonard" last="Taylor"] (6-4, 285, Miami Palmetto) and safety [player_tooltip player_id="32615" first="James" last="Williams"] (6-4, 205, Plantation American Heritage) – both headed to the University of Miami – remained at the top – with impressive play. Palmetto fell one game short of a first event 8A state title appearance – while Williams and his Patriots captured the 5A state title. When he de-committed from the University of Tennessee, [player_tooltip player_id="32613" first="Terrence" last="Lewis"] (LB, 6-1, 200, Miami Central) was at Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna. He changed schools at won a 6A state title with the Rockets and signed with the University of Maryland. Alabama-bound receiver [player_tooltip player_id="32617" first="Jacorey" last="Brooks"] (WR, 6-3, 185, Bradenton IMG Academy), and Florida signees [player_tooltip player_id="32619" first="Jason" last="Marshall"] (DB, 6-2, 190) and [player_tooltip player_id="32623" first="Corey" last="Collier"] (S, 6-2, 180) from Miami Palmetto had impressive years as the Panthers advanced further than any other program in school history – losing in the state semifinal. WATCHING THEIR STOCK RISE As many of the elite prospects performed at a level where college coaches and recruiting analysts felt they would be – there were several who watched their stock rise during this crazy season – where practicing a full week never happened. Prospects such as Alabama signee [player_tooltip player_id="32622" first="Dallas" last="Turner"] (OLB, 6-4, 245, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, who traded a promising basketball career for football and life with Nick Saban. Other prospects who watched their stock soar this season – included University of Miami signee [player_tooltip player_id="32637" first="Laurence" last="Seymore"] (OG, 6-1, 270, Miami Central), who led the Rockets as a three-year starter and as a two-time 6A state champion. Florida signee [player_tooltip player_id="32639" first="Marcus" last="Burke"] (WR, 6-3, 180, Jacksonville Trinity Christian), Alabama receiver [player_tooltip player_id="32620" first="Agiye" last="Hall"] (6-2, 185, Valrico Bloomingdale) and current Clemson offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id="32627" first="Marcus" last="Tate"] (6-5, 300, Miami Gardens TRU Prep Academy), who enrolled in January. For every prospect like Michigan signee [player_tooltip player_id="32618" first="J.J." last="McCarthy"] (QB, 6-2, 195, Bradenton IMG Academy), University of Southern California-bound tight end [player_tooltip player_id="32630" first="Michael" last="Trigg"] (6-4, 220, Tampa Carrollwood Day) and Auburn signee [player_tooltip player_id="32636" first="Terrion" last="Arnold"] (S, 6-2, 190, Tallahassee St. John Paul), there are prospects such as Arizona State signee [player_tooltip player_id="32649" first="Tommi" last="Hill"] (S, 6-2, 190, Orlando Edgewater), University of Miami signee [player_tooltip player_id="32665" first="Brashard" last="Smith"] (WR, 5-10, 180, Miami Palmetto), and Texas A&M signees [player_tooltip player_id="32660" first="Amari" last="Daniels"] (RB, 5-9, 190) and [player_tooltip player_id="32656" first="Yulkeith" last="Brown"] (Athlete, 5-11, 180), who both led Miami Central to another state title. FLORIDA SCHOOLS STRIKE GOLD Because of Covid, and many athletes opting to stay closer to home, several Top 100 prospects decided to stay home and attend Miami, Florida or FSU. Orlando Boone DE [player_tooltip player_id="32642" first="Shambre" last="Jackson"] (6-5, 265) chose FSU. So did Lehigh DB [player_tooltip player_id="32654" first="Omarion" last="Cooper"] (6-1, 175), [player_tooltip player_id="32678" first="Patrick" last="Payton"] (OLB, 6-5, 210, Miami Northwestern), [player_tooltip player_id="32913" first="Shyheim" last="Brown"] (OLB, 6-1, 190, Lake City Columbia) and Hollywood McArthur's [player_tooltip player_id="32693" first="Kevin" last="Knowles"] (FS, 5-10, 175). Chaminade-Madonna running back Thad Franklin (6-2, 220) stayed at home to play for the Hurricanes. So did Miami Northwestern receivers [player_tooltip player_id="32631" first="Romello" last="Brinson"] (6-2, 180) and [player_tooltip player_id="32651" first="Jacolby" last="George"] (6-0, 170, Plantation), safety [player_tooltip player_id="32632" first="Kamren" last="Kinchens"] (6-0, 190), offensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id="32676" first="Michael" last="McLaughlin"] (6-7, 290) and [player_tooltip player_id="32664" first="Ryan" last="Rodriguez"] (6-3, 285, Miami Christopher Columbus), tight end [player_tooltip player_id="32690" first="Kahlil" last="Brantley"] (6-2, 200, Miami Northwestern) and Columbus DE [player_tooltip player_id="32667" first="Jabari" last="Ishmael"], a 6-5, 225-pounder. Besides the Palmetto defensive backs, the Gators struck with St. Thomas Aquinas DE [player_tooltip player_id="32626" first="Tyreak" last="Sapp"] (6-2, 255), defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id="32679" first="Desmond" last="Watson"] (6-6, 330, Seffner Armwood), safety [player_tooltip player_id="32653" first="Dakota" last="Mitchell"] (6-0, 185, Winter Park), cornerback [player_tooltip player_id="32687" first="Jordan" last="Young"] (6-0, 185, Tampa Gaither), tight ends [player_tooltip player_id="32670" first="Gage" last="Wilcox"] (6-4, 228, Tampa Jefferson), [player_tooltip player_id="32826" first="Rocco" last="Underwood"] (6-4, 220, Lake Mary), [player_tooltip player_id="32672" first="Nick" last="Elksnis"] (6-5, 220, Jacksonville Episcopal), [player_tooltip player_id="32688" first="Christopher" last="Thomas"] (DL, 6-6, 275, Fort Myers Dunbar, Offensive linemen Austin Barbar (6-7, 300, Jacksonville Trinity Christian) and [player_tooltip player_id="32884" first="Jake" last="Slaughter"] (6-4, 300, Ocala Trinity Catholic) and several other Top 100 prospects. To check out the entire Final Top 100 Plus listing, click here: <a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/rankings/2021-rankings/">https://prepredzone.com/2021/02/updated-2021-florida-rankings/</a> You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Foridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.