Dillard Is Florida’s Best Kept Secret
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For those who follow football in the Sunshine State, there are so many programs who are on the verge of breaking out. Fort Lauderdale Dillard is one of them. Pay no attention to the fact that the Panthers were elevated…
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Continue ReadingFor those who follow football in the Sunshine State, there are so many programs who are on the verge of breaking out. Fort Lauderdale Dillard is one of them.
Pay no attention to the fact that the Panthers were elevated to 7A – with national powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas becoming a major obstacle – this program is indeed on the verge, like all the other athletic programs at the school, of breaking out in a major way.
One of the largest 6-12 public school programs in the state, Dillard has already started to make some rather large waves – with 8th graders taking their place on the varsity program.
Remember, this is a team that has won 18 of their past 19 games – and are easily the biggest secret in Florida, and it’s not even close.
With alumnus Tyler Tate taking over with the untimely and tragic passing of head coach Eddie Frazier in the spring of 2020 was something that not only hit the Dillard community hard, but to high school football coaches, fans and players all over the country, his passing was something that was close to home for so many.
After finishing 12-1 in 2019 and going undefeated (6-0) this past season, including a 6A Tri-County title, Tyler and his coaches have been working hard this spring – with Tate, a three-time state champion offensive coordinator at Chaminade-Madonna, who was excited about coming back home.
In winning the 6A South Florida Tri-County Gold Bracket championship, 32-6, over North Miami Beach, this program capped off a perfect season and left everyone believing that 2021 could be special.
Wins over Fort Lauderdale (42-20), McArthur (58-6), Blanche Ely (38-0), Pahokee (49-6) and Glades Central (31-6) showed just how solid this program is.
2022 IS LOADED WITH TALENT
There is no getting around that the Panthers, who moved up to 7A recently, are very talented in this rising senior class.
Among the game-changers include nationally-rated Nyjalik Kelly Nyjalik Kelly 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Fort Lauderdale Dillard | 2022 State FL (DE, 6-5, 240) and FSU commitment Devaughn Mortimer Devaughn Mortimer 5'11" | 160 lbs | WR Fort Lauderdale Dillard | 2022 State FL (WR, 5-11, 180), who are both among the best in the state and have been promoted nationally.
Also, top-flight prospects such as Method Bradley (RB, 5-11, 185), D’Mon Brinson D’Mon Brinson DB Fort Lauderdale Dillard | 2022 FL (CB, 5-11, 180), Christian Murphy (LB, 6-2, 215), Stephen Landers (SS, 6-1, 190) and receiver Jaccari Shakes (6-3, 185) are also heavily recruited in a class that is indeed stacked with talent.
Other players to watch in the 2022 class include Jalen Coleman (CB, 5-10, 170), Vondarius Faulkner (G, 6-1, 285), Cornelius Fuller (SS/LB, 6-1, 175), Darryl Garrett (WR, 6-1, 180) and Zantwon James (SS/OLB, 6-0, 190). There is also receiver Travis Jean (5-10, 170), Delvin Jones (OLB, 6-0, 205), versatile Navar Maine (QB/WR, 6-0, 190), Avontae Smith (CB/S, 6-1, 190) and Daniel Smith-Wilson (LB, 6-0, 215)
IMPRESSIVE 2023 PROSPECTS
The future of this program begins with this class – a group that has two years left together.
Standouts such as Christopher Alexadre (OL, 6-6, 320), Joshua Bowen Joshua Bowen 6'3" | 215 lbs | LB Fort Lauderdale Dillard | 2023 FL (OLB, 6-3, 210), Jaferris Finley Jaferris Finley 5'9" | 185 lbs | RB Fort Lauderdale Dillard | 2023 FL (RB, 5-9, 185), Rico Jackson Rico Jackson 6'5" | 290 lbs | OL Fort Lauderdale Dillard | 2023 FL (OT, 6-5, 285), Chris Johnson (Athlete, 5-11, 180), Trevaughn Martinez Trevaughn Martinez 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Fort Lauderdale Dillard | 2023 FL (DB, 5-11, 175) and Chauncey McArthur (WR, 6-3, 180) are going to be needed for this team to continue making strides.
Depth will also be crucial, and with Walter Jackson (RB, 5-10, 180), Aiden Norcius (WR, 5-11, 180), Armani Norcius Armani Norcius 5'10" | 170 lbs | QB Fort Lauderdale Dillard | 2023 FL , QB, 5-10, 180) and corner back David Law-Mortimer, a 5-9, 170- pounder.
THE FUTURE WILL BE VERY SPECIAL
When looking at the Class of 2024 prospects that the Panthers will roll out this spring, you see future standouts. Some that have already made an impression.
Among those who are expected to step up in 2021 include Antoine Jackson (CB, 6-1, 175), Zyon Pressley (CB, 5-9, 170), Aykenon Rodgers (S, 5-10, 185) and gifted Marcus Striggles (WR, 5-8, 170)
That much talked 2025 class also has some very promising talent – with Armoundo Blount (DL, 6-3, 235), Brandon Joseph (DL, 6-3, 290) and Andreus Madison (WR, 5-11, 185).
TRACKING FLORIDA: Teams Look At 2021 Season. https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/tracking-florida-teams-look-at-2021-season/
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.