Stars Shine At Pylon Camp

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FORT LAUDERDALE – </strong>There is a saying that what success on the football field is achieved in the fall certainly starts in January.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With so many off-season events, prospects from across the state of Florida have their opportunity to put themselves on the map from the beginning of the year right through April when spring practice starts and college coaches flock to the Sunshine State in record numbers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While there are several camps, combines and other assorted exposure events, the name of the game for these young athletes is to get in front of those people who truly make a difference in the recruiting world.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We say it over and over again that rankings and promotion are valuable if those who are putting them out actually get to these events, talk with the players and coaches and go beyond the Xs and Os of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Understanding the entire process is the most important thing. College coaches can slap in a game film and see for themselves what a student/athlete can do. But what really separates recruits is what happens in the classroom and how these young men showcase character and leadership. That is what makes a major difference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past Sunday at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, nearly 100 football players from across the state attended the Pylon Camp Series – as coaches instructed and evaluated some quality talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While there were so many prospects who spent four hours in the heat and humidity that is a south Florida spring, several caught the eye of those in attendance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we shine the spotlight on five of those prospects on hand.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 – Torra “TJ” Kelly Jr., DB, 5-11, 170, Deerfield Beach. </strong>One of the best kept secrets in south Florida the past few years, this is a gifted football player who puts in the work and is not afraid to compete against anyone. He is quick, athletic and will play safety at the next level, although his hips are fluid, and he is someone that defensive back coach <strong>Chad Wilson</strong> singled out a number of times during the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16217629/Torra-Kelly" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/16217629/Torra-Kelly</a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 – [player_tooltip player_id='404235' first='Gerald' last='Modest'], RB, 6-0, 180, Miami Booker T. Washington. </strong>There is no getting around the fact that this may be one of the best all-around backs in the state, and he's not afraid to prove it. A standout since his youth football days, his impact as a freshman at Miami Edison only opened the door for what he has been able to do for head coach Tim “Ice” Harris and his Tornadoes. He is one of those athletes who has been everywhere this off-season, showcasing his many skills and winning MVP awards at all events. Running back coach <strong>Jerry Seymour</strong> believes that with his ability to run the ball and catch, he is going to be a valuable player at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15254143/Gerald-G6%ef%b8%8f-Modest" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/15254143/Gerald-G6%ef%b8%8f-Modest</a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 – [player_tooltip player_id='740865' first='Elias' last='Rudolph'], Edge, 6-4, 215, Deerfield Beach. </strong>Welcome to the state of Florida young man as the Bucks will benefit from having this quality talent head south from Cincinnati Taft High School for his final year. Not only did he showcase his amazing skills as a defensive player at the camp, but he also played some receiver, which backs up how gifted this standout is now – and will be. Someone that has a reputation and that will continue to grow this off-season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15212202/Elias-Rudolph" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/15212202/Elias-Rudolph</a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 – [player_tooltip player_id='748757' first='Decedric' last='Stokes'], WR, 5-11, 175, Davie Western. </strong>Yet another under-the-radar prospect who will have a chance to make some impressive things happen as he makes the move from Sunrise Piper to a Wildcat program that is expected to make plenty of noise in 4M this coming season. A solid route runner who can play inside or out and impressed the coaches enough at the Pylon event to get an MVP award.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15327627/Decedric-Stokes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/15327627/Decedric-Stokes</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 – [player_tooltip player_id='748758' first='Braxton' last='Thomas'], QB, 6-3, 205, Sarasota Riverview – 3.7 GPA. </strong>Here is one of those talented young men who makes his way into Florida after two impressive seasons at Desert Valley High School in Phoenix. A very gifted and accurate standout who will certainly turn heads. Throws the ball very well and has everything needed to not only make a splash for the Rams this season, but also at the next level. With several quality quarterbacks on hand, there was no doubt that this was a very impressive talent. Quarterback coach <strong>Baylin Trujillo</strong> was indeed impressed with what he saw.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE:</strong> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14680712/Braxton-Thomas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/14680712/Braxton-Thomas</a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE PYLON CAMP SERIES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The event consists of skills training and competition drills. Athletes train with some of the top coaches in the country. Throughout the entirety of the camp athletes were evaluated and tracked by wearable GPS technology. This technology will provide real-time data in various categories such as top-end speed, acceleration, other metrics. The data will be used to compile a player rating. Collegiate scouting services and college coaches will receive this data and ratings. Traditional combine drills are an outdated system in the evaluation process.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>You Can Contact [player_tooltip player_id='740586' first='Larry' last='Blustein'] with prospect or team information at: <a href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PROSPECT SHEET: Statewide Coverage Daily.  </strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/03/statewide-daily-team-coverage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://prepredzone.com/2023/03/statewide-daily-team-coverage/</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->