Broward Showcase Attracts National Talent

For the fourth year, Broward County will be the center of the high school universe this weekend.

Starting today and running through Saturday night, there will be eight games at three venues and a national television audience watching what has become one of the best kickoff weekends in the country.

The Broward National Football Showcase will feature the No. 1 program in the country in defending national champion Mater Dei from Santa Ana, Ca., St. Frances Academy from Baltimore, MD., St, Joseph's Prep out of Philadelphia, Pa., Corner Canyon from Draper, Utah and Peachtree Ridge, Ga. Are coming in to play several programs from the Sunshine State.

With Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, six-time defending state champion Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas and Plantation American Heritage, the stage will be set for some impressive football as some of country's best talent will showcase elite talent.

Fans from south Florida will be treated to a live showcase of elite prospects and fans across the country will have the chance to share the excitement with three games televised live on ESPN and ESPN 2.

Here is a look at the talent that will highlight this fourth annual event:

Peachtree Ridge, Georgia opened the season on the road with a loss to Roswell (GA). For the second year in a row, the Lions will face a Broward County opponent in the National Showcase, losing to Monarch 30-29 in 2024. Peachtree is lead by seniors Tyson Sanford (Duke commit), Tristen Hill (N.C. State commit), Kobe Hokes (Wake Forest commit) and Sedric Addison (Boston College commit) are key returning starters.

Sunrise Piper, Florida is coming off its first 10-win season since 2015 under coach Quinten Short and is making its inaugural appearance in the National Showcase. The Bengals opened the 2024 season with seven consecutive victories with the first four wins by shutout. This will be the first time Piper has played an out of state opponent dating back to the 2010 season. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1626624' first='Alex' last='Gammage'] (FIU commit), who had 24 tackles and three interceptions last season, returns for his third season. Piper added Vero Beach transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1685404' first='Jahnard' last='Young'] to the backfield this year to boost their high-power offense. 

Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, Florida returns Jayden Torres as the Chiefs starting quarterback after passing for 2735 yards and 23 touchdowns last season. He also rushed for 358 yards and three touchdowns. Three of his top receiving targets all graduated. They will benefit from the addition of 6'5 junior DeMarcus DeRoche who holds numerous DI offers. Gibbons put itself on the map with state championships in 2018, 2020 and 2021. This is the first time a pair of Broward County teams will face each other in the Showcase. Gibbons defeated DeMatha 11-6 in the inaugural National Showcase in 2022. They also defeated Cardinal Gibbons (NC) in the second Showcase in 2023. Also keep an eye on Tulane commitment [player_tooltip player_id='1799808' first='Gary' last='Hadley Jr.'] (WR).

Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy, Florida is making their first appearance in the National Showcase. The Mavericks finished last season at 7-5, defeating Plantation 7-0 in the Class 4A regional quarterfinals before losing to Miami Norland in a regional semifinal. Senior quarterbacks [player_tooltip player_id='1258723' first='Kendall' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1061039' first='Robert' last='Kerns'] return combining for 1203 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1684007' first='Malik' last='Denson'] returns at the top receiver with 29 catches for 461 yards and four touchdowns. Junior running back Damien Grant rushed for 814 yards last season.

Jacksonville Bolles, Florida has won the second most state football championships in state history with 11, nine under former coach Corky Rogers. Bolles is lead by a very talented senior class starting with [player_tooltip player_id='1247488' first='Corbyn' last='Fordham'] (Ohio State commit), [player_tooltip player_id='1251771' first='J.J.' last='Sparks'] (Miami commit), [player_tooltip player_id='212265' first='Simeon' last='Caldwell'] (Ohio State commit), and [player_tooltip player_id='1206198' first='Naeem' last='Burroughs'] (Clemson commit) returns as the team's leading receiver with 2,507 career yards on 116 receptions and 34 touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1153040' first='Xander' last='Edwards'] returns as the team's leading rusher. He gained 558 yards on 78 carries and eight touchdowns.

Coconut Creek Monarch, Florida is seeking second straight win in National Showcase after defeating Peachtree Ridge last year. [player_tooltip player_id='212268' first='Jabari' last='Brady'] (Missouri commit) and a four-star athlete had 23 receptions for 485 yards with 7 touchdowns in only seven games for the Knights last season. Offensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1776490' first='Lorvens' last='Barthelemy'] (FAMU commit) is the anchor on the offensive line. [player_tooltip player_id='1249073' first='Jaborree' last='Riggins'] is a four-star senior wide receiver with 25-plus offers. In seven years as head coach, Calvin Davis hasn't had a losing season.

Draper Corner Canyon, Utah is the two-time defending Class 6A state champion in Utah and has won six state titles over the last eight years. Senior running back Weston Briggs returns as the team's leading rusher with 1324 yards on 177 carries and 13 touchdowns. Esun Tafa (USC commit), 6-4, 325-pound offensive lineman opens the lanes for the Charger offense. Senior quarterback Helaman Casuga (Texas A&M commit) passed for 1617 total yards and 18 touchdowns in just six games last season. They opened the season with a 45-0 win against Bingham, Utah.

[player_tooltip player_id='1640315' first='Pembroke' last='Pines West Broward'], Florida's junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1671133' first='Amos' last='Bradford'] (Toledo commit) led the Bobcats running game behind standout lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1263665' first='Alejandro' last='Schmitt'] (Florida Atlantic commit) with 1227 yards on 127 carries and five touchdowns. West Broward advanced to the Class 6A Regional Finals before losing to Southridge. This is the team's first appearance in the National Showcase. Coach Brian McCartney has led the Bobcats to back-to-back District Championships. [player_tooltip player_id='1141169' first='Bryan' last='Granger'] (OL) and Shmar Akande (DB) are also players to watch.

Philadelphia St. Joseph Prep, Pennsylvania enters their 2025 campaign as the PIAA defending state champion. They defeated Central Catholic (Pittsburgh) home of NFL great Dan Marino, 35-6. Quarterback Charlie Foulke has nine offers that include Georgia, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech and Miami. Team has won 164 games with 24 losses since the 2011 season. Twelve players from St. Joe's have played in the NFL including Rich Gannon and Marvin Harrison, Jr., to name a few.

Plantation American Heritage, Florida five-star senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1247423' first='Dia' last='Bell'] (Texas commit) led Heritage to a state championship last year throwing for 4879 career yards and 51 TDs. Senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1247527' first='Brandon' last='Bennett'] (FSU commit) enters his senior season with 47 receptions for 1058 yards and 13 TDs. The Patriots enter the 2025 season as the defending FHSAA Class 4A state champion and an 11-game winning streak. They are ranked No. 7 in the USA Today preseason poll. [player_tooltip player_id='1249113' first='Jaffar' last='Jean-Noel'], WR, Aldarius Johnson, Jr., DB, [player_tooltip player_id='929664' first='Kymani' last='Morales'], LB, [player_tooltip player_id='1143080' first='Dylan' last='Bennett'], LB, [player_tooltip player_id='929663' first='Jamar' last='Denson'],WR, [player_tooltip player_id='1799835' first='Derrick' last='Nichols'], CB, and [player_tooltip player_id='1799773' first='Rodarion' last='Tellez'], Edge are players to watch.

Orlando Dr. Phillips, Florida was a senior heavy team in 2024. The Panthers first appearance in a FHSAA state championship game was against in the 8A title game against Miami Southridge in 2016. Their only state title came in 2018 when they defeated Delray Atlantic. Dr. Phillips is 2-0 against Broward teams dated back to 2004. As a team, the offense passed for 2181 yards and rushed for 1501 yards. They averaged 31.4 points per game last season. [player_tooltip player_id='1369103' first='R.J.' last='Stamm'] (OL) and [player_tooltip player_id='1793545' first='Maurice' last='Jones'] (LB) are top players.

Fort Lauderdale Dillard is the first and only public school in Broward County to win multiple state championships (1986, 89). Both titles came under coaching great Otis Gray. Senior outside linebacker Demitris Mincey, Jr. (FIU commit) returns after recording 64 tackles --16 for a loss and two interceptions last year. The offense will be led by four-star Anthony Jennings who hold several P4 offers.

Santa Ana, Mater Dei California enters the season as the undefeated defending National Champion that includes a 19-game winning streak. Ryan Hopkins (Wisconsin commit), a 6'3, 195-pound dual-threat quarterback, transferred to the Monarchs from JSerra Catholic. Hopkins will have plenty of weapons on offense like Chris Henry Jr. (Ohio State commit), Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (Ohio State commit), Mark Bowman (USC commit), and Gavin Honore (Georgia commit). The defense, led Tomuhini Topui (USC commit), Shaun Scott (USC commit) and C.J. Lavender, Jr. (Washington commit) are major prospects as well.

Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, Florida enters the season as a six-time defending state champ and 16 championships collectively. Aquinas is 15-4 all-time against out-of-state opponents, including a 48-37 victory over St. Joe's Prep in the first 2022 National Showcase. Their defense is loaded, especially in the secondary led by [player_tooltip player_id='1206194' first='Justice' last='Fitzpatrick'] (Georgia commit), [player_tooltip player_id='404029' first='Zayden' last='Gamble'], [player_tooltip player_id='895496' first='Jaden' last='Carey'], [player_tooltip player_id='1577838' first='Jermiyah' last='Douglas'], and Samari Howard. Other Raiders to keep an eye on will be [player_tooltip player_id='401596' first='Brady' last='Palmer'] (QB) and Navy commit [player_tooltip player_id='1154131' first='Phillip' last='Goodrich Jr']. (LB).

Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, Florida has won seven state championships over the past nine seasons. The 2024 season started with two consecutive losses before winning 13 consecutive games and the Class 1A state title. Senior running back Derrick Cooper (Texas commit) led the Lions with 905 yards on 124 carries and 13 touchdowns last season. Senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1247533' first='Denairius' last='Gray'] (Kentucky commit) had 131 receptions for 1845 yards and 37 touchdowns in four seasons. Wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1247487' first='Jasen' last='Lopez'] (Florida State commit) had 87 receptions for 1300 yards and 14 TDs last season.

Baltimore St. Frances Academy, Maryland ranks No. 5 in the country in MaxPreps Top 25 Preseason Poll. Five-star DE Zion Elee (Maryland commit), DB Jireh Edwards (Alabama Commit), uncommitted four-star addition LB [player_tooltip player_id='1744801' first='D.Q.' last='Forkpa'] will lead an aggressive Panthers defense against a very potent Lion offense. Elee and Edwards are among 18 players on the roster rated as three-star recruits or higher. The Panthers finished the 2024 season with six consecutive victories.

 SPECIAL THANKS TO DAVID BROUSSEAU FROM THE BROWARD COUNTY ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION FOR HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THIS BLOG!!

Statewide Coverage Daily. https://prepredzone.com/florida/

You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com.

COACHES, PLAYERS: Do You Have A Subscription? Contact us for a savings code so you can see what everyone has been talking about! Floridakids1@aol.com.