Rivals Miami: A Loaded Wide Receiver Group

FORT LAUDERDALE - For as long as anyone can remember, when it came to finding elite receivers, the state of Florida was one of the first places college coaches headed to.   For decades, some of the top pass-catchers in the country came from the Sunshine State – and as the At the recent Rivals Miami Elite Camp at St. Thomas Aquinas High School proved – something never changes.   As the recruiting experts and media will find out as they head to these events across the country, they will find themselves looking back at last Sunday's talent showcase as a reference point when looking at the top receivers and even tight ends.   PEARL WAS INDEED A DIAMOND ON THIS DAY   As dozens of elite football prospects did their thing – during testing, drills and one-on-one competition, several caught the eye of everyone who attended, but when the awards were being given out, there was one player that the coaches and instructors felt separated himself from the rest.   Coming off a junior year that included being named first team All-Region and coming up with 69 receptions, 1,052 yards (school record) and 1,680 All-Purpose yards, 26 TDS - 14 Rec 12 Rushing and 4-time Player of the Week, Port Charlotte's Elias Pearl was a prospect that more than did his thing.   While he stood out, only the people who cover Florida on a daily basis knew all about this versatile (also can play defensive back) 5'11, 180-pounder as he took his place in front of the MVP stand for photos and autographs.   Playing for a Pirate program that fell short of their goals in the state playoffs, this all-around (3.2 GPA) student/athlete thrust himself into the spotlight as a player that many will keep an eye on.   TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22307377/Eli-Pearl">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22307377/Eli-Pearl</a>   THE 2027 PROSPECTS WERE MORE THAN SOLID   To show you how stacked the talent was, while Pearl was singled out, there were others who stepped up their game during testing, drills and during the competitive one-on-one events.   Among those rising seniors included Jayden St. Fort (West Boca Raton), Jahmari Johnston (Pembroke Pines Flanagan), Ah'Mari Stevens (Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Julius Jones (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Travaris Schley (Cape Coral), Kaden Howard (Miami Palmetto), Brian Dillard (Orlando First Academy), Jamarin Simmons (Tallahassee Godby), James Klaiss Jr. (Davie University School) and Tyrone Howard Jr. (Naples Saint John Neumann).   The class also has players such as Jamal Robinson Jr. (Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy Charter), Joshua Sylvain (Fort Lauderdale Dillard), Jayden Elder (Boca Raton Spanish River), Michael Stringer (Plantation American Heritage), versatile Zion Vilma (Lake Worth Dr. Joaquin Garcia), Shavis Linder Jr. (Fort Lauderdale Saint Thomas Aquinas), Austin Coles (Fort Lauderdale Saint Thomas Aquinas), Malik Denson (Southwest Archbishop McCarthy), Javian Francois (Miami Carol City), Marquand Manuel (Plantation American Heritage), Finn Crissy (Fort Saint Thomas Aquinas) and Walter Olden (Davie Western).   There are also tight ends (Plantation American Hertiage) and University of Miami commit Demarcus Deroche (Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons.   UNDERCLASSMEN LEAVE NO DOUBT FOR THE FUTURE   As impressive as the rising seniors were, the younger receivers (2028) are also starting to put themselves on the map – Desmond Christian (Plantation), Leroy Thomas (Fort Lauderdale Saint Thomas Aquinas), Boston College commitment Wesley Winn (Boca Raton Saint Andrew's), Tony Brown III (Miami Christopher Columbus), Antron Branch (Hollywood McArthur), Justin Barrera (West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman), Jakobi Williams (Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy), Tromon Isaac (Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Robert Outler III (Plantation American Heritage), Darius Bogan (Coral Gables), Britton Bayag (Miami Palmetto), Peter Pierre (Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Armani Strong (Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna) and tight end Landon Wolny (Community School of Naples).   The 2029 (rising sophomore class) is also going to be special – with Aviyon Darien (Hialeah), Javian Norwood (Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons), Kedarius Rhaney (Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Tenaris Kearse (South Fort Myers High), Sho Wright (Fort Lauderdale Saint Thomas Aquinas) and tight end Derrick Fletcher (Fort Myers Bishop Verot).     A LOOK AT THE MIAMI RIVALS EVENT:   Rivals Miami: Defensive Linemen Rise To The Top. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/rivals-miami-defensive-linemen-rise-to-the-top/">https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/rivals-miami-defensive-linemen-rise-to-the-top/</a>   Rivals Miami: Offensive Linemen Were Impressive. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/rivals-miami-offensive-linemen-impressed/">https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/rivals-miami-offensive-linemen-impressed/</a>   Rivals Miami: Linebackers, Running Backs Were Talented. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/rivals-miami-linebackers-r-backs-shine/">https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/rivals-miami-linebackers-r-backs-shine/</a>   Rivals Miami: Quarterbacks Were Indeed Talented. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/rivals-miami-quarterbacks-were-talented/">https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/rivals-miami-quarterbacks-were-talented/</a>     Statewide Coverage Daily. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/">https://prepredzone.com/florida/</a>   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! <a>Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.

FORT LAUDERDALE - For as long as anyone can remember, when it came to finding elite receivers, the state of Florida was one of the first places college coaches headed to.