Rivals Miami: Linebackers, R-Backs Shine

FORT LAUDERDALE – The best thing about high school football in south Florida is when the region hosts camps or combines, prospects emerge that even the most ardent recruiting experts were finding out about for the first time.   When the Rivals Miami Elite Camp headed to St. Thomas Aquinas High School, dozens of familiar faces greeted media members, recruiting websites and fans – and while several elite players did their thing, there were also a few surprises along the way.   When it was time to name the MVP at the linebacker and running positions, many were caught off guard when rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='1680783' first='Levi' last='Champion'] from West Palm Beach The King's Academy was selected as the top linebacker and rising freshman (2030) running back Jocelyn Francois, who is currently at Crystal Lake Middle School in North Miami Dade County, were chosen as the best of the day.   CHAMPION IS NO STRANGER TO SUCCESS   While many may not have known Champion, the 6'0, 205-pounder has been among the most productive linebackers in the state the past two years, leading all tacklers this past season.   While it has taken three years for this quality talent to get his overdue recognition, he is indeed on the radar screen now. His 4.29 GPA in the classroom is also something that college coaches are loving as much as his play on the field.   TAPE:<a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18043861/Levi-Champion"> https://www.hudl.com/profile/18043861/Levi-Champion</a>   LINEBACKERS DID OPEN SOME EYES   In addition to Champion, the event also showcased some impressive talent who will turn heads the rest of the off-season and into the 2026 season.   Among those rising seniors (2027) included Artrell Vance (Miami Killian), Juan Carlos Pupo Buch (Niceville), Joshua Hallas (Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian Academy), Jaiden Sheard (Plantation American Heritage), Tedrick Oatman (Fort Lauderdale Dillard), Deion Jackson (Vero Beach), Tripp Keller (Tampa Jesuit), Janarro Sumpter (West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman), Gardi Jean-Baptiste (North Miami Beach), Jelani Bentley (Tavares), Albert Smith (Miami Southridge), Debonaire Johnson (Hollywood McArthur) and versatile Damari Jerry (West Boca Raton).   UNDERCLASSMEN ALSO SHOWCASED THEIR TALENTS   While Champion and the rising seniors did a tremendous job, there were also some younger prospects that put their names on the map.   Among the rising juniors (2028) were Cale Britt (Orlando Bishop Moore), Keion Thomas (Miami Central), Khavon Gipson (Miami Northwestern), Zakhari Johnson (Miami Carol City), Steven Moore (Miami Central) and Hudson's Chris Morillo.   FRANCOIS IS INDEED THE FUTURE   Leave it to south Florida to have an eighth grader step up and make an impact at a showcase where rising seniors, juniors and sophomores were in the spotlight.   For Francois, his future will start in the fall at Miami Carol City, where the Chiefs have made a major off-season push in 2A and will be one of the players who could end up playing for a state title.   THERE WERE OTHER BACKS WHO MADE AN IMPRESSION   While Francois stole the show – and will be a player that the recruiting analysts will keep an eye on, there were other running backs who did well during testing, drills and competition.   Among those 2027 rising seniors were Pittsburgh commit Tyler Reid (Fort Lauderdale Saint Thomas Aquinas), Ryan Mathis (Miami Northwestern), Ishmael Mcnichols (Miami Norland), Cecil Smith (Miami Christopher Columbus), Darriel Cannon (Miami Gulliver Prep), state champion Connail Jackson (Sarasota Cardinal Mooney), Naples Lely transfer Ninaud Joseph (Naples Saint John Neumann) and Venice High standout Dorien Irving-Jones.   UNDERCLASSMEN ALSO MAKE A STATEMENT   While the rising seniors (2027) did very well, prospects such as Francois and several younger players did their thing as well.   Among the 2028 (rising juniors) were Terriel Harmon (West Boca Raton) and Se'Maj Flowers (Hollywood McArthur), and Class of 2029 (rising sophomores) Clinton Jean Pierre Jr. and Nakia Lambright Jr. (Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna).   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>     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 – The best thing about high school football in south Florida is when the region hosts camps or combines, prospects emerge that even the most ardent recruiting experts were finding out about for the first time.