Miami-Dade Class of 2010 – Pre Spring Top 30

[Mama_Bull]

A couple of Monsignor Pace players are on there. It would be nice to sweep that school two years in a row and keep that pipeline going strong.

Miami-Dade Class of 2010 – Pre Spring Top 30

Here is the first look at the top 30 players, heading into spring in the Class of 2010. Keep in mind, the list will change after spring as we head toward summer, and then again before the start of the 2009 season. If there are any players that belong in this list, we will find them with the number of off season events that we cover live.

Remember, this is only the first list, and there will be changes along the way!

MIAMI-DADE

1. Lamarcus Joyner, DB, 5-8, 160, Southwest: What more can you say about one of the most dominating football players in the nation that has not already been said? He can do it all!

2. Todd Chandler, DT, 6-0, 285, Northwestern: For the past two years, this University of Miami commitment has dominated the line of scrimmage, and he is only getting better.

3. Corey Lemonier, DE, 6-4, 240, Hialeah: Whether it’s been at a camp or during the game, this three-year starter has captured the attention of every player and coach he has competed against. Bit time potential!

4. Torrian Wilson, OL, 6-3, 315, Northwestern: In a state loaded with quality big men, this could be one of the best as he dominates with his strength, quickness and ability to control the line of scrimmage.

5. Brandon Gainer, RB, 6-0, 190, Central: Emerged as one Florida’s elite backs who combines quickness, size and durability. He got it done against everyone the Rockets played.

6. Jeffrey Godfrey, QB, 5-11, 175, Central: Ever since he first put on a uniform as freshman at Edison, this was one of those quality football players who was destined to make an impact - and he has.

7. Michael Lee Harris, WR, 6-1, 175, Northwestern: Emerged as one of the most complete receivers in an area that boasts some of the best in the state of Florida. Was compared to former Bulls standout Aldarius Johnson.

8. Eduardo Clements, RB, 5-11, 175, Booker T. Washington: Is there a more complete back than this gifted young man? Has the speed to break off long runs, is tough enough to get the short gains and has tremendous hands, creating mismatches against any defense.

9. Joshua Reese, WR, 5-10, 170, Central: Made quite an impression in his first full varsity season as he became one of the top big play receivers who has speed, leaping ability and great hands.

10. Jakhari Gore, RB, 5-10, 165, Columbus: Bloodlines aside, this is one of the elite backs in South Florida. Has amazing speed and the ability to take the ball the distance at any time.

11. Richard Leonard, DB, 5-9, 170, Killian: Has emerged into one of the state’s top cover cornerbacks. Was one of the toughest players to catch a ball against.

12. Quinton Dunbar, WR, 6-3, 177, Booker T. Washington: From his play in the off season to a productive junior year in which head 700 yards and 7 touchdowns, this is a player who has made major strides.

13. Gideon Ajagbe, S, 6-2, 200, Ransom Everglades: While he was productive on the offensive side of the ball, it’s defense where this gifted talent continues to make an impression.

14. Ricky Joseph, DT, 6-2, 300, Northwestern: While he started slow in his junior year, it’s the playoffs where he turned heads with his speed and quickness to create positives.

15. Corvin Lamb, RB, 5-10, 180, Northwestern: Considered one of the fastest football players in the nation, there will be a need to use him more this coming season. Last year, he was a role player with very few touches, but that should all change this coming season.

16. Ralph Williams, LB, 6-1, 215, Gulliver Prep: Another under publicized football player who continued to impress with his athletic ability, strength and a nose for the football.

17. Lynden Trail, DE, 6-7, 205, Booker T. Washington: This one-time basketball only prospect turned his attention to the football field last spring and made a lasting impression with 14 sacks. While he is thin, colleges love his athletic ability.

18. Perry Meiklejohn, 6-4, 280, Westminster Christian: yet another player many have overlooked, this one time Coral Reef standout follows in the footsteps of his father who was a top-flight prospect at Southridge.

19. Ted Meline, WR, 6-2, 170, Booker T. Washington: While injury cut into his junior season at Davie’s Westlake Prep, there is every indication that the newest Tornado will be a smash hit with his speed and pass catching ability.

20. Calvin Smith, DT, 6-3, 260, Hialeah: Another physical, quick line prospect who has been able to get it done on both sides of the ball. Should emerge as one of South Florida’s top prospects by the end of the 2009 season.

21. Isaac Dixon, LB, 5-11, 190, Monsignor Pace: When you watch the ground that this young man covered and his ability play the run as well as the pass, it’s no wonder why colleges have been on his every move.

22. Jeff Scott, RB, 5-7, 170, Archbishop Carroll: Say what you want about the lack of size, but just try and stop this quick, strong athlete from getting into the end zone. Had 1,400 yards against top-flight competition.

23. Jose Jose, OL, 6-0, 340, Booker T. Washington: A three-year starter who has played at the varsity level since his freshman season, many are projecting him on the defensive side of the ball at the next level.

24. John Ragoo, OL, 6-6, 340, Monsignor Pace: On size alone, colleges have been impressed by what this gifted football player brings to field. Will only get better in the off season.

25. Khalid Marshall, DB, 5-9, 170, Northwestern: A three-year starter who has been exposed to some of the best talent in the nation during his career, and will only get better over the next year.

26. Allen Hurns, WR, 6-2, 170, Carol City: One of the reasons the Chiefs started to turn the corner with his speed, crisp patterns and overall athletic ability. College coaches love his size and knowledge of the game.

27. Delvin Jones, DE, 6-6, 235, Palmetto: Coming over from a smaller program (LaSalle), here is a prospect who has the chance to become one of the top defensive end prospects in the state. Tremendous quickness and strength.

28. Derrick Dansby, LB, 5-11, 185, Central: If an injury didn’t cut his season short, this would have been the most dominating linebackers in South Florida. Fast, strong and athletic describe this tremendous talent, who colleges are very impressed with.

29. Demetrius Pettway, DB, 5-11, 175, Homestead: Playing a role for the Broncos in the secondary since his ninth grade season, this is a physical, quick football player who has a chance to be one of the best in Florida by the end of his senior year.

30. Dion Hanks, DB, 5-10, 175, Edison: Overlooked during the season by some who follow the game, but not by college coaches who love his play making ability, speed and knowledge of reading offenses.

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/hssports/2009/02/miamidade-class-of-2010-pre-spring-top-30.html

[LunchTimeBully]

I want the mammoth to come help us build a wall around BJ Daniels.

[Mama_Bull]

Posted on Friday, 05.09.08 Recommend (0)share email print comment reprint            Manny Navarro's Spring Tour, Part 2

By MANNY NAVARRO

mnavarro@MiamiHerald.com

MANNY NAVARRO | MIAMI HERALD STAFFPace receiver Sterling Griffin (6-2, 177) makes a leaping catch during spring practice. Griffin, a 2009 recruit, has offers from FIU and South Florida. » More Photos

Monsignor Pace has traditionally been a hot spot in South Florida for college recruiters in search of speed in the secondary.

The University of Miami got plenty of production from Maurice Sikes earlier this decade. But in the past five years alone, Pace has upped its output, churning out six speedsters from its defensive backfield that have found their way onto College Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) rosters.

Three -- Western Michigan cornerback Tommy Mama (2005), West Virginia free safety Quinton Andrews (2006) and East Carolina strong safety J.J. Milbrook (2003) -- are expected to be starters next season. Two of the other three, cornerbacks DeMarcus VanDyke (2007) and safety Lovon Ponder (2004), have been starters for the Canes. Cornerback Tervaris Johnson (2006) has been a reserve.

Second-year coach Alvin Slaughter has plenty more speed to offer with his 2009 class at Pace -- including three members of the state's fastest high school 400-meter relay team.

The relay's anchor, Kayvon Webster (6-0, 175), already has 10 scholarship offers and was under the watchful eye of West Virginia assistant Doc Holliday on Thursday afternoon. Slaughter said he will start Webster, who runs a legit 4.4 in the 40-yard dash, at free safety and receiver this season.

The All-Dade first-team selection caught 18 passes for 404 yards and five touchdowns in Pace's new spread offense a year ago. But Slaughter still isn't sure where Webster will end up at the next level. Slaughter said Florida and Vanderbilt want Webster as a receiver, and Alabama, Syracuse, Kansas State, West Virginia and Auburn like him as a defensive back.

Sterling Griffin, a 6-2, 177-pound receiver, has no such worries. The state runner-up in Class 2A in the 400 meters and the second leg of the 400-meter relay squad is going to catch passes at the next level. He hauled in 25 passes for 807 yards and nine touchdowns last season. South Florida and FIU were the first two schools to scout Griffin. But he could expect more with a strong senior season.

No college program has offered 5-6, 178-pound return man Derrick Hopkins a football scholarship yet. But if they watch film of Hopkins in 2007, they might confuse him for a smaller version of Pro Bowl return man Devin Hester. Last season, Hopkins flashed his 4.38 speed and returned four punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns before finishing as the state runner-up in the 100 meters (10.83 seconds) last month. Slaughter thinks someone will jump on Hopkins soon enough. But if it doesn't work out, Slaughter said UM and Tennessee are both considering taking Hopkins on a track scholarship.

Pace has one other senior-to-be who could see a college offer soon -- 6-2, 235-pound defensive tackle/fullback John Sennett, the team's strongest player. Sennett, who according to Slaughter benched 315 pounds eight times, has I-AA schools looking at him. Slaughter said 6-6, 280-pound right tackle Vincent Brown, a senior playing his first season of varsity football, could be a sleeper by season's end.

The 2010 and 2011 classes at Pace are filled with nice prospects too, none bigger than 2010 left tackle John Ragoo. The 6-7, 310-pound sophomore didn't play football in 2007, but has the frame to develop into a big-time prospect by the end of this season.

Charles Fashaw (6-5, 200) was a hero on Pace's state championship basketball team in March. But he caught every ball thrown his way Thursday and looked like a 2010 tight end to watch.

Running back DeAndre Johnson (5-8, 200), linebacker Isaac Dixon (6-1, 190) and quarterback Stephon Morris (6-3, 200) are other 2010 recruits to watch. Johnson recently was tabbed the best running back at a national underclassmen camp in Boca Raton in February. Keep an eye on freshman safety Jabari Gorman (6-0, 180). He earned honorable mention this past season and was a rotation player at point guard on Pace's basketball team.

http://www.miamiherald.com/1287/story/527809.html