Over the past three years, I’ve been lucky enough to see Dade and Broward’s best compete on the gridiron, at camps and at 7-on-7s. The list below is my personal opinion, and I don’t speak for Peter, Tito, Glory, Cam or Nash. All forty times are verified. This list only includes seniors from Dade and Broward County.
20. Corey Holmes, WR, St. Thomas Aquinas- 6’2, 176 pounds, 4.48 (Notre Dame)
Holmes was a Top 10 senior on my preseason rankings, but a disappointing 2013 season drops him down to twentieth on this list. It was junior star Devonte Peete- not Holmes—who emerged as the #1 receiver for the Raiders. But Holmes reasserted himself at the Under Armour practices and reminded the nation just how talented he really is. Holmes has it all-- length, athleticism and a polished game. He plucks the ball away from his body, explodes out of his breaks (39 inch VJ) and does everything with precision. He should come into Notre Dame ready to play.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnfHSA1IUfs
19. Peyton Bender, QB, Cardinal Gibbons- 6’1, 177 pounds (Washington State)
In three years, Bender will be leading the nation in passing and everyone will ask how the **** he got out of South Florida. He is the prototypical Mike Leach quarterback. The first thing you notice about Bender is his release. It’s the quickest I’ve ever seen down here. The next thing you notice is the way he uses his eyes. Bender scans the field and spreads the ball to all three of his D-1 receivers. His arm is weak, but it’s very accurate. Threw for 2,214 yards, 28 TDs and 6 INTs as a senior.
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/1843690/highlights/77115389
18. Brandon Powell, ATH, Deerfield Beach- 5’9, 175 pounds, 4.49 (Florida)
If Treon Harris was the MVP of South Florida, Brandon Powell was right behind him. The Broward County Offensive POY did everything for the Bucks—run, catch, return, play corner. He even held the field goals. Whenever a play needed to be made—against St. Thomas, against Monarch in overtime—it was Powell who made the play. Excellent student who possesses all of the on-field and off-field intangibles.
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/2488639/highlights/98534380
17. Michael Smith, DE, Northwestern- 6’2, 225 lbs. 4.85 (Miami)
Smith was one of the most difficult guys to rank. As a player, he belongs in the Top 15. He’s an absolute animal. But I keep getting mixed reports about his knee injury. If he’s healthy, he can take over games like he did against St. Thomas (see below). Northwestern lost Marquise Blanchard and several other stars from its defense, but Smith kept dominating every week. His get-off and relentlessness make him special. Even though he is undersized for a down lineman, he struggles in space and projects best with his hand on the ground.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbdsDNAKWvo
16. John Battle IV, S, Hallandale- 6'1, 185 pounds (Louisiana State)
This year’s version of Artie Burns. Battle is a star hurdler who brings acceleration and physicality to the defensive backfield. Like Burns, Battle makes plays on special teams as a gunner and blocking kicks. Projects as a safety—may lack the hips for corner and has the frame to add weight. High-character player with a 3.5 GPA. Finished 5[SUP]th[/SUP] in state in 110 hurdles (Burns was first).
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1915997/highlights/65633375
20. Corey Holmes, WR, St. Thomas Aquinas- 6’2, 176 pounds, 4.48 (Notre Dame)
Holmes was a Top 10 senior on my preseason rankings, but a disappointing 2013 season drops him down to twentieth on this list. It was junior star Devonte Peete- not Holmes—who emerged as the #1 receiver for the Raiders. But Holmes reasserted himself at the Under Armour practices and reminded the nation just how talented he really is. Holmes has it all-- length, athleticism and a polished game. He plucks the ball away from his body, explodes out of his breaks (39 inch VJ) and does everything with precision. He should come into Notre Dame ready to play.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnfHSA1IUfs
19. Peyton Bender, QB, Cardinal Gibbons- 6’1, 177 pounds (Washington State)
In three years, Bender will be leading the nation in passing and everyone will ask how the **** he got out of South Florida. He is the prototypical Mike Leach quarterback. The first thing you notice about Bender is his release. It’s the quickest I’ve ever seen down here. The next thing you notice is the way he uses his eyes. Bender scans the field and spreads the ball to all three of his D-1 receivers. His arm is weak, but it’s very accurate. Threw for 2,214 yards, 28 TDs and 6 INTs as a senior.
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/1843690/highlights/77115389
18. Brandon Powell, ATH, Deerfield Beach- 5’9, 175 pounds, 4.49 (Florida)
If Treon Harris was the MVP of South Florida, Brandon Powell was right behind him. The Broward County Offensive POY did everything for the Bucks—run, catch, return, play corner. He even held the field goals. Whenever a play needed to be made—against St. Thomas, against Monarch in overtime—it was Powell who made the play. Excellent student who possesses all of the on-field and off-field intangibles.
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/2488639/highlights/98534380
17. Michael Smith, DE, Northwestern- 6’2, 225 lbs. 4.85 (Miami)
Smith was one of the most difficult guys to rank. As a player, he belongs in the Top 15. He’s an absolute animal. But I keep getting mixed reports about his knee injury. If he’s healthy, he can take over games like he did against St. Thomas (see below). Northwestern lost Marquise Blanchard and several other stars from its defense, but Smith kept dominating every week. His get-off and relentlessness make him special. Even though he is undersized for a down lineman, he struggles in space and projects best with his hand on the ground.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbdsDNAKWvo
16. John Battle IV, S, Hallandale- 6'1, 185 pounds (Louisiana State)
This year’s version of Artie Burns. Battle is a star hurdler who brings acceleration and physicality to the defensive backfield. Like Burns, Battle makes plays on special teams as a gunner and blocking kicks. Projects as a safety—may lack the hips for corner and has the frame to add weight. High-character player with a 3.5 GPA. Finished 5[SUP]th[/SUP] in state in 110 hurdles (Burns was first).
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1915997/highlights/65633375
