When I did this thread the first time, most people said an All-South Florida team would win 8-9 games. Now that we've had a season, I think this is a legitimate playoff team and national title contender.
DISCLAIMER: I believe we should continue to recruit nationally, in a major way. We have a national budget now and a national recruiter. We aren't taking scraps anymore. This thread is for discussion purposes only since we have so many posters who follow local football.
QB- This position looks a lot stronger than it did before the season. Like it or not, Jordan Travis (FSU/Benjamin) is one of the best QBs in the nation. Michael Pratt (Tulane/Deerfield Beach) isn't far behind. Todd Centeio (James Madison/Dwyer) is an overqualified #3 as the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year.
RB- Other years produced more elite crops, but this is still a strong, versatile group. Kenny McIntosh (Georgia/U-School) is a draft pick and the lead back for the national champions. CJ Donaldson (West Virginia/Gulliver) is one of the best young backs in the country. Frank Gore, Jr. (Southern Miss/Killian) put up 1,601 scrimmage yards at 6.5 yards a pop. Henry Parrish (Miami/Columbus) is All-ACC Third Team and an ideal backup,
WR- Loaded as usual. Zay Flowers (Boston College/U-School) is two-time, first-team All-ACC, as is AT Perry (Wake Forest/Park Vista). Both are on the way to the NFL. Jacorey Brooks (Alabama/Booker T) is the best WR on the Crimson Tide.
TE- Best group I can remember. Oronde Gadsden II (Syracuse/American Heritage) was named first-team All-ACC after switching to a hybrid role and putting up close to 1K yards. Mason Taylor (LSU/St. Thomas) had 414 yards as a true freshman and looks like a future star. Daniel Barker (Michigan State/Deerfield Beach) participated in the Shrine Bowl and will get an NFL opportunity.
OL- A much bigger group than usual for this local crop. Tyler Steen (Alabama/St. Thomas) was All-SEC second team at LT and will likely play in the NFL. Gerald Mincey (Tennessee/Cardinal Gibbons) started at LT for the Volunteers and will be a fixture of their offense going forward. Marcus Tate (Clemson/U-School) is entering his true junior year as a two-year starter. Kadeem Telfort (UAB/Booker T) was first-team All-Conference USA and is a draft prospect. Renato Brown (Louisville/Palm Beach Central) and DJ Scaife (Miami/Southridge) were honorable mention All-ACC as tackles, but move inside for purposes of this big offensive line.
DL- Studs across the board. Calijah Kancey (Pitt/Northwestern) is a first-team All-American. Mike Morris (Michigan/AMH Delray) is first-team All-Big 10. Brandan Dorlus was first-team All-Pac 12 in '21. Nesta Silvera (Arizona State/AMH) participated in the Senior Bowl. Leonard Taylor (Miami/Southridge) is a dynamic part of the rotation.
LB/EDGE- Another standout group, especially outside. Dallas Turner (Alabama/St. Thomas) is one of the best returning defenders in the nation. Yasir Abdullah (Louisville/Carol City) is first-team All-ACC after a career with 23.5 sacks and 43 TFLs. Mikel Jones (Syracuse/IMG) was a semifinalist for the Butkus Award. Jalen Mackie (Umass/St. Thomas) was one of the best players in the FCS before transferring to UMass and putting up 100 tackles, 15 TFLs and 3.5 sacks.
SAFETY- Elite pair of starters. We can start with a familiar name in Kam Kinchens (Miami/Northwestern), who is a first-team All-American. Jordan Battle (Alabama/St. Thomas) is a two-time, first-team All-SEC player. With the safety position covered, we're moving James Williams (Miami/AMH) to his natural spot as a rover.
CB- Not the usual great crop but still strong by P5 standards. Tyrique Stevenson (Miami/Southridge) is a draft pick on one side. Tiawun Mullen (Indiana/Coconut Creek) was a '20 first-team All-American who just finished out a great Indiana career. Keidron Smith (Kentucky/Oxbridge) is an All-SEC Second Team player with NFL Aspirations. Devonte Brown (Miami/AMH) and Jason Marshall (Florida/Palmetto) provide depth.
How many games does this team win?
DISCLAIMER: I believe we should continue to recruit nationally, in a major way. We have a national budget now and a national recruiter. We aren't taking scraps anymore. This thread is for discussion purposes only since we have so many posters who follow local football.
QB- This position looks a lot stronger than it did before the season. Like it or not, Jordan Travis (FSU/Benjamin) is one of the best QBs in the nation. Michael Pratt (Tulane/Deerfield Beach) isn't far behind. Todd Centeio (James Madison/Dwyer) is an overqualified #3 as the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year.
RB- Other years produced more elite crops, but this is still a strong, versatile group. Kenny McIntosh (Georgia/U-School) is a draft pick and the lead back for the national champions. CJ Donaldson (West Virginia/Gulliver) is one of the best young backs in the country. Frank Gore, Jr. (Southern Miss/Killian) put up 1,601 scrimmage yards at 6.5 yards a pop. Henry Parrish (Miami/Columbus) is All-ACC Third Team and an ideal backup,
WR- Loaded as usual. Zay Flowers (Boston College/U-School) is two-time, first-team All-ACC, as is AT Perry (Wake Forest/Park Vista). Both are on the way to the NFL. Jacorey Brooks (Alabama/Booker T) is the best WR on the Crimson Tide.
TE- Best group I can remember. Oronde Gadsden II (Syracuse/American Heritage) was named first-team All-ACC after switching to a hybrid role and putting up close to 1K yards. Mason Taylor (LSU/St. Thomas) had 414 yards as a true freshman and looks like a future star. Daniel Barker (Michigan State/Deerfield Beach) participated in the Shrine Bowl and will get an NFL opportunity.
OL- A much bigger group than usual for this local crop. Tyler Steen (Alabama/St. Thomas) was All-SEC second team at LT and will likely play in the NFL. Gerald Mincey (Tennessee/Cardinal Gibbons) started at LT for the Volunteers and will be a fixture of their offense going forward. Marcus Tate (Clemson/U-School) is entering his true junior year as a two-year starter. Kadeem Telfort (UAB/Booker T) was first-team All-Conference USA and is a draft prospect. Renato Brown (Louisville/Palm Beach Central) and DJ Scaife (Miami/Southridge) were honorable mention All-ACC as tackles, but move inside for purposes of this big offensive line.
DL- Studs across the board. Calijah Kancey (Pitt/Northwestern) is a first-team All-American. Mike Morris (Michigan/AMH Delray) is first-team All-Big 10. Brandan Dorlus was first-team All-Pac 12 in '21. Nesta Silvera (Arizona State/AMH) participated in the Senior Bowl. Leonard Taylor (Miami/Southridge) is a dynamic part of the rotation.
LB/EDGE- Another standout group, especially outside. Dallas Turner (Alabama/St. Thomas) is one of the best returning defenders in the nation. Yasir Abdullah (Louisville/Carol City) is first-team All-ACC after a career with 23.5 sacks and 43 TFLs. Mikel Jones (Syracuse/IMG) was a semifinalist for the Butkus Award. Jalen Mackie (Umass/St. Thomas) was one of the best players in the FCS before transferring to UMass and putting up 100 tackles, 15 TFLs and 3.5 sacks.
SAFETY- Elite pair of starters. We can start with a familiar name in Kam Kinchens (Miami/Northwestern), who is a first-team All-American. Jordan Battle (Alabama/St. Thomas) is a two-time, first-team All-SEC player. With the safety position covered, we're moving James Williams (Miami/AMH) to his natural spot as a rover.
CB- Not the usual great crop but still strong by P5 standards. Tyrique Stevenson (Miami/Southridge) is a draft pick on one side. Tiawun Mullen (Indiana/Coconut Creek) was a '20 first-team All-American who just finished out a great Indiana career. Keidron Smith (Kentucky/Oxbridge) is an All-SEC Second Team player with NFL Aspirations. Devonte Brown (Miami/AMH) and Jason Marshall (Florida/Palmetto) provide depth.
How many games does this team win?