South Florida linebackers have traditionally been good to the Canes. Michael Barrow (Homestead), Darrin Smith (Norland), Dan Morgan (Taravella), Jon Vilma (Coral Gables) and Jon Beason (Chaminade) are just a few examples. But the last decade has been pretty thin. Only Sean Spence and Denzel Perryman have made an impact here. For some reason, Big 10 schools have signed the best local LBs, including Devin Bush (Flanagan-Michigan), Ryan Shazier (Plantation-Ohio State), Lavonte David (MNW-Nebraska) and Anthony Walker (Pace-Northwestern).
This is one of the best years in a while, and Miami would be happy if they can land their entire class from this group.
Jaydon Hood, St. Thomas Aquinas (6’1, 212). True MLB with sawed-off, strong build. Cardinal Newman transfer. Very good straight-line speed (11.72 100 as a freshman) and can accelerate with a flight path. Explosive tackler. Somewhat tight-hipped but effective in coverage on camp circuit. Goal-line back at high school level. National Honor Society member with over 500 hours of community service. Mother is a pastor in Belle Glade. 115 tackles, 25 TFL, 7 sacks, 4 FF, 1 INT and 2 defensive TDs. Offers from Alabama, LSU, Michigan, Penn State and Miami.
Terrence “T2” Lewis, Chaminade (6’1, 200)- Lean, three-down linebacker who plays fast. Built like a safety and can flip his hips. Has the ability to slip blocks and get in the backfield similar to Sean Spence. Not a devastating tackler but willing and strong. Disciplinary departure from Northwestern raises red flags, although he is young enough to mature. 106 tackles and 11 sacks. Effective blitzer. Tennessee commit.
Tyler Johnson, Killian (6’2, 200)- Twitched-up athlete with mean streak. Brother of Jaquan Johnson. Wrestler at a dominant South Dade wrestling program before transferring. Plays mostly off the edge but blew Miami coaches away with his ability to play off-ball and in space at camp. Missed several games this year. Elite, Top 5 in the class upside if he stays focused. Miami commitment.
Ja’Corey Hammett, Northwestern (6’3, 205)- Lanky edge rusher who will draw comparison to Bulls greats Sam Brooks and the Weaver twins. Exploded in state title game with two sacks. Delivers kill shots on special teams. Being recruited as a LB but may grow into college edge player based on the size in his family tree. 11 sacks. Miami commit.
Hayward McQueen, Stranahan (5’11, 185)- One of the more unique prospects in South Florida. Built like a safety, moves like a safety, plays in the box. 100 Tackles, 20 TFLs and 10 sacks. Competes like a demon with excellent timing and COD. Knows how to get skinny and shoot gaps. Long arms which helped him with coverage on the camp circuit. May project as a safety or big nickel depending on his growth. No offers yet which is shocking. A G5 steal if there are no character issues.
Gaethan Bernadel, Hallandale (6’1, 205)- Gritty, instinctive ILB who excels against the run. 111 tackles, 7 TFL, 1 INT and 1 FF as a junior. Reliable tackler. Better football player than athlete. High-cut with some tightness in his hips. California, Washington State and Tulane offers.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7746428/5dc9be50688ef90ffc0b6deb
Donovan Hoilette, Palm Beach Central (6’2, 180)- Springy, skinny backer with untapped upside. Jumped 39 inches as a sophomore. Whoever cut his highlight reel did him no favors, but he is capable of making plays off-ball or as a pass rusher. Must get bigger and stronger. Offers from Pittsburgh, Virginia and Vanderbilt.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11057596/5ddb4e095cb37c0af0a488ff
Emil Aime, University (5’9, 202)- Quick and active off-ball backer who is built like a RB. Excellent mover with a 4.79 40 and 4.38 shuttle as a sophomore. Plays with balance. Made some spectacular INTs in coverage on camp circuit. Good change-of-direction. Underrated. Colorado State offer.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9513997/5ddbd294bd6abc15cc1c8676
Amahri McCray, Northwestern (6’, 200)- Productive off-ball linebacker who can strike. 120 tackles and 5 sacks for the state champion Bulls. First-team All-State. Slender frame but long armed. Very good speed. Also a factor on special teams. Good player. FAU and Colorado State offer.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10027896/5e076fed32dc2f0c54fe0a68
Kelly Loiseau, Miami Christian (5’11, 190)- Rangy, two-way player who projects at LB. Also plays RB and S. Fast and does best work sideline to sideline. First-team All Dade. 128 tackles, 27 TFL, 2 INT, 5 FF, 4 FR.
Melvin Dean, Palmetto (6’1, 205)- Stand-up rusher in high school who projects like off-ball LB due to dimensions. Good feet and COD. Utah State offer.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11092510/5de1a693f569ca11103695a4
Deondrick Speight, Champagnat (6’2, 180)- Spindly stand-up rusher with intriguing burst. Straight-linish and will need to show lateral movement required at LB. Seven sacks as a junior. Charlotte and FAU offers.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7759275/5d8fd1a5dfe2330cf4351752
This is one of the best years in a while, and Miami would be happy if they can land their entire class from this group.
Jaydon Hood, St. Thomas Aquinas (6’1, 212). True MLB with sawed-off, strong build. Cardinal Newman transfer. Very good straight-line speed (11.72 100 as a freshman) and can accelerate with a flight path. Explosive tackler. Somewhat tight-hipped but effective in coverage on camp circuit. Goal-line back at high school level. National Honor Society member with over 500 hours of community service. Mother is a pastor in Belle Glade. 115 tackles, 25 TFL, 7 sacks, 4 FF, 1 INT and 2 defensive TDs. Offers from Alabama, LSU, Michigan, Penn State and Miami.
Terrence “T2” Lewis, Chaminade (6’1, 200)- Lean, three-down linebacker who plays fast. Built like a safety and can flip his hips. Has the ability to slip blocks and get in the backfield similar to Sean Spence. Not a devastating tackler but willing and strong. Disciplinary departure from Northwestern raises red flags, although he is young enough to mature. 106 tackles and 11 sacks. Effective blitzer. Tennessee commit.
Tyler Johnson, Killian (6’2, 200)- Twitched-up athlete with mean streak. Brother of Jaquan Johnson. Wrestler at a dominant South Dade wrestling program before transferring. Plays mostly off the edge but blew Miami coaches away with his ability to play off-ball and in space at camp. Missed several games this year. Elite, Top 5 in the class upside if he stays focused. Miami commitment.
Ja’Corey Hammett, Northwestern (6’3, 205)- Lanky edge rusher who will draw comparison to Bulls greats Sam Brooks and the Weaver twins. Exploded in state title game with two sacks. Delivers kill shots on special teams. Being recruited as a LB but may grow into college edge player based on the size in his family tree. 11 sacks. Miami commit.
Hayward McQueen, Stranahan (5’11, 185)- One of the more unique prospects in South Florida. Built like a safety, moves like a safety, plays in the box. 100 Tackles, 20 TFLs and 10 sacks. Competes like a demon with excellent timing and COD. Knows how to get skinny and shoot gaps. Long arms which helped him with coverage on the camp circuit. May project as a safety or big nickel depending on his growth. No offers yet which is shocking. A G5 steal if there are no character issues.
Gaethan Bernadel, Hallandale (6’1, 205)- Gritty, instinctive ILB who excels against the run. 111 tackles, 7 TFL, 1 INT and 1 FF as a junior. Reliable tackler. Better football player than athlete. High-cut with some tightness in his hips. California, Washington State and Tulane offers.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7746428/5dc9be50688ef90ffc0b6deb
Donovan Hoilette, Palm Beach Central (6’2, 180)- Springy, skinny backer with untapped upside. Jumped 39 inches as a sophomore. Whoever cut his highlight reel did him no favors, but he is capable of making plays off-ball or as a pass rusher. Must get bigger and stronger. Offers from Pittsburgh, Virginia and Vanderbilt.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11057596/5ddb4e095cb37c0af0a488ff
Emil Aime, University (5’9, 202)- Quick and active off-ball backer who is built like a RB. Excellent mover with a 4.79 40 and 4.38 shuttle as a sophomore. Plays with balance. Made some spectacular INTs in coverage on camp circuit. Good change-of-direction. Underrated. Colorado State offer.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9513997/5ddbd294bd6abc15cc1c8676
Amahri McCray, Northwestern (6’, 200)- Productive off-ball linebacker who can strike. 120 tackles and 5 sacks for the state champion Bulls. First-team All-State. Slender frame but long armed. Very good speed. Also a factor on special teams. Good player. FAU and Colorado State offer.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10027896/5e076fed32dc2f0c54fe0a68
Kelly Loiseau, Miami Christian (5’11, 190)- Rangy, two-way player who projects at LB. Also plays RB and S. Fast and does best work sideline to sideline. First-team All Dade. 128 tackles, 27 TFL, 2 INT, 5 FF, 4 FR.
Melvin Dean, Palmetto (6’1, 205)- Stand-up rusher in high school who projects like off-ball LB due to dimensions. Good feet and COD. Utah State offer.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11092510/5de1a693f569ca11103695a4
Deondrick Speight, Champagnat (6’2, 180)- Spindly stand-up rusher with intriguing burst. Straight-linish and will need to show lateral movement required at LB. Seven sacks as a junior. Charlotte and FAU offers.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7759275/5d8fd1a5dfe2330cf4351752
