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St. Thomas Aquinas ATH Xavier Restrepo has proven he’s a name to watch in the class of 2020 and has already racked up 10 early offers. However, Restrepo grew up a fan of one school in particular and was elated to receive an offer from them recently. That school was the University of Miami.
“(When Miami offered) I was advised by my head coach at St. Thomas (Roger Harriott),” Restrepo said. “It was an amazing feeling knowing I might be playing in my home state one day. I grew up a Canes fan.”
As one of the most talented athletes every time he touches the field, Restrepo plays on both sides of the ball in high school. The Canes have offered him as an athlete with the potential to play either WR or DB at the next level.
“I play and love both sides of the ball, so wherever Miami needs me and wherever I can contribute more to the team, I’m there,” Restrepo said.
While Restrepo is still in the early stages of his recruitment, he anticipates building a relationship with the UM coaching staff shortly.
“I really haven’t spoken with any coaches from Miami much since the offer since I’m only a sophomore, but I plan on visiting and speaking with them and finding out more about the football program and school come my junior year,” Restrepo said. “I love the history of the program. All the great players who came out of there, like Sean Taylor, the coaching staff, and the swag Miami has. I also want to study sports medicine, which I know Miami has a great program for.”
And he’ll be visiting his childhood favorite Canes very soon: Restrepo will be on campus for a high school freshman and sophomore event held at the Schwartz Center on March 31st. He has no other visits planned at this time.
“I’m actually gonna be at Miami on the 31st,” Restrepo said. “I will probably start taking official visits at the end of my junior year.”
A huge sophomore season got Restrepo on the radar of some top national programs, including the Canes. He recorded 51 tackles, 4 picks with one returned for a TD, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, and a whopping 5 blocked kicks on his way to first team All-Broward honors at DB in 2017. And that was just on defense. Restrepo also doubled as an offensive weapon for Monarch High, accounting for 851 total yards and punching in 11 touchdowns.
“I played my freshman and sophomore year as a starter at Monarch High School,” Restrepo said. “We did good this year, but of course we could’ve done better. We were 7-2. I feel like I played very well and contributed all that I could to the team. I was named first team All-County in Broward.”
Unfortunately for Monarch, they’ll be missing Restrepo’s services in 2018: he’ll play his junior year as a St. Thomas Aquinas Raider and he’s excited about the prospect of joining such a storied program.
“Well, I just transferred over to St. Thomas in January,” Restrepo. “I can’t wait to play my junior year at one of the best high schools. The coaches over at St. Thomas are like no other.”
With even more visibility at STA, his junior season will be a chance for Restrepo to continue to build his already impressive early offer list. In addition to the Canes, schools like Texas, Georgia, Louisville, and Mississippi State have extended scholarships to Restrepo.
“I hold all 10 offers I have right now at the same level,” Restrepo said. “I’m keeping my recruitment fully open right now. I’m only in 10th grade, so no schools are really coming at me too hard right now, but I’m sure all will open up in my junior year.”
Even with all the early attention, Restrepo prefers to take his recruitment slow and has no timeline for when he will make a decision. However, the program that finally wins him over will have stood out with their environment and educational opportunities.
“I mean, I don’t have a time as of right now on when I will commit,” said Restrepo. “I’m honestly just enjoying this process, but when the time comes to really narrow down the schools, the football program, coaching staff, and where I would stand within the program will all be considered, especially the academic side of the school as well. I’m trying to come out of college with multiple degrees, take advantage of the scholarship, and use it to the best of my ability.”
With a Colombian ethnic background, Restrepo is proud of his Hispanic heritage. When asked if he had thoughts on the lack of Hispanic players currently in the game of football, Restrepo demonstrated his maturity at such a young age with a well-thought out response.
“I honestly feel like whoever can ball needs to get out there and work for what they want, regardless of their ethnic background or whatever,” Restrepo said. “I feel like some of these athletes out here give up before they even get started because of obstacles that we go through. Look at (former Miami WR Braxton) Berrios, straight baller! Look at (former NFL WR Victor) Cruz. They told that man he wasn’t big enough, fast enough, but he made it. I want us all to succeed at everything we have dreams for, especially on the football field. I LOVE this game, man.”
His message to Canes fans?
“Class of 2020 is coming!”
“(When Miami offered) I was advised by my head coach at St. Thomas (Roger Harriott),” Restrepo said. “It was an amazing feeling knowing I might be playing in my home state one day. I grew up a Canes fan.”
As one of the most talented athletes every time he touches the field, Restrepo plays on both sides of the ball in high school. The Canes have offered him as an athlete with the potential to play either WR or DB at the next level.
“I play and love both sides of the ball, so wherever Miami needs me and wherever I can contribute more to the team, I’m there,” Restrepo said.
While Restrepo is still in the early stages of his recruitment, he anticipates building a relationship with the UM coaching staff shortly.
“I really haven’t spoken with any coaches from Miami much since the offer since I’m only a sophomore, but I plan on visiting and speaking with them and finding out more about the football program and school come my junior year,” Restrepo said. “I love the history of the program. All the great players who came out of there, like Sean Taylor, the coaching staff, and the swag Miami has. I also want to study sports medicine, which I know Miami has a great program for.”
And he’ll be visiting his childhood favorite Canes very soon: Restrepo will be on campus for a high school freshman and sophomore event held at the Schwartz Center on March 31st. He has no other visits planned at this time.
“I’m actually gonna be at Miami on the 31st,” Restrepo said. “I will probably start taking official visits at the end of my junior year.”
A huge sophomore season got Restrepo on the radar of some top national programs, including the Canes. He recorded 51 tackles, 4 picks with one returned for a TD, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, and a whopping 5 blocked kicks on his way to first team All-Broward honors at DB in 2017. And that was just on defense. Restrepo also doubled as an offensive weapon for Monarch High, accounting for 851 total yards and punching in 11 touchdowns.
“I played my freshman and sophomore year as a starter at Monarch High School,” Restrepo said. “We did good this year, but of course we could’ve done better. We were 7-2. I feel like I played very well and contributed all that I could to the team. I was named first team All-County in Broward.”
Unfortunately for Monarch, they’ll be missing Restrepo’s services in 2018: he’ll play his junior year as a St. Thomas Aquinas Raider and he’s excited about the prospect of joining such a storied program.
“Well, I just transferred over to St. Thomas in January,” Restrepo. “I can’t wait to play my junior year at one of the best high schools. The coaches over at St. Thomas are like no other.”
With even more visibility at STA, his junior season will be a chance for Restrepo to continue to build his already impressive early offer list. In addition to the Canes, schools like Texas, Georgia, Louisville, and Mississippi State have extended scholarships to Restrepo.
“I hold all 10 offers I have right now at the same level,” Restrepo said. “I’m keeping my recruitment fully open right now. I’m only in 10th grade, so no schools are really coming at me too hard right now, but I’m sure all will open up in my junior year.”
Even with all the early attention, Restrepo prefers to take his recruitment slow and has no timeline for when he will make a decision. However, the program that finally wins him over will have stood out with their environment and educational opportunities.
“I mean, I don’t have a time as of right now on when I will commit,” said Restrepo. “I’m honestly just enjoying this process, but when the time comes to really narrow down the schools, the football program, coaching staff, and where I would stand within the program will all be considered, especially the academic side of the school as well. I’m trying to come out of college with multiple degrees, take advantage of the scholarship, and use it to the best of my ability.”
With a Colombian ethnic background, Restrepo is proud of his Hispanic heritage. When asked if he had thoughts on the lack of Hispanic players currently in the game of football, Restrepo demonstrated his maturity at such a young age with a well-thought out response.
“I honestly feel like whoever can ball needs to get out there and work for what they want, regardless of their ethnic background or whatever,” Restrepo said. “I feel like some of these athletes out here give up before they even get started because of obstacles that we go through. Look at (former Miami WR Braxton) Berrios, straight baller! Look at (former NFL WR Victor) Cruz. They told that man he wasn’t big enough, fast enough, but he made it. I want us all to succeed at everything we have dreams for, especially on the football field. I LOVE this game, man.”
His message to Canes fans?
“Class of 2020 is coming!”
