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- Oct 13, 2011
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After producing numerous five-star caliber players last year, this is a down year overall in South Florida. The skill positions are especially weak. Nonetheless, history tells us that a bunch of these guys will emerge as great college football players and future pros.
The first position up is quarterback. Believe it or not, South Florida QBs have already started 31 NFL games this season between six different QBs (Lamar Jackson, Teddy Bridgewater, Jacolby Brissett, Geno Smith, Mike White and Tyler Huntley). That’s almost 10% of the total games in the league. One thing all of those guys have in common is height. The region has been dry lately, as the good QBs have lacked the size to merit serious P5 looks. This year’s group is similar with a couple of really good football players who lack the size of true big-time prospects.
Carson Haggard- 5’11, 175 (Gulliver)- Undersized but highly efficient distributor. 69 TDs and 11 INTs in his career. Live feet in the pocket. Accurate with average arm strength. Also excelled with Miami Immortals 7on7 team. Tulane commit.
Peter Zamora, 6’0, 200 (Westside, SC)- Another undersized passer with natural passing ability. Moved to South Carolina from Broward during pandemic. Quick release and quick eyes. 4,800 yards, 64%, 47 TDs and 13 picks for his career. Average size and twitch. 4.67 GPA. Marshall commit.
Zion Turner, 6’1, 190 (St. Thomas)- Three-year starter at the nation’s premier NFL factory. Recruiting died down after early hype, but he has bounced back with a solid senior year. 64% passer, 1,637 yards, 19 TDs and 5 picks. First-step quickness and RB build allows him to make the first rusher miss. More of a mobile pocket passer than true dual threat. Ball jumps out of his hand. G5 type.
Dominiq Ponder, 6’4, 183 (Carol City)- Raw and lanky with upside. Transferred from run-first Naples. Live arm with potential for more velocity as he adds weight and technique. Can already make stick throws. Solid athlete who can throw on the run. Opened eyes at 7on7 tournament in Nevada.
Fernando Mendoza, 6’5, 215 (Columbus)- Big-bodied, pro-style passer. Not twitchy but showed improved ability to throw off-platform as a senior. Solid arm strength. Numbers are average in run-based offense. Surprised he didn’t get more FBS attention given his dimensions. Yale commit.
Kevin Smith, 6’3, 225 (Palmetto)- Large QB who looks the part. Not a huge arm despite his size, more of a dart tosser. Has struggled at times as a senior and was temporarily benched.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11470569/5fd80984f31d251014fd2b67
Zo’Marion Harper, 5’11, 210 (Clewiston)- Instinctive playmaker with squatty build. Glades Central transfer. Arm talent only OK, needs to tighten up release. Palm Beach Offensive Player of the Year in 2020.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11692258/5fa995398cdf290a301b0eb7
Brady Kelly, 6’1, 195 (Calvary Christian)- Gibbons transfer who has had a strong senior year. 1,719 yards, 58%, 16 TDS and 5 INTs. Clean pocket passer with footwork and throws on time. Average physical tools. DII offers.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10766030/613b9814da512a0688802490
The first position up is quarterback. Believe it or not, South Florida QBs have already started 31 NFL games this season between six different QBs (Lamar Jackson, Teddy Bridgewater, Jacolby Brissett, Geno Smith, Mike White and Tyler Huntley). That’s almost 10% of the total games in the league. One thing all of those guys have in common is height. The region has been dry lately, as the good QBs have lacked the size to merit serious P5 looks. This year’s group is similar with a couple of really good football players who lack the size of true big-time prospects.
Carson Haggard- 5’11, 175 (Gulliver)- Undersized but highly efficient distributor. 69 TDs and 11 INTs in his career. Live feet in the pocket. Accurate with average arm strength. Also excelled with Miami Immortals 7on7 team. Tulane commit.
Peter Zamora, 6’0, 200 (Westside, SC)- Another undersized passer with natural passing ability. Moved to South Carolina from Broward during pandemic. Quick release and quick eyes. 4,800 yards, 64%, 47 TDs and 13 picks for his career. Average size and twitch. 4.67 GPA. Marshall commit.
Zion Turner, 6’1, 190 (St. Thomas)- Three-year starter at the nation’s premier NFL factory. Recruiting died down after early hype, but he has bounced back with a solid senior year. 64% passer, 1,637 yards, 19 TDs and 5 picks. First-step quickness and RB build allows him to make the first rusher miss. More of a mobile pocket passer than true dual threat. Ball jumps out of his hand. G5 type.
Dominiq Ponder, 6’4, 183 (Carol City)- Raw and lanky with upside. Transferred from run-first Naples. Live arm with potential for more velocity as he adds weight and technique. Can already make stick throws. Solid athlete who can throw on the run. Opened eyes at 7on7 tournament in Nevada.
Fernando Mendoza, 6’5, 215 (Columbus)- Big-bodied, pro-style passer. Not twitchy but showed improved ability to throw off-platform as a senior. Solid arm strength. Numbers are average in run-based offense. Surprised he didn’t get more FBS attention given his dimensions. Yale commit.
Kevin Smith, 6’3, 225 (Palmetto)- Large QB who looks the part. Not a huge arm despite his size, more of a dart tosser. Has struggled at times as a senior and was temporarily benched.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11470569/5fd80984f31d251014fd2b67
Zo’Marion Harper, 5’11, 210 (Clewiston)- Instinctive playmaker with squatty build. Glades Central transfer. Arm talent only OK, needs to tighten up release. Palm Beach Offensive Player of the Year in 2020.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11692258/5fa995398cdf290a301b0eb7
Brady Kelly, 6’1, 195 (Calvary Christian)- Gibbons transfer who has had a strong senior year. 1,719 yards, 58%, 16 TDS and 5 INTs. Clean pocket passer with footwork and throws on time. Average physical tools. DII offers.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10766030/613b9814da512a0688802490
