In 2020, we have seen the recruiting process shift from offers and letters strictly for upperclassmen to little league superstars climbing recruiting rankings & receiving legitimate college interest. As recruiting has accelerated, so has playing time and the impact 8th and 9th-grade prospects can make on the varsity level. Programs are now plucking middle school kids & placing them in starting lineups as soon as they walk through their high school's doors.
As the season has started down here in South Florida, we start to see the 9th graders that will soon be the next Thad Franklin or James Williams sooner than later. Getting a chance to see some of these prospects make their mark early and hearing from the coaches who they expect to be impact players, we spotlight some of the stars of tomorrow and give a short insight to not only where they are today, but there potential for the future
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Quarterbacks
Adrian Posse (6'5 200), Monsignor Pace
Posse is arguably the top freshman QB and possibly prospect in the area. He posses a Power 5 frame at such a young age and rolls into his freshman season with varsity experience already under his belt. Posse showed potential as an 8th grader reserve at Miami Christian and has shined in shorts & t-shirt setting, but the telling sign for him will be how he steps in as the focal point of Pace's offense. With an offense built around his strengths and a solid OL to protect him, his few offers of LSU, Texas A&M & Southern Miss will just be the start.
Michael Merdinger (6'1 170), Deerfield Beach
Merdinger is a special talent who with the recent transfer of 2022 Pete Zamora, will see early playing time for a LOADED Deerfield Beach offense. The full package as a prospect, as Merdinger is an IB student on top of being one of the top 2024 QBs in the country. Still growing into his frame, he has shown the ability stand in against pressure while still delivering strikes, hit vertical throws both inside & outside the numbers, and has the mobility to move the pocket & evade free rushers. A potential 3-year starter for one of the most recruited High School programs in the nation.
CJ Bailey (6'4 195), Chaminade-Madonna
A winner. The first thought - and fact - that describes this prospect. A National Champion at the little league level, to now lighting up varsity defenses when given the opportunity, Bailey is as can't miss as they come. Such a young passer, he is able to look off safeties, time touch throws, and exhibit the elite ability to lead. A pocket passer-by nature, he has been efficient in running the read-option as well. After 2021 Howard commit Jaylan Tolbert finishes this season, Chaminade will have a plan in place for the leader of their team for the next 3 years.
Runningback
Davion Gause (5'10 197), Chaminade-Madonna
When mentioning the future of the RB position in South Florida, the first name mentioned for this class is "Bullet" Gause. Already holding offers from UM, Georgia Tech, Maryland, and FAU, this 2024 phenom has burst on the scene early for the Lions. One of the main cogs for the National Champion Little League Miami Gardens Ravens, Guise has a 100 yard game to his credit just 3 games into his prep career. A powerful runner with solid vision for a young back, he should maintain the elite rushing attack for Chaminade after UM commit Thad Franklin plays his final game.
Khamani Alexander (6' 170), Belen Jesuit
Belen loses RB phenom Don Chaney Jr to graduation and replaces him with another future star. A patient runner who is elusive with the special ability to stop and start on a dime, he has shown he is a legitimate threat out of the backfield or lining up in the slot as well. He easily gets to the 2nd level and as he adds weight those 15-20 yard runs should turn into 50+. Watch as he develops into one of the top backs in not only South Florida but potentially the country.
Tovani Mizell (6' 193), Stranahan
A sleeper prospect that should be on everyone's radar - High School coaches and College coaches alike. Advanced in terms of his frame, Mizell is another 2024 prospect with 8th-grade varsity experience. Probably best classified as an athlete, he shows flashes as an LB/SS in 2019 and has taken the long off-season to refine his game as an offensive player. In camp settings, Mizell has displayed a strong combo of route running & hands. Natural athleticism and plus size will allow him to transition to the RB position seamlessly and be a core piece for the future of the Dragons.
Jordan Jones (5'7 185), Champagnat Catholic
Comparative to the previous RBs mentioned, Jones doesn't fit the mold of a back that will be 6'+, but the younger brother of 2021 Gardner Webb commit Donovan Jones has gotten run in the early going of 2020 and proved his ability to spell his brother on the varsity level. Jones is a thicker RB with quick feet, nice change of direction, and no fear of contact. Champagnat's spread scheme should fit Jones's strength's and he should develop nicely in a high powered offense.
Wide Receiver
Jeremiah Smith (6' 160), Monsignor Pace
Another Miami Garden Raven (you'll notice a theme here) that is an instant impact player at the high school level. Pace has an offensive core of 2024 starters that should be household names on the recruiting trail by the time they are upperclassmen and Smith is one of them. A tall, lanky wideout that has his coaches speechless about every other play in practice, Smith will be the primary target for QB Adrian Posse.
J.T. Madison (6'2 172),TRU Prep
Very few schools ever have players the caliber of 2023 phenom WR Brandon Inniss, let alone TWO 8th grade prodigies. Madison is a different type of player than Inniss but still showcases the talent to be a blue-chip prospect. Already growing into his solid 6'2 frame, he is not only one of the top 2024 prospects in South Florida but could be threatening for Top 15 WR in the area as soon as next year. Madison easily snags 50/50 balls, is constantly refining his route tree, and is part of one of the most exciting WR units in South Florida.
Joshisa Trader (5'10 150), Monsignor Pace
Trader is the 2nd freshman WR to transition from the Miami Gardens Ravens program to Pace and show early that he deserves recognition from the jump. A skilled route runner that uses leverage and solid footwork probably fits best as a quick slot. The combo of Smith and Trader should cause headaches in 4A for the next 4 years.
Offensive Line
Jabari Dukes (6'3 275), Champagnat Catholic
Could be looking at the top overall 2024 prospect here. Already a major target for Power 5 programs (Offers from Ole Miss, Miami, and Maryland), Dukes has elite potential at DT as well. Very few players around the country are as physically imposing as Dukes as a freshman. He has helped guide a Champagnat offense that has run the ball with ease halfway through their schedule.
Cornelius Bembry (6'2 270), Monsignor Pace
Bembry, a little league teammate of Dukes, immediately was trusted as the blindside of prized QB Adrian Posse. Much like Dukes, Bembry looks like he belongs and surpassed the expectations of any freshman OL. The key to his development will be the weight room and the competition he faces every day in practice, which includes the #2 2022 prospect in Shemar Stewart as well as a few other D1 prospects.
Matthew Rubio (5'10 250), Champagnat Catholic
Already a 2-year starter and a State Champion, Rubio is a Center that controls the offense and has already shown the ability to make line calls and block players with much bigger size. Rubio is part of a special core that is fighting for a repeat. Not likely to be a Power 5 prospect, Rubio will be a knowledgeable interior OL by his senior year that will have a resume unlike most, proving that he could fit in at the FCS/Group of 5 level.
Jimmy Williams (6'4 270), TRU Prep
The heir apparent to Clemson commit OT Marcus Tate, Williams is one of several TPA freshman impact players. Already tall enough, he has a lean frame that projects him as a P5 offensive lineman. Williams has the privilege to be under the mentorship of OL guru Daniel Luque, and has the potential to develop just the same as Tate.
Defensive Line
Dylan Stephenson (6'4 220), Killian
The prototype for an edge rusher, Stephenson is bringing some varsity experience from his 8th-grade year. He goes from a small private school setting that may have never challenged him, to the bright lights of big-time Miami-Dade football. Stephenson has the potential to rise to the occasion. He has played on the Miami Immortal 15U National Championship team and has grown his body, footwork, and strength by leaps and bounds. He could be a freaky athlete (11.89 100-meter) at DE/OLB that is a huge target for the major schools
Gavench Marcelin (6'2 210), Belen Jesuit
Marcelin is one of the key contributors to a young Belen team. The combo of him and 2024 RB Alexander provides a strong talent core to build on over the years. Already multiple games of 2+ sacks, he is primed to be one the premier pass rushers coming up. Already 6'2 210, Marcelin should be seeing interest from the Florida D1 programs and the usual P5 schools that poach talent from down here. Marcelin turns the corner well and closes the distance on ball carriers quickly. The biggest takeaway from his first few performances is the willingness to use his hands, showing early development as a pass rusher.
Justin Bodford (6' 280), Western
The first DT in this spotlight, Bodford is a load in the interior. While the Wildcats haven't kicked their season off yet, Bodford will be a key rotational piece from the jump. This is the type of prospect that will demand a double as a 1 tech DT. He uses leverage and quick hands to shed blocks and that should only improve when he gets in a high school weight training program, which Western specializes in.
Linebacker
Semaj Kimpson (5'10 190), Monsignor Pace
The definition of a thumper. On a defense with multiple D1 prospects on the defensive line, Kimpson is the source of most of the pressure for Pace (3 sacks). He has shown versatility, playing all spots in the 2nd level. He fits the mold of modern linebackers, as he is more of a transitioned SS that excels in the box. As he matures physically, his impressive film will put him in a position to be a big-time recruit.
Vincent Shavers (6'1 195), TRU Prep
Shavers is a freak of nature that could be the next Wesley Bissainthe or Terrence Lewis. A RB/LB hybrid, Shavers has people wondering where to play him because of his natural ability at both spots. As an LB, he is a DC's dream. Whether in coverage or against the run, Shavers has 5-Star potential. It's actually shocking he hasn't picked up an offer yet. A Miami Gardens Ravens product, he was in tandem with Bullet Gause, gashing defenses. He was also a SS/LB that had excellent range in coverage, smooth lateral movement playing sideline to sideline, and leg drive that allowed him to go backwards almost never. He has already started a game at LB and could have his first start at RB soon as he showed wiggle and vision against STA.
Carlos Dales (5'11 197), TRU Prep
CJ Dales was a plug and play starter for TRU Prep and hasn't disappointed. Dales is an MLB with good hips, eyes in diagnosing run/pass, and so far has shown an understanding for his drops and interrupting passing lanes. If Shavers and Dales stay together, they could end up the top LB duo in South Florida.
Denzel Johnson (5'11 185), Chaminade-Madonna
Johnson wasn't expected to play much as a freshman due to multiple 2022 returning starters at LB, but early opportunity came and he answered the call. Johnson mirrors RBs with fluid hips, has great long speed as an ILB chasing down ballcarriers, and rarely gets stuck on OL getting to the 2nd level. His willingness to play special teams has added to his playing time, where he has made a few bigtime tackles for a loss of net yards. Johnson is a ball carrier that might make one of his 2022 teammates sweat for playing time over the next year.
Defensive Backs
Zayquan Patterson (6' 175), TRU Prep
A FS with an INT already to his credit, Patterson has jumped feet first into varsity competition with confidence. He screams down without hesitation against the run, on top of being a natural center fielder who can run one high coverages. He will soon develop into a Kam Kinchens type player who is able to roam passing lanes as a walking INT.
Ryan Mack (5'11 165), St. Thomas Aquinas
One of the few prospects on this list that probably won't make an early impact on the varsity level but he deserves to mentioned just as much or more than anyone else. Mack was a star on both offense and defense for that dominant Miami Gardens Ravens team. He will be the next safety superstar at FS, a spot that has produced Lamarcus Joyner, Major Wright, and Jordan Battle. A trained CB, he has the footwork and ability to jump in the slot playing press or off man. Where he's at his best is over the top, taking advantage of QB misreads. He has the ball skills to consistently bring in 5+ INTs a year as an HS player. He is a UM legacy and currently holds an offer from the Hurricanes.
Curtis Janvier (5'11 165), Chaminade-Madonna
When CBs get into high school, usually the worry is size and strength against varsity receivers. Janvier passes both the eye and film test. As a youth, Janvier was a physical CB who came up and thumped on screens, tested bigger WRs consistently breaking up 50/50 balls and in high school, he has picked up his first INT on a nice diving play. His understanding for the game should only improve playing amongst elite DBs at Chaminade and being part of the top 7on7 team in the nation, South Florida Express.
Clifton Brown (5'8 150), Miami Edison
The first CB mentioned in this spotlight, Brown might not be that 5'11-6' freshman but he will play early and often for an Edison team that will compete for the 3A State Championship. Working against 3 D1 receivers every day at practice, Brown will have no choice but to develop and develop fast. Brown is a patient CB but don't disguise that as intimidation. He has impeccable footwork, is physical through routes, and is quick to turn on errant throws. He has already picked off some of the top 2024 QBs in the area in little league, something that should transition to High School.
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