Going into the 2020-2021 season, we will be doing off-season team profiles of notable teams in the Miami-Dade and Broward County area. We will go in-depth with our analysis of these squads, informing you on players to watch and giving you, the fans, a better idea of what each team will look like going into the next season.
Our 2nd Team Profile is the Deerfield Beach Bucks. This prestigious program went 10-4 in 2019 and put 11 kids into D1 programs. While the usual totality of star power isn't there with this 2020 team, but they might be one of the more well-rounded teams in recent memory. HC Jevon Glenn has been a revelation since taking over in 2015. His record of 50-14 in the highest classification of Florida HS football is unprecedented. Glenn has put together 5 District Championships, 3 State Semi appearances, 4 10 win seasons, and routinely hovers around 10 D1 signees a year. The talent is there again for the Bucks in another season of a wide-open 8A classification. Let's get into the Bucks.
Quarterback
When you graduate two All-County QBs in the same year, usually there is a drop off in production. That won't be the case in 2020. 2022 QB Pete Zamora is planting his flag as the next great Deerfield QB after a 2170 yard, 26 TD 2019 season over at Monarch. His elite production is not strictly based on system though. The soon to be Junior completed 69% of his passes and helped raise Monarch to a near playoff appearance. His leadership and positivity reverberated throughout the program and has helped bring even more excitement to the DBHS program for 2020 and beyond. Zamora is a pocket passer in every sense of the term. He is laser-accurate with the ball, lays up passes perfectly to vertical WRs, and rarely makes mistakes, committing just 5 INTs last season.
Running back
2020 4-star UM RB Jaylan Knighton was one of the greatest South Florida RBs in history. The iconic #4 that Knighton sported after future first-rounder Jerry Jeudy, will now be passed down to 2022 4-star RB Jaziun Patterson. Patterson is in the simplest terms, special. In split duty, Patterson put up over 600 yards and 14 TDs. The yards could be tripled and the TDs doubled in 2020. A physical back at a young 5'11 180, Patterson is explosive through the hole and simply doesn't go backward, much like Rooster before him. With 29 offers to his credit, Patterson should be a top 50 ranked player nationally by his senior year.
Wide Receiver
Another year, another group of 4+ D1 WRs for the Bucks. The biggest name of the group is 2021 3-star Fred Eaford, the brother of Oregon LB Gemon Eaford. This former UM commit has a twitch that is rare. As a WR, CB, Returner, Eaford exhibits elite athleticism every Friday night. His 7 on 7 connection with Zamora could push him into the 1000 yard, 10 TD territory next year. 2022 prospect JoJo Kennerly will man the slot for the Bucks. Kennerly started coming on more and more as the season wore on. He showed potential in 2019 against Columbus in the State Semis taking bubbles and reverses. 2021 Jamarion McDougle is a 6'1 170 outside wideout who runs great routes and has consistent hands. He holds 7 offers so far and should hit double digits by the Spring. 2021 WR Michael Jordan is the biggest player in the group at 6'1 195. His solid frame makes him a first look in the red zone. For Coconut Creek in 2019, he put up 600 yards and 10 TDs to lead the team in both categories. The up and coming player of the group that could burst on the scene is 2023 Tastean Reddicks. A freshman whos already 6' 160, Reddicks is ready for the shine and will pick up his first offer before the summer. Reddicks is already the best WR on the team in regards to 50/50 balls.
Offensive Line
A couple of prospects really stand out for this unit. 2021 OL Isaiah Bunn is a strong 6'2 270 at OG. While he isn't the athlete some OL in South Florida are, he is technically sound, has great feet, and drive blocks well. His recruitment has opened up since the end of the season and could end up at a P5 school. 2022 Aaron Hicks is going to end up as one of the top 5 OL in South Florida by his Senior year.
Defensive Line
Deerfield is blessed with two big-time prospects in the defensive trenches. The front line of their 3-4 defense is led by 2022 4-star DE Richard Thomas (6'2 240). A dominant force for American Heritage Plantation the past two seasons, Thomas should fit in perfectly in the Buck's scheme. His strength is unprecedented at the high school level and he has been recognized as one of the Top 50 2022 prospects in the country. Thomas had 7 sacks in 2019 but should be closer to 10 as he develops as a pass rusher under DC John Cassaro, who consistently has one of the top pass rushes in South Florida for the better half of the decade. 2022 future 4-star Alton Tarber (6'2 300) is the definition of the eye test. Tarber has 20+ offers to his credit. He is a freak in regards to his solid frame. Tarber demands a double whether he is at the 1 or 3 and is the key to making the 3-4 defenses flow. The final piece of the Deerfield DL is 2021 DE Justice Cross (6'3 225). Cross has collected 4 offers this off-season including an olive branch from Maryland. His 2019 consisted of 28 TT, 9 TFLs and 4 sacks. He probably projects best as an EDGE prospect at the next level
Linebacker
A soon to be a household name in South Florida is 2023 ATH Jayvant Brown. Brown was an impact player for University School in 2019, playing both ways as a freshman. Already 6'1 200lb, Brown brings the skill and savvy of an RB, which he totaled nearly 400 yards at, to the LB position. He tracks so well, mirroring backs sideline to sideline in the run game, but shows the hips and footwork to stretch the field as a Tampa 2 MLB in the passing game. He holds 11 offers so far. The second part of Deerfield's Power 5 prospect LB tandem is 2022 Daterius Lee (6'2 215). Lee has 6 Power 5 offers to his credit. He will bring some added pass rush as a 3-4 OLB. The true MLB of this defense will be 2021 Winslot Greffin (6' 210). Greffin is a returning starter and brings leadership to the table. He works the passing lanes well and is solid in the run game.
Defensive Back
The biggest 2021 recruiting piece for Deerfield is in the defensive backfield. 2021 3-star Auburn commit Phillip O'Brien is a versatile DB who projects best as a safety. His speed and confidence allow him to be the swiss army knife of this defense. He can cover in the slot as a Nickle, help in Cover 2 as an outside CB, blitz off the edge, or play in the box on 3rd and long situations. 2021 SS Marquis Gant is probably the best enforcer at the Safety position that Deerfield has had since 2017 University of Buffalo signee Kobe Green. He is an assassin with a helmet. His short stature is the only thing preventing him from being a legit 4-star prospect. Coconut Creek transfer CB Simeal Burke (5'10 160) is an explosive player who will surprise people this season. He brings speed to the CB position that just wasn't there in 2019. The DB that will really help battle the spread offenses they will face in 2020 is Jared Moorer. This 2020 Nickel is such a well-rounded player with rare instincts. He tackles well in space, is above average in coverage and is a special teams ace.
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