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Players came from all over the country – including Washington D.C. and Maryland – to compete in the Football Hotbed National Invitational Showcase two-day event, which included sponsorship from 411 Pain, this past weekend at Ives Estate Park.
Athletes went through testing drills – 40-yard dash, various shuttle runs, vertical leap and power ball toss – and competed in 1-on-1’s on the first day. The second day included a lineman challenge and culminated in a four-team open-run 7-on-7 tournament.
Football Hotbed publisher Brandon Odoi said the event was more than just another opportunity for athletes to compete.
“The event is much more than just a chance for kids to get some work in,” Odoi began. “We took kids on a college tour in an effort to provide a multi-dimensional platform for the athletes to gain positive exposure – with our full coverage and promotion of the event – receive top-notch instruction from coaches, and to compete against some of the best athletes South Florida has to offer.”
Miami Northwestern 2018 defensive back Nigel Bethel Jr. got everyone’s attention on the first evening as he won the “Fastest Man” competition. Bethel Jr., who has offers from Louisville, Miami, and Purdue, dusted the competition, clocking a 4.38 time in the 40-yard race.
The showcase’s second day had its own set of stars as well.
Immokalee High School 2020 quarterback R.J. Rosales earned “Quarterback MVP”.
A pair of out-of-towners took home top linemen honors – Maryland Great Mills 2018 defensive lineman Anthony Brisbon and Washington D.C. offensive lineman Akeido Morison respectively.
Miami High wide receiver Andrew Reese dazzled during the 7-on-7 portion and took home the “Receiver MVP” honor while South Plantation 2018 running back Dawson Hill was named the top ball carrier.
St. Thomas Aquinas’s Derek Wingo was named “Linebacker MVP” while Davante Sanchez was named top defensive back.
