South Florida Quarterbacks With The Most To Prove

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Marcus Benjamin @_benjaminmoney

South Florida hails as one of the many football hotbeds in the country.  This is not always the case when it comes to quarterbacks however.  History has shown that players like Teddy Bridgewater (Miami Northwestern) and Geno Smith (Miramar)  have the potential to play in the NFL, but not many overall are successful at the pro level.  Going into Spring ball these South Florida quarterbacks will have much to prove in the 2018 season.

Nik Scalzo 5’11” 185 (Cardinal Gibbons Fort Lauderdale, FL)

Gibbons should be the favorite to take home the 5A state title this season.  Losing close games to eventual champion American Heritage (Plantation) in the playoffs the past two seasons still stings for the Chiefs.  Last years narrow playoff loss to Heritage was a triple overtime thriller 58-57.  The undecided dual threat three star quarterback is looking to add a state title and a star or two to his resume.  Scalzo started since his sophomore year and has thrown 50 touchdowns passes to 15 interceptions with a 98.2 passer rating.  Scalzo draws comparisons to Johnny Manziel‘s college career and holds offers from Kentucky, Illinois, Central Michigan and Harvard.  He was awarded the positional MVP at the Regional Nike Opening last month in Miami and is taking his performance in his senior season very, very seriously.

http://www.hudl.com/profile/5275001/Nik-Scalzo

Maurice Underwood 6’3” 173 (Miami Central)

Since the departure of then senior quarterback Jerrod Thomas, Underwood has seen his district foes Miami Northwestern and Miami Carol City come home with state titles in the past two years.  This is after Central won four state titles in a row in an era of dominance where they won five in six years and advanced to the state final every year during that span. In 2016, Central suffered a heartbreaking loss to Northwestern 45-44 in double overtime dashing their playoff hopes.  Last year they would lose again to the Bulls, this time in the playoffs 24-18.  Underwood has great mechanics and throws a nice deep ball and if he continues to build on a solid junior season, he should gain a star and offers.  The three star Marshall commit will look to avenge last year’s playoff exit in arguably the toughest district in the country.

http://www.hudl.com/profile/6603027/Maurice-Underwood

Daniel Richardson 5’11” 170 (Miami Carol City)

D-Rich played three solid years as Miami Booker T. Washington’s signal caller and now will command the offense for the Carol City Chiefs.  Richardson lead the Tornadoes to a fourth consecutive 4A state title in his freshman season as he was Dade County’s leading passer that season.  He would lose to Cocoa in the state semifinals the following season.  Last season Booker T. failed to make the playoffs but they probably had the toughest schedule in South Florida suffering losses to 3A state champion Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood), 6A champion Miami Northwestern and playoff teams Miami Central, Miami Columbus and Miami Carol City.  Richardson simply just makes big plays on the field and holds offers from FIU, FAU and Toledo and hopes the move to a tougher district will improve his stock.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/5310244/Daniel-Richardson

Mariano Valenti  6’1″ 195 (St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, FL)

The transfer from Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, MI is looking to take over the starting job for the powerhouse program in Fort Lauderdale.  The Raiders struggled offensively last season as Curt Casteel started the season at quarterback but Derek Wingo assumed the duties mid-season.  St. Thomas failed to complete their run of four straight state titles when they were eliminated in the state semis against eventual champion Venice.  Wingo will move to linebacker as Casteel and Valenti will battle for the starting job.  Valenti has a strong arm but minimal experience playing in 10 total games.  Much pressure will be put on the young man from the north to perform for a championship caliber team.  The three star quarterback currently holds offers from Kent State Northern Illinois and Central Michigan.

http://www.hudl.com/profile/6172917/Mariano-Valenti