Paradise Camp Targets Local Products With Alumni Greats

Posted on July 29, 2018 by Marcus Benjamin

Marcus Benjamin @_benjaminmoney

Coral Gables – The southeast tip of the country breeds superior football talent compared to most other states. Dominating recruiting in South Florida greatly increases your chances of winning a national championship. The last championship that Miami produced in 2001, had 17 players from the tri-county area drafted by the NFL. Those players are: Vernon Carey, Tanard Davis, Frank Gore, Andre Johnson, Carlos Joseph, William Joseph, Darrell McGlover, Jerome McDougle, Willis McGahee, Chris Myers, Antrel Rolle, Brett Romberg, Mike Rumph, Sean Taylor, Santonio Thomas, Vince Wilfork and Jonathan Vilma.

Vilma was one of many former alumni that attended the annual Paradise Camp held on the campus of the University of Miami Saturday. Other notable alumni in attendance were Michael Irvin, Gino Torretta, Clinton Portis, Bryant McKinnie, Warren Sapp, Jon Beason, Bennie Blades, and Lamar Thomas.

“It was great to come back,” said Thomas. “There are a lot of elite kids out here and I think Coach [Mark Richt] is on the right track.”

The incoming recruiting class is loaded with South Florida athletes all expected to compete for a state championship this fall. They currently have nine players from South Florida committed.

Hurricane South Florida Commits for 2019

Samuel Brooks, Linebacker, Miami Northwestern

Jarvis Brownlee, Defensive Back, Miami Carol City

Te’Cory Couch, Defensive Back, Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, FL)

Denzel Daxon, Defensive Tackle (Doral Academy, FL)

Jahfari Harvey, Defensive End, Vero Beach, FL

Avery Huff, Linebacker, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, FL)

Jason Munoz, Defensive End, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, FL)

Anthony Solomon, Linebacker, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, FL)

Keontra Smith, Defensive Back, Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, FL)

Cameron Williams, Defensive End, Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, FL)

Miami continues to target more elite talent from the state of Florida as a well as the rest of the country. Many targets were in attendance at Paradise Camp including five star Georgia commit Jason Haselwood, Wide Receiver, Cedar Grove, GA, four star Keon Zipperer, Tight End, Lakeland, FL, four star Lloyd Summerall, Wide Receiver, Lakeland, FL, and four star Mark-Antony Richards brother of current standout wide receiver Ahmmon Richards.

Commits from different recruiting cycles were in attendance like Brownlee, Couch, Harvey, Solomon and Smith listed above as well as Marcus Crowley, Running Back, Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) and Larry Hodges, Tight End, Tampa Jesuit among others.  Caziah Holmes of Cocoa also particularly impressive in one on one drills.

Hurricane 2020 Commits from South Florida

Samuel Anaele, Defensive End, Doral Academy
Marc Britt, Wide Receiver, Miami Christian
Henry Gray, Cornerback, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale)
Willie Moise, Defensive Tackle Chaminade-Madonna, (Hollywood, FL)
Marcus Fleming, Wide Receiver, Miami Southridge
Elijah Roberts, Defensive End, Miami Columbus

Miami currently holds the number one recruiting class for 2020 and gained four commitments over the weekend. Four star Guard, Jonathan Denis and Safeties Keyshawn Washington and Jaiden Francois all from South Dade High School committed to the Hurricanes Friday. Four star receiver Bryan Robinson from Palm Beach Central also committed to the Hurricanes over the weekend. This puts the Canes at ten total commits, four ahead of the nearest school Ohio State with six.

Miami continues to build for the future as the 2021 class is already off to a great start with elite South Florida players. The Canes landed defensive end from Miami Booker T. Washington, Donnell Harris over the weekend and already have commits from potential five star athletes of offensive lineman Laurence Seymour from Miami Central and James Williams who transferred from Miami Pace to American Heritage (Plantation) over the summer. All were in attendance at Paradise Camp.

Current players were out at Paradise Camp working with prospects in performance drills. Shaquille Quarterman, Jaquan Johnson, Michael Pinkney, Sheldrick Redwine, Camron Davis, Michael Jackson, Jarren Williams, Malik Rosier, Gregory Rousseau and Nesta Silvera. Silvera during his signing day at American Heritage was asked why he chose to stay home and play for the Hurricanes. He responded with a phrase that is now becoming a common mantra for the local kids who are choosing to stay home with the Miami Hurricanes.

“Why not make the crib great?” asked Silvera.

Coach Mark Richt understands that building starts with dominating home field and Paradise Camp is just another way is making the Hurricanes Miami’s true hometown team.

About Marcus Benjamin

Marcus Benjamin works as the senior writer and editor for FootballHotbed.com. He attended Florida A&M and Florida Memorial University completing a bachelors degree in communications in 2010. He's covered high school football in the South Florida area since 2010 for the Miami Herald, Miami Sports Tribune and ShawSports.net. He is married and lives in Fort, Lauderdale, FL.
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