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Fort Lauderdale, FL — Special teams oftentimes determine the outcome of football games and the importance of specialist positions should not be undervalued. In a time when social distancing is a hot topic of conversation, distance is actually how specialist prospects distance themselves from the competition. Football Hotbed held its annual Specialist Showcase Friday at Joseph Carter Park where distance and accuracy were points of emphasis. Everest Ferrell from American Heritage (Delray) took home overall MVP honors as well as the punting championship.
Congrats to the winners of the 2020 @FootballHotbed Specialist Showcase. @everest_ferrell wins punting and overall competition. @ty_miller wins field goal competition and @leoball_1k wins kickoff competition. @kristian_hobbs wins overall middle school title for 2nd straight year. pic.twitter.com/jZzkDyYfT2
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) July 17, 2020
“It was great, the coaches out here were great,” said Ferrell with a surgical mask on. “They showed me what it’s like to be a college specialist and gave me some great advice.”
The 2022 specialist started his kicking career last year after deciding to concentrate on football over soccer. Ferrell was a goalkeeper at Heritage Delray before making the move from the pitch to the gridiron. Last December, Ferrell visited both FAU and UCF in hopes to land a scholarship offer.
Post Camp Interview: Overall champion @everest_ferrell from @stallionsfb talks about his experience at the @FootballHotbed Specialst Showcase, personal bests and recruiting visits. pic.twitter.com/nwRAmsGdVt
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) July 17, 2020
Ferrell confirmed that FAU and UCF are his top two schools and he loves the atmosphere at both programs. However, the incoming junior would like to explore his options and would like to visit Illinois where his family is from originally.
“I went to UCF it was a great experience there and a couple of weeks before that I went to FAU,” said Ferrell. “I’d love to get back there soon.”
Ferrell’s longest punt in his career in a game is 57 yards but has punted as far as 65 yards.
Finishing second overall was 5A state champion Leonardo Zuazo from Miami Northwestern. Zuazo placed first in the kickoff competition with his longest kick going 71 yards.
“I’ve been working on getting stronger and getting my technique right,” said Zuazo on a humid but windy day at Carter Park. “It’s good competition and I’m getting better. We’re all good and we’re all getting better.”
Zuazo won the field goal competition at last year’s showcase and comes home with another MVP honor in 2020. Zuazo holds an offer from Tennessee State but coaches from Kent State and West Florida have also shown interest.
Another repeat winner was middle school specialist Kristian Hobbs. Hobbs won the middle school overall MVP for the second straight year and nearly won the field goal competition among all participants. Hobbs will be taking his services to Western High School in the Fall. The future Wildcat drilled a 45-yard field goal for his personal career-best Saturday and intends to return to the showcase for a third straight year.
Back to back @FootballHotbed middle school specialist champion @kristian_hobbs seen here hitting a career best from 45 yards. Hobbs enters his freshman year in high school at @WHSFball this fall. pic.twitter.com/IUjyp0W07W
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) July 17, 2020
“I almost won that field goal competition with all those high schoolers. I missed a 50-yarder by like two yards,” said Hobbs with a checkered Hotbed mask on. “I’m hoping to win it again [next year] and beat all these old guys.”
Incoming high school freshman @kristian_hobbs almost beat high schoolers in the @FootballHotbed Specialist Showcase Field Goal competition today. After winning his second straight overall middle school competition, Hobbs is looking to return for a third year. pic.twitter.com/bARRslAjvJ
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) July 17, 2020
The winner of the field goal competition traveled far to claim the prize in South Florida. Ty Miller (featured image) from Biloxi, Mississippi hit a 50-yard field goal to win the eliminator style battle. The incoming sophomore from St. Patrick Catholic High School was confident that he would make the game clincher. Miller participated in the Football Hotbed Freshman All-American Game last January.
“I didn’t feel any pressure at all making that last kick. I know I can make it,” said Miller donning a Hotbed face mask.
Ty Miller out of Mississippi wins field goal competition at @FootballHotbed Specialist Showcase. @Ty_Miller2023 out of @spfightingirish @RecruitingSt splits the uprights here with a 50-yarder to clinch title. pic.twitter.com/8bpfVwx84n
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) July 17, 2020
“I played in the Hotbed freshman showcase game in January so I jumped on the invite for this showcase.”
Miller has hit field goals from 55 yards in practice with his longest in-game distancing 37 yards.
Rising 8th grader Kasen Mullins also had a solid showing with kickoffs going as far as 46 yards and punts averaging about 33 yards.
