FIU Mega Camp Hosts Big Player and Coaching Talent

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Posted on June 7, 2022 by Brandon Odoi
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MIAMI- Last night’s FIU Mega Camp was a display of some of the state of Florida’s best talent and welcomed great coaching talent from across the country to the city.

Frist year head coach Mike MacIntyre played host to a camp with nearly 300 prospects grades 9th through 11th.  As host, FIU’s full-time football staff handled the coordination of the camp lasting just under two hours, including the stretching, warm-ups and the on-field drills. The coaches with South Florida ties who MacIntyre added to the staff aided in helping to attract top local talent. Five star 2023 All-Americans Jalen Brown and Hykeem Williams joined by Five-star 2024 WR Joshia Trader were three who stood out in the crowd. FIU Cornerbacks coach Corey Bell and running backs coach Eric Hickson showed how deep their ties ran, attracting top talent from local schools in Miami-Dade in Broward counties, along with defensive coordinator Javon Dewitt and defensive line coach George Fraiser who recruited the area at previous posts.

The Panthers staff was joined by nearly the entire football staff from Florida State, including head coach Mike Norvell, offensive coordinator Alex Atkins and defensive coordinator Randy Shannon. Norvell spent time courting the coveted wideouts Brown and Williams in addition to personally monitoring 40 times of athletes.

One of the fastest times recorded was a 4.53 hand time by 2023 DB Xavier Holmes of Cocoa (FL) High.  He finished the outdoor track season with a personal best 10.78.

In addition, Big Ten Champion and College Football Playoff University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbough and a bevy of staffers were present scouting talent at the camp.  Also accompanying the Michigan on-field staff was quarterbacks graduate assistant Milan “Mimi” Bolden-Morris, the first female GA in Big Ten History. She’s only the second female GA in Power 5 history and is a south Florida native from Palm Beach County.

Lastly, Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss staff was present at the camp for the second consecutive year.  Running backs coach Marquel Blackwell, offensive coordinator and tight ends coach John David Backer (Offensive-Coordinator/TE) and defensive graduate assistant and Quincy Casimir a former Maimi Hurricane, were all present scouting for the Rebs.

Here were the camp standouts:

ALPHA DOG

Joshia Trader (2024 WR, Miami Central)- Not only because he’s a top talent who displayed his elite explosion and fluid route-running throughout drills and one-on-ones, Trader managed the attention he received well on last night. Upon first meeting Harbough, he embraced the Hall of Fame Coach with a hug and a smile.  He was unguardable for the entire night and clearly the best athlete on the field.

QUARTERBACKS

Keyone Jenkins (2023 QB, Miami Central)- Jenkins made a throw during the one-on-one period that would have made Aaron Rodgers blush. He’s got excellent balance and throws a good ball.  There were a large amount of quarterbacks present and only a few reps given during the individual periods but Jenkins stood out.  The defending state championship quarterback boasts a few division one offers post-spring.

Alberto Mendoza (2024 QB Columbus)- Mendoza, fresh off a 5 for 5, 1 TD performance in the spring game came out and had a solid camp. He’s 6’2 and can sling it. He’s also a dual threat as a lacrosse player showing speed and agility during QB bag drills.

Mendoza had a strong camp showing after a good spring.

WIDE OUTS

Lawayne McCoy (2024 ATH, Avante Garde Academy)- One of the fastest risers on recruiting boards is two-way star McCoy.  He’s got speed and decent size and plays for a program that won ever regular season game in 2021.  He picked up an offer from Ole Miss after camping yesterday.

Za’Ron Collins (2023 WR, Monsignor Pace)- A former teammate of Traders, Collins stood out for his strong hands, size and speed. He’s an undervalued prospect in this cycle who will likely have a breakout senior year to cap off his great off-season.

TIGHT END

Jeremiah Augustin (2023, TE, Jupiter Christian)- The little-known split end showed why Power 5 schools have quietly checked in to recruit him all the way in North Palm Beach County.  Augustin snatched balls out of the air during drills and showed speed and agility through drills all camp.

Luke Petitta (2023 TE, Riverview)- Just a massive target with sure hands. Was impossible to miss at camp.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Denzel Dorn (2023 OL, Gulliver Prep)- Turned heads based on his sheer size, 6’6 and his excellent body control and movement for that girth.

LINEBACKER

Jeremiah Marcelin (2023 LB Norland)- He didn’t’ even participate in drills and picked up an SEC offer from Ole Miss at the camp last night.  Fast riser in the cycle at a position that’s begun to receive more focus as sure tackling is harder to come by in college football.

Jeremiah Marcelin (2023 LB Norland)

DEFENSIVE BACK

Dwight Bootle- (2023 DB Palmetto)- The Nebraska commit didn’t disappoint, was all over the field making plays and showing why he’s one of the fast-rising stars as this cycle comes to a close.

Vick Evans II (2023 DB Monsignor Pace)- Had a few very impressive reps during one-on-ones at the camp. Was extended an offer by FIU corners coach Corey Bell.

About Brandon Odoi

Brandon Odoi is a tenured journalist. He's covered youth football since 8th grade, high school football since 2009 and began covering college football in 2011 as a beat writer for the University of Miami Athletic programs. In 2011, he founded Football Hotbed a national multi-media platform for football across the country. He's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and spent his first five years as a professional working at ABC Television Network, ending his career as a producer in Miami. He's married with two sons and resides in South Florida.
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