2029 National Middle School Invitational Recap

Follow MIAMI — If you needed any more evidence that the True North Classical Academy Titans are ready to announce themselves as one of the most dangerous programs in South Florida football, they handed it to you in the most emphatic way possible.True North defeated the West Boca Raton Bulls in the championship game of the University of Miami 7V7 Tournament, knocking off the defending back-to-back FHSAA Class 6A state champions in a result that should send a clear message from Miami to every program in the state of Florida.Let that sink in for a moment.West Boca Raton is not just any team. The Bulls are the gold standard of Florida high school football right now. They posted a perfect 15-0 record in 2024, winning the program’s first state championship in program history before turning around in 2025 and repeating — shutting out West Broward 31-0 in the 6A state championship game at FIU’s Pitbull Stadium. Back-to-back. Dominant. The program that every team in the state measures itself against.And True North just beat them.A Program on the Rise — And They Know ItThis victory did not happen in a vacuum. The True North Titans have been quietly building one of the most intriguing programs in Class 1A football over the past several seasons, and head coach Manny Laffere has never shied away from putting his team in difficult positions.Coming off a 10-3 season that ended with a 35-14 loss to powerhouse Chaminade-Madonna in the 1A state semifinals, True North enters the 2026 campaign with the most optimism the program has ever carried. The departure of Chaminade-Madonna and defending 1A champion West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman to Class 2A has opened the door for the Titans to compete for a state title in a way they never have before.But Laffere did not respond by softening the schedule. Instead, he doubled down. The Titans are set to face defending state champions Sarasota Cardinal Mooney and Plantation American Heritage, along with state runner-up Chaminade-Madonna, regional finalists Miami Southridge and Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy, and a loaded list of South Florida programs. It is, by most accounts, one of the toughest schedules in the state.That mentality — compete against the best, always — is exactly what brought True North to the University of Miami campus for this 7V7 tournament. And it is exactly why knocking off West Boca Raton in the championship game means something real.The Players Who Made It HappenFootball Hotbed was on the scene at our own Media Day 2025, where two of the Titans’ most important players gave us a preview of what was coming.Zac Katz, #9 — Quarterback, Class of 2027At 6-foot-1 and 196 pounds, Katz is the kind of quarterback that makes a program. The Miami native has a big arm, the poise to manage a game in high-pressure moments, and the athleticism to extend plays when the pocket breaks down. In 8th grade alone he threw for 2,847 yards with 34 touchdowns at an eye-opening 75 percent completion rate — numbers that told anyone paying attention that this kid was special.Now a rising junior listed in the Class of 2027, Katz has developed recruiting interest from programs including Appalachian State, FIU, Bethune Cookman and Western Michigan. He carries a 3.8 GPA and is the kind of student-athlete that coaches at every level covet. His performance in 7V7 settings — where it is all about reads, timing, and arm talent — is exactly where a quarterback like Katz gets to show everything he brings to the table.George Harris, #1 — Athlete, Class of 2027Harris is the kind of versatile playmaker that 7V7 tournaments are built for. Lined up at wide receiver and outside linebacker, the 5-foot-10, 185-pound Miami native is a matchup problem in space and a tone-setter on the defensive side. His tape — available at Hudl — shows a player with excellent ball instincts, quick feet in and out of routes, and the physicality to compete at the next level.Harris and Katz are the backbone of a True North offense that, when it is clicking, is one of the most dynamic units at the 1A level in the state.Why This Win Matters Beyond the TrophyIn the world of 7V7 football, championships matter — but context matters more. Any team can get hot for a day. What makes True North’s win over West Boca Raton significant is the opponent.West Boca is coached by Dylan Potts, who has transformed the program from a team that won just one game in 2021 to back-to-back state champions with a combined 27-2 record over the 2024 and 2025 seasons. The Bulls return key pieces from their 2025 championship squad, including quarterback Trey Moran and a defense that has been one of the most suffocating units in the state for two consecutive years.Beating them — even in a summer 7V7 setting — requires execution, confidence and playmaking. True North had all three.For a program that has spent years knocking on the door of the state’s elite, a win like this sends a message that resonates. It says the Titans belong in the same conversation. It says Zac Katz and George Harris are names that college coaches at every level should have circled on their boards. And it says that when the 2026 season kicks off, True North Classical Academy is not sneaking up on anyone.What to Watch This FallTrue North enters the 2026 season as the team to beat in Class 1A — a position the program has never held before. With Katz and Harris returning as rising juniors, a gauntlet schedule designed to forge a championship-caliber team, and now a 7V7 championship over back-to-back state champions to hang in the locker room, the Titans have every ingredient they need.The question now is whether they can carry this summer momentum into August and beyond.If this tournament win is any indication, the answer is yes.Football Hotbed will continue to track True North Classical Academy throughout the 2026 season. Stay locked in at footballhotbed.com and follow us on all platforms @footballhotbed.Photos: Zac Katz (#9) and George Harris (#1) at Football Hotbed Media Day 2025 | Photography by @spraederpics

Follow The pipeline continues.The 2026 NFL Draft once again proved what college coaches, scouts, and football insiders across the country have known for years — Football Hotbed is one of the premier early-evaluation and exposure platforms in America.From middle school showcases to All-American events, from specialist camps to national invitationals, seven former Football Hotbed participants heard their names called during the 2026 NFL Draft. Their journeys started long before the bright lights of draft night. For many of them, the Football Hotbed platform was one of the first national stages where their talent was identified, challenged, and elevated.For over 15 years, Football Hotbed has built more than events. We’ve built relationships, credibility, visibility, and a true developmental ecosystem that connects athletes to the next level.This year’s draft class is another powerful reminder that the journey matters — and where you begin matters too. Fernando Mendoza — QBRound 1, Pick 1 — Las Vegas RaidersCollege: Indiana Hoosiers footballHometown: Miami, FloridaFernando Mendoza made history as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft when the Las Vegas Raiders selected the dynamic quarterback out of Indiana University.Long before becoming one of the most talked-about quarterbacks in college football, Mendoza competed on the Football Hotbed National Showcase Platform, in our National High School Showcase Sophomore game where his poise, arm talent, and leadership qualities were evident early.Known for his football IQ and calm demeanor under pressure, Mendoza developed into one of the nation’s elite passers while helping elevate Indiana football nationally. His rise from South Florida standout to No. 1 overall pick is the type of developmental story Football Hotbed has always taken pride in identifying early. Rueben Bain Jr. — EDGERound 1, Pick 15 — Tampa Bay BuccaneersCollege: Miami Hurricanes footballHometown: Miami, FloridaFew players embodied dominance and explosiveness at the high school level like Rueben Bain Jr.The Miami Central product was a force from a young age and participated in Football Hotbed events including the Freshman All-American Game and Spring Break College Tour experiences that exposed him to college staffs and elevated his national profile.Bain went on to become one of the premier defensive players in college football at Miami before hearing his name called in the first round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.His journey represents exactly what Football Hotbed has long stood for: identifying elite talent early and helping position athletes for national recognition. Zion Reese Young — EDGERound 2, Pick 45 — Baltimore RavensCollege: Missouri Tigers footballHometown: Atlanta, GeorgiaZion Reese Young’s path to the NFL included participation in Football Hotbed’s 3rd Annual Freshman All-American Game, where his athleticism and upside immediately stood out. He had an interception in that game and it was the game clinching play.The explosive EDGE defender eventually developed into one of the SEC’s most disruptive defenders at Missouri. Known for his length, versatility, and relentless motor, Young became a nightmare matchup at the collegiate level.The Baltimore Ravens selecting him in the second round continues a long tradition of Football Hotbed alumni making their way into NFL organizations known for defensive excellence. D’Angelo Ponds — DBRound 2, Pick 50 — New York JetsCollege: Indiana Hoosiers footballHometown: Miami, FloridaBefore becoming one of the top defensive backs in college football, D’Angelo Ponds competed at the Football Hotbed National Middle School Invitational Showcase during his youth football years.Even then, his instincts, competitiveness, and elite movement skills separated him from his peers.Ponds later emerged as one of the most versatile defensive backs in the country at Indiana, earning national attention for his coverage ability and football intelligence before being selected by the New York Jets.His story perfectly reflects the Football Hotbed philosophy: elite athletes reveal themselves early when placed in elite environments. Tanner Koziol — Tight EndRound 5, Pick 164 — Jacksonville JaguarsCollege: Houston Cougars FootballHometown: Bloomingdale, IllinoisTanner Koziol became one of the nation’s most productive tight ends before being selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars.The Houston standout combined size, athleticism, and reliability to become a major offensive weapon at the collegiate level.Koziol’s journey reinforces Football Hotbed’s expanding national footprint. While the brand’s roots run deep in Florida, the platform continues impacting athletes from across the country who seek elite competition and exposure opportunities. Jalon Kilgore — SafetyRound 5 —Pick 167 Buffalo BillsCollege: South Carolina Gamecocks footballHometown: Eatonton, GAJalon Kilgore brought physicality, leadership, and versatility everywhere he played.The standout safety from South Carolina developed into one of the SEC’s most respected defensive backs before being selected by the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round.Kilgore’s rise reflects another core aspect of the Football Hotbed platform — long-term development. Not every athlete arrives as a five-star name. Some evolve into NFL players through consistency, growth, and relentless work ethic.Football Hotbed has always embraced identifying both current stars and future stars. Ryan Eckley — PunterRound 6, Pick 211 — Baltimore RavensCollege: Michigan State Spartans footballHometown: Lithia, FloridaRyan Eckley’s story is one of the most unique and powerful in this draft class.Eckley participated in the very first Football Hotbed Middle School Specialist Showcase — an event designed specifically to give specialists legitimate exposure and developmental opportunities long before specialist recruiting became mainstream.Years later, he became an NFL Draft pick.The Michigan State punter’s selection by the Baltimore Ravens validates Football Hotbed’s commitment to every position on the field. Specialists matter. Exposure matters. Development matters.Eckley’s success is proof that when athletes are given a real platform early, opportunities can follow for years to come. The Football Hotbed DifferenceFor over a decade, Football Hotbed has consistently identified and elevated athletes before the rest of the country fully recognizes them.The platform’s impact stretches far beyond rankings and social media exposure. Football Hotbed has helped create genuine connections between athletes, families, coaches, and decision-makers throughout the football landscape.From South Florida to the national stage, the mission has remained the same:Identify talent early.Develop relationships authentically.Create opportunities nationally.Seven NFL Draft picks in one class is not luck. Last year there were six.It is the result of years of evaluation, trust, consistency, and building one of the most respected grassroots football platforms in America.And the next generation is already coming.The future of football continues to run through Football Hotbed. It’s a Hotbed World.

Follow Football Hotbed just joined some elite company. This year, 10 athletes who previously competed on the Football Hotbed showcase platform earned invitations to the NFL Scouting Combine—putting our “program” in the same numerical conversation as many of the top college football brands in the country. If Football Hotbed were a college, these 10 invites would place us alongside some of the most productive pipelines to the NFL in this year’s draft cycle.Our “QB room” features Fernando Mendoza (Indiana), who appeared in our High School Showcase Sophomore Game, giving him an early stage to develop the poise and presence now on display at the national level. In the backfield, CJ Donaldson (Ohio State) represents our “running back tradition,” first flashing his potential in the Middle School All-American Game and now carrying it all the way to the Combine.At tight end, Football Hotbed’s “TE factory” includes Tanner Koziol (Houston), who used the High School Showcase Junior Game to refine his skills as a versatile, physical target. Up front, our “defensive line unit” stacks up with the best in the country: Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami), a product of both the Freshman All-American Game and College Tour, plus Tyreak Sapp (Florida), who came through the Middle School All-American Game, and Zion Young (Missouri), an alum of the High School Showcase Sophomore Game. For any traditional college, three defensive linemen in one Combine class would be a headline; for Football Hotbed, it showcases the strength of our trenches.Our “linebacker room” is headlined by Wesley Bissainthe (Miami), who progressed through both the Middle School All-American Game and the High School Showcase Sophomore Game—mirroring the kind of multi-year development path top college programs love to promote. On the back end, our “DB room” boasts Jalon Kilgore (South Carolina), a High School Showcase Sophomore Game standout, and D’Angelo Ponds (Indiana), who emerged from the National Middle School Invitational Showcase. Together, they represent the kind of versatile, competitive defensive back pipeline that many Power Four programs strive to build.Even on special teams, Football Hotbed stacks up like a top-tier program. Specialist Ryan Eckley (Michigan State), who developed through the Middle School All-American Game and National Specialist Showcase, mirrors the way elite colleges highlight their punters and kickers as key weapons in the field-position battle.When you look at the numbers, the picture is clear: 10 NFL Combine invitees from one developmental platform places Football Hotbed in rare air. While traditional colleges count their success in draft picks and Combine invites, we can now point to a comparable level of impact—earned not at the college level, but years earlier in an athlete’s journey.If we were listed on the same graphic as this year’s top colleges by Combine invites, Football Hotbed would stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the biggest brands in the sport. That is the true significance of these 10 invitations: they prove that our showcases don’t just mirror the intensity and expectations of top college programs—they help build the athletes those programs and, ultimately, the NFL covet.