The 2019 Opening Regionals (Miami)

Posted on February 18, 2019 by Marcus Benjamin

Davie, FL – The Opening Regional (Miami) is one of the most anticipated annual combines held in the South Florida area.  A select few are invited to play at the Opening Finals based on their performance at the regionals. This was the second of fourteen Regionals held across the country with the first held in Southern California. MVPs were announced after the final one on one competitions between receivers and defensive backs were complete at the Miami Dolphins Training Facility.

 

Opening Regional Miami MVPs:

QB – Katravis Marsh, Miami Central – The 6’5” quarterback continues to impress.  The 2020 transfer from American (Miami Lakes) seems to get better every time he drops back for a pass.  The South Florida Express seven on seven signal caller will have plenty of opportunities to build his rating and impress college coaches.

RB – Don Chaney, Jr., Belen Jesuit (Miami) – The 2020 Miami Hurricanes commit has the ideal size and quickness that any D-1 program would love to have on their roster.  There were plenty of backs that could have taken home this award but it was not hard to see why Chaney took home the honor and received an invite to the Opening Finals.

WR/TE – Xavier Restrepo, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) – The vocal route runner grunted his way to a well-earned MVP title.  The 2020 receiver runs crisp routes and has reliable hands. Restrepo is deadly from the slot and on the outside.

OL – Marcus Tate, University School (Davie) – The massive 2021 tackle had a solid outing imposing his will and strength on his adversaries.  At 6’5″ 320 pounds, his performance was reminiscent of Evan Neal’s from a year ago. Like Neal, Tate may very well be on his way to a five-star rating.

DL – Henry Bryant III, Atlantic (Delray) – Arguably had the most impressive performance at today’s regional.  The 2020 D-tackle won all three reps in the five-man challenge which is a selection of the top performers amongst the offensive and defensive linemen.   

“There were multiple reps that I didn’t lose,” said Bryant.  “I would say I dominated.”

Duke and NC State are the current front-runners for the near 300 pounder and he plans to visit both schools for junior day.

LB – Derek Wingo, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) – As athletic as they come when it comes to the linebacker position.  The 2020 Penn State commit has an extremely fast first step and used his quickness to get the winning tackle for the linebackers in one on ones with the running backs.  

“I wasn’t really expecting to go last but I liked it,” said Wingo.  “We won the rep and won the whole series for the linebackers vs. the running backs so it was pretty good.”

Wingo will be visiting Penn State in the second week of March and has no other plans for now to visit other schools.  

DB – Joshua Ancrum, Miami Central – The transfer from Miami Norland will possibly create the best cornerback combination in South Florida with Henry Gray (Miami Central).  The 2020 cornerback broke up several passes in one on one drills and has exceptional recovery speed.

Rating DB – Lejond Cavasos, IMG Academy (Bradenton) – Quite possibly the best all-around athlete was well deserved of the Rating MVP which was based on the best performer among measurables.  The 2020 DB won the fastest man competition just beating out Troy Stellato (Cardinal Gibbons). Cavasos is also on his way to The Opening Finals.

Also Invited to the Opening Finals:

DB – Henry Gray, Miami Central – Gray is tenacious on bump-and-run and anticipates what receivers will do. The 2020 cornerback often guesses correctly and lets offensive players know about it after making a play.

RB – Jaylan Knighton, Deerfield Beach – The former Oklahoma commit displayed his blazing speed often outrunning defenders for scores in one on ones.  The 2020 running back recently opened up his recruitment and is now weighing his options.

“I work on my craft every single day and got what I wanted,” said Knighton holding up his invite to The Opening Final.  “Different coaches started contacting me and I had to re-evaluate and make myself be free and explore my options.”

Clemson, Ohio State and Oklahoma currently hold the upper hand on Knighton’s recruitment.  

DE – Samuel Anaele, Miami Carol City – The 2020 defensive end is great with his hands and his feet.  The Miami commit continues to get better and has a high ceiling at 6’4” 250.

WR – Marcus Rosemy, St. Thomas Aquinas – Clearly one of the best receivers in the state of Florida if not the best.  The 2020 playmaker has the ideal size to get the corner route and has enough speed to get separation from anyone.

Best of the Rest:

Anyone of the following could have also won the MVP title.  These are consistently great players that do not disappoint every time they are on the field.

WR – Troy Stellato, Cardinal Gibbons – The athletic receiver can play anywhere on the field at an elite level. His hands are reliable as any in the country and his speed is world class. The 2021 Stellato ran a scorching 4.42 40-yard dash time and defenders must account for the 2021 receiver or will be burned.

LB – Andy Garcia, St. Thomas Aquinas – Garcia is a model of consistency.  The 2020 linebacker has natural instincts and is a fierce competitor.

“I had fun today, that’s what it’s all about,” said Garcia.  “I try to get as much reps as possible I have that dog mentality.”

Garcia plans to visit Kentucky, Florida and Vanderbilt this offseason.

DL – Donnell Harris, Miami Booker T. Washington – The 2021 Canes commit blew by offensive tackles in one on one drills and is looking to improve on his skills.  Florida, Texas A&M and Florida State are doing their best to flip the defender that says he is all in with the Hurricanes.

“I’m still with them 1000% percent no matter what,” said Harris.  “It’s home, I can’t turn my back on them. I’ve been working on my quickness and trying to get better with my strength.”

Other Notable Players Performing Well At the Opening Regionals in Miami:

WR – Agiye Hall, Armwood

DL – Alton Tarber, Deerfield Beach

OL – Anthony Earle, Cardinal Gibbons

RB – Brashard Smith, Miami Palmetto

RB – Brian Brewton, St. Thomas Aquinas

RB – Chris D’Or, Cardinal Newman

DL – Clyde Pinder Jr., Armwood

RB – Donovan Jones, Champagnat Catholic 

RB – Derek Bryant, Pinellas Park

QB – Edwin Rhodes, American Heritage

WR – Deajaun McDougle, Deerfield Beach

QB – DeRhon King, Deerfield Beach

DL – Elijah Roberts, Columbus

OL – Gerald Mincey, Cardinal Gibbons

OL – Henry Williams, Miami Booker T. Washington

RB – Jaedon Henry, St. Thomas Aquinas

LB – Jaheim Webb, American Heritage

OL – Jose Mirabal, South Dade

WR – Jacorey Brooks, Miami Booker T. Washington

OL – Julian Armella, St. Thomas Aquinas

DL – Justin Feverier, American Heritage

DL – Latarie Kinsley Jr., Pahokee

DL – Laurence Seymour, Miami Central

DL – Marcus Dumervil, St. Thomas Aquinas

WR – Marcus Fleming, Miami Northwestern

QB – Michael Pratt, Boca High

OL – Marlon Martinez, St. Thomas Aquinas

WR – Majon Wright, Cardinal Gibbons

QB – Nick Vattiato, University School

WR – Robert Floyd Jr. University School

DL – Savion Collins, Southwest Miami

WR – Thaiu Jones-Bell, Miami Carol City

DL – Tyreak Sapp, St. Thomas Aquinas

 

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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