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Miami Gardens, FL – No one says anything when Clarke Kent changes to Superman. Does anyone scoff when Bruce Wayne changes to Batman? Do you turn your nose up when Peter Parker changes to Spiderman? Unless you are a villain, probably not. The way change is viewed is really in the eyes of the beholder. In sports, changing teams has become a part of the game on all levels. NBA free agency at times is more exciting than the regular season with players changing teams and in college football, players are transferring schools more than ever before. College football players can put their name into what is known as the ‘Transfer Portal’ and magically will be on another roster. Of course, it’s quite more complicated than that but you get the idea.
The transfer portal in high school football is probably the largest abyss of them all.
Last Saturday, the Miami Dolphins held their annual High School Football Media Day at Hard Rock Stadium where many players were in different jerseys then they were in last season.
“Sometimes it’s the fit and the opportunity,” said Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) Head Dameon Jones. “If I’m a senior and I play quarterback and I’m on a team where I’m the third quarterback, but I can go over to this team and be a starter, why not? For a kid to just be hopping from school to school I’m not a fan of that, but I’m a fan of kids putting themselves in better situations.”
State Championship and State Records In Reach
One of those players consistently looking to put himself in a better situation is senior quarterback Ryle Aguila. Aguila started at Mater Academy (Hialeah Gardens), then went to Somerset Academy the following year, next went to Hialeah High for his junior season. He helped the T-Breds to a playoff berth last season and is looking to get farther in his senior year. In the offseason, Aguila transferred to the back-to-back 3A state champions Chaminade and practiced with the Lions in the Spring. In the summer, Aguila elected to transfer to 2A state runner-ups Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah). Aguila has a chance to set the state record for career passing yards and thinks the Lions of Hialeah gives him the best chance to do so.
New @ChampagnatCS QB @ryle_aguila is excited for his chance to win a state championship and set the career passing record with 4,000 yards. He gets his chance in his senior season. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/MtBJde1jUj
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 4, 2019
“It’s a spread offense and I like throwing the ball,” said Aguila. “I feel like I’m the best. I’m trying to throw for 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns.”
Jones understands the situation for the senior and wishes him the best going forward.
“He’s a senior so I respect it all day,” said Jones.
How The Western Will Win
Another senior quarterback making two switches in the span of a year is Cedquan Smith. Smith led Miramar to a playoff berth last season and decided to join Miami Carol City with the departure of state career passing record holder Daniel Richardson now off to Central Michigan University. Smith spent the Spring with the Chiefs until change struck again. The dual-threat quarterback has decided to join Head Coach Adam Ratkevich and the Western Wildcats (Davie).
Head Coach @CoachRack75 of @WHSFball brought the energy up in the building. I asked what makes his program such an attractive place to play for now. He had this to say. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/49rHO4eOOe
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 4, 2019
“Cedquan is a guy that knew a lot of our guys, he knew what was going on with the program, knew what the opportunity was academically and athletically,” said Coach Ratkevich. “He’s going to be a leader and do some special things at Western High School.”
Also making the switch to Western is four-star 2021 safety James Williams. Originally at Monsignor Pace (Miami), the talented DB completed his sophomore year at American Heritage (Plantation) and thinks his new squad has the best defense in the nation.
“We have the best defense in the nation.” The new @WHSFball 2021 safety @Begreat_20 says the recruiting process has been tough and wishes the opposition the best of luck in trying to score. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/GdLOS7kOcq
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 4, 2019
“I feel like my defense can stop anybody,” said Smith. “I just have to put up the points, and I can do that, that’s why it’s a good fit for me.”
Fast Track To Graduation
Another former Heritage defender appearing at high school media day with a new jersey was Ruben Hyppolite. The four-star Maryland commit is looking to graduate early which Hyppolite explains is not permitted at private schools.
“I transitioned to McArthur (Hollywood) because I wanted to graduate early and enroll early for college. Unfortunately, you cannot do that at private schools. I feel like I made the best decision for me. I feel enrolling early gives me the advantage to come in and get acclimated to college and being there for Spring ball is in my best interest.”
Ruben Hyppolite, LB, McArthur
Hyppolite will be leading a relatively young but talented Mustang defense in Class 7A this season. The linebacker tasted success at Heritage during the 2016 and 2017 5A state championship seasons.
“Coming in I know I had to take a leadership role. Me coming from a winning program I just have to show these guys what it takes to win, what it takes to succeed. A state championship is always the goal, but for me, the most important goal is to impact my teammates’ life.”
Big Man On Big Stage
Miami Hurricanes commit Savion Collins will be at a new school this fall. The four-star junior will be an impact player for the Miami Palmetto Panthers along with Miami Southridge transfer four-star defensive lineman Leonard Taylor. The two add to a defense that has one of the best defensive backfields in the state with five-star Corey Collier and four-star Jason Marshall. Collins is looking to play on the big stage.
“Palmetto is something special,” said Collins. “The defense is going to be crazy. They are going to be afraid, trust me. I don’t know how people are going to handle us but it is what it is.”
Savion Collins, DT, Miami Palmetto
Collins was previously at Southwest (Miami) and started to make a name for himself at a Hurricanes camp a year ago. At 6’4” 290 pounds, Collins wants his name to be as big as his play.
“I wanted to be bigger than what I was there. I was just known as the kid that goes to Southwest but we don’t win any games. For me, it’s a good thing to be with bigger names.”
Iron Sharpens Iron At Deerfield Beach
Deerfield Beach arguably has the biggest names in their receiving corps in the state. Three-star wide receiver Aydin Henningham has rejoined the Bucks and says being a ‘Beach Boy’ never left him. He joins Georgia Tech commit Bryce Gowdy, Maryland commit Deajaun McDougle and St. Thomas Aquinas transfer and Miami commit Xavier Restrepo.
“I was at Deerfield before then I came back. I’ve always had that Beach Boy inside of me. It’s the same just a different environment.
After leaving Deerfield in year one, he transferred to Atlantic (Delray) in year two, then to Park Vista (Lake Worth) in year three. Henningham decided to return to Deerfield to raise his level of play. Competing against the best in practice will raise his level of play from his perspective.
“The difference from Park Vista to Deerfield is a big difference. You got these high caliber players so you know coming to practice is more intense. You got to be on top of your game because you got somebody behind you ready to take your spot so you can make little to no mistakes. The competition is different.”
You Gotta Have Faith
Sometimes changing schools is based on faith. Such is the case with three-star linebacker Andy Garcia. The former American Heritage (Plantation) defender stated that going to a catholic school played a factor in his decision.
“It was totally my decision,” said Garcia. “No one forced me to leave Heritage. I was going to be a starter over there at Heritage. It was just about me and my family. To be part of a catholic school and get closer with faith and be around great coaches and great teammates. Senior year has to be special so I made sure I’m in a spot where I can give it all I got.”
Senior LB @andygarcia17_ talks transition to @STA_Football. The defender feels there is a different standard at his new school and is grateful for the opportunity to be a Raider. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/wgzdGXMaE7
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 3, 2019
Playing alongside Florida commit Derek Wingo was also a determining factor. Garcia came over to St. Thomas early to learn the defense, be around the guys early and get used to “The STAndard.” UF is Garcia’s dream school.
“Freshman year at Miami camp we talked about how we have to play together,” said Wingo. “Magically our senior year we came together.”
Garcia currently holds 15 offers with Minnesota, Middle Tennessee, Marshall, FIU, Syracuse and Vanderbilt as the current front-runners.
Change Schools And Classes And Go
A change of environment may be just what a young student-athlete needs. One of the big surprises was when the number one player of the 2021 class in Florida Donnell Harris decided to transfer from Miami Booker T. Washington to Gulliver (Miami). The public to private school change is a bit of a culture shock for some, but Harris seems to be adjusting quickly.
The former 2021 prospect @5stardonell now with @GulliverFB explains transition and is now a 2020 player. He named @AggieFootball his leader among his all SEC top 5. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/HVLgGzypXQ
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 3, 2019
“It was really hard actually. It was a business decision,” said Harris about leaving Booker T. Washington. “The transition has been good for me. I’m adapting to a new atmosphere. New players, new coaches. It’s been a great experience. Me being around more diversity is going to help me on the next level.”
Harris is making the transition from the 2021 class to the 2020 class by taking classes online at Florida Virtual School. He released an all-SEC top-five and stated that Texas A&M is the current leader to land the premier edge rusher. The Aggies have communicated that Harris can play right away and likes the comradery he saw in College Station.
Rounding out his top five are Alabama, LSU, Auburn, and Georgia. He explained that Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban would ideally have him as an outside linebacker and LSU is extremely interested in getting him on campus at some point. Harris has plans to visit Georgia and Auburn in the near future.
New @GulliverFB edge rusher @5stardonell has @AlabamaFTBL and @LSUfootball in his top five and explains where Bama Head Coach Nick Saban sees him as a fit. The new 2020 prospect was the number one 2021 prospect in the state of Florida. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/juQVn80CNR
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 6, 2019
As fans, we go through separation anxiety at first when it comes to players changing schools, but then (most of us) realize that the player we are holding so dear to our heart is just doing what is best for them. So who are we to judge? In high school football, changing teams is perhaps more commonplace than other sport and there are no signs of it slowing down.
Get used to change. Change is good.
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