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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Freshman All-American Game-Submit Nomination
Follow freshman All-American Game The National High School Showcases is one of the nation’s best showcase platforms athletes can use to pad their college football recruiting resume. We are thankful to celebrate the 9th annual National High School Freshman All-American Game this January. No matter where you play football, and no two areas are alike, one thing college scouts want to see is an elite skill set, size, strength and speed. The National High School Showcases blends a group of elite athletes along with those striving to prove they can play at the next level. For these reasons, the game is one of the most competitive all-star platforms around and routinely comes down to the last possession because teams are evenly built based on a draft after a mini camp. Our uniqueness is the brand we’ve establish with this game where it ensures the athletes desired competition and exposure are obtained. We invite athletes who first “want to compete at a high level” and secondly, want to be recognized for their talents. The Football Hotbed platform is rooted in rich media, photographs and videos as well as live streaming quality footage during these games to ensure those athletes that perform at their best, truly get the recognition they deserve. In the past, athletes have used this game as an additional opportunity to earn game film (as the game is recorded and film uploaded to Hudl). This generally works well when an athlete lacks enough plays at a position, has made a position switch, and needed additional film or missed time during the season due to injury. This will be crucial to filling in the gaps in a student-athletes resume due to any of the reasons previously stated.The game is also used as a national platform for athletes who may be underexposed to receive additional attention for recruiting services, particularly college football coaches. Each one of the three grade-level games: Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior Showcases are live-streamed to an international audience on Football Hotbed and there’s also a recap of each game and the top players on our website, Footballhotbed.com. Each game also will have a photo album of over 100 photos a piece and a highlight posted to social media. It’s the most exposure of any game played in high school football athletes who are not yet seniors and eligible for All-American Bowls.Our hope is that each participant takes something away from the experience, the competition in practice and on game day, and especially the college visits which help to acquaint each athlete with the knowledge of precisely what it takes to play college football at varying levels across the NCAA Division’s I and II. This is our eighth annual event. In past years, we have visited the University of Alabama, Georgia State University, Auburn University, the University of Georgia, West Georgia University, the University of Tennessee, South Carolina, Mercer University, Clemson University, and Georgia Tech. Video highlights of the games and college visits are below to help you gain the experience of what it is like to participate in this event. Football Hotbed has become the go-to source for up and coming football athletes looking to build their own personal brands. Through their various events and platforms, Football Hotbed provides a level of exposure that is unmatched in the industry. This exposure has translated into real results, with over 100 Division One NCAA athletes emerging from the Football Hotbed program.The success of Football Hotbed can be attributed to their unique approach to athlete development. Rather than focusing solely on physical training and skill development, Football Hotbed places a heavy emphasis on building personal brands and developing the off-field skills necessary for success at the next level. This approach has proven to be incredibly effective, with Football Hotbed athletes consistently standing out both on and off the field.Overall, Football Hotbed has established itself as a leader in athlete development and personal brand building. Their commitment to excellence and innovative approach to athlete development make them a valuable resource for any aspiring football athlete looking to take their game to the next level.PLEASE NOTE: Each athlete is responsible for each of the following: A. Registration for the game, B. Travel to and from the game and to practice, C. Meals & Lodging.WHAT TO BRING?: Each athlete should bring their own: 1. Helmet, 2. shoulder pads, 3. practice jersey and pants, 4. Pads for lower body (girdle, including knee pads which are mandatory), 5. mouthpiece. Questions? Contact 888-879-3396 or email info[at]footballhotbed.com click below to nominate your athlete Freshman All-American Game Nomination prominent alumni- Jeremiah smith, wr, ohio state university J.J. Mccarthy, QB, University of michigan rueben bain, jr., de University of Miami
Academic All-American Game-Submit Nomination
Follow ACADEMIC All-American Game Welcome to a game designed to give student-athletes the recognition they deserve for being elite in the classroom and on the field. Introducing, America’s first Academic All-American Game presented by Football Hotbed. The inaugural event will take place in South Florida during New Year’s Week 2025 in order to acknowledge and provide exposure to the classes of 2025 and 2026 who are excellent leaders, students, and football players. Football Hotbed in an effort to assist young men in accomplishing their dreams of playing college football, is once again hoping to fill a void in the world of recruiting for qualified student-athletes with elite academic qualifications. We are looking for varsity-level players who are starters or key contributors in order to recognize them as Academic All-Americans. WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS? First, we are looking for student-athletes and families who together have the goal and desire to play at the Division 1 or 2 college level or at competitive high-academic D3 football programs across the country. Each athlete is required to carry a 3.5 unweighted GPA and must confirm this with an unofficial transcript from his attending institution. Secondly, an athlete must be a formal member of his varsity football team and a regular contributor. He must have the film to demonstrate his athletic ability and a transcript confirming his academic ability. Each athlete must also submit a formal resume to show their civic attributes and extracurricular activities outside of the classroom and off the field. Lastly, we want young men who want to compete. We are looking for athletes who need a platform like Football Hotbed, the media coverage our games receive (social media, live-stream, photos and video highlights) and the access to hundreds of college coaches and a network of academic success coaches that can guide them through the rigorous process of applying for Ivy and other High academic schools. For more information and to contact us simply email us at info[at]footballhotbed.com or call us at 888-879-3396. To reach our VP of scouting, call him directly at 305-975-5884. It’s a Hotbed World!Fill out the nomination form in RED below. THE MINIMUM GPA REQUIRED FOR THIS DISTINCTION: 3.5 (non-weighted) click below to nominate your athlete APPLY FOR THE ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN GAME cOME AND BE RECOGNIZED come and play with the elite academic players nationwide
Cocoa Tops Gadsen County: 38-27 in 2A FHSAA Final
Follow Miami- Defending state champion Cocoa made it three-straight with a 38-27 win Gadsen County (near Tallahassee) Thursday afternoon in FIU’s Pitbull Stadium. The 2A FHSAA final match up featured Cocoa’s air attack against Gadsen County’s power run attack. Texas A&M commit and Cocoa Tiger quarterback Brady Hart led the way through the air to the tune of 259 yards passing and 1 TD on 22 of 31 passing. His leading wideout was Florida State commit, Jayvan Boggs. He caught 6 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown. The ground game was really the back breaker for Gadsen County, ironically, as the Cocoa Tigers racked up 100 yards on the ground as both Hart and Latrison Lane both rushed for 64 yards a piece. Hart took sacks that took away 28 team rushing yards but was clutch picking up first downs on scrambles downfield to keep key drives alive.Cocoa began the scoring with a dart from Hart to Boggs, scoring off a Gadsen County turnover. But the Jaguars from Gadsen County would march right back down the field and tie the game on a Kemarrion Battles rushing touchdown. Battles scored twice, racking up 96 yards on the ground for the Jaguars from the Tallahassee metro area. The game would go back and forth for the duration until Cocoa broke it wide open on a play in the fourth quarter. On fouth down, leading by only four, with under two minutes to play, the Coca Tigers tried to draw the Jags off-sides. It didn’t work. After a time out, they went for it and got not only the two yards needed for a first down, but they also completely iced the game as Lane scored from 42 yards out. It’s the school’s seventh championship, third consecutive and for head coach Ryan Schneider, it cements a legacy. PLAY CALL OF THE YEAR!!!Cocoa goes for it on 4th and 2 and Latrison Lane scores. That gives the Tigers a 38-27 lead with 1:04 remaining @CocoaFootball @Cocoa_Schneider @LaTrisonLane20 @321preps pic.twitter.com/tdqwPQkgMm— Jon Santucci (@JonSantucci) December 12, 2024
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