Maybe it’s the fact that he was hidden at West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman High, but make no mistake that St. Thomas Aquinas Class of 2021 linebacker Jaydon Hood is for real.
While he turned plenty of heads on Sunday for those who had never watched him perform, outside of video clips, this impressive talent was introduced to other prospects, coaches, fans and recruiting analysts, who truly knew very little about this game changer – other than watching his film or from those who had watched him play.
This is someone, while has been attracting attention from colleges, had never been given that spotlight until the Under Armour Game Combine at North Broward Prep.
It was during this three hour period that his talents began to show, and was so impressive that this 6-1, 217-pounder was invited to next year’s game in Orlando.
2021 Under Armour All-America Game Invitees
Savion Collins, DL, Miami Palmetto
Jacolby George, WR, Plantation
Jaydon Hood, LB, St. Thomas Aquinas
Kevin Knowles, DB, McArthur
Laurence Seymore, OL, Miami Central
For Hood, the move to St. Thomas Aquinas will not only enhance his exposure, but the coaching the Raiders have is an extra added incentive, and with Twan Russell making linebackers better, he landed in the right spot.
As he showcased skills during drills, Hood turned heads and made so many believers of what he brings to the table. His size, skill level and ability to make plays all over the field will put him in a rather large spotlight.
As good as he was, and this quality talent was indeed a head-turner, he was not alone on Sunday.
Big Man Challenge Winner
Dallas Turner, DL, St. Thomas Aquinas
A number of other prospects, looking for exposure also made an impression. Here are just a few of the many who were impressive:
2021 – Emile Aime, LB, Fort Lauderdale University School
2022 – Alfonzo Allen Jr., DB, Hallandale
2022 – Julian Armella, OL, St. Thomas Aquinas
2023 – Rueben Bain, DE, Miami Central
2021 – Allan Baugh, DE, St. Thomas Aquinas
2022 – Jeff Bonica, OL, Miami Edison
2023 – Jalen Brown, WR, Miami Gulliver Prep
2021 – Rohan Brown Jr., LB, St. Thomas Aquinas
2022 – Tray Brown, LB, Cardinal Gibbons
2021 – Isaiah Bunn, OL, Deerfield Beach
2021 – Simeal Burke, DB, Deerfield Beach
2021 – Roscoe Burton, RB, North Miami
2021 – Miguel Ceedeno, OL, Plantation American Heritage
2021 – Gabe Contento, QB, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian
2021 – Torrie Cox Jr., DB, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna
2021 – Marcellus Culbreath, DB, Miramar
2021 – Amari Daniels, RB, Miami Central
2023 – Taron Dickens, QB, Miami Northwestern
2021 – Fredrick Eaford, WR, Deerfield Beach
2022 – Syveion Ellis, WR, Miami Edison
2022 – Websley Etienne, DB, Davie Western
2021 – Demitray Fields, DB, Fort Lauderdale
2021 – Thaddeus Franklin, RB, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna
2021 – Marco Fugar, OL, St. Thomas Aquinas
2023 – Lamont Green Jr., DE, Southwest Miami
2021 – Corey Hammet, OLB, Miami Northwestern
2022 – Anthony Hankerson, RB, St. Thomas Aquinas
2021 – Gunnar Hansen, OL, St. Thomas Aquinas
2021 – Kareem Harden, OL, Stranahan
2021 – Jake Harrington, WR, St. Thomas Aquinas
2023 – Elvin Harris, OL, Miami Edison
2021 – Allan Haye Jr., DL, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna
2023 – Sedrick Irvin Jr., RB, Miami Gulliver Prep
2023 – Kenyatta Jackson, DE, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna
2021 – Rhoody Jean-Louis, LB, Miami Central
2023 – A.J. Jenkins, WR, Cardinal Gibbons
2021 – Antonio Johnson, TE, St. Thomas Aquinas
2022 – Jamaal Johnson, DE, Hollywood Caminade-Madonna
2022 – Marvin Jones Jr., DE, Plantation American Heritage
2023 – Nathaniel Joseph, WR, Miami Edison
2022 – Nyjalik Kelly, DE, Fort Lauderdale Dillard
2022 – Joseph Kennerly, Slot, Deerfield Beach
2021 – Jordan Kolnick, LB, St. Thomas Aquinas
2022 – Travious Lathan, WR, Miami Gulliver Prep
2022 – Julian Lewis, WR, Fort Lauderdale Stranahan
2023 – Micah Lewis, RB, Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy
2022 – Earl Little Jr., DB, Plantation American Heritage
2022 – Tellek Lockette, OL, Miami Northwestern
2022 – Shannard Lo Ray, DE, Coconut Creek Monarch
2022 – Daniel Lyons, DE, Homestead
2021 – Jamarion McDougle, WR, Deerfield Beach
2021 – Michael McLaughlin, OL, Parkland Douglas
2021 – Hayward McQueen, LB, Fort Lauderdale Stranahan
2022 – Francois Nolton Jr., DE, Miami Edison
2022 – Jayvon Only, LB, Miami Gulliver Prep
2021 – Jeremaih Peters, DL, Miami Booker T. Washington
2023 – Antonio Robinson, DB, Miami Florida Christian
2021 – Ryan Rodriguez, OL, Miami Christopher Columbus
2021 – Tyreak Sapp, DL, St. Thomas Aquinas
2023 – Lamar Seymore, WR, Miami Central
2021 – Quincy Skinner, WR, St. Thomas Aquinas
2021 – Deion Small, WR, Fort Lauderdale University School
2022 – Kevin Smith, QB, Miami Palmetto
2022 – Jacolby Spells, DB, Plantation American Heritage
2022 – Alton Tarber, DL, Deerfield Beach
2021 – Dallas Turner, DE, St. Thomas Aquinas
2023 – David Vadala, LB, Plantation American Heritage
2021 – Michael Watkins, WR, Plantation American Heritage
2021 – Ralph Williams, RB, Miami Palmetto
2022 – Peter Zamora, QB, Deerfield Beach
FUTURE 50 PROSPECTS
The combine also uncovered underclassmen for the prestigious Future 50 event that is held in conjunction with the Under Armour All-Star Game.
Dillard receiver Devaughn Mortimer, Monsignor Pace defensive end Shemar Stewart and Deerfield Beach defensive lineman Richard Thomas were all invited.