We may only be in February, and while it’s snowing and cold in many areas of the country, in south Florida, this is the reason why no area in the nation can touch the talent that is produced here.
Football prospects, college coaches and high school coaches gathering on a cool Friday night at Fort Lauderdale’s Calvary Christian Academy for the monthly T-48 Camp.
Keiser University was there. So were St. Thomas University, North Palm Beach Prep and Norwich University, watching current seniors, juniors, sophomores, freshmen and even 7th and 8th graders who came to stay in shape, get sharper and learn a few things.
High school coaches from Palm Beach and Broward came out. Some to watch and support. Others to help lead the drills.
This brainchild of former Calvary Christian and Liberty University standout quarterback Javan Shashaty and a host of volunteers who make this free event so special, once again, it served its purpose as they came to learn and get noticed.
For John I. Leonard head coach Keith Chattin and his players, the benefit of driving down from the Lake Worth area is something this quality promoter of these athletes believe is essential in getting better. His Lancers have become a program that is willing to work to climb the ladder and pass those Palm Beach area schools that are only living on the talent that comes into their school.
In January, he brought over 20 players down to the T-48 event. Last Friday evening, he brought another group, including speedy Jose Cruz, a Class of 2021 receiver, who was voted MVP.
“To me, part of the coaching process is to give these young men the opportunity to compete year round – and by coming to this event, where there are a lot of talented players, it’s a win/win for us,” he pointed out. “To get college exposure and have a chance for our kids to compete here in February is priceless.”
Chattin came to John I. Leonard two years ago from Lennard High near Tampa, and while there is plenty of talent and competition, he knows that if you get it done against south Florida athletes, you have accomplished plenty.
Taravella head coach Charles Hafley knows a few things about getting exposure and working hard to expose his players. As a player at Pompano Beach Blanche Ely and Clemson University, Hafley found out that any promotion is positive – and he is one of the coaches – along with current Ely head coach C.J. Wimberley in making sure his athletes attend this monthly event.
“The great show that they put on here at T-48 each and every month of the off season is something that every player in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach should attend,” he said. “Where are you going to get competition, instruction, college attention and some spiritual messages for free? Nowhere that I know and they award MVP trophies, take photos for the young men to have and promote them with a story. That is something that I can honestly say that this is an event like no other.”
Speaking of the MVP awards, former Calvary Christian, University of Iowa and current Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Greg Mabin was on hand to help hand out the awards.
Here is a look at who took home the top spots on Friday evening:
CAMP MVP WINNERS
SPECIALIST
Everest Ferrell, American Heritage Delray
LINEMEN
Emilson Blanc, Coconut Creek
LINEBACKERS
Rondell Juba, Davie Western
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Elijah Williams, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian Academy
RUNNING BACKS
Marquis Pierre, Homestead Everglades Prep
WIDE RECEIVERS
Jose Cruz, Greenacres John I. Leonard
QUARTERBACKS
Matthew Shannon, Belle Glade Glades Day
NCSA AWARD WINNERS
Benson Barnes, Somerset Academy
Gabe Elmaadawy, Pembroke Flanagan
FASTEST MAN
Andison Colby, Delray American Heritage (5th Straight Time)
PLENTY OF TALENT ON HAND
2023 – Jacob Aguilar, TE, Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy
2020 – Jonathan Altidor, DB, Davie Nova
2022 – Zachary Alvarez, PK/P, Hialeah Barbara Goleman
2023 -Tommy Aponte, QB, Homestead Everglades Prep
2023 – Allen Archie, LB, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely
2023 – Eddrick Arnold, WR, Sunrise Piper
2023 – Cooper Aurilia, CB, Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy
2020 – Hayson Baptiste, WR, Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson
2020 – A.J. Bates, RB, Pembroke Pines Somerset
2023 – Christopher Bazile, WR, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely
2021 – Josh Bennett, WR, Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy
2022 – Jacori Biggers, CB, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely
2022 – Shavorez Bowers, WR, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely
2022 – Jason Brown, S, Coconut Creek
2022 – Jordan Brown, LB, Coconut Creek
2023 – Quincy Casimir, RB, Deerfield Beach
2020 – Bener Charlemus, OL/DL, Coconut Creek
2020 – Isaiah Chavarria, RB, Greenacres John I. Leonard
2022 – James Chen, QB, Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest
2023 – Evel Clevedon, WR, Cypress Run
2020 – Andison Coby, WR, Delray American Heritage
2022 – Aaron D’Aguilar-Walters, DB, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian
2021 – Carter Davis, PK, Davie Western
2020 – Alex Desormont, WR, Sunrise Piper
2022 – Chris Dilea, LB, Somerset Canyons
2024 – Patrick Downes, QB, Delray American Heritage
2023 – Phillip Drac, WR, Delray American Heritage
2020 – Collos Esters, WR, Workforce Advantage School
2021 – Chad Evans, OL/DL, Coral Springs Taravella
2021 – Jamesly Fenelon, LB, Coconut Creek
2021 – Christopher Fervil, K/P, Greenacres John I. Leonard
2023 – Owen Flint, PK, Delray American Heritage
2023 – Luca Foerch, QB, Fort Lauderdale
2023 – A.J. Foulkes, OL/DL, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely
2022 – Javontae Francois, WR, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely
2022 – Javid Gayle, WR, Lake Worth Park Vista
2023 – Jahtavious Gayle, QB, Greenacres John I. Leonard
2022 – Ryan Gayle, WR, Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy
2021 – Oneil Gonzalez, DB, Miami Braddock
2021 – Darian Gray, OL/DL, Coconut Creek;
2022 – Santiago Guaramata, OL/DL, Greenacres John I. Leonard
2022 – Tyler Hardy, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely
2023 – Jeffrey Hernandez, K/P, Coconut Creek
2021 – Delarry Hilaire, DB, Miami Dr. Krop
2022 – Nicholas Hill, LB, Coconut Creek
2022 – Jadyn Holley, DB, Coconut Creek
2021 – Javon Honse, DE, Coral Springs Taravella
2020 – Alton Hooks, RB/WR, Sunrise Piper
2023 – Jaden Jacobs, LB, Coconut Creek Monarch
2021 – Edward Johnson, DB, Miami Dr. Krop
2023 – Griffin Johnston, LB, Coconut Creek Monarch
2023 – Amaru Jones, WR, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely
2022 – Nate Kappes, OL/DL, Pompano Beach
2023 – Geah Karr, WR, Coconut Creek Monarch
2020 – Shomari Knight, S, Plantation
2021 – Tyquarius Mallory, DB, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely
2023 – Antonio Martin, RB, Lauderdale Lake Boyd Anderson
2023 – Chris Mason, QB, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely
2021 – D.J. Mayard, Jr., DB, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian
2022 – Isaiah McCloud, LB, Coconut Creek Monarch
2022 – Jacoby McCutcheon, WR, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely
2021 – Nicholas Mickol, OL/DL, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely
2023 – Miles Moss, WR, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian Academy
2021 – Chase Moss, OL/DL, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian Academy
2023 – Tahir Murphy, S, Homestead Everglades Prep
2021 – Keon Noel, LB, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christianb
2023 – Eli Daniel Ogiomizo, RB, Miramar Everglades
2020 – Ryan O’Keefe, QB, Coral Springs Charter
2020 – Diego Orelana, OL/DL, Pompano Beach
2022 – Romario Ormsby, OL/DL, Greenacres John I. Leonard
2021 – Hughzton Orr, WR, Miami Dr. Krop
2023 – Reydjon Petion, RB, Coconut Creek Monarch
2020 – Kevin Pierre, OL/DL, Coconut Creek Monarch
2022 – Nicholas Polanco, DB, Miami Dr. Krop
2022 – James Poulos, OL/DL, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian
2020 – Max Reynolds, QB, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian
2021 – Claudy Riguer, DB, Oakland Park Northeast
2021 – Antony Rizzo, LB, Coconut Creek Monarch
2022 – Jaquon Robinson, OL/DL, Coconut Creek
2022 – Shane Rochester, OL/DL, Davie Western
2022 – Telvyn Russell, RB, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely
2023 – Adrian Salgado, WR, Pompano Beach
2022 – Jonathan Searcy, WR, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely
2022 – Jeff Septembre, S, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely
2024 – Jamie Simmons, WR, CMMS
2020 – Sebastian Slowik, QB, Pompano Beach
2022 - Jaleen Snead, DB, Greenacres John I. Leonard
2020 – Kaitrell Stewart, WR, Sunrise Piper
2022 – KJ Stewart, DB, Delray American Heritage
2020 – Decedric Stokes, WR, Sunrise Piper
2023 – Collin Teschky, WR, Coral Springs Charter
2023 – Noah Thoms, LS, Pompano Beach
2022 – Eric Trowbridge, RB, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian
2022 – Samuel Vasquez-Triana, WR, Coconut Creek Monarch
2023 – Conal Walsh, OL/DL, Pompano Beach
2022 – Gabriel Wiggins, DB, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely
2022 – Jakavian Williams, QB, Greenacres John I, Leonard
2023 – Tyrell Williams, WR, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely
2020 – Jashaun Woodstock, OL/DL, Fort Lauderdale
2023 – Zack Wooster, WR, Delray American Heritage
PHOTO COURTESY OF BLEECHR.COM