For every major college success story we have here in south Florida on the football field, there is the other side that many never see.
Fully qualified athletes, who made the sacrifices on and off the playing field to get to the next level, still without a place to go on the last day of February.
Long gone is the spotlight of National Signing Day and the reporters and fan websites who wanted to capture the glory of this recruiting cycle.
For years, dedicated coaches and volunteers have remained long after the last Division 1 scholarship had been awarded to ensure that dreams come true.
Small college recruiting fairs are hosted throughout the country – and all around the state of Florida to give these young student/athletes and their families another chance to be noticed and get an opportunity to play football and receive and education.
Long after the University of Miami, FAU, FIU and other schools have moved on, there are smaller programs, who are there, ready and willing to assist in the process.
On Saturday, this event once again rolled into St. Thomas University as hundreds of athletes flocked from all over the state and south Florida for this free event that attracted some of the top names and dozens of college coaches from all over the nation – as well as locally.
Coach Bill Rychel and his St. Thomas University program was in place. So was Florida Memorial University first year head coach Tim “Ice” Harris and his staff. Doug Socha brought his Keiser University program from West Palm Beach.
Coach Travis Johnson and Ave Maria was on hand – taking the short ride from the Naples area. ASA Miami was on hand to get a look at some quality football talent.
Former St. Thomas Aquinas High and Wake Forest standout Dominic Anderson brought his coaches from UPike in Kentucky, who came down, and usual, was impressed by the talent.
“Always love to come to south Florida for the talent,” he said. “Never gets old bringing players back north with us.”
In addition, wide receivers coach Jemar Lewis from Heidelberg University (Ohio) was there. So was Monmouth College (Illinois) Offensive Coordinator Joe Freitag, Ohio Northern defensive back coach Dru Richardson, first year Houston-based program North American University was on hand with its coaching staff, including Offensive Coordinator John Principe.
Methodist University (North Carolina) Coach Savone Wardlow came south. So did Defensive Line Coach Brett Carpenter from Webber International University in Florida. Edinboro (Pennsylvania) Head Coach Jake Nulph checked out the talent and was blown away.
Other schools coming out to showcase their programs and look for talent included Dakota State (South Dakota) Offensive Coordinator Alex Kretzschmer, Head Coach Aaron Smetanka Saint Vincent College (Pennsylvania), Coe College (Iowa) Offensive Coordinator Brody Rohach, Beloit College (Wisconsin) Head Coach Ted Soenksen and Defensive Coordinator Kyle Langhoff and Manchester (Indiana) Coach Chuck Ehret.
Westminster College (Pennsylvania) Defensive Back Coach Jared Heck headed south for the event. So did Southwestern University Quarterback Coach Nick Mask from Texas, Coach Dylan Hunt from Olivet College (Michigan), Coach Robert Lee (Miles College – Alabama), Southeastern University in Lakeland and Avila University to name a few.
The instruction was indeed top notch as well – with Mitch and Matt Morrall leading a group that included Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Gino Torretta, Jon Vilma, Jermaine Chambers, Ryan Collins and Tony Coley from the University of Miami – as well as Brady Quinn.
ATHLETES LOOKING FOR A HOME
The one thing that everyone is finding out is that just because a football player dominates and leads their team to a great season, is no guarantee of landing a college scholarships.
Look at Hialeah Champagnat quarterback Ryle Aguila, who won a state title and set records. He was out at the event trying to turn heads in his direction. So was Christopher Columbus two-time state finalist QB Brandon McDuffey, Gulliver Prep play-making linebacker Dante De Rosa, Miami Carol City receiver D’Andre Stafford and Monarch defensive lineman Tyrell Geddis to name a few.
Hollywood McArthur running back Jaylen Taylor was trying to shine the light on his talents. So were St. Thomas Aquinas receiver Ethan Corbijn, Coral Glades defensive back Isaiah Brown, who was MVP in the Dade-Broward Game and St. Thomas Aquinas defensive back Philjae Bien-Aime.
There were defensive linemen Andy Gomez (Braddock), Antonio Baldwin (South Plantation), Cheyenne Lecour (Champagnat Catholic), David Lamey (Coral Gables), Matthew Gavilan (Coral Reef) and Xavier Clarke (Miramar).
There were kickers such as Kevin Butchers (Southridge) and Mason Hall (Parkland Douglas) as well.
Linebackers Andrew Allison (Coral Springs Charter) and Deshon Tanner (Southwest Miami) were among a group that still is looking for a place to head out.
Other players still out there include Plantation offensive linemen Brandon Sepulveda, Bryce Gott (Douglas), Christian Aiello (McArthur), Kristian Borges (Goleman), Matthew and Glenn Nicholas (Deerfield Beach) among others.
There were so many athletes out there still looking for help – and while not everyone was placed from this event, you can count on the Orange Bowl Showcase being essential once again in the process.
Here are a few others who took part:
John Backmon, WR, Coconut Creek
Drew Cartwright, OL, Pembroke Pines Flanagan
Joshua Dalmond, DB, Coral Gables
Christian Dukes, Athlete, Southwest Miami
Raymond Dwyer Jr., RB, Miramar Everglades
Ethan Flores, RB/LB, Coral Springs Coral Glades
Orlando Garcia, WR/TE, Miami Varela
Jaden Gary, LB, Miramar Everglades
Robiy Gerve, OL/DL, Fort Lauderdale
Adrian Glasgow Jr., WR, Miami Jackson
Ahmari Golden, S, Pembroke Pines Flanagan
Paul James, DE/OLB, Coconut Creek
Amari Jones, RB, Plantation
Zamir Jones, QB, Fort Lauderdale Dillard
Tashad Joseph, S, Miami Jackson
Antoine Lafleur, WR/DB, Homestead
Kharef Lightbourne, RB, Hialeah Barbara Goleman
Yerson Meraz, WR, Coral Gables
Terri Paul, RB, Fort Lauderdale Stranahan
Keshun Poole, RB, Davie Nova
Michael Rodoquino, LB, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
Khalid Shakir, RB, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
Joshua Sloan, LB, Miami Belen Jesuit
Roshane Stevens, DB, Plantation
Jacques St. Hilaire, OL, Oakland Park Northeast
Tyrese Thompson, DB, Coral Springs Coral Glades
Roger Turcios, OL, Southwest Miami
Jolstin Valcin, DE, Coral Springs Charter
James Washington, OL, Miami Southridge
Darius Williams, LB, Fort Lauderdale Dillard
Hayden Wisdom, CB, Miami Killian
Antonio Yarborough, WR, Doral Academy