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On The Radar: Offseason Series - Part 18

Larry BlockSFHSSports: Twitter | Facebook

If you talk to any college coach that covers Florida, the countdown has begun for the trip south this spring.

In less than two weeks, over a hundred college coaches from everywhere in the nation will call South Florida home over the month – as they get the opportunity to watch some of the best football prospects in the country.

The caravan of college coaches that will fill nearly every high school in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, as well as so many areas of the state, is always the highlight of any offseason. This is the time when many of these schools set the table for summer camp visits as well as looking at the younger athletes who are starting to grow and mature.

Because college recruiting has become so important, colleges are no longer waiting for that athlete to make a decision. Big-time programs have already moved past this next wave of seniors in the Class of 2017. They have already looked at the future, and indeed, the future looks bright.

Dana Wiley of Prep Films has watched the way that colleges plan their strategy when coming to south Florida. With so many impressive football players, coming away with one or two – especially if you are an out-of-state program – is now the objective. Going against the "Big three" in Florida – Miami, Florida State and Florida – is never easy. And with some outstanding head coaches who are preaching "stay home", schools need to truly put in the work.

"I am not saying that schools are not going to come away with great players, they have since the beginning of time," Wiley explained. "But the thing that you will see with all the outstanding coaches and recruiters within this state is many of the marquee prospects will really consider Miami, Florida or Florida State before looking elsewhere. It's a given."

During the course of a year, we continue to give you enough football talent to keep an eye on.

Here are six more football players making an impression to keep an eye on:

2017 – Lamont Brantley, S, 6-0, 175, Pembroke Pines Flanagan: The Falcons have been known to attract some quality football players over the past few years. Brantley is no different. As he heads towards his final season, this gifted football player makes a move from nearby Somerset Academy to make a huge impact. He is a very physical football talent who can run, has tremendous size and knows how to play this game. By making the move, he will now join a secondary that is simply loaded with talent, and now with some additional depth at a position that you can never have enough players. Many are anxious to watch him.
TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3954582/lamont-brantley--flanagan-high-pines

2018 – Randy Charlton, DE/OLB, 6-4, 215, Miami Southridge: Talk about the next wave of dominating athletes. Charlton is one of those impressive football prospects who will get after you with speed, athletic ability and the knowledge of this game. He is a long player who uses his arms extremely well and will fight off blocks because he's strong and loaded with athletic ability. No matter if you use him as an outside linebacker or a rush end, he will succeed. Charlton is one of the top players in the class and will start to really emerge this spring. He has a big time future ahead.
TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4754678/randy-charlton

2017 – Zario Dorismond, DT/TE, 6-3, 265, Hialeah: This is a prospect that caught a lot of people's attention last year as Steve Smith's first year included laying plenty of groundwork in rebuilding the T-Breds. Dorismond is a strong, hard-worker who is not afraid to mix it up and throw his body in the mix. He is big, strong, athletic and plays the game with passion. His athleticism is the asset that coaches are impressed by. This spring will be very important as colleges get the chance to eyeball a more mature student/athlete.
TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3896295/zario-t-dorismond

2019 – Frank Melgarejo, OC/LS, 6-1, 210, Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy: This one-time youth football standout has now successfully made the transition to next level as he moves from Coral Reef to play for this program that will be in the mix for a district championship. Not only can he play center, which he made huge strides in learning this past year, Melgarejo this is one of the best long snappers on special teams. He has earned a reputation, by winning competitions, to be among the best. He has a very promising final three years ahead.
TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/5468263/frank-melgarejo

2018 – D'Andre Romero, LB, 5-11, 170, Miramar Everglades: Another one of those emerging linebackers who does everything well. While he's growing and getting his weight up over the next year, Romero is one of the most fundamentally sound players in South Florida. He reads plays, anticipates extremely well and certainly understands the game. While he has safety size, he is someone who really plays like a linebacker – with speed and a desire to compete at a high level. Whether it's in the middle or on the outside, look at every play during the course of the game, and as we found out by watching him last season, he was around the ball every time. College coaches will fall in love with this gamer.
TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4044200/dandre-romero

2017 – Donovan Samuels, WR/QB, Coral Springs Coral Glades: This may be one of the players who could jump into the spotlight as fast as anyone this year. Samuels is an athlete who can line up anywhere on the field. He has speed, football skills and the ability to turn the game around with one of the many things he does. Watched him play quarterback last year, but this is a team who needs this gifted football player to be able to do more – such as catching the balls and getting into space. College coaches and recruiters will be impressed at what this young man brings to the table. Samuels is a solid football player.
TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/5326790/highlights/293101388

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