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On The Radar: Season Series – Part 13

Larry Block

SFHSSports: Twitter | Facebook

We are now winding things down in the 2016 season.

And while many are still involved in the playoffs, other seniors and underclassmen are still trying to get noticed.

As we have said many times, while much of the recruiting attention falls directly on the prospects in South Florida, there are so many athletes that every player does to get the attention they may receive if they played in another area of the state - or even the country.

Those in the playoffs will still have the chance to jump into the mix while other players will have to create opportunities in the offseason to get noticed and have college coaches at least look in their direction.

If you are a senior, postseason all-star games are very helpful. But if you do not take part in those events, you can still get in front of college coaches by sending film and keeping a close eye on what your intended schools are doing with players at your position.

Today, things are much different than they have been in the past. More eyes watching you and more opportunities to get in front of those decision makers that can extend your career at the next level.

If you happen to be an underclassman, the opportunities will be endless. Remember, you still have a 7-on-7 season ahead that will put you in a position to try out for many teams and keep your avenues wide open.

If you do not play 7-on-7, there are always combines and camps that are very beneficial. But beware, there are many, many people who host these events that are not worried about what you do. They are in it for the money, and that is a fact that continues to play itself out.

Do not be afraid to ask questions about people who are hosting events. If they are in it for the money and never getting you any valuable exposure, they will not last long. However, there are still some who continue to fool people.

Our objective – year round – when the spotlight is not directly on us, is to keep football prospects in the spotlight. During the course of a year, we promote and expose close to 3,000 South Florida football players every day.

No matter how much any can promise you, the fact that we have been doing this for nearly a half a century, and continue to get thanks and accolades from players, parents, high coaches and college coaches, signals that we are in this for you, the athlete, and that will never change.

As we do each week, there are six new football players that we break down and provide valuable exposure.

Here are six more to keep an eye on:

2018 – Daniel Barker, TE, 6-4, 230, Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson: Here is a talent that we have had on our radar for two years now, and as he heads toward the offseason, the interest will definitely pick up. Barker is a big target who is learning plenty as college coaches are very much in his corner. Teaching the athletic ability and size that Barker has is impossible to do. If he has a productive offseason, the interest will really pick up – as many college coaches have told us over the past few months.
TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/profile/4677651/daniel-barker

2018 – Zeryus Coleman, WR/QB, 6-1, 180, Hollywood Hills: Only in South Florida can a big-time football talent be hidden for an entire season. This is a football player who has the chance to make a huge leap in the offseason. Coleman is a former quarterback who has truly made a major impact at the receiver position. He has the speed and athletic ability to definitely turn heads in the offseason. This is one football player to keep a close eye on. He has everything colleges are looking for.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/5339260/zeryus-coleman

2017 – Carlens Coutard, DT/OG, 6-1, 255, North Miami Mourning: Had the pleasure of watching this impressive football talent twice this year, and each time he really made a huge impact. At a school like this, it is always tough to get a lot of attention, but Coutard is one of those quality football players who will play at the next level. And after seeing what he does on the football field – someone is going to get a big-time player who has so much to add to any college program.
TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/profile/4656492/carlens-coutard

2017 – Michael Martinez, LB, 6-0, 210, Southwest Miami: One of the prospects who emerged this season for the Eagles. A major force on a defense that came up huge all year. Martinez is a quick, aggressive playmaker who college coaches watched during a year that ended up with a playoff game. This is a versatile run stopper who also has the athletic ability to make plays all over the field for a defensive unit that had its share of playmakers. In addition, his experience also paved the way for the younger prospects that head coach Tim Neal and his coaching staff developed. Remember this name - because he will certainly surface at the next level.
TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4666350/michael-martinez

2018 – Steve Romelo Williams, QB, 6-0, 175, Miramar: After settling in with the Patriots this season, here is an underclassman who will make every attempt possible in the offseason to start getting the attention that his coaches and teammates believe that he deserves. Williams is an accurate passer who knows what it takes as this team fell short of making the playoffs in 2016. During the offseason, his appearance at 7-on-7 tryouts and events will be essential for his exposure as many careers turn around in the months between the end of one season and the beginning of another. He has all the tools to be very special.
TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/profile/4043788/steve-romelo-williams

2019 – Christopher Vidal, SS/QB, 6-1, 175, Hialeah Barbara Goleman: If you had an opportunity to watch the Gators play this season, you certainly came away impressed by this talented athlete who came into the 2016 season with the idea that he would do whatever possible to make this team better – and he did. Vidal is a gifted runner who also has the skills to play on the defensive side of the ball. All his coaches asked of him during his sophomore season was to learn and use his athletic qualities to help this team win games. After an up and down year, he is ready to help this football team make it to that next level. If you have the opportunity to see him in the offseason, check him out. He is indeed a special football player.
TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/profile/5228878/christopher-vidal

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