On The Radar: Offseason Series – Part 30

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It is now less than a month before we get it started for the 2016 season.

When all this offseason work that has been put it will finally pay off – and those extra sprints or reps in the weight room will prove that hard work does indeed win out.

With South Florida football programs making a name nationally each year, this is another season where many of the marquee teams and players will be recognized across the country.

This history of South Florida has been written a long time ago – and as we see some of these talented teams and players still emerging some 90 years after they started playing this game here – it is a reminder that there is no end in sight

As many of the athletes attend camps and 7-on-7 events across the country, we are now watching several of the elite prospects compete in arenas such as The Opening in Oregon and national 7-on-7 tournaments, which an all-star group attended representing War Zone and went on to finish second in Dallas, Texas.

There are so many athletes in this region of the country that are always receiving the attention, and as we get closer to the season, we will have profiles, district breakdowns and a look at what schools have the chance to reach Orlando.

We are also looking forward to Miami Dolphins High School Football Media Day, which we have been a huge part of since they began. This year, the playing field has been elevated as we will have a bigger presence at the event – as CBS/WQAM are the home of the Dolphins once again this year.

As we do throughout the course of a year, adding athletes for coaches and fans to see is something that we have been proud to do for nearly a half a century. Today, we bring you six more football players to watch:

2018 – Dane Ferguson, OL, 6-1, 260, Davie Nova: There have been so many quality football players through the years that the Titans have produced, and each season we give a breakdown on a player or players this program produces. Ferguson is one of those kids of prospects that you win districts with – like this team did last year for the first time in 20 seasons. He is strong, very athletic and one of those athletes who will pick up a lot of recruiting momentum this season. He can play this game.
TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4687808/dane-ferguson

2018 – Gregory Franklin, LB, 6-2, 200, Miami Killian: Talk to anyone in this program about getting back to the top of the district again, and they will all point to this quality prospect. Just a junior, Franklin is a big-time linebacker who had a huge offseason and has brought smiles to the faces of this coaching staff. Watching him play, his athleticism and speed jump right out at you. He can run, tackle and this spring has learned to drop into coverage. Franklin is another one of those special talents.
TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/6435772/gregory-franklin

2017 – Sean Heffernan, DE, 6-5, 215, Miami Christopher Columbus: After watching his father at Christopher Columbus, the University of Miami and the NFL; covering his brother, Tommy at Columbus and at North Carolina, we figured that Sean would be a combination of dad and brother. Either way, as he heads toward his final season, this is a young man who can really make a major splash. He does have the ability to play this game. This year will tell how much. Watch his tape for yourself and you will see.
TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/5378931/sean-heffernan

2017 – Jeremy Polidor, OC/DT, 6-0, 290, Miami Dr. Krop: As many people have been watching some of the top programs across South Florida get plenty of publicity, the Lightning have slowly been building toward getting back in the playoff mix. With this talented two-way lineman, it's exactly why this program has improved greatly. As coaches have watched over the past year, Polidor is a lineman who has good feet, is athletic and is putting in the work to get bigger and stronger. College coaches will certainly be watching during the next six months.
TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/5190228/jeremy-polidor

2017 – Willie White, DB, 6-1, 175, Hallandale: On a team that has a new coaching staff and very few players returning from last year's history-making squad, they do have this quality football talent who has become a leader and someone who the younger players will need to look up to. Whites is a very talented young man who has gotten it done since he has been playing this game. He had a solid offseason which has helped to open eyes. White has size and plenty of athletic ability and skill level. He'll be a difference maker.
TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/6560321/willie-white-iii

2019 – Jamari Williams, OG/DT, 6-3, 245, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons: One of the emerging standouts in this game, this sophomore is coming off a year where he really turned heads with his play on both sides of the ball. Williams is a physical and very athletic talent who continues to get bigger and stronger. And if you get a chance to watch him perform, you'll see that he has the chance to be the real deal. He's a quality football talent who has three full years to mature, which will be fun to watch.
TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/6397378/jamari-williams