On The Radar: Offseason Series – Part 34

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Another step toward getting ready for this upcoming season was the order of business this week.

One of the toughest balances for these athletes, and the coaches this time of year, is being able to completely keep the focus on football. While most coaches will tell you that they have it covered – they don't. Not by a long-shot.

While almost every prospect has a cell phone and some form of social media, getting in touch with them is not tough, and that is where college coaches and fan websites can get to them and continue to hound them about college choices.

Parents will ask all the time about the fan websites who promote prospects, take video and still photos and give them stars for their ranking system. There is nothing wrong with what they do. But, and this is a huge but, if you are truly looking to them for scholarships, you are wasting your time. ESPN, Rivals, Scout, 247 or any of the many fan-oriented websites have never awarded a scholarship.

We know that when your kid/athlete is awarded a star it is nice for you and the family, and well-deserved. But, again, please do not try and translate those stars into four-year scholarships, because the college coaches who have lived by not seeing these athletes perform with their own eyes, are looking for jobs every other year – and as you can see – coaches change jobs quite often.

Remember, this is in no way a cut at the fan websites, but it is a reality that of a college coaching staff relies totally on the word of a fan website "analyst" - they will be ordering moving fans every other year. It's a fact.

Getting back to what we do year round – which is showcase and promote our athletes.

Each and every week throughout the entire year – and not just in football season or when it's convenient – we bring you six new prospects. Over 300 a year. Today, we have some new players to talk about:

2018 – Terry Augustin, OT, 6-3, 350, Pembroke Pines Flanagan: Coming off a Class 8A state championship, many people are sleeping on the Falcons and first-year head coach Stanford Samuels Jr., but if you look at some of the prospects on the roster, you may want to think twice. Augustin is a gifted big man that this team has really built on. Opening holes and providing protection will be key as this team welcomes back some outstanding athletes. Having a lineman who has quick feet, strength and the passion for playing the game will keep this program in the hunt all season.
TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4285278/terry-augustin

2017 – Andrew Bradley, TE/WR, 6-2, 200, Miami Monsignor Pace: This Miramar Everglades transfer is just what the Spartans and head coach Joe Zaccheo have needed. Bradley is an offensive weapon who has the size and physical ability to play this game. What he does is add size to a program that has several skilled athletes but has searched for a larger playmaker on the offensive side of the ball. He hs the potential to make a major impact for this program in 2016.
TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4141823/andrew-bradley

2018 – Jonathan Lorza, DT/OG, 6-3, 280, Miami Killian: Yet another prospect that has come in to help slowly make this Cougar football team someone to watch this year. What this one-time Braddock two-way line prospect brings is someone who fits the mold of an offense that has really taken shape up front. Lorza is an improving player who has two seasons left to make an impact, but with head coach Javi Valdes working with him, he will get a crash course on playing this game at a higher level. Many have no idea that with the addition of a player like this, things can get mighty interesting for a program that has picked up and filled the vacancies left when some athletes departed.
TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4489712/jonathan-lorza

2017 – Chris Perez, NG/DE, 5-11, 250, Doral Ronald Reagan: Two years ago when watching this young man perform, there was never a question of how much he loved this game. Perez is an undersized line prospect who has a passion for playing this game, and while he may not have been blessed with that prototypical size that college coaches are looking for, he is a tremendous football player who is always around the ball. He's a top-flight player who has the ability to lineup against anyone – and often coming out on top. He is a tremendous football player that has emerged as a leader for head coach John Lopez and the Bison.
TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3122495/chris-perez

2017 – Donovan Samuels, Jr., WR, 5-10, 175, Coral Springs Coral Glades: As the offseason moved along, there were so many football players who started to grab the spotlight and shine it in their direction. This is one of those quality receivers who showed up at every event this team attended and impressed head coach Christian Baldwin and his coaching staff. Samuels is a solid football talent with very good hands and improving route running skills. After watching him perform, there is no doubt that this is a young man who is going to really break out in 2016.
TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/5326790/donovan-samuels-jr

2017 – Taylen Waller, WR, 6-4, 185, South Plantation: Yet another huge under-the-radar talent that this program is churning out under first-year head coach Dominic Anderson. Waller is truly a receiver who has the chance to emerge and grab some of that spotlight that this being dominated by the high-star ranking players. He's an exceptional receiver who is long, fast and is very athletic. College coaches who watched him left wanting to see more – and they certainly will this season. He had a very productive offseason as his coaches helped to give him additional exposure. Watch this young man play and you will see what everyone is talking about.
TAPE: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4398808/taylen-waller