Blu's Blog: S. Florida Football Prospects Get National Exposure

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As many seniors are getting ready to head to the next level, there are area high school football prospects that still have a few all-star appearances to take care of before moving on to the next level.

With the BCAA All-Star event, Dade County All-Star contest as well as the Dolphins Miami-Dade vs. Broward and the annual Public vs. Private games serving as a reward for the local prospects to gain additional exposure – there are a number of national games that will spotlight the prospects as well.

There is no secret that South Florida talent usually rises at the collegiate and professional level, but over the past decade, there are more and more local prospects impacting national games as well.

ARMY ALL-AMERICAN

Here is a contest that always has some of the best football players in the country – and over the last five years – more and more South Floridians have been part of it.

This year's local participants headed to San Antonio include:
Mike Harley, WR, St. Thomas Aquinas
Tedarrell Slaton, OL, American Heritage

Last year, locals Brian Burns (FSU), Trayvon Mullen (Clemson), Binjimen Victor (Ohio State) and Malek Young (Miami) took part.

OFFENSE-DEFENSE

One of the game and events during the holidays that is always something to be a part of – and it moves to Georgia (Kennesaw State University) this year.

This is not only a senior high school showcase, but the O/D organizers have added younger prospects to the mix and give them the chance to shine – way before they make an impact as a senior in high school.

Lashawn Paulino-Bell, DL, St. Thomas Aquinas
Kivon Bennett, DL, St. Thomas Aquinas
Latavious Brini, S, Mater Academy
Jordan Carty, OL, South Broward
Tyler Dunning, LB, St. Thomas Aquinas
Jon Ford, DL, Dillard
Kedonis Haslem, OL, St. Thomas Aquinas
Grant Miller, OL, St. Thomas Aquinas
Timothy Nelson, WR, South Broward
Dennis Robinson, WR, South Broward
Zach Sweeney, OL, St. Thomas Aquinas

UNDER ARMOUR

Since the game began as the East Meets West contest, which MSL began at Disney's Wide World of Sports – and included a number of local athletes – this is a contest that has invited local players to this Orlando-based contest at a record pace.

This year will be no different – as players will compete on January 1 at Camping World Stadium after five days of workouts, exposure and activities.

Last year, Nick Bosa (Ohio State), Devin Bush (Michigan), Sam Bruce, Josh Hammond (Florida), Dionte Mullins (Miami), Calvin Ridley (Alabama) and Dredrick Snelson (UCF) took part in the game.

This list of local prospects who had the chance to play in this game was impressive, to say the least.

Here is a look at who will compete this year:
Robert Burns, RB, Gulliver Prep
Navaughn Donaldson, OL, Central
Trevon Grimes, WR, St. Thomas Aquinas
Christopher Henderson, CB, Christopher Columbus
Kai-Leon Herbert, OL, American Heritage
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Deerfield Beach
Stanford Samuels, DB, Flanagan
Daniel Wright, S, Boyd Anderson