Class of 2019: Pre-Season Top 5 Cornerbacks and Rising Talent
By Jerry Williamson
In approximately, 68-days from today, high school football will be set for kickoff, and the Class of 2019 position at cornerback in South Florida is extremely loaded at a position where this past NFL DRAFT, set a record, as professional teams drafted the most cornerbacks (33 DBs drafted in the 1st 3 rounds this year) which was a record)
South Florida's Top 5 Cornerbacks (In no particular order)
Palm Beach County -- is the home to the nation's Top 3 overall cornerbacks via 247sports, featuring Akeem Dent (Palm Beach Central) and Kaiir Elam (The Benjamin School). They'll have their pick, to play for any power five conference in the country, come National Signing.
Miami Southridge, Christopher McDonald Jr. (5-10, 170) and St. Thomas Aquinas, Jaden Davis (5-10, 165), both state champions, have played valuable minutes on varsity since a freshman -- which speaks volumes of their talent and upside. Both hold early D1 offers and has challenged perhaps the best group of wide receivers (top to bottom) in the country, over the past two seasons, just from competing in practice. Their stock, regarding national rankings will climb the charts after this season. Both are power five conference talent.
Cornerback Taiwan Mullen (Coconut Creek HS), checks in at 5-foot-10, 160 pouns, who's believed by many, to be a head (coverage wise)of his older brother (Clemson cornerback, Trayvon Mullen) post over 15 verbal offers. His speed, instincts, and knack for making a play, makes it difficult to separate from him in man-to-man coverage. He displays an extremely high football IQ. Four-star in waiting.
Doral Academy emerging star cornerback Wendol Philord, standing 5-foot-9, 165 pounds, awarded the prestigious Rising Star title by myself, will be ranked nationally all said and done. He reminds me of an old school football player. You'll never question is size and play, once the whistle blow. He dominated his spring football game with two interceptions and no receptions allowed. Hidden gem. Don't let the name of the school mislead you, he anchored the secondary of the No. 1 ranked 15-and-under 7v7 football team in the southeastern region, named the Nghtmre.
Miami High cornerback Andrew Bloodshaw Jr. (Miami Beach transfer) standing 5-10, 165, is yet another emerging talent. He's a two-year letterman that's listed as a cornerback, but has the mindset of a safety in space. Tackles very well and enjoys challenging wide receivers at the point of contact. Jarrett Hampton (5-7, 170) from Boyd Anderson high school, is an intriguing prospect. He's not the tallest, but he's like having an extra linebacker with speed on the field. He can cover and play the ball, but he's so aggressive, he sort of use how Palm Bay HS used Reggie Nelson.
Miami Southridge, transfer from Miami Killian, cornerback Kewan Smith (5-10, 160) will be the fourth cougar cornerback (Antwain Collier (UCF), Juwan Horn (Albany St.), DiCaprio Bootle (Nebraska) to join the Spartans within the past two seasons. All of whom who had no scholarships prior to their transfer. Kewan is fast, aggressive and was solid this past football circuit for Florida Fire 7v7 football team. Recorded a pick six (two ints) and made a splash on go routes the past season.
St. Thomas Aquinas based on early predictions, will host the top cornerback unit in South Florida and maybe the country, for the class of 2019 with Semar Melvin, Myles Bell, Theodore Lucas, and Jaden Davis.
Names to keep an eye on:
Dante Harris, Killian
Larry Robbins, Miami Northwestern
Donovan James, Cardinal Gibbons
Prince Young, Miami Florida Christian
James Williams, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna
