Tour of Talent: So. Florida's Pre-Season Top 10 QBs and Rising Talent (Class of 2019)
By Jerry Williamson
This past national signing day, celebrated the excellence of South Florida's notable gunslingers such as James Blackman (FSU signee), Jake Allen (UF signee), Jason Brown (Harvard signee) and Henry Colombi (Utah State) -- who all inked their letter of intents to division one programs, as they wrapped-up marvelous prep careers. In coming weeks, the headliners of the 2017 recruiting class will officially depart from South Florida to begin their collegiate careers, and Rising Stars will introduce the next batch of signal callers for the class of 2019.
Below is a long list of upcoming stars, consisting of playmakers from counties: Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach -- that are ready to take flight and become the face of South Florida. Aerial attack
Junior quarterback Daniel Richardson (pictured above) of Miami Booker T. Washington HS, hasn't skipped a beat since his youth football days. The product from Broward County, is on pace to graduate as the most prolific passer in Miami-Dade County history. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound dual-threat gunslinger, holds early verbal offers from the likes of FIU, FAU and Toledo. As of today, Daniel has impressively accounted for 75 touchdowns and 6,063 all-purpose yards. Furthermore, Daniel is both a 2-time county passing leader and first-team all-county selection. This young man hasn't lost more than five games within the past five years, dating back to youth football as the signal caller for the Pembroke Pines Bengals Club. Daniel's early accolades doesn't stop there. Here's a note, he captured the 4A title (freshman season) and was named the state championship game MVP. This past season, he was crowned as the Player of the Year via the Tournament of Champions and most importantly, scored a 1190 SAT and sports a 3.5 GPA.
Cardinal Gibbons QB Nik Scalzo (6-0, 180) made his mark this past fall -- as he finished his first year starting varsity, ranked top 10 overall in South Florida among all classifications and named first team all-county for both the Miami Herald and Sun Sentinel. Nik threw 27 touchdowns and passed for 2221 yards.
Nik appears to know the playbook inside and out, as he calmly makes his reads. I quickly realized, his wide receivers never had to break their stride on film regarding deep routes, and he doesn't shy away from underneath routes. I can easily see "30" plus touchdowns this upcoming fall for Nik Scalzo. Illinois and Yale, have both extended well deserved verbal offers.
Miami Central QB Maurice Underwood possess the ideal size among the group, listed at 6-foot-3, 175-pounds. As a freshman at 2A classification, Champagnat Catholic, he started right out the gate -- as he was named second team all-county. He threw for a number of games consisting of 250 plus yards. He can certainly develop into the face of South Florida as he continues to mature at the position.
Maurice'sbuzz, declined statistically)l his sophomore campaign, as he transferred to Miami Central, and played sparingly. Having perhaps the best running back duo in South Florida, will help with his development, as he continues to get better each time I see him. Maurice holds five verbal offers from the likes of Marshall, FAU, FAMU, Howard and Valdosta State.
Gulliver Preparatory rising junior quarterback Will Poses -- (third season of playing organized football) is an intriguing prospect, that I named as my Rising Star, dating back to his eighth-grade season as the co-starter for Florida Fire 7v7 football team. "He reminds me of Drew Brees", said his offensive coordinator Eddie Alford. Based on film study, I can certainly see where he's coming from with the comparison.
Will can throw from under center or in the shotgun, despite standing 5-foot-11, 190-pounds. He does an excellent job extending plays and keeping his eyes up-field, never dropping his quarterback vision. His best game is ahead of him, and speaking of his best game, last fall vs. Belen, he completed 15/18 passes, for 175 yards and a touchdown. Note, he started for arguably the youngest offense in South Florida.
Surprise of the Class
Pine Crest High School (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) recent transfer from Westminster Academy, dual-threat quarterback Kamran Kadivar (6-1, 195), is without question the most talented and unrecognized prospect amongst the group. His film wowed me, after just two plays, as he appeared to make every throw, and displayed deceptive speed. Kamran earned 3rd Team All-County as a sophomore. College football programs need to really evaluate this rising prospect film, and see exactly what I evaluated.
Kamran has accounted for nearly 4,000 all-purpose yards and over 35 all-purpose touchdowns. He can fit any offensive philosophy at the next level based on film study. But a spread option or no huddle up-tempo offense, would be an ideal fit. He excels academically as well.
The most efficient passer of the pack goes to Miami Norland HS (MaArthur transfer) quarterback Deon Jones (5-11, 165). The Oak Grove youth football standout, has started varsity since the midway of his freshman season. Deon went 87-for-180 as a sophomore in completions and attempts ratio and threw 21 touchdowns and rushed for an additional three scores.
This off-Season at War Zone 7v7 Tournament, Deon stole the show and I felt he displayed the best blend of arm strength and accuracy. I love his game and if programs aren't picky about the height and weight aspect of recruiting, Deon is a steal.
T.J. Smith (6-1, 170) of South Broward HS, is yet another dual-threat quarterback of the class. He earned second team All-Country and threw for 20 plus touchdowns as well as registered over 2,500 yards from scrimmage. Keep an eye on this kid. He's an athlete, that just happens to make plays using his arm and decision-making when needed.
He does a great job as far as securing the ball at the snap and quickly gets the ball out of hands, which minimizes quarterback sacks. He stands tall in the pocket and takes what defenses give him.
Miami Palmetto Sr, transfer from Miami Killian QB Cairiq Rackley (6-1, 165), a two-sport star, has a world of potential. As a freshman, he threw for over 300 yards and 3 TD's vs. South Dade, who were undefeated and appeared as state bound. As a varsity starter for both baseball (pitcher) and football (quarterback), his arm strength and accuracy, is everything as advertised. He'll be a D1 recruit in both sports.
Monsignor Pace dual-threat quarterback Lorenzo Floyd (far right pictured), who contributed to Miami Carol City 6A title run the previous season, has all the tools to become a nationally recognized recruit. Playing in the toughest district in the country, he was forced into early action and responded, especially for a freshman.
He threw and ran for a number of touchdowns, including action in the state finals. Expect to hear and read this young man this upcoming fall. He's a big time addition for the Spartans football program.
Oxbridge Academy, has an underrated dual-threat quarterback named Gio Richardson who stands 6-foot-1, 190-pounds. A product of the 3A classification, he has compiled nearly 30 all-purpose touchdowns and is responsible within the neighborhood of 3,000 total yards from scrimmage over the past two seasons. His stock will continue to rise.
On The Rise:
Karon Johnson (North Miami HS), Demetrius Burns (Everglades Prep), Curt Castell (St. Thomas Aquinas), and Tyron Herring (Deerfield Beach) are my Miami-Dade, Broward County and Palm Beach on the rise quarterbacks. Karon (6-0, 165) has shown great early signs this off-season, as he continues to develop. But, I can see the flashes. Curt (6-2, 190) is still battling for the starting job, the last time I checked, but he's someone that's going to surface eventually. Expect fireworks from Tyron and Demetrius with another year of experience under their belt and impressive film.
Watch List Material:
Jean Jimpson - Boyd Anderson
Jesse Rivera - Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy
Christian Paillet - North Broward Prep
Skylar Pearcy - Calvary Christian
Christopher Vidal - Goleman HS
Armando Parra Jr., Christopher Columbus
Nathaniel Williams - Hallandalle
Jaeze Tracy - Glades Central
The rankings, compiled by Rising Stars are determined by CEO and founder, Jerry Williamson legwork and film study as well as college football camps accomplishments. The list will of course shuffle over the next two seasons, but this is a valid list of the early talented prospects at the quarterback position in South Florida.
