Tour of Talent: So. Florida's Pre-Season Top 10 LBs and Rising Talent (Class of 2019)

By Jerry Williamson

When it comes to recruiting the best high school football players in the country, look no further than the Miami Metropolitan area. The area is view annually, by college football programs, as the ultimate breeding ground for quality and quantity prospects. Howard Schnellenberger, former Uni. of Miami (FL) head coach, during the early 80's quickly recognized the anormous amount of talent and created the "State of Miami" plan. Schnellenberger eye for talent, revolutionized college football recruiting -- and played a large role why college football programs around the country -- flock to South Florida year in-and-out. The class of 2019 in South Florida at the linebacker, is extremely loaded. How loaded? Mikel Jones, Anthony Solomon, Ge'mon Eaford, Samuel Brooks Jr. and Diamonte Howard -- are all ranked nationally with a long list of early accolades. The list doesn't stop there folks. Linebackers Joe Smith, Jahmar Brown as well as Donald Georges -- surfaced on the scene this past fall. The next two prospects are considered unsung and hails from Broward and Miami-Dade County.

Just watch the first play of Brandon Moses highlight reel, and you be the judge. Basilio Fernandez is certainly, a hidden gem. His film displayed him making plays within the trenches and in coverage. Another prospect who caught my eye during film, is former Travella linebacker, and now, American Heritage Delray rising junior Marc Dogobart. Miami Southridge, St. Thomas Aquinas, Norland and American Heritage Delray, are in good hands at linebacker for the next two seasons. The Spartans' Joe Smith (Right) and Diamonte Howard (left) reunites this fall as both starters.

The last two times these guys started next to one another, they won the Pop Warner Southeastern Regional and state championship as well as, going undefeated their JV football season. Can they help the programs return to state? Only time will tell.

Top 10 linebackers - In no particular order Mater Academy Charter | Mikel Jones | 6-1, 220

The nation's Top 10 ranked outside linebacker -- wasn't the most notable kid coming out of youth football. Mikel is your ideal recruit. He's blue collar worker. This past fall, was his first official season at linebacker after transiting from defensive end.

Mikel stands 6-1.5, 215-pounds and clocked a 4.7 (electronically) 40-yard dash at Ohio State. He sports a 3.6 weighed GPA and is schedule to become an early enrollee. Moreover, the four star prospect is a two-year varsity starter.

Mikel has dominated in South Florida and earned 2nd team All-Dade county the past two seasons at both, the lowest (5A - Independent) and highest (8A-6A) classifications ranks. Mikel has outright earned his recognition. He's responsible for 29.5 sacks, 5 punt blocks and 173 tackles.

Mikel's most notable individual performances, took place as a freshman against Glades Day, where he recorded 11 Tackles, 4 TFL, 4 Sacks, and 2 FF. This past season, as a sophomore, he derailed McArthur run for state, recording 8 Tackles, 4 TFL, 2 FF and 1 punt block during the second round playoffs. Mikel was invited to the Ray Lewis Camp this off-season and holds notable verbal offers from the likes of Clemson, UGA and South Carolina.

Miami Northwestern | Samuel Brooks Jr. | 6-1, 190

Brooks, Jr. is an intriguing prospect. If you watch his film, you'll say, he's an excellent pass rusher, but he's only to light at 6-2, 185-pounds. However, he's responsible for 29 career sacks and three individual games of three sacks (Columbus, American, American Heritage Plantation). Brooks, Jr., who's a three-star prospect who holds double digits football subdivision offers -- has film at defensive end, linebacker and safety. His position at the next level will be debatable. But, one thing that's not debatable, is that he causes havoc. He must be accounted for at all times.

Furtmore, his athleticism is off the charts. He clocked a 4.20 shuttle and 4.6 electronically-timed 40-yard dash at the Orlando Opening. Playing in the most challenging district in South Florida, the edge rush specialist was named 2nd team all-county. Deerfield Beach | Ge'mon Eaford | 6-2, 195

The 6-foot-1, 220-pound Eaford is regarded the16th-best outside linebacker in the country. The outstanding pass rush specialist, recorded 60 tackles and 20 sacks to help his team to the state semifinals last fall. The last time I checked, he holds approximately 39 football subdivision offers and there's a great chance, he's adding one as we speak. His offers consist of power five programs such as Alabama, UF, FSU, Miami (FL), Clemson, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon and Tennessee.

Eaford was named Maxpreps All-American (freshman and sophomore seasons) and first team All-County. At the next level, a defensive coordinator will have the luxury of puzzling this talented prospect -- into varies packages.

Miami Southridge | Diamonte Howard | 6-2, 190

The cousin of the late Sean Taylor, is a prospect, I have personally scouted, dating back to his 8th grade year of playing Pop Warner for the Palmetto Raiders midgets. You couldn't have asked for a better initial start of your high school career.

Listen to this timeline: Undefeated JV football season (moved up to varsity), named back-to-back Maxpreps All-American and this past fall, he captured the 8A state title and verbally pledging to his dream school, University of Miami (FL). Howard has contributed at kicker, defensive end, linebacker and safety. He has calculated over 70 tackles, 3 interceptions and 1 defensive touchdown, the past two seasons. He outright earned his playing time. Backing up perhaps -- the best linebacker unit in Southridge history, with Brandon James (FIU), Billy Gibson Jr. (Oregon) and Nadarius Fagan (Syracuse).

After watching his performance for Florida Fire 7v7 football team in space this off-season, I understand why the canes are recruiting him as a strong safety. Howard sports a 3.1 GPA. Miami Southridge | Joe Smith | 6-1, 190

Joe recorded 3 pick sixies for a total of 93 yards. He picked off an eye-opener, 6 interceptions, while lining up at five different positions -- consisting of free safety, strong safety and all three linebacker positions. At 6-foot-1, 190-pounds, he's clearly a ball hawk where ever he lines-up on defense and he can deliver the bang.

Joe caused 4 force fumbles and tallied 5 sacks. He reports seven football subdivision offers and sports a 3.2 core GPA.

St. Thomas Aquinas | Anthony Solomon | 6-1, 200

He reminds me of an underclassmen at Alabama. He has yet to crack the starting lineup for Aquinas, but his little film on defense and special teams is very obvious, he's next in-line. This isn't a joke folks, Solomon earned nearly 10 football subdivision offers before playing a single down on varsity. He recorded verbal offers from Alabama, Ohio State and LSU as an eighth-grader from The Florida Youth Football League.

Solomon is ranked nationally and was recognized as an All-American. Keep a close eye on him this fall. He has dominated the off-season circuit.

Champagnat Catholic | Donald Georges | 5-11, 205

As a first-year starter, Donald amassed 95 tackles, 4 sacks, 4 force fumbles, 4 pass deflections and 1 interception. Donald is the younger brother of Champagnat Catholic senior three-star linebacker with 25 plus offers, Donovan Georges. Donald performed exceptionally-well, considering one miss read could've resulted in result a big game or touchdown, operating out of a 6-1 like attacking scheme, based on film study. Playing smart on the gridiroin correlates with his academic success. He sports a 3.64 cumulative GPA. Donald ended his sophomore season with a bang. In the 2A state championship game he tallied 10 tackles, 8 tackles for loss and 2 force fumbles. Vanderbilt and Wake Forest are currently expressing interest.

St. Thomas Aquinas | Jahmar Brown | 6-1, 195

The once little-known prospect from Monsignor Pace, who sports an eye-popping 3.9 GPA, has seen his recruitment take off in a blank of an eye. Brown holds approximately 13 football subdivision offers, once he enrolled at St. Thomas Aquinas. The two year varsity starter, earned second team All-County honors this past fall and has been day one varsity starter since the moment he stepped foot on campus.

As a freshman, he amassed 60 tackles 3 fumble recoveries and 1 force fumble. And this past season, he tacted on 78 tackles, 2 Ints, 5 sacks, 3 force fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries in 8-games. His verbal offers consist o Arkansas, Oregon, Ohio State and Oklahoma just to name a few.

American Heritage Delray Boca | Brandon Moses | 5-11, 225

He possess grades (3.2 GPA), ideal size, solid speed, and toughness (watch film) regarding an inside linebacker prospect. He delivers bone crushing hits and has the strength to fight off blocks. He reminds me of a young Clint Sessions, from Blanche Ely High School, who later was selected in the NFL DRAFT.

Last fall at Coconut Creek, he recorded 79 tackles, 23 TFL, 3 sacks, 4 forced fumble and 3 fumble recoveries.

American Heritage Delray Boca | Marc Dagobert | 6-0, 190

He's someone I wasn't familiar with, up until this past week, once I observed his film. He doesn't shy away from contact and his effort on each play stands out. He's chasing ball carriers down left and right. His ability to find the ball and make the play usually at the line of scrimmage or in the backfield, are bonus points when I review film.

He's a transfer from Travella High School and landing at American Heritage Delray Boca School this upcoming fall, speak volumes regarding his athleticism and academics. He carries a 3.15 weighted GPA and recorded 76 total tackles, 6 sacks, 1 int and 5 FF the past season. Coral Gables | Basilio Fernandez | 6-1, 185

The unsung prospect of the group -- hails from Southwest Miami-Dade County, named Basilo Fernandez. His film quickly caught my attention. He plays relentless and fearless and does an excellent job fighting off blocks. His football IQ is impressive. Fernandez made plays at defensive end, outside linebacker and playing rover. The honorable mention selection, was responsible for 110 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 9 tackles for loss, 4 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions. Fernandez carries a 3.1 GPA and has caught the interest of fourteen programs (FCS and D2). He's certainly a hidden gem. He's someone who could eventually transition into a safety overtime. His film at linebacker passes all the evaluation checks. Fighting off blocks, dropping into coverage, reading, pursuit angles and tackling skills.

On The RISE: Pahokee | Jalen Bain | 6-1, 190

Miami Norland | Larry Smith | 6-1, 210

Miami Southridge | Xaiver Johnson | 5-11, 190

Archbishop McCarthy | Gino Sandora | 6-1 215

Somerset Academy Silver Palms | Charles Philias | 6-1, 190

Watch List Material:

Jonathan St. Jacque - (5-11, 182, Homestead) Anthony Jackson - (6-0, 190, Mater Academy) Anthony Johnson - (6-1, 190, Mater Academy)

Justin Sheir - (6-2, 200, St. Thomas Aquinas) Derek Burns - (6-3, 190, Archbishop McCarthy) Hugh Dinnall (5-11, 205, Miramar) Nico Scheesley (OLB, 6-1, 205, Cardinal Gibbons) Darius Williams (6-0, 210 Miami Norland) Jeremiah Jean (6-1, 195, South Dade)