Tour of Talent: The Next Wave of South Florida's Top 10 Linebackers (Class of 2021)
By Jerry Williamson
With the 2018-2019 season approaching quickly, it’s time to reveal the top ten linebackers apart of the class-of-2021 with varsity production throughout the Miami Metropolitan area. With the spring football over along with the padded camps and team 7-v-7 tournaments, it is much easier to get a sense of who belongs on the list.
In no particular order, below are the top 10 Linebackers in South Florida based on varsity film.
A'mahri McCray, North Miami
His film is loaded with devastating hits between the tackles, textbook block-shedding, and quick run-play recognition. McCray recorded 94 tackles, 18 TFL, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 sacks. In his spring game vs. the reigning class 2A state champions. McCray accounted for 8 solo tackles and 1 sack. The rising sophomore also started for Strong Arm Athletics 7v7 All-Star football team.
Emile Aime, University School
The rising sophomore is a smart linebacker who plays with a good balance of caution and instincts. His ability to read plays and fught off blocks is incredible. Aime against stiff competition was responsible for 107 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 2 ints, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery.
Kavon Moore, Everglades Prep
Moore is slightly undersized at 5'9", but you wouldn’t know that by watching him play. He is a true sideline-to-sideline linebacker and showed some nice coverage skills against quality opponents. Moore finished the season ranked Top 10 in Miami-Dade County in tackles (74) and sacks (8) along with 1 interception and 2 force fumbles.
Nygil Shannon, Atlantic Community
He’s at his best attacking, and he has the speed to get around the edge as a pass rusher. He also has the ability to play in coverage, with the fluid hips to mirror backs and very good balance and body control in the open field. Shannon ended his freshman with 64 tackles, 1 int, 3 FR, 2 FF, 5 PBU, 2 sacks. Shannon also recorded 9 solo tackles vs. Miami Northwestern (spring game).
Gaethan Bernadel, Hallandale HS
He’s an instinctive linebacker who excels in the run game and is able to work quickly through traffic and bottle up big plays. I observed an active inside linebacker who made plays tackle-to-tackle within the trenches. Bernadel accounted for 9 tackles and 1 sack in his spring game.
Terrence Lewis, Miami Northwestern
Lewis freshman season was cut short due to injury at Miami Booker T. Washington. The eye-catching prospect is someone that will without question, play linebacker at the next level. His mixture of height, weight, and speed tops the group. Lewis also earned a spot on perhaps the most talented 15U 7v7 football teams, Florida Fire.
Jordan Kolnick, Palm Beach Central
Kolnick (left) is coming off an impressive freshman season considering he missed four games on varsity. He's one of Palm Beach County best kept secrets. Kolnick is flexible and can roll down as the edge defender in nickel and dime situations. From the film that I watched, he didn’t seem to over run the play and played everything inside to out, the way a linebacker should. The rising freshman posted 60 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 FF.
Tyler Johnson, South Dade
The younger brother of University of Miami (FL) superstar defensive back Jaquan Johnson is already bigger than his older brother. As a freshman at Miami Killian, he recorded several double digit tackle games and earned Rising Stars' freshman of the week. Keep an eye on this young man. He stands nearly 6-foot-2, 200 pounds with great speed.
Santino Marucci, The Benjamin School
The son of former University of Miami (FL) fullback Jason Marucci, is an intriguing prospect who played on both sides of the ball this past season on varsity at quarterback and linebacker. His future just may at quarterback, but based on his film on defense caught my attention. He flies around and hit anything that's moving. He'll start this upcoming fall at quarterback, so chances are you'll see him make my top 10 list at quarterback after this season over.
