Rising Stars' Southwest Miami-Dade Top 25 Ballers (Class of 2023)
By Jerry Williamson
After endless hours of breaking down the most rememberable clutch performances in notable games and factoring who can make a splash on varsity this upcoming season, Rising Stars has assembled the top 25 playmakers from the Southwest Miami-Dade County Region.
Note: I'll never rank a youth football athlete No. 1 with terrible grades. In addition, this list has nothing to do with high school. Your high school decision and grades will be the most important decision before national signing day.
1. ATH | Nathaniel "Ray Ray" Joseph | Miami Christian
Note: The Alpha Dog of the list, is none other than Miami Christian dynamic athlete Nathaniel "Ray Ray" Joseph. In 2018, Ray Ray for an eighth-grader -- took varsity by storm. The early enrollee of youth football complied seven touchdowns and over 500 yards from scrimmage. His spring football performance vs. Mater Academy as well as his countless 7-vs-7 All-Star Football headliners, outright earned him the No. 1 spot. He also shines inside the classroom.
2. RB | Jamari Ford | Miami Christian
Note: In 2018, Ford found the end zone approximately five times at several positions. He's the younger brother of Johnny Ford (USF soph. running by) and many believe he's going to be far better than his older brother.
3. ATH | Sedrick Irvin Jr. | Palmetto Raiders
Note: If not, for high school production and notable stats as eighth-graders, Irvin could have earned the No. 1 or No. 2 spots on the list. He's an all-around athlete that has taken full advantage in the weight room this off-season. He'll be a day one varsity starter with the measurables and talent to pick up multiple D1-FBS offers. Regardless of the level of competition, Irvin caused a force fumble and held his own on defense this spring.
4. ATH | Ryan Bullard | Florida City Razorbacks
Note: Since the list is based on youth production and high school projection, Bullard is a well-rounded young man. His production inside of the classroom earned him this spot as well. I have observed him for the past several years. He's a former Generation Nexxt Miami-Dade All-Star starter at several positions and never back down in notable local or all-star games. Everyones wondering who will land this top-notch athlete at the next level. He's a future power five talent.
5. ATH | David Jester | Florida City Razorbacks Note: Returning to youth football played a role with him falling from my preseason list. Jester could have been the Brandon Inniss of Miami-Dade County. In his first high school action, he found the end zone twice vs. The Kings Academy, a class 3A state runner-up. Jester led the Razorbacks to the Pop Warner Div. 1 Championship. He has something you can't coach, which is size. With the right high school coach, he'll need just one year on varsity before the offers come.
6. ATH | Adam Moore Jr. | Tamiami Colts
Note: I watched him during the jamboree and lets just say, he immediately passed the eye-ball test. He was a nightmare at wide receiver using his 6-foot-2 frame as well as on defense. Moore Jr. is originally from Overtown, and his measurables and talent will certainly add depth for Miami Booker T. Washington if he decides to stay at home and play for the multiple state champions.
7. ATH | Antonio Robinson | Florida Christian
Note: Robinson played on that same Suniland team that's producing Div. 1 prospects (class of 2022) left and right, as an seventh-grader. This past season on varsity, Robinson contributed in all three phases of the game. But, his performance this spring racking up 150 all-purpose yards and one score along with his 4.9 electronically timed 40-yard dash, he's ready to make a major impact now.
8. RB | Levy Miller | Palmetto Raiders
Note: Miller is normally top 5 on my list, but youth football success and high school projection -- right out the gate dropped him a few spots on the list. Miller is by far the best running back entering high school located in the south as well as Miami Pop Warner. As long as he runs track and make the weight room his best room, he'll play Div. 1 football. How can I tell he'll certainly play Div. 1? Besides his game, his character, academics, and being coachable has never been an issue.
9. DB | Tyrell Williams | Palmetto Raiders
Note: I remember watching this young man with Bobby Bussey-Golden at South Kendall as a solid player. I remember seeing him one game at cornerback and told him, you can have a future at that position. Two years later after playing for Goulds Rams and Palmetto Raiders he's ranked Top 10 overall in the south. Williams caught nearly 15 interceptions the past two seasons. The best pure playmaker at cornerback entering high school despite playing safety this past season.
10. ATH | Robert Fulmore | Palmetto Raiders
Note: When you actually breakdown film on offense, defense, and special teams for the class of 2023 for the Palmetto Raiders, one name stands out and that's Robert Fulmore. His natural ability to return kicks was impressive. He took the season opening kick off return to the house versus Northwest Boys and Girls Club. I guarantee his name is one every stat sheet, besides throwing the ball. He ran back four kicks, and found the end zone at wide receiver and linebacker.
11. ATH | Ahmere Foster | Palmetto Raiders
Note: If not for high schoolers on the list, he's without question Top 10. His ability to read quarterback eyes and break on the ball is amazing. Foster made fare more clutch plays in the secondary, when the Raiders needed game-changing plays. Transitioning to free safety improved his stock. He's another future Div. 1 kid.
12. ATH | Jalen Brown | Palmetto Raiders
Note: He dropped on the list this year, because his ability to throw accurately was a concern. His best plays were when he used his legs. On defense, besides the Overtown Tornadoes game he did exceptionally well at cornerback. Come high school, the combination of his measurables and track speed, he can easily become a Top 100 prospect in the country come his senior year.
13. DE | LaKwame Alexander | Palmetto Raiders
Note: Alexander was the Raiders best playmaker inside the box. He's also a great basketball player. His motor and aggressive play will make him florish come high school in the right scheme. Alexander is someone that will have to transition to defensive back at the next level or Rover. So, his high school decision will determine his impact and having the ability to learn on the go. He's certainly a tackling machine and accounted for 13 sacks.
14. QB | A.J. Arellano | Kendall Hammocks
Note: Despite not covering the MXYFL I still observed the quarterback from prior years as well as based on film this year and 7-on-7 All-Star football. Arellano is the best eighth-grade gunslinger entering high school. He probably thought I wasn't paying attention to him when he challenged the No. 1 ranked, Florida Fire 7-on-7 All-Star 14U football team in the country. He competed and threw several touchdowns.
15. DE | Artravin Driver | Palmetto Raiders Note: Driver is a fearless and fast athlete that plays defensive end. He racked up over ten sacks this past season and played a major role for the Raiders stingy defense. He'll have to transition to secondary at the next level to secure future Div. 1 offers.
16. ATH | Edward Bandy | Goulds Rams
Note: He's a great overall playmaker. I would fit him into the middle tier of elite prospects. He can shine at the right school.
17. DE | Stanquan Clark | Palmetto Raiders
Note: This past season wasn't his best overall production. But, his measurables and athletisim can easily make him a Div. 1 recruit.
18. LB | Xaiver Williams | Kendall Hammocks
Note: Tackling machine that will need additional time in the weight room, but he's a proven run stopper.
19. CB | Eddrick Bethune | Palmetto Raiders
Note: Eddrick Bethune despite being raw, is a top five overall athlete if not for weight problems last season. He'll also the top cornerback from the south.
20. CB | Antonio Smith | Palmetto Raiders Note: His height and long arms will make him a better high school prospect.
21. RB | Jaden Miller | Florida City Razorbacks
Note: He's a future Div. 1 kid that will dominate against competition at Florida Christian. Miller is a major steak for the program and if not playing 130lbs., he'll be ranked lower.
22. LB | Rashard Lee | Palmetto Raiders
Note: He rarely had the opportunity to make plays behind the line of scrimmage because of Amen Mackey. But, when you watch film he's a solid linebacker that contributed on special teams as well.
23. LB | Jerome "Pop" Stewart | Palmetto Raiders
Note: If the right coach get a hold of him, he's a future down hill runner. Someone like a Derrick Henry on offense. On defense, he can write his ticket at linebacker.
24. DL | Lamont Green | Palmetto Raiders
Note: Green is listed at 6-foot-4 and has added muscle, weighing in at 190 pounds. He could very well, be the Savion Collins of his class all said and done. In speaking of Savion Collins, Green will be lining-up next to him this upcoming season at Southwest Miami High School.
25A. LB | Gabe Hardman | Palmetto Raiders Note: He's a throwback player. He just does everything as told and helps the team in so many ways. Look out for him in high school.
25B. LB | Mark Gay | Goulds Rams Note: He outright earned his name on the list this season. I personally watched his efforts against Overtown and the Palmetto Raiders and his stats as overall, was the best defensively for the Rams.
