South Florida's Most Impressive High School Freshmen: Quarterbacks steal the show

By Jerry Williamson

Who says you have to sit on the sidelines and wait your turn as a freshman? Football in South Florida is without question, a 365-day sport, and freshmen are more prepared than ever before to see the field right away. Not only that, freshmen are thriving not only in their first seasons, but their first starts in some cases.  Selections were based on varsity stats, highlight plays and on-field impact, win or lose.  The hype machine for incoming freshmen quarterbacks Kewone "Lights Out" Jenkins (Carol City) and Taron "Tyger" Dickens (Miami Northwestern) is running at maximum capacity. Both are decorated youth football stars, with an incredible football resume ranging from national championships and MVP awards.  

Miami Northwestern defeated Palm Beach Central 36-6. Freshman quarterback Taron "Tyger" Dickens contributed 21-pounts using his arm talent and decision-making skills, which  accounted for over 200 passing yards and 3 TDs. Dickens was featured as one of Rising Stars preseason top 10 impactful incoming freshmen.

Less than two months before the start of the season, Carol City football program lost their projected starting quarterback Cedquan Smith, an untimely transfer to Western High School. The Chiefs moved swiftly, by catching the attention of Monsignor Pace freshman quarterback Kewone Jenkins. Lets just say, Jenkins, a two-year varsity starter, is the talk of the town after defeating Miami Norland. 

Jenkins went 13-for-19 and threw for over 250 yards and 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. Considering his age and passing statistics, It was a "lights out" performance." 

University School highlight reel freshman wide receiver Brandon Inniss, managed to average 30.3 yards per play (3 receptions) for 91 yards and 1 touchdown vs. Belen Jesuit Preparatory. At the 2A classification, Champagnat Catholic freshman wide receiver Kelvin Blount reached the endzone in his first game versus 8A Piper. 

Doral Academy quarterback-wide receiver duo, Alan Arellano and David Jester (offered by University of Miami) is going to make some noise in the 7A classification. The Firebirds added the best quarterback and wide receiver duo within the Southwest Miami-Dade County region for the class of 2023 per Rising Stars. 

Jester (6-2, 180) caught five passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns against Southwest Miami. Arellano was on the other end of both touchdown passes to Jester and finished with over 150 total yards.  

The running backs of the week both shared the same backfield in Pop Warner, where they won back-to-back Div. 1 National Championships (2017 & 2018) for the Palmetto Raiders. Florida Christian freshman running back Levy "LA" Miller (5-8, 145) recorded 140 all-purpose yards. Miller ran for 105 yards on 9 attempts and one score versus Evangelical Christian.  

Gulliver Prep freshman RB/DB Sedrick Irvin ran for 75 yards and one touchdown. Irvin was also responsible for a 4th and 1 critical stop on the defensive side of the ball. Westminster Academy eighth-grade  varsity starter, Tovani Mizell (5-10, 157) passes the eye-ball test and tested well in his first varsity game by recording five solo stops and one rushing touchdown. 

St. Brendan High School pulled a shocker by adding several extremely talented incoming freshmen to their 2nd year football program. Ryan Bullard, who was ranked as the top 5 overall prospect from the south per Rising Stars, wasted no time showing his athletisim. Bullard ran for a touchdown and returned a kick return for another score, as he finished his debut with over a 150 all-purpose yards. Athlete Richard Dandridge contributed with an interception and touchdown on offense. 

The most important position on the field regardless of the level (or competition) is at offensive line. This week, three caught my attention. Meet McArthur High School offensive tackle Elvin Harris (6-5, 265). He's extremely athletic for his size and could resemble Tyron Smith of the Dallas Cowboys by his senior year. Harris also delivered three pancake blocks vs. Hallandale.  

Freshman offensive tackle Knijeah Harris (6-3, 300) from West Centennial High School is certainly, going to become one of the upper tier names in South Florida for the class of 2023. He's an active 300-pounder. I observed him move quickly upfield on screens and understood blocking responsibilities on certain blitzes and stunts. He has a bright future. He can move for his size. 

Miami Palmetto freshman offensive lineman Daryl Doctor (6-3, 270) is another name to keep an eye on moving forward. The youngster produced 3 pancakes versus a highly talented Western High School football team. Doctor is bound for greatness when you consider the interior defensive linemen he has to face everyday in practice. He has no choice, but to get better overtime.  

On the defensive side of the ball, Coral Reef safety Zaiver Williams did a phenomenal job in his first varsity action versus Ferguson. The Barracudas playmaker, caught two interceptions and complied five solo stops. Williams, is a familiar face, who was named my next Rising Star at Kendall Hammocks as a 7th grader.

Miami Central freshman cornerback Santana Fleming is going to be a national household name. It's very rare for freshman to start on varsity right out the gate, at a powerhouse program like the Rockets. Fleming was rarely targeted versus Cedar Grove (GA.) and contributed on special teams by taking a punt return the distance for a touchdown. Fleming is also a member of Florida Fire 7-on-7 All-Star Football Team that won the 14U National Championship. 

Florida Christian athlete Antonio Robinson Jr. holds a plethora of D1-offers and displayed he's worth the early hype. Robinson Jr. delivered in all three phases of the game. At cornerback, he was targeted eight times (allowed one catch for eight yards) and caught a red zone interception -- while challenging the opponents best wide receiver. Robinson Jr. also was responsible for over 180 all-purpose yards. 

Gulliver Prep freshman athlete Jalen Brown is a fast rising freshman -- that I brought to everyone attention as an impactful incoming freshman. In 2018, Brown was the second fastest 100m sprinter in Florida. On Friday, Brown, gave the Blue Raiders fans an early glimpse of his top end speed, returning a kick off return (90-yards) the distance vs. Goleman. He also held his own at cornerback. Brown, holds an early offer from the University of Miami.  

Freshman defensive end Lamont Green Jr. (6-4, 200) from Southwest Miami high school, debut certainly, was rememberable. The edge-rusher accumulated 5 solo tackles, 2 quarterback hurries, and 1 sack. Green Jr. comes from the same youth football team, Suniland Sundevils that currently has four players ranked top 10 nationally within the trenches for the class of 2022.  

Doral Academy defensive end Nicholas Jacoby, isn't the biggest guy on the field, but he plays big. The 5-foot-8, ,155 pound standout, recorded 3.5 sacks, 8.5 tackles, 1 forced fumble vs. Southwest Miami. Jacoby played last year for the South Miami Grey Ghost.