Key takeaways from South Florida’s kickoff weekend
Miami– A number of of Miami-Dade County’s high highschool soccer groups invited applications from throughout the state to assist kick off the 2024 soccer season in the course of the inaugural Miami Tremendous Showdown.
The opponents competed in a number of showcase video games over the weekend, so listed below are the important thing takeaways from each established prospects and acquainted new names.
Class of 2025
Miami’s long-term dedication is mirrored in Canis’ cleats and gloves, together with an orange towel, whereas beginning his senior season close to his school residence. However his efficiency after that may draw consideration, as he seems to be like a whole defender within the course of. Towards a tricky Miami (Fla.) Nolander entrance, Pringle displayed spectacular consistency and energy for his dimension. In fact, he additionally confirmed off his superior pace, sealing the victory with an 80-yard landing run, whereas Pringle completed the sport about 200 yards from scrimmage.
Williams dedicated to Georgia over the summer time, debuting at Armwood Excessive Faculty and shining alongside the way in which. Not solely did he rating, however he confirmed better-than-expected run-after-the-catch abilities as each a receiver and a returner, proving that he is not simple to field at round 200 kilos. Williams has lengthy strides and might cowl floor rapidly to place his title to Saturday’s recreation. The spectacular body and bodily attributes look like a very good match for SEC soccer, and his vitality earlier than and through video games is matched by expertise.
The breakthrough of the weekend could also be Wiley Jr., who transferred to Armwood from close by Hillsboro Excessive Faculty in Tampa. Wiley, a 6-foot-4, 210-pounder getting into the second 12 months of his profession, is drawing consideration for the pop he brings to South Florida. Recruited as an edge participant as a result of Willie’s dimension and multi-sport background (observe and subject), he seems to be very comfy downhill within the second stage, and he additionally prefers to run off the ball. His explosiveness and instincts are off the charts right here, which might add to his future recruiting. At the moment, ACC applications like North Carolina, Louisville and Syracuse are among the many favorites to compete for the senior class.
White, like Williams, transferred to Armwood Excessive Faculty and impressed in his Eagles debut. He strikes with ease and was a sideline-to-sideline supporter in any respect three ranges towards 2023 state runner-up Miami (Fla.) Nolan. He alters path based mostly on perform and might rapidly shut on the ball service. White additionally proved his consciousness, making performs within the backfield after a fast analysis, in addition to within the passing recreation, the place he threw an interception on a deflection for an enormous win. UCF additionally seems to be like it might have a third-down prospect on its commit checklist and prepared for school.
The versatile phenom confirmed off the identical efficiency Saturday, taking part in at quarterback, extensive receiver, security, linebacker and different positions on particular groups. Dean scored a landing on offense and regarded fluid on protection, which compelled a number of Eagles turnovers within the blowout win. Along with his versatility and spectacular stamina throughout a scorching day that noticed many gamers withdraw as a result of cramps, Dean retained his aggressive edge and is maybe the center and soul of the brand new Eagles crew. On the recruiting entrance, he will not be off the board so long as Louisville State and Louisville look like main contenders for a season-long dedication.
Cardinal Newman Excessive Faculty began early on Saturday, heading to Dade County earlier than dawn earlier than the morning kickoff, and it was on the sector that Frechette bought probably the most consideration. An amazing expertise on either side of the ball who made punishing performs each offensively and defensively, together with a pancake so dominant off the sector that it warranted a penalty, the newest FIU commit seems to be just like the man to be. A deliberate theft. Many onlookers had been curious concerning the new college attending Frechette’s recreation after watching him mix dimension, energy and athleticism on a day when he wasn’t suited to weighing in at 300-plus kilos. He is additionally lengthy relative to his physique, sufficient to propel him to the following stage. If not, the protection is powerful, with uncooked however highly effective blockers.
Though Homestead (Fla.) Excessive Faculty shut out Newman Excessive Faculty, the visiting crew’s protection held its personal on this recreation. The Broncos had been below assault within the passing recreation for a lot of the morning, because of King’s stellar play on the sting. He is type of in the midst of the pack from a dimension perspective, coming off a 20-plus sack junior season and anticipated to be again to mid-season kind by mid-August. King had a number of tackles on this recreation however ended up shedding the sport, together with a sack, as he beat tackles along with his pace and energy. There was additionally some stress on the uncommitted five-man senior when he was contacted. King can be a top-50 Floridian within the shot put and dialogue.
Class of 2026
Big dimension, athleticism and soccer IQ transfer the place debate ahead for Hughley, who’s Newman’s beginning quarterback. He seems to be easy on the transfer and has proven loads of toughness towards a stout protection, however we’re in all probability not near four-star standing simply but. Hughley seems to be like a large receiver or security, however he additionally continues to rotate effectively at his present place. We might see him grow to be a real perimeter risk on offense, whereas his vary and savvy might function a basic middle-of-the-field security.
Rock jokes apart, the junior linebacker was probably the most constant participant in the midst of Saturday’s opener. Johnson’s size and command as the middle of the Broncos’ protection led the crew to an enormous win below his teaching. He made sturdy performs out of the backfield, together with a number of sacks of athletic participant Jyron Hughley, displaying wonderful closing pace and management of the sort out in area. Johnson’s instincts confirmed, too, as he completed with double-digit tackles close to the road of scrimmage. As he continues to develop, the 2026 standout might develop into one of the coveted defenders in South Florida.
The primary time I noticed Bruch working in particular person, I pictured an angle of command, management, and tranquility. The tall, lanky quarterback is requested to do quite a bit in Armwood’s offense, from motion to choice ball dealing with, and he excelled in each cease towards the defending state runner-up. Brusch began the afternoon with a pair of dashing scores and has since confirmed his accuracy as a passer, not solely making good choices however executing with effectivity. It is regarded simple at occasions for the junior, particularly with new teammate Tyler Williams on the surface, so a breakout for Brush could have begun. Troy and Western Michigan had been the primary two gives to come back in, however they would not be the final.
One of many can’t-miss rookies of the weekend is the tall, lanky go rusher. Harris is among the high prospects within the movie, however he has the bodily attributes and psychological attributes to rapidly get the ball rolling with school coaches. In fact, the body speaks for itself, however he additionally has some twitchiness that goes with it, a very good first step, and a very good extension. After that, regardless of temperatures approaching triple digits in Miami, we nonetheless appreciated the engine Harris confirmed off. When he wasn’t on the sector, he routinely pursued it, solely to stall out on the second stage. As soon as Harris fleshes out and fleshes out his ability set, he might be a rising star within the 2026 class.
Class of 2027
Noland was stunned by the loss to Armwood, however the Vikings have loads of potential gamers anticipated to have an excellent season in 2024. Probably the most spectacular participant Saturday was sophomore Dopson, who performed an enormous function within the 2023 marketing campaign as a freshman. He was paired with Georgia’s Tyler Williams at cornerback, and the 2 performed each snap collectively. AHS examined the younger nook on the third stage and within the crimson zone, and he held on to a robust SEC dedication. In males’s protection, Williams solely received one or two fights towards the rising younger star. Dopson is 6 ft tall and already plump in comparison with his youth. He has mature cowl skill and is taken into account the most effective gamers in his class. He additionally has a ten.9 100-meter sprint, which has earned him greater than a dozen scholarship gives.