When Northeast held its spring game against Cooper City, Hurricanes' coach Adam Ratkevich was excited that the guest list would include coaches from the University of Miami, Florida State, Florida, Notre Dame, Stanford, Kansas State and some 20 other colleges from around the nation.
The Tuesday night contest attracted fans, recruiting services and parents to see what everyone had been talking about throughout the month of May. It was that kind of month throughout Broward as well as Palm Beach.
In anticipation of one of the most talented senior classes the two counties have ever produced, this spring saw more university and college coaches at practices and games than ever before, as up to 50 players had been looked at as elite performers.
Running back Antone Smith of Pahokee went into the spring as one of the nation's elite players, but there were others who needed to step up and show recruiters that they also could play. One of those was Northeast linebacker Demetri Stewart.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound linebacker was in the spotlight from January up until the final day of May. Stewart was offered scholarships by up to 40 schools, including Miami and Notre Dame.
"This was a very exciting spring for all of us at this school," Stewart said. "Last year, it was all about [running back] Dimitri Linton [who signed with Rutgers]. Now, we have had the chance to step into the spotlight."
Stewart and Northeast weren't the only headliners this spring. Heading into the summer, Broward athletes will be fielding calls, heading to camps and getting ready for a season that could produce up to 40 Division I-A prospects in February.
Other athletes who will be coveted by Division I-A programs include Plantation lineman Jeffrey Owens (6-3, 280 pounds) and receiver Cedric McGee (6-2, 205); Dillard linebacker Elijah Hodge (6-1, 195) and defensive lineman Edward Bradwell (6-1, 215); Piper defensive lineman Vladimir Richard (6-2, 255); Ely offensive linemen Ronnie Wilson (6-2, 320), tight end Michael Holton (6-3, 220) and defensive back Walter McFadden (5-9, 155).
Miramar receiver Kimbrick Baker (6-2, 206) and teammate, linebacker Artis Warthen Jr. (6-2, 205) also are players who watched their respective stock go up. Coaches were thrilled with the play of Boyd Anderson linebacker Gerald Williams (6-4, 210), who has more than 15 major college offers. McArthur defensive end Chris Pino (6-3, 220) didn't have an outstanding spring, but is still coveted by many schools.
At Deerfield Beach, the Bucks have a pair of defensive standouts who have been sorting through offers -- linebacker Wendy Napoleon (6-2, 220) and safety Jarvis Hicks (6-2, 200). South Plantation cornerback Brandon Williams (5-11, 175) also is a player to watch.
Perhaps no player made more of a jump into elite company than Hollywood Hills quarterback Paul McCall. The 6-2, 190-pounder went from being a low Division I-A player into one of the most coveted passers in the state. The same happened to North Broward Prep receiver Mike Moore (6-1, 180), who was impressive at every practice.
Before he ever kicked a ball at St. Thomas Aquinas, American Heritage transfer Joe Surgan watched the offers pour in. His 60-yard field goals in practice had something to do with that.
When the 2003 season ended, the Broward player everyone wanted to keep an eye on was running back Amod Ned, but the 5-10, 190-pounder didn't play during the spring because of a hand injury, which will put the pressure on for him to prove himself in the fall.
In Palm Beach County, Pahokee's Smith is making a push to become one of the state's top runners ever. But this is an area loaded with quality football talent.
In addition to Smith, there's also Wellington transfer wide receiver Jessie Hester Jr. (5-11, 175), who will be moving to Glades Central for his final season.
Hester's new teammates, defensive end Tommie Duhart (6-3, 255) and defensive back Randy Phillips (6-1, 175) are quality performers as well.
Palm Beach Lakes quarterback Jarrett Brown (6-3, 190) and running back Jetavious Best (5-9, 190) are major college prospects who have had positive showings at every practice, camp and in the spring game.
Royal Palm Beach lineman Carl Spitale (6-6, 330) watched his stock rise. So did Atlantic running back C.J. Francis (5-8, 190) and teammate Courtney Robinson, a 6-1, 190-pound safety.
After all the quality seniors John I. Leonard had a year ago, there is wide receiver Charlie Coley (6-6, 180) and defensive back Kevin Rogers (5-10, 190), who have colleges talking about their ability on the field. After three years of putting together a program, Boynton Beach finally has its first major college prospect in 6-1, 215-pound linebacker Baxter Grigsby. Palm Beach Gardens is back on the map with 6-1, 195-pound running back Derrick McCray.
Other major college prospects to keep an eye on are Jupiter running back Roderick Hill (5-11, 177), Dwyer lineman Chris Tessitore (6-2, 270) and versatile (running back/defensive back) athlete Chris May (5-10, 190), and Santaluces tight end Steven Dell, a 6-2, 215-pounder.
