Nash’s Recruiting Notebook – Miami Central vs. American Heritage-Plantation

The first week of the Florida High School football season got started off with a bang in south Florida. The marquee matchup was the Miami Central Rockets vs. the American Heritage Patriots. About 20-25 Division-I football players were on the sidelines between the two teams..

Miami Central Rockets

2014 Miami Central RB Joseph Yearby: The 5-foot-9 190-pound Miami Hurricane commit did not disappoint in “The Battle of the Backs” as he ran for a game high 199-yards on 23-carries for 2-touchdowns. Yearby showed off his great speed and vision as he got through the front seven of the American Heritage defense with ease.

2014 Miami Central RB Dalvin Cook: The second part of the Rockets one-two punch had himself one heck of a night as well. Cook ran for 147-yards on 13 carries and 4-touchdowns. Although, in my opinion Cook’s real impact was felt on special teams at punt returner. He flipped the field for the Rockets numerous times which played out well for the Rockets down the road.

2015 Miami Central WR Da’Vante Phillips: The recent Florida Gator commit, who is thought to be the best receiver in south Florida in the class of 2015, was featured in the most intriguing matchup of the night as he went one-on-one against the 2015 American Heritage DB Tarvarus McFadden and held his own. Phillips registered five-catches including one for 42-yards as he helped the Rockets spread the field.

Names to know: 2015 DE Fermin Silva. 2014 OC Raul Diaz. 2014 OL Joshua Addison. 2015 WR Jamari Hester

American Heritage Patriots

2014 American Heritage ATH Isaiah McKenzie: Once again “The human highlight reel” was at again as he made his mark in the receiving game, on defense, and even had a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Very early into this 2013 season we have learned that the American Heritage Patriots will live and die with the big play this year and the ambassador of the big play is Isaiah McKenzie. He proved again why he is the De’Anthony Thomas of Florida high school football.

2015 American Heritage LB Anthony Flory: One of the leaders on the Patriots defense who has stepped up in a big way was one of the few Patriots who was able to make a few tackles on the potent Miami Central offense. Flory is getting bigger and bigger every time I see him in action. He is a very good tackler and a even better leader.

Names to know: 2016 WR Brandon Johnson. 2014 OC Nathan Kirchmier. 2015 LB Andre Landin.

Recruiting Tidbits

* I spoke with 2014 Miami Central RT, and Miami Hurricane commit, Trevor Darling, about the possibility of Dalvin Cook possibly flipping from the Florida Gators to the Miami Hurricanes he said: “I do not think there is anyway he flips. I think he has already made up his mind.”

* When I talked to Florida Gators commit Dalvin Cook he said that he was “100% committed” to the Florida Gators. Cook has a Texas official visit planned for sometime in September he said.