2015 Athlete Nevelle Clarke Gives You Your Money’s Worth on the Gridiron

Chad Wilson

By: Chad Wilson – Editor GridironStuds Blog
Twitter: @GridironStuds

Ever heard the term worth the price of admission.  Michael Jordan, Michael Jackson, Michael Vick have all fallen into that category during their careers.  Well he’s not named Michael but 2015 Taravella High School prospect Nevelle Clarke will never make you feel sorry you paid to get into a football game.

Clarke’s highlight video is choc-full of the good stuff you want to see on a Friday Night.  When he lines up at cornerback,  Clarke is a heart in your throat kind of defender.  He’s the type that quarterbacks are tempted to throw at but usually come away feeling sorry they did.  Clarke has that rare ability to defend both the short and the deep pass with equal ferocity.  Try to throw the slant and Clarke has cut the route off like FPL shuts the lights off.  Send your wide receiver on the fade and he’s up over the top of your guy playa hatin on reception count.  Clarke’s length is a real asset as he can reach out and touch anyone at the line of scrimmage.  The 6’2″ defender either disrupts you at the line or makes the QB have to drop the ball out of the sky to get it into his intended target.  Clarke is no slouch vs. the run either.  There is no fear when the ball carrier shows up with football in hand.  Clarke brings the helmet and shoulder pass without hesitation and makes his statement.

Offensively,  Clarke shows up in a variety of ways.  You want the short pass turned into a long gain,  he’s your guy.  You want to throw the 9 route from the middle of the field,  Clarke can leak behind defenders and if you have to have 7 in the red zone,  he’ll reach up high and snag the fade route.  Viewers of Clarke’s highlight video may be most entertained,  however,  by his jet sweep runs.  Despite his slender build,  the determined prospect will fight off would be tacklers like Tony Montana shrugged off bullets in the climax of the movie Scarface.  It is truly equally amazing and hilarious.  What’s not funny is despite all of his exploits,  Clarke is holding a mere two offers from division I schools (Marshall & Alcorn St.)  He has definitely been underexposed and will make the school he chooses certainly feel that he was worth the price of admission.

Check out Nevelle Clarke’s Senior Highlights

 

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Underrated Gun Slinger Alexander Keeps the Wins Rolling at Miami Booker T Washington

Chad Wilson

By: Chad Wilson – Editor GridironStuds Blog
Twitter: @GridironStuds

Everybody wants to be a quarterback.  Few people want to follow a legend.  As you tune into college football each weekend and watch freshman quarterback Treon Harris lead the Florida Gators to victory, keep in mind that he led his high school football team back to back state championships.  Harris and his pals at Booker T. Washington were also MaxPreps National Champions and Harris was named Gatorade player of the year.  You would think after losing a talent like Harris and many key seniors,  Booker T would suffer some kind of decline.  Well just hold on a minute there Swami,  enter Maurice Alexander.

Alexander entered Booker T. Washington this past spring and was already an accomplished quarterback.  Alexander threw for 1900 yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior.  However,  much of his accomplishments were overshadowed by the attention paid to 5 star wide receiver Ermon Lane.  Some questioned whether Alexander could keep the ball rolling at Booker T.   Ten wins later Alexander and Booker T have tucked doubt into bed and put it to sleep.   Alexander,  like Harris before him has spent his entire football career giving doubt a healthy stiff arm.  Recruiting circles have not surrounded him with praise as they have other 2015 quarterback prospects.  Where many of those prospects have tallied up offers in excess of 30 to 40 from programs across the country,  Alexander sits on just two and committed to Florida International University on June 13th.  Alexander at 5’11” does not possess the ideal height and at 170 lbs. not the ideal weight.  You’ve heard this story before and it always amazes me when programs are willing to pass up on production for their ideas of ideal measureables.  Such was the case for Treon Harris and you see what he is doing as true freshman for one of the premier teams in the SEC.  Alexander has scorched defenses all season long as Booker T. enters the playoffs averaging roughly 38 points per game.

Alexander on film possess poise, escapability, accuracy and a strong arm.  His go get it attitude comes across in his play and rises his teammates to elite levels. When you go to buy a car,  people urge you to check the car fax.  Well if you are interested in Maurice Alexander,  check his highlights.  You’ll quickly see that he comes up with a clean title and he has his Booker T. teammates in prime position to collect their third straight Florida state 4A title.

Check Out Maurice Alexander’s Senior Year Highlights

 

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’15 Prospect Has the Wisdom to Play Many Positions for Dade Christian

Chad Wilson
’15 DB Malik Wisdom also plays QB, RB and K

Chad Wilson – Editor GridironStuds Blog
Twitter: @GridironStuds

Two way players in high school are not all that rare.  For some teams it’s just the reality that you have to get your best athletes on the field.  Many wide receivers also play defensive back.  Many running backs also play linebacker and many defensive lineman also double up as offensive linemen.  However,  it’s not often that your best defensive back is also at quarterback,  running back and the team’s kicker.  Such is the case for 2015 DB/ATH Malik Wisdom at Miami’s Dade Christian.

Wisdom transferred from Hollywood’s McArthur High School this offseason and has been a God send for the Crusaders.  So far this year,  he has been a lockdown cornerback on defense shutting down wide receivers trying to find the end zone vs. the Crusaders.  The Dade Christian staff was also wise enough to recognize Wisdom’s athletic talents and put them to use on offense where he has been adept at both running the football and throwing the football at the quarterback position.  Seeking to get the max out of Wisdom’s abilities,  the Crusaders’ staff also lined him up in the backfield at running back and turned him loose on some opponents.  It has all equated into high production for the Crusaders who will begin play in Florida’s State 2A championship series this Friday vs. Glades Day.

As if lining up at cornerback, quarterback and running back was not enough,  Wisdom also kicks the extra points after he leads his team to the end zone or hits a field goal when they come up short. Wisdom’s soccer background has come in handy for Dade Christian.  So as you take in the view of Dade Christian’s battle with Glades Day this Friday,  look for plenty of action in all three phases of the game from this underrated star wearing #2, Malik Wisdom.

Check out Malik Wisdom’s 2014 Season Highlights Click Here

 

 

Too Much Foul or Too Much Fire? Defending Florida State Champion Champagnat Catholic Forfeits Game in 2nd Quarter

Chad Wilson

Forfeits happen in high school football more often than people care to admit.  Often times,  teams run into situations that are out of their control with regards to injuries, transportation and a host of other issues that can take place along the way of planning a high school football contest.  Rarely do you see one team call it quits during the contest.  That was the case in Bradenton, Florida on Friday Night as defending Florida State 2A champion Champagnat Catholic exited the field with six minutes remaining in the 2nd quarter of their game vs. IMG.  The reaction by the Twitterverse was not kind in the moments after this news was learned.

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Immediate accusations of “quitting” were tossed Champagnat’s way as many felt that the lopsided score early in the game led to the move to forfeit and board the buses.  Champagnat says this is not the case.  Champagnat defensive coordinator Jon Drummond issued the following statement when questioned about the Lion’s early exit from the contest:

STATEMENT FROM DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR JON DRUMMOND:

We felt our players were at risk for physical harm according to extra curricular fouls the referees were letting go. There were several incidents on the field during game play that flags for unsportsmanlike penalties should have been called. Only one incident was flagged and that was for excessive celebration by IMG. Other incidents of punches and play after the whistle were noted by our sideline referee but not called. After 2 IMG players attacked one of our players at the play ending the last play I felt the correct decision should be end the game. The other team is not regulated by the FHSAA and does not follow their regulations. IMG also was in their last game and their players and program had nothing to lose for an ejection, fighting, and or fines. In my opinion that was the cause of their reckless play in the field

If indeed true, these are legitimate concerns for a coaching staff to consider as safety for the athletes is the primary concern.  However,  previous activity by Champagnat this season casts doubts on the statement issued by the Lions.

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Champagnat, earlier this season, backed out of a scheduled game vs. Jacksonville Trinity Catholic,  the State of Florida defending 3A champs leaving them scrambling for a replacement.  Champagnat was also coming off of a 70-49 defeat last week to upstart Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach in which they lost their quarterback Kato Nelson to concussion.  There are enough reasons to be suspicious of Champagnat’s explanation.

With that said,  Drummond’s statement does raise some important issues as well.  IMG is not a state regulated team as they are not a member of nor sanctioned by the state governing body Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA).  Could tempers and intensity have risen to the level of foul play or was Champagnat simply overmatched and not game for being mortally embarrassed.  I guess it’s left for you to decide.

ADDENDUM:

“According to Joshua Wilson from FloridaHSFootball.com, IMG Academy is a member of the FHSAA as an independent. This means they are governed by the state’s governing body and subject to all punishments and regulations. A visit to the FHSAA’s website does, in deed, indicate that IMG is a member as an independent. That information can be found here.

’15 Jacksonville Bolles RB Christian Bermudez is a Dream Prospect

Chad Wilson

The advent of the spread offense has led to the demise of the importance of a running back and damn near the death of the fullback.  However,  teams that win it all still seem to employ the full services of both positions as the game of football is still very much about the line of scrimmage.

The fullback position has disappeared from more and more rosters across college football but there are still outstanding programs that make use of the position with great success like Stanford.  With those positions being in fewer supply,  it has become more important for schools that use fullbacks and H backs to really hit on those prospects.  2015 RB Christian Bermudez looks like he was born to play the position.  Bermudez blocks, runs with authority and can catch out of the backfield.  If you are a college program out searching for your next big time producer at FB, RB or H back,  feast your eyes on Bermudez’s highlight video.

Bermudez is already built like he has spent a year or three in a college weight room.  He is a well put together specimen who makes proper use of strength, leverage and football IQ to win play after play on the field.  Many fullbacks are adept only at clearing the way for others to gain yardage.  This is not the case with Bermudez who will gut the defense with ball in his hand without hesitation.  Bermudez has a ton of natural instincts as a ball carrier and will demand that the defense focuses on him.  This in turn opens up many other avenues in a team’s offensive playbook.  Fullback’s can be the glue of an offense and if that is the case,  call this kid Elmer.  However, let’s not limit him to just the fullback spot.  Bermudez’s ability to run the football and catch out of the backfield makes him a solid prospect for a team looking for a power back in their offensive scheme.  Whether out of the I formation or a spread attack,  Bermudez will grind out the yards, move the chains and suck the life out of a defensive unit from any ball carrying position.

His film will impress you and if he’s not made for the Stanford offense then I don’t know who is.  Watch him stomp through the opposition using power and a low pad level.  Feast your eyes on him clearing the way for his backfield mates by clearing out defenders like workers cleaning out a garage on moving day.  It is impressive to watch and any football purist will enjoy the exploits on this video.  The 6’1″ 225 lb. Bermudez tallied over 1,500 yards rushing in 2013 to go along with 118 yards receiving and 22 total TDs.  He earned All First Coast honors and led Bolles to the runner up position in the State of Florida Class 4A section.  More impressive than Bermudez’s on the field numbers is his classroom performance with a GPA and test scores that Ivy leaguers would envy.

Hello Stanford, can you hear me?   Check out Christian Bermudez’s Highlight Video Below

 

Lock Down Corner Dontye Carriere Williams Always Keeps a Blanket Handy

Chad Wilson

Chad Wilson – Editor – Gridiron Studs Blog
Twitter: @GridironStuds

The life of a shut down corner can be boringly complicated.  To be good at your job means you can often go unnoticed kind of a like a referee or umpire of a sporting event.  If you don’t live up to your responsibilities then welcome to the front page and to every wide receiver’s highlight video.  If you haven’t heard of Dontye Carriere-Williams (twitter: @D1c_era) then there’s a really good reason for that.

Williams is a 2016 cornerback prospect from one of the top teams in the country: Miami’s Booker T Washington High School.  Opposing teams have found it tough to make their way through the air vs. the Washington defense and Williams plays a big part in that.  There hasn’t been much to report on Williams over the last four games because there isn’t much happening on his side of the field.  He has selfishly denied any all receivers over that time span a single reception.  Williams put his skills on display during the 7 on 7 season this past summer as a member of the prestigious South Florida Express team.  Williams put together quite the highlight reel of big plays to seal wins for SFE and make a name for himself.  That name has kept opposing QBs away from him during the regular season where passing to his side can be eliminated from the game plan.

Gaining attention from college football programs as a result of lock down coverage can be quite the chore for many cornerbacks around the country.  While Williams has caught the eye of several Division I programs,  more looks are warranted.  Williams currently holds eight offers from the likes of Alcorn St, Buffalo, Florida Atlantic, Jacksonville, Monmouth, Temple, Troy St. and Tulsa.  Other schools like Clemson and South Carolina have showed strong interest and could be close to extended an offer to the talented junior.

As the production of accomplished wide receivers declines as they line up in front of Williams during the post season,  expect more top flight programs to notice how he’s tucking in wide outs and putting their dreams to sleep.

Watch Dontye Carriere Williams’ HighlightVid on Hudl – Click Here