By: Chad Wilson – Editor in Chief – GridironStuds.com Blog
Twitter: @GridironStuds

The Oregon Ducks have been one of the biggest names in college football over the last half decade plus.  So one would have to wonder why a program this successful would have to leave the continental United States to find a man to play their most important position, quarterback.  The answer is great recruiting.

Since his junior season, Marcus Mariota was a member of Gridironstuds.com.  One look at his high school highlight video and you will realize that Mariota was perfect for the Oregon Duck’s offense. Mariota was executing the Oregon offense in high school and doing it with greatness.  The very same Mariota you see making precision passes, exciting runs and organizing a devastating attack on Saturdays is the same one that was operating for St. Louis School on the island of Hawaii as a high schooler.

There’s just something about being comfortable with what you’re doing and Mariota has been doing what you see now for quite some time. His highlight video on GridironStuds will show you all of the very same tools that Oregon fans and the media alike have fallen in love with.  Mariota combined with current Texas A&M and GridironStud WR Jeremy Tabuyo in 2010 to destroy the opposition in Hawaii.  Mariota and Tabuyo are major reasons why St. Louis school was able to secure a big game this season in California vs. St. John Bosco.

Mariota’s recruitment is a lesson in recruiting for both programs and prospects alike as both sides united to provide each other what they needed.  Mariota needed a system that was fit for his skill set and that was similar to what he had grown comfortable with in his high school years.  Oregon went out and found the ideal candidate to run their very unique offense.  They did not opt for molding a drop back passer into what they needed.

Enjoy watching Mariota’s exploits on the high school field by visiting his GridironStuds.com profile.  Click here for Marcus Mariota highlight video.

The football season is young and there is much to debate when you have a list after one week of play.  However,  this is how I see the top 10 teams in South Florida after kickoff classic play. To hear my reasons why for these rankings,  listen to the rebroadcast of the Gridiron Studs Show on Blog Talk Radio from Tuesday 8/26/14 Click here.

Top 10 South Florida High School Football Teams

1. Booker T. Washington
2. Miramar
3. Miami Central
4. St. Thomas
5. American Heritage
6. Flanagan
7. Cypress Bay
8. Carol City
9. Miami Northwestern
10. Coral Gables

Listen to the Gridiron Studs Show M-F at 10 AM on Blog Talk Radio

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

On Tuesday’s GridironStuds Show,  I gave out my list of the Top 10 College Football Players in the State of Florida.  What are your thoughts? What would be your top 10 list?  Who is your top college football player in Florida.  View my list below.  For explanations on the list,  listen to the rebroadcast of the 8/26/14 GridironStuds Show on BlogTalkRadio – Click here.

1. Jameis Winston – QB – Florida St.
2. Duke Johnson – RB -Miami
3. Vernon Hargreaves – Florida
4. Stacy Coley – WR – Miami
5. Rashard Green – WR – Florida St.
6. Denzel Perryman – LB – Miami
7. Dante Fowler – DE – Florida
8. Mario Edwards – DE – Florida St.
9. Karlos Williams – RB – Florida St.
10. Cameron Erving – OT – Florida St.

Listen to The Gridiron Studs Show M-F at 10 A.M. on Blog Talk Radio