Fifty players to keep an eye on in South Florida

This is the time of year when things begin to heat up on football fields across the state of Florida. You heard that right. While basketballs are flying through the air, football talent from Key West to Pensacola is still on the clock, trying to gain that advantage.

What used to be a time to rest, lift a little and play other sports, things have changed when it comes to where many of these football players want to end up in less than two years from now. The lure of a college scholarship, especially in these tough economic times, drive athletes to play in a 7-on-7 tournaments, compete at many camps and combines, leaving that off season in the mirror.

The pressure to succeed is enormous. An injury or running a poor time in the 40 yard dash at a combine - in front of scouts and fellow players, can ruin an athlete, and that's why many prestigious football prospects pick and choose where they attend wisely. Many of the elite players for the Class of 2013 already have that coveted BCS scholarship in hand for what they accomplished on the football field, and not what they do in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.

Because we happen to live in an area that has so much talent, choosing just 50 players is something that we all know changes. The list comes from talking with high school and college coaches, and having been fortunate enough to see thousands of players lie during the course of a year.

The one thing that we have always been able to accomplish is to promote every player. Not only locally, but statewide as well. Seeing potential BCS talent is always great - and well publicized, but it is in the end, those Division 2 and 3 prospects that need the exposure as well.

When speaking about elite prospects, this is region that boast some of the best in the state - and nation - such as St. Thomas Aquinas defensive end Joey Bosa, Northeast receiver Stacey Coley, Booker T. Washington defensive standout Matthew Thomas and Southridge safety Jamal Carter.

As everyone knows by now, this region of the state has over 100 Division 1 prospects, which happens annually. That's why college coaches practically live here during the spring, getting a look at some of the best this country has to offer.

While lists are often subjective, they also serve as a starting point - for many who more than turned heads on the football field this past season. These are 50 football prospects who turned heads at what they have done on the football field and not at some local combine. These are talented athletes, some way under the radar, who have done what has been necessary to catch the attention of several key people.

As you know, over the next 12 months, we will profile every player in the Class of 2013 with our IN THE HUDDLE series as well as seeing them play over the next 11 months - at everything from 7-on-7 events to spring practice, summer workouts and next fall.

Here are the 50 football players you need to get to know. We will bring you more.

1. Joey Bosa, DE, 6-5, 245, St. Thomas Aquinas
2. Stacey Coley, WR, 6-1, 175, Northeast
3. Matthew Thomas, OLB, 6-4, 210, Booker T. Washington
4. Jamal Carter, S, 6-1, 190, Southridge.
5. Daryl Chestnut, RB, 5-10, 180, Christopher Columbus
6. Denver Kirkland, OL, 6-4, 270, Booker T. Washington
7. Stacy Thomas, DE, 6-2, 225, Gulliver Prep
8. George Williams, LB, 6-1, 220, Hialeah
9. Gerald Wright, OL, 6-4, 270, Northwestern
10. Jordan Cunningham, WR, 6-3, 175, University School
11. Alex Collins, RB, 5-11, 195, South Plantation
12. Monty Nelson, DT, 6-3, 285, Plantation
13. Alex Montgomery, WR, 6-2, 200, Cypress Bay
14. Alvonte Bell, DE, 6-5, 220, Everglades
15. Lorenzo Woodley, RB, 6-0, 200, Christopher Columbus
16. Xavier Hines, DB, 6-0, 190, Belen Jesuit
17. Charles Williams, QB, 6-2, 180, Champagnat Catholic
18. Leroy Clark, DB, 5-11, 180, Miami Archbishop Carroll
19. Jesus Wilson, WR, 5-10, 165, Christopher Columbus
20. Maquedius Bain, DT, 6-4, 265, University School
21. Lance Virgil, LB, 6-2, 210, St. Thomas Aquinas
22. Jermaine Grace, LB, 6-2, 205, Miramar
23. Sandley Jean Felix, OL, 6-5, 300, Boyd Anderson
24. Treyvon Williams, OLB, 6-1, 220, Norland
25. Terrance Alls, WR, 6-0, 175, Dade Christian
26. Fred Coppet, RB, 5-9, 180, St. Thomas Aquinas
27. Michael Deeb, LB, 6-2, 220, American Heritage
28. Paul James, DE, 6-3, 235, Dr. Krop
29. Anthony Walker, OLB/S, 6-1, 200, Monsignor Pace
30. Sojourn Shelton, DB, 5-9, 175, Plantation
31. Skai Moore, OLB, 6-3, 200, University School
32. Artie Burns, DB, 6-1, 175, Northwestern
33. Walter Tucker, LB/RB, 5-11, 200, American Heritage
34. Myles Graham, RB, 6-0, 190, Chaminade-Madonna
35. Troy McCullom, DB, 6-0, 180, North Miami.
36. Bo Ellis, RB, 5-9, 185, Gulliver Prep
37. Justin Porter, S, 5-9, 180, Chaminade-Madonna
38. Devondre Powell, DB, 5-10, 170, Jackson
39. Wendell Dunn, LB/S, 6-0, 190, Palmetto
40. Michael Johnson, DB, Booker T. Washington
41. Griffin Goins, OLB/FB, 6-2, 225, Hollywood Hills
42. Matthew Dayes, RB, 5-9, 200, Cypress Bay
43. Jerrol Mobley, OL, 6-4, 315, Hialeah
44. Nick Internicola, DE, 6-3, 220, University
45. Jason Rae, OL, 6-1, 295, Cypress Bay
46. Troy Cook, QB, 6-2, 200, Palmetto
47. Adrian Baker, DB, 6-1, 175, Chaminade-Madonna
48. Michael Miranda, OL, 6-3, 270, Miramar
49. Jaranta Lewis, QB, 6-1, 180, Cypress Bay
50. Isaac McDonald, DE/OLB, 6-6, 200, Champagnat Catholic

Want to make a comment or have a player you want to push for us to keep an eye on? Contact Larry Blustein at Floridakids1@aol.com.