Deerfield home to two new Hurricanes
Knighton, Restrepo headed to Coral Gables
Even though playing time was limited for Jaylan Knighton in his freshman year at Deerfield Beach High School, he said he learned from some of the top players.
“There were some guys like Jerry Jeudy [Alabama], Daewood Davis [Oregon], Leroy Henley [East Carolina] … some top-notch guys and competing with them made me a better man, and a better person,” said Knighton, a four-star prospect and the 2018 Sun Sentinel Class 8A-6A Broward County offensive player of the year signed with the University of Miami on Wednesday morning as part of Early Signing Day.
He was one of 11 football players from the Bucks’ 10-4 state semifinalist team to sign.
“I got my starting position in my sophomore year and kept grinding,” added Knighton, who rushed for 5,174 yards, second all-time in Broward County history to Tyrone Moss (7,105 yards). He had 1,534 rushing yards and 20 TDs this year.
Knighton chose the Hurricanes just a couple weeks after decommitting from Florida State following the dismissal of coach Willie Taggart. Before committing to FSU, Knighton had verbally committed to Oklahoma.
“I chose Miami because they never stopped recruiting me,” Knighton said. “I have some great bonds with the coaches, the players…there is so much about the school, it is unexplainable.”
He admits there have been some great running backs to come out of Coral Gables, but aims to be one of the best to go there.
“I want to be at the top, no question,” he said. “In my opinion, I am the best player to ever come through it. I am going to work to be the best and you have to earn everything. Everything is not given.”
He will be joined at UM by teammate Xavier Restrepo, who made some family history on Wednesday.
“This is really big,” Restrepo said. “I am the first one from my family to graduate and head off to college out of all my uncles, aunts, grandparents, everybody. It is a big accomplishment in my family. It’s been an amazing journey. I made the best of it everywhere I have been. Most people wish they could be in my shoes on this day and all I can tell them is keep pushing and don’t give up on your dreams because they can come true.”
Michael Pratt, who transferred to Deerfield Beach this year after spending the past three seasons at Boca Raton High School, said the decision to graduate early and head to Tulane was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.
“I took some online classes to be able to graduate and I am super excited to get up there early,” Pratt said. “It will help me academic-wise and give me a shot to be able to compete to start next year.”
Palm Beach Central’s Bryan Robinson heads to new-look FSU: Bryan Robinson is excited for his next challenge and for an opportunity to make an impact, and that opportunity will come in Tallahassee as the Palm Beach Central standout receiver signed his letterof-intent with Florida State during the early signing period Wednesday.
Robinson, a four-star recruit, was the No. 30 wide receiver nationally in 247Sports’ composite rankings. He gave an emphatic tomahawk chop with the Florida State War Chant song playing in the background after he announced his decision and donned the Seminoles cap. He made his decision in front of family, teammates, coaches and administration during a school ceremony.
“I am very excited and it’s the best place for me,” Robinson said. “It’s built for playmakers and I am a playmaker and that’s where I need to be.”
Robinson took an official visit to Florida State on Dec. 13 leading up to the early signing period. He had been recruited by Seminoles wide receivers coach Ron Dugans, who was retained by new head coach Mike Norvell.
Robinson decommitted from Miami this past June prior to his senior season. Dugans, who was previously on the Hurricanes coaching staff for three seasons, had also recruited the highly touted receiver before joining the Seminoles last January.
“Coach Dugans has been a father figure to me,” Robinson said. “Coach Norvell brings a lot of energy. It’s a great atmosphere and a family environment.”
He received more than 40 Division I offers and had considered Alabama, Florida, Pittsburgh and Maryland during his recruitment.
Robinson displayed his athleticism and big-play ability throughout his high school career. He had a memorable performance with five touchdown catches and more than 200 receiving yards in a regional quarterfinal playoff victory against St. Lucie West Centennial this past season. He also scored 19 touchdowns to lead Palm Beach Central to a district championship and regional semifinal appearance.
Norvell, who was formally hired by Florida State on December 8, had a 38-15 record at Memphis during the past four seasons. Robinson was a coveted receiver and a big addition to Norvell’s recruiting class with the Seminoles. on
Cardinal Gibbons sends players to UF, Pac-12: Gerald Mincey walked to the signing table with a University of Floridathemed “Chucky” doll.
“It just felt like home,” said Mincey, a hulking 6-6, 320-pound threestar offensive tackle who helped the Chiefs to the Class 4A regional final where they fell 31-21 to the eventual state champion, Booker T. Washington.
“I like what coach [Dan] Mullen and coach [John] Hevesy are doing with the program,” said Mincey, one of four football players to sign with colleges during Early Singing Day on Wednesday afternoon. “I feel like I can help on the offensive side of the ball.”
Mincey committed during the summer. He said signing day doesn’t take the sting away from losing in the state playoffs.
“I am still going to miss it and working out with my guys, and playing in the games on Friday nights,” he said. “You can never replace these [memories].”
Three other three-star athletes, all defensive backs, signed, including Michal Antoine (Iowa State University), Roman Parodie (Ohio University) and Majon Wright (University of Arizona).