Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Locals shine
Check out the South Florida players who could make the CFP national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium
With an opportunity to advance the national championship game on the line, the College Football Playoff rankings have determined that Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Notre Dame will compete in the semifinals this season.
With the national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium, former high school players from the Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties are among those vying to win a title in South Florida.
In total, 11 players who went to high school in South Florida are on the rosters of teams in the semifinals. The first semifinal is the Rose Bowl (No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Notre Dame) at 4 p.m. on Friday, followed by the Sugar Bowl (No. 2 Clemson vs. No. 3 Ohio State) at 8 p.m. Both games are on ESPN.
Here’s a look at this year’s local players in contention to win a national title:
Kevin Austin Jr. (No. 4)
Notre Dame, wide receiver North Broward Prep
The junior wide receiver has played in three games this season, recording one reception for 18 yards.
Jordan Battle (No. 9)
Alabama, safety
St. Thomas Aquinas
Battle is one of the top defenders for the Crimson Tide even as a sophomore, ranking third on the team with 58 total tackles behind linebackers Dylan Moses (68) and Christian Harris (68). In addition, Battle has recorded four pass breakups and a 45-yard pick-six.
Kaleb Boateng (No. 50)
Clemson, offensive tackle Fort Lauderdale
The redshirt freshman made his season debut against Pittsburgh, registering only five snaps. During his freshman campaign, Boateng played 21 snaps over four games before redshirting for the season.
Braylen Ingraham (No. 52)
Alabama, defensive end
St. Thomas Aquinas
After redshirting his freshman
season, Ingraham has come off the bench in two games, collecting one tackle.
Josh Jobe (No. 28)
Alabama, cornerback Miami Columbus
Holding the second starting cornerback position opposite Patrick Surtain II, the junior has racked up 45 tackles, two sacks, a team-high 11 pass deflections and one forced fumble. Jobe attended Miami Columbus High before transferring to Cheshire Academy in Connecticut for his senior season.
Thaiu Jones-Bell (No. 14)
Alabama, wide receiver Miami Carol City
Seeing action in only three games, the freshman has hauled in one reception for minus-2 yards.
Frank Ladson (No. 2)
Clemson, wide receiver South Dade
Hampered by an ankle injury, Ladson has been limited throughout the season, appearing in just nine games. The sophomore has caught 17 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns.
Patrick Surtain II (No. 2)
Alabama, cornerback
American Heritage
Surtain, who is the son of former Miami Dolphins’ Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Surtain, was selected as this year’s SEC Defensive Player of the Year. The junior — an Associated Press All-American First Team honoree — accumulated 32 tackles, 10 pass breakups, one interception and one fumble recovery. He’s a projected firstround pick for the upcoming NFL draft.
Drew White (No. 40)
Notre Dame, linebacker St. Thomas Aquinas
White followed up his breakout junior campaign by compiling 47 tackles (nine for loss) and 1.5 sacks. Last season, he collected 80 total tackles, eight tackles for
loss, two fumble recoveries and two sacks.
Xavier Williams (No. 3)
Alabama, wide receiver Chaminade-Madonna Appearing in four games for the Crimson Tide, the redshirt sophomore has recorded only one reception for 12 yards.
Daniel Wright (No. 3)
Alabama, safety Boyd Anderson
Placing within the top five in multiple defensive categories for the Crimson Tide, the redshirt junior has compiled 55 total tackles, three pass breakups and two interceptions, including one that was returned 47 yards for a score.