Unsigned prospects, college coaches unite

Unsigned senior football players eligible to earn scholarships

DAVIE — The Orange Bowl hosted its second annual Florida High School Football Showcase at Nova Southeastern University on Saturday and hundreds of unsigned high school football seniors gathered to get recruited by 46 college football programs on hand.

Players, screened before participating to assure they are academically qualified for the Division II, III and NAIA schools present, went through combinelike workouts so coaches are provided with accurate measurables, broke off into position-specific drills, followed by one-on-ones and 7-on-7 work.

The sidelines of the NSU soccer field had all the colleges lined up with tables and tents for each one. Recruits left with pamphlets and business cards from schools that expressed interest in signing them. Last year, the event resulted in 61 prospects earning a collective total in scholarship funds that surpassed $1 million.

“The goal of it is to give as many high school kids an opportunity to go on and continue their education and then chase a dream of playing college football,” said longtime football coach and Orange Bowl Committee member Dave Shula. finally

College coaches meandered the fields to find players that best suited their team. High school football coaches were present to support their graduating seniors and give recommendations to college recruiters. Former Miami Dolphins instructed athletes through drills — the likes of which included Nat Moore, John Offerdahl, Patrick Surtain, Channing Crowder, Twan Russell, Troy Drayton and Mark Higgs.

Most of the athletes on hand were from South Florida, but some came from northern parts of the state and a few from Georgia and Alabama. Several of them, like Hollywood Hills wide receiver Alexander Shelton, heard from various colleges around the country.

“I feel like I can come in and be that vocal leader that a team is looking for as a freshman — on and off the field,” said Shelton, who listed several schools that impressed him at the event and is looking for a college where he feels at home with the football team and can study business.

Seven Douglas football players — linebackers Nick Defroscia and Bradley Vilasaint, quarterback Tyler Goodman, receiver Andrew Siren and defensive backs Robby Rodriguez, Edison Pratts and Adoni Black — attended just three days after the tragic mass shooting at the Parkland school on Wednesday.

“One of our linebackers in oneon-ones did something phenomenal, and Channing Crowder grabbed him, and this kid had the biggest smile on his face,” said Ty Goodman, Tyler’s father who doesn’t coach but is on the football staff. “This is incredible therapy for them. They grew up doing this. Just to see them smiling, laughing and high-fiving.”

Defroscia also had a pick-six in 7-on-7 action that had onlookers in a frenzy.

“We just wanted to come out here just to forget everything,” he said. “This is our escape.”

The event also benefits local college programs such as Keiser University and University of Fort Lauderdale, looking to find underthe-radar South Florida prospects they want to keep home.

dfurones@sunsentinel.com or @DavidFurones_