I'm a big believer in the value of camps. No, it's not real football. But camps are a great opportunity to observe physical traits and competitive makeup. Everybody is gathered in one place, which allows you to compare position groups to each other, in person. It also makes it easier to compare classes over the years.
This year, I thought the offensive line group was as good as its been in a while. Defensive line looked pretty good. On the other hand, the defensive back group was as thin as it's been in years. The wide receiver group (which wasn't particularly special) outnumbered the DBs four to one. Some of those WRs should learn to backpedal if they want to improve their offer lists.
With the caveat that several top players didn't compete on Sunday, 2027 feels like an average South Florida class. Below are my thoughts on a trio of Canes commits and various prospects who caught my eye:
- The '27 South Florida class starts with maybe the best prospect in the country: OT Mark Matthews (STA). He didn't do 1on1s, but his testing and movement drills likely secured his five-star ranking. Matthews measured 6'5.7 with a 81.3' wingspan, 10.5 hands, a 4.98 forty, a 4.69 shuttle and a 7.86 L-drill. Rivals didn't release his weight, but his frame passed the eye test with strong legs and a sturdy upper-body.
Must-get prospect.
- Three Miami commits participated in the camp, and it was my first chance to see them move around in person. TE/DE DeMarcus DeRoche (Gibbons) is at least 6'4, 205 and looks like the consummate athlete. He runs with a smooth gait, catches the ball with his hands, and throws better spirals than some of the QBs in attendance. DeRoche didn't take many reps during the one-on-ones, but did catch a skinny post for a TD off a deflection. Good evaluation by staffer Frank Tucker. Miami will need to fend off blue-blood suitors.
- WR Ah'Mari Stevens (Chaminade) ran a 4.43 laser-timed forty and solidified his reputation as a field-stretcher. He has a thin frame (think Mike Harley), but with longer arms and plus hand-size. Stevens had some concentration drops in drills, but he generally caught the ball with his hands. Like the other Broward four stars, Stevens did not take many one-on-one reps.
- OT Zaquan Linton (Palm Beach Central) looked the part at 6'5, 290+ with little bad weight. He struggled with his footwork in competitive drills and lost several reps. However, he competed and stayed engaged. At this stage, Linton looks like a developmental prospect with tools.
- The offensive line group was one of the best in the camp, and OG Sean Tatum (Fort Pierce) took home the MVP. He looked every bit of 6'3.5, 315 with a barrel chest, strong hands and good flexibility. Miami is battling Tennessee and Florida.
- OL Reed Ramsier (Orlando) is another awesome OL prospect from this group. He's an interior prospect at 6'4, 290, but he has long arms and won several reps outside with good footwork and hands. I can see why the staff loves him. Miami/Auburn battle.
- This was my first time seeing DE Wyatt Smith (STA) live and I'm riding shotgun with @gogeta4 on the bandwagon. Smith is 6'6, 220, with long arms, strong hands, and a very projectable frame. All the movement stuff looked easy, and he was winning his 1on1s before exiting with a minor injury. His dad was Justin Smith (49ers/Mizzou) so he has first-round bloodlines. This reminded me of watching TE Mason Taylor four years ago in the same setting- it was easy to see the genetics kicking in. Smith is currently unranked but should blow up soon.
- I loved what I saw from EDGE Caleb Saint Fleur (MacArthur). He looked about 6'1, 220, but moved well in testing and showed even more functional athleticism during 1on1s. After that, he worked on linebacker drops by himself. He doesn't fit the body-type mold, but he's an athlete (shotput, discus, javelin, sprints) who knows how to compete.
- Defensive back was the thinnest spot at the camp, but DB Alan Blackshere (Carol City) earned his MVP trophy. He looks like Sheldrick Redwine physically, and held up well turning and running at corner. I'd be curious to see how fast he runs. FSU is pushing hard here.
- One guy I want to see play a game in pads- DT Tyler Alexander (Palm Beach Central). He reminds me a big of Jon Ford.
This year, I thought the offensive line group was as good as its been in a while. Defensive line looked pretty good. On the other hand, the defensive back group was as thin as it's been in years. The wide receiver group (which wasn't particularly special) outnumbered the DBs four to one. Some of those WRs should learn to backpedal if they want to improve their offer lists.
With the caveat that several top players didn't compete on Sunday, 2027 feels like an average South Florida class. Below are my thoughts on a trio of Canes commits and various prospects who caught my eye:
- The '27 South Florida class starts with maybe the best prospect in the country: OT Mark Matthews (STA). He didn't do 1on1s, but his testing and movement drills likely secured his five-star ranking. Matthews measured 6'5.7 with a 81.3' wingspan, 10.5 hands, a 4.98 forty, a 4.69 shuttle and a 7.86 L-drill. Rivals didn't release his weight, but his frame passed the eye test with strong legs and a sturdy upper-body.
Must-get prospect.
- Three Miami commits participated in the camp, and it was my first chance to see them move around in person. TE/DE DeMarcus DeRoche (Gibbons) is at least 6'4, 205 and looks like the consummate athlete. He runs with a smooth gait, catches the ball with his hands, and throws better spirals than some of the QBs in attendance. DeRoche didn't take many reps during the one-on-ones, but did catch a skinny post for a TD off a deflection. Good evaluation by staffer Frank Tucker. Miami will need to fend off blue-blood suitors.
- WR Ah'Mari Stevens (Chaminade) ran a 4.43 laser-timed forty and solidified his reputation as a field-stretcher. He has a thin frame (think Mike Harley), but with longer arms and plus hand-size. Stevens had some concentration drops in drills, but he generally caught the ball with his hands. Like the other Broward four stars, Stevens did not take many one-on-one reps.
- OT Zaquan Linton (Palm Beach Central) looked the part at 6'5, 290+ with little bad weight. He struggled with his footwork in competitive drills and lost several reps. However, he competed and stayed engaged. At this stage, Linton looks like a developmental prospect with tools.
- The offensive line group was one of the best in the camp, and OG Sean Tatum (Fort Pierce) took home the MVP. He looked every bit of 6'3.5, 315 with a barrel chest, strong hands and good flexibility. Miami is battling Tennessee and Florida.
- OL Reed Ramsier (Orlando) is another awesome OL prospect from this group. He's an interior prospect at 6'4, 290, but he has long arms and won several reps outside with good footwork and hands. I can see why the staff loves him. Miami/Auburn battle.
- This was my first time seeing DE Wyatt Smith (STA) live and I'm riding shotgun with @gogeta4 on the bandwagon. Smith is 6'6, 220, with long arms, strong hands, and a very projectable frame. All the movement stuff looked easy, and he was winning his 1on1s before exiting with a minor injury. His dad was Justin Smith (49ers/Mizzou) so he has first-round bloodlines. This reminded me of watching TE Mason Taylor four years ago in the same setting- it was easy to see the genetics kicking in. Smith is currently unranked but should blow up soon.
- I loved what I saw from EDGE Caleb Saint Fleur (MacArthur). He looked about 6'1, 220, but moved well in testing and showed even more functional athleticism during 1on1s. After that, he worked on linebacker drops by himself. He doesn't fit the body-type mold, but he's an athlete (shotput, discus, javelin, sprints) who knows how to compete.
- Defensive back was the thinnest spot at the camp, but DB Alan Blackshere (Carol City) earned his MVP trophy. He looks like Sheldrick Redwine physically, and held up well turning and running at corner. I'd be curious to see how fast he runs. FSU is pushing hard here.
- One guy I want to see play a game in pads- DT Tyler Alexander (Palm Beach Central). He reminds me a big of Jon Ford.
