I have always felt South Florida linemen were underrated. They face some of the most athletic DEs and DTs on a daily basis whether its in practice or in a game. Once they hit college, they are prepared to face and react to speed. Only thing that is left in college to do is to work on strength, explosiveness, and technique. Below is a special group of offensive linemen that will represent South Florida in the class of 2017.
Navaughn Donaldson-6'5 310 Miami Central
Lately, Central has done a great job at developing offensive linemen. The next Central linemen that has potential to be great stands 6'5 and weighs 310. He plays too high at times but his mobility will catch you by surprise. His footwork will come with time. This guy has potential to be one of the best linemen in South Florida.
T.J. Slaton-6'6 320 American Heritage
This is a kid who is a dual sport athlete. Slaton plays football and basketball for American Heritage. He already holds offers from the big three and has other top out of state offers. He recently listed on 247sports that he has high interest in Miami, LSU, Florida State, Alabama, and Ole Miss. If he actually runs anywhere near a 5.00 40yard dash like indicated on his hudl account, then he may end up developing as one of the best linemen in the nation.
Kai-Leon Herbert-6'5 255 Cardinal Gibbons
This guy reminds me of a mixture of Martez Ivey and recently offered Marcus Tatum(who I'm really big on). Herbert and Tatum are both very tall, long, and slim with good mobility. It will be interesting to see what he weighs in at by the start of his junior and senior season. Adding good weight and strength will allow him to hold his ground better and eliminate being knocked in the backfield by aggressive pass rushers. The good thing is he is young and has plenty of time to get his weight up. Regardless, this kid is a definite take, love his potential big time. http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3898911/highlights/202033376/v2
Mershawn Miller-6'1 305 Miami Central
Another Central Olinemen who plays to the whistle. This guy is one of the best pulling guards in South Florida. http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4118706/highlights/183663375/v2
Kyron Taylor-6'3 285 South Dade
Mentioned on this site recently, Taylor is also a good wrestler. College coaches will not have to worry about Taylor being in shape. Interesting to see how he develops. http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4616506/highlights/178029376/v2
Cedrick Jackson-6'3 300 Kadeem Telfort-6'6 315 Norland
Right now imo, the best sophomore offensive linemen at Norland is Cedrick Jackson. The linemen with the most potential and who I think will end up the best linemen at Norland come senior year is Kadeem Telfort. Both off-seasons for Telfort will determine if he will be great or average, but no one can question his frame.
Willa Pierre-6'4 282 BTW
More than likely to get more reps this upcoming season, this guy is due for a breakout season. Too early to get a good read on him but he looks to have a promising future.
*Side Note unrelated to South Florida OLinemen-IMG's Justin Henderson is a 6'7 325 guard who transferred from a school in Louisiana to IMG last season. He is also in the 2017 class and should be a good one. http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3416230/highlights/212100375/v2
Navaughn Donaldson-6'5 310 Miami Central
Lately, Central has done a great job at developing offensive linemen. The next Central linemen that has potential to be great stands 6'5 and weighs 310. He plays too high at times but his mobility will catch you by surprise. His footwork will come with time. This guy has potential to be one of the best linemen in South Florida.
T.J. Slaton-6'6 320 American Heritage
This is a kid who is a dual sport athlete. Slaton plays football and basketball for American Heritage. He already holds offers from the big three and has other top out of state offers. He recently listed on 247sports that he has high interest in Miami, LSU, Florida State, Alabama, and Ole Miss. If he actually runs anywhere near a 5.00 40yard dash like indicated on his hudl account, then he may end up developing as one of the best linemen in the nation.
Kai-Leon Herbert-6'5 255 Cardinal Gibbons
This guy reminds me of a mixture of Martez Ivey and recently offered Marcus Tatum(who I'm really big on). Herbert and Tatum are both very tall, long, and slim with good mobility. It will be interesting to see what he weighs in at by the start of his junior and senior season. Adding good weight and strength will allow him to hold his ground better and eliminate being knocked in the backfield by aggressive pass rushers. The good thing is he is young and has plenty of time to get his weight up. Regardless, this kid is a definite take, love his potential big time. http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3898911/highlights/202033376/v2
Mershawn Miller-6'1 305 Miami Central
Another Central Olinemen who plays to the whistle. This guy is one of the best pulling guards in South Florida. http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4118706/highlights/183663375/v2
Kyron Taylor-6'3 285 South Dade
Mentioned on this site recently, Taylor is also a good wrestler. College coaches will not have to worry about Taylor being in shape. Interesting to see how he develops. http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4616506/highlights/178029376/v2
Cedrick Jackson-6'3 300 Kadeem Telfort-6'6 315 Norland
Right now imo, the best sophomore offensive linemen at Norland is Cedrick Jackson. The linemen with the most potential and who I think will end up the best linemen at Norland come senior year is Kadeem Telfort. Both off-seasons for Telfort will determine if he will be great or average, but no one can question his frame.
Willa Pierre-6'4 282 BTW
More than likely to get more reps this upcoming season, this guy is due for a breakout season. Too early to get a good read on him but he looks to have a promising future.
*Side Note unrelated to South Florida OLinemen-IMG's Justin Henderson is a 6'7 325 guard who transferred from a school in Louisiana to IMG last season. He is also in the 2017 class and should be a good one. http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3416230/highlights/212100375/v2
