2017 Early Contenders high school football preview: No. 12 American Heritage

By Mitch Stephens Jul 24, 2017, 12:10pm

Speed and top-end recruits lead the Patriots as they seek a second-straight undefeated Florida state title season.

PREVIOUS: No. 11 AllenNEXT: No. 13 DeMatha

Video: 2017 Early Contenders - No. 12 American Heritage
Check out highlights of the Patriots' top players coming back, and hear insight from Zack Poff
.

Head coach:
Patrick Surtain

Last season:
14-0, No. 10 national ranking, won 5A state title

Last decade:
104-22, three state titles

Famous alums/players: MLB first baseman Eric Hosmer, Red Sox infielder Deven Marrero, McDonald's All-American and overseas basketball standout Kenny Boynton, Broncos rookie WR Isaiah McKenzie, actress Camila Mendes
Head coach Patrick Surtain has a roster comprised of speed and top-end recruits.
Head coach Patrick Surtain has a roster comprised of speed and top-end recruits.
Photo by Richard Ta
PLAYERS TO WATCH

CB Patrick Surtain II (6-2, 181, Sr.) — America's No. 4 recruit overall has 33 college offers.



CB Tyson Campbell (6-3, 180, Sr.) — Another five-star recruit at the same position is also uncommitted.

WR Anthony Schwartz (6-0, 172, Sr.) — The Nation's fastest player has run a 10.15-second 100-meter dash, the fastest wind-legal time in the country this year.

DT Nesta Silvera (6-2, 308, Sr.) — The Miami commit is Florida's No. 42 senior recruit.

WR Andrew Chatfield (6-2, 221, Sr.) — The big, physical, fast receiver is committed to Ohio State.
Cornerback Patrick Surtain II
Cornerback Patrick Surtain II
Photo by Richard Ta
GAMES TO WATCH

Aug. 26 — at Bishop Sullivan Catholic (Virginia Beach, Va.)

Sept. 1 — vs. Liberty (Henderson, Nev.)



Sept. 22 — vs. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)

Oct. 13 — at Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Defensive tackle Nesta Silvera
Defensive tackle Nesta Silvera
Photo by Richard Ta
STORYLINES

* With 10 of the top 258 senior prospects in Florida, second-year head coach Surtain — a former NFL defensive back — has perhaps the most talented team in the state, short of IMG Academy and St. Thomas Aquinas.

* Miles Jones, a 5-9, 170-pound senior headed to Vanderbilt, is one of the state's most versatile athletes.

* Quarterback Cam Smith (6-4, 190) is one of 10 transfers. Smith, from American Heritage-Delray Beach, runs a 10.9-second 100 and has a big arm, according to coach Surtain. He has another big target in junior John Dunmore (6-2, 172), who has already committed to Florida.

* Smith will be well-protected by a talented offensive line led by center Zackary Zambrano (6-3, 290), who has 21 offers, and Western Kentucky-committed tackle Troy Ingle (6-5, 280).



* Speed is American Heritage's greatest strength and revealed by the school's 400 relay team of Schwartz, Jones, Campbell and cornerback Marco Wilson, who ran a 40.17, the fourth-best time in the country this year and tops in Florida.

* Junior defensive end Micheal Morris (6-5, 250), a Florida State commit, and senior linebacker Calvin Hart Jr. (6-0, 207), who has 17 offers, lead the defense.
Quarterback Cam Smith
Quarterback Cam Smith
Photos by Richard Ta
Receiver Anthony Schwartz
Receiver Anthony Schwartz