Central is loaded with returning talent which includes players (counterclockwise) Deatrick Nichols, Dalvin Cook, Keith Reed, Joe Yearby, Trevor Darling and Da'Vante Phillips.
Photo by Stuart Browning
It's hard to top a Florida state title-winning season, but
Central (Miami) is poised to do just that.
With perhaps the best running back duo in South Florida history, the Rockets will be in the thick of the hunt for a national No. 1 finish.
Miami-bound
Joseph Yearby and Florida commit
Dalvin Cook make Central's offense explosive. They have the luxury of running behind a big offensive line that is pretty much intact from a year ago. That unit is led by
Trevor Darling, another one of the team's numerous BCS-caliber recruits.
Keith Reed, who became the team's starting quarterback during the season last year, is back behind center. He'll have two of his top weapons back in
Tavius Brown and
Da'vante Phillips.
Running back Dalvin Cook
Photo by Stuart Browning
Only a junior, Phillips is the No. 20-ranked recruit in the Class of 2015 according to
247Sports.
On the opposite side of the ball, Central will be slightly less experienced but still very formidable.
Twan Adams and
Keon Burgess lack prototypical size at defensive tackle, but both are quick and perhaps most importantly, experienced.
See the entire Preseason Xcellent 25In the secondary,
Deatrick Nichols and
Trevon Nottage are both back. At Central, there's no shortage of speed and kids to compete for the job, so finding players to fill in spots in the secondary should not be much of a challenge.
The linebackers return
Rasheed Blatch and
Jonathan Harris. As in the secondary, Central will have to look for two new starters.
In addition to its brutal district schedule as well as its rivalry game with Booker T. Washington, Central will also test itself with a matchup against Don Bosco Prep in New Jersey.
Local look: "Central is the most complete South Florida high school football team since their 2010 team featuring 17 Division I signees. Any questions on defense are answered by two words: Joe and Dalvin."
- Brandon Odoi, Publisher at Football Hotbed
