With the NFC and AFC teams practicing at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale in preparation for Sunday’s Pro Bowl, students at the school got to sneak a peak at some big-time football talent for the first time since, well, their very own Raiders ended their season in December. 
Lamarcus Joyner, Aquinas
File photo by Lou Novick
Home of 10 Division I recruits who are expected to sign their letters of intent on Wednesday, St. Thomas Aquinas is hosting the practice sessions for the two NFL Pro Bowl squads. The Pro Bowl is being played in South Florida this week, marking the first time the game has been held at a site other than Hawaii for the first time since 1980.
While no former Aquinas players are participating in the Pro Bowl, a number of South Florida natives are in attendance. Wide receiver Chad Ochocinco played at Miami Beach while his AFC teammate Andre Johnson played at Miami Senior. Denver Broncos linebacker Elvis Dumervil is also a Miami native, playing his high school ball at Jackson.
For the NFC, Frank Gore played at Coral Gables, guard Steve Hutchinson prepped at Coral Springs and defensive back Antrel Rolle played at South Dade (Homestead).
Gore was one of the nation’s top recruits coming out of Dade County when he graduated from Coral Gables after rushing for 2,953 yards and 34 touchdowns his senior year.
Other Florida natives playing in this year’s Pro Bowl include Chris Johnson (Olympia, Orlando), Brandon Marshall (Lake Howell, Winter Park), Vince Wilfork (Santaluces, Lantana), Ray Lewis (Kathleen, Lakeland), Brandon Meriweather (Apopka), Brian Dawkins (Raines, Jacksonville), Leonard Weaver (Satellite, Satellite Beach), Asante Samuel (Boyd Anderson, Lauderdale Lakes), Mike Jenkins (Southeast, Bradenton) and Nick Collins (Dixie County, Cross City).
The Raiders are sending 10 to the Division I level, including three that will play close to home at the University of Miami.
Keion Payne (6-1, 180, DB), Brandon Linder (6-5, 270, OL) and Jermaine Barton (6-6, 270, OL) have all committed to play with the Hurricanes. Other Raiders staying in-state include Lamarcus Joyner (5-11, 180, DB) at Florida State and Cody Riggs (5-11, 170, DB) at Florida.
Five Raiders will head North, including running back James White, who will trade the sunny days in Fort Lauderdale for the cold autumn Saturdays at the University of Wisconsin. Backfield mate Giovanni Bernard has committed to Notre Dame while linebacker Vincent Mauro will play at Navy. Kicker Michael Palardy will stay a little closer to home at Tennessee while defensive back Brian Robinson has committed to Marshall.
