South Florida has always been a hotbed for high school football talent. Two schools that have produced their share of NFL players —
Northwestern (Miami) and
Central (Miami) — meet Friday at Traz Powell Stadium (Miami) in a Sunshine State showdown that's likely to showcase names we could be seeing on Sundays down the road.
Teddy Bridgewater, Dalvin Cook, Amari Cooper, Lavonte David and Devonta Freeman are a few of the former Bulls and Rockets playing in the NFL. And along with the big-time players comes success as the Bulls won their seventh state championship last season while the Rockets brought home title No. 6 in 2019.
Northwestern in No. 9 in the
MaxPreps Top 25 rankings and the three-time defending state champions are once again loaded.
Kahlil Brantley,
Romello Brinson,
Tim Burns Jr.,
Ja'Corey Hammett,
Kamren Kinchens,
Okino King,
Antwan Massie,
Amahri McCray,
Travis McNichols Jr.,
Zuberi Mobley, and
Patrick Payton all are three-star prospects or higher in the Class of 2021.
Leading up to Friday's showdown, we look back at 10 notable players each of these Miami powers.
Dalvin Cook, Miami Central
File photo by Gary McCullough
Najeh Davenport, RB, Class of 1997
Rushed for over 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns during his senior season in five games. Spent seven years in the NFL playing for Green Bay, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis after a successful career at the University of Miami.
Had 148 receptions for 2,406 yards and 29 touchdowns during his high school career. He was rated as the No. 100 player overall in the Class of 2015.
Helped the Rockets to a 6A state championship during his senior season. Miller was drafted in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills and now plays for the Carolina Panthers.
The former Miami Hurricane standout rushed for over 5,300 yards and 63 touchdowns from his sophomore to senior season.
One of the best quarterbacks to come from South Florida, Cato finished his high school career with over 9,400 yards passing and 103 touchdowns before having a very successful college career at Marshall.
Bruce Armstrong, OT, 1983
The former Miami Central standout was a six-time Pro Bowl selection at offensive tackle during his 14-year NFL career with the New England Patriots.
Willis McGahee, RB, 2000
Transferred to Miami Central for his senior year and rushed for nearly 700 yards and 11 touchdowns despite being limited to five games. After rushing for over 2,000 yards at the University of Miami, McGahee was drafted in the first round by the Buffalo Bills and spent 11 years in the NFL playing with four different organizations.
Freeman rushed for 308 yards and two touchdowns to help Miami Central to the school's first state title in a 42-27 win over Dr. Phillips in the 2010 6A bracket. He finished his senior season with over 2,200 yards rushing and 26 touchdowns.
The former five-star running back rushed for nearly 4,500 yards and 64 touchdowns while leading Miami Central to a 52-5 record and three consecutive state titles from his sophomore to senior year. The Minnesota Vikings star running back ranks first in rushing touchdowns (7) and third in rushing yards (489) this season.
Miami Northwestern
The former Pittsburgh Steeler had nearly 700 yards receiving during his senior season and was a Top 250 player overall in the Class of 2011.
Was a Top 100 player overall for his class and racked up 72 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions during his senior campaign.
A three-star recruit who went on to have a very successful career at Georgia. Baker was selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the New York Giants.
Led the Bulls to back-to-back state titles in 2006 and 2007 throwing for nearly 7,000 yards and 84 touchdowns.
Was a four-year starter under center for the Bulls and led them to their first state championship since 2007 during his senior season. He switched positions when he got to Louisville and led the Atlantic Coast Conference in receiving yards (1,276) and touchdowns (12) in 2019.
Antonio Bryant, WR, 1999
Was a three-year captain from his sophomore to senior year and helped the Bulls to a 6A state title in 1998. Bryant was selected in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys and finished his career with 372 receptions for 5,685 yards and 30 touchdowns while playing for four different franchises.
Vernon Carey, OT, 1999
Played a major role for the Bulls on the offensive line leading them to a 6A state title in 1998. Carey did not allow a sack during his junior or senior season. After a standout career at the University of Miami, he was selected 19th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft by the Dolphins.
The former two-star recruit has emerged as one of the best linebackers in the NFL. Helped Northwestern to back-to-back state titles in 2006 and 2007 but was still under recruited coming out of high school. Drafted by Tampa Bay in 2012, he has more than 1,000 tackles in his NFL career.
Threw for over 6,700 yards and 70 touchdowns during his final three years of high school. The starting quarterback for the Carolina Panthers was a Top 100 player overall and was the No. 5 dual-threat QB in the Class of 2011.
Had over 700 yards receiving and six touchdowns during his senior season and went on to have a historic career at Alabama. He is the Crimson Tide's all-time leader in receptions (228), receiving yards (3,463) and receiving touchdowns (31). Through his first five-plus years in the NFL he has 403 receptions for 5,600 yards and 35 touchdowns.
