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Published Jan 10, 2016
Rivals Recap: South Florida Express
Rob Cassidy
Rivals.com

MIAMI -- One of the nation’s most prominent 7-on-7 programs, the South Florida Express held its two-day tryout over the weekend. A pile of college-bound talent turned out for the event, as many players holding FBS scholarship offers mixed with prospects still hunting for their first opportunity. Below is a look at some of the weekend’s most notable performance.

I was impressed with...

DB Al Blades, Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) University School. (2018)

Blades was beaten deep one occasion over the event’s two days, but the good in his game far outweighed the bad. His length and coverage ability make him one of the premier cornerbacks in South Florida regardless of class, but his skill set becomes even more impressive when you remember that he won’t graduate high school until 2018. Blades understands the game better than most prospects of his age and sometimes finds himself explaining coverages to teammates without being solicited to do so. Blades has a number of physical gifts and will likely be one of the 2018 class’ top defensive backs.

DB Brian Edwards, Miramar, Fla.

Edwards has developed physically in the last year and almost looks ready to walk out on a college field as things stand. The massive Edwards boasts incredibly long arms but also breaks on the ball like a veteran defensive back. Edwards has the size to contribute in run support and is also building a reputation as a big hitter. On Sunday, he helped erase a mistake or two by the cornerbacks playing in front of him.

OL Navaughn Donaldson, Miami Central.

Donaldson is a pure tackle and his 6-foot-6, 335-pound frame remains everyone of that fact constantly. That said, he spent the weekend playing tight end and played it well. A Miami commit, Donaldson moves as well as any man of his size and provides a massive target. Donaldson made the team at the tight end spot after wowing everyone in attendance with his relative nimbleness. Once he gets his body reshaped, the Miami Central tackle has the potential to be a truly special player.

WR Mike Harley, Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas

Harley was nearly unstoppable on the first day of competition. He wasn’t quite as dominant on day No. 2, but he still managed to stand out from the pack. At 5-foot-10. Harley isn’t the biggest receiver but he’s lethal in the slot as his crisp cuts and rapid acceleration make him matchup nightmare. He was most effective on deep routes during one-on-one work.

QB Henry Colombi, Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna

Colombi didn’t just accidentally post eye-popping numbers as a junior. He showed a strong-enough arm and incredible accuracy this weekend. He may have actually been the most balanced passer of a solid quarterback group. Colombi, who has gotten significantly taller since this time last year, is developing at a rapid pace and will likely hold a few more offers than the one he currently boasts before he starts his senior season.

QB Jake Allen, Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas

Allen is rebounding from a back injury that cost him some of his junior season, so he only worked out on Saturday. He threw a number of passes, however, and looked healthy enough. A Florida commit, Allen has always been known for his accuracy, which was front and center again on Saturday. Allen doesn’t have overwhelming arm strength but he sees coverages relatively well and can put the ball exactly where he wants it on most occasions.

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I was surprised by...

WR Carmoni Green, Miami Central.

Green is still without a scholarship offer, which seems unreasonable after his weekend performance. He was the only receiver to beat Al Blades deep and caught everything thrown into his orbit all weekend. Green has solid size and exceptional speed. He also knows how to use his long arms to catch the ball away from his body. There’s a lot to like about Green, who will get even better as his routes become crisper.

DB Trenell Troutman, Miami Northwestern (2018)

Troutman had a spectacular Sunday that involved interceptions on back-to-back plays. He showed serious physicality in coverage and broke on the ball nicely as well. Troutman has solid length and good thickness for a safety. He changes direction in a hurry as well. So far, Troutman’s lone offer is from Cincinnati but that will likely change. Just a sophomore, the Miami Northwestern defensive back has massive upside and could develop into a star.

WR Josh Palmer, St. Thomas Aquinas

Palmer, a Canadian transplant, didn’t start as a junior at his national powerhouse high school, but that will change next year. There’s a reason the junior already has some major scholship offer and he showed it this weekend. Not only did Palmer make the catch of the weekend, a jumping, one-handed touchdown grab over the head of a defender, he also showed solid hands and a quick burst on intermediate routes. Palmer has better-than-average size and incredibly reliable hands.

WR Lio'undre Gallimore, Miami Norland

Gallimore took more reps than any single wide receiver on day No. 1. He shoved to the front of the line and never passed up the chance to showcase his skills. He was jammed a couple times but was hardly coverable when allowed to get into his route. Gallimore came into the weekend with very little fanfare but frustrated a few touted defensive backs. His quickness and sharp cuts will likely give him a chance at the college level.

WR Lavarus Tigner, Deerfield Beach, Fla.

Tigner was more effective on Saturday than he was on Sunday, but that says more about how great he was on Saturday. Tigner stood out during drills but made his mark during the one-on-one portion of the workout. Tiger lost only a few reps of the many he took and routinely created separation from defensive backs. A one-time Florida commit, Tigner missed his entire junior season of football and is looking to get his recruitment back on track this offseason.

DB Kaory Simmons, Lauderhill (Fla.) Piper

Simmons was impressive during 7-on-7 works and came up with a number of plays throughout the weekend. On Sunday, he made an impressive interception that forced him to change direction in a hurry and grab a ball thrown behind him. Simmons needs to add weight but has some impressive speed and surprising physicality for his somewhat slight stature. He has a couple of offers as things stand now and is likely to accumulate more in the coming months.

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