By: Elite Scouting Staff
The best high school specialists from around the state of Florida traveled down to Cardinal Gibbons High School this past Sunday to compete in the Elite Scouting Services Combine. For one day, the players kicked, punted, and snapped under the watchful eye of Coach Tim Conrad, who runs BIGfoot Kicking out of Ft. Lauderdale. Conrad, who has produced more D-I specialists than anyone in the United States the last 10 years, came away impressed.
“The state of Florida traditionally has been a hotbed for colleges when it comes to signing specialists – the next three years will be no exception,” Conrad explained. “The Elite Scouting Services combine invited the top kickers, snappers and punters in the state to show what they can do. The southern part of the state is particularly strong this year. There were some great performances.” The combine featured the top kicker / punter in the United States for 2010, St. Thomas Aquinas’ Michael Palardy. Palardy already has seven offers on the table. But the showcase also featured dual threats like Chaminade’s Jerry Martin. Martin, a senior next year, had a superb day, scoring highly in kickoffs and fg’s, and winning the punting competition.
“Jerry is consistently good” said Conrad. “He rarely hits a bad ball and is going to be able to pursue both punting and kicking at the next level..”
Two other kickers who performed well were Cypress Bay’s DJ Soven and STA‘s Ben Hopfinger. Conrad was extremely impressed with the 2010 recruits’ leg strength.
“DJ and Ben are in my top 5 kickers to watch for next season. They have amazing leg strength. Colleges are looking for guys who can crush kickoffs and they both can do that. Definitely high recruits for 2010.”
Conrad also came away impressed by sophomore snapper Nathan Theus of Jacksonville Bolles. The 6 foot 2, 245 pound snapper has the bulk to play at the D-I level and his snap times are already at college level. He displayed leadership skills and a hunger that belied his age. Conrad rates him as the top snapper in the state this season.
Other senior kickers for next year Conrad feels will be playing college ball include Douglas High’s Corey Goldstein, Pine Crest’s Eric Smith, Cardinal Gibbon’s Drew Zloch, Northeast’s Gor David Badikyan and Ponte Vedra’s Carson Estebanez.. Conrad’s top recruits in the state of Florida for 2011 and 2012 include all-stater Marshall Morgan from Archbishop McCarthy, Justin Duvernois, a punter from STA, and Nolan Bieck and James Lagamma, 2012 kickers from STA.
TOP DUAL THREATS IN FLORIDA (KICKING / PUNTING) – 1. Michael Palardy, STA, 2010 2. Jerry Martin, Chaminade, 2010 3. Eric Smith, Pine Crest, 2010 4. Corey Goldstein, Douglas, 2010 5. Aaron Gendreau, Orangewood Christian, 2010
TOP KICKERS IN FLORIDA – 1. Michael Palardy, STA, 2010 2. DJ Soven, Cypress Bay, 2010 3. Ben Hopfinger, STA, 2010 4. Eric Smith, Pine Crest, 2010 5. Carson Estebanez, Ponte Vedra, 2010
TOP PUNTERS IN FLORIDA – 1. Michael Palardy, STA, 2010 2. Jerry Martin, Chaminade, 2010 3. Aaron Gendreau, Orangewood Christian, 2010 4. Eric Smith, Pine Crest, 2010 5. Drew Zloch, Cardinal Gibbons, 2010
TOP SNAPPERS IN FLORIDA – 1. Nathan Theus, Jacksonville Bolles, 2011 2. Richard Perez, Northeast, 2010 3. Matt Wilkinson, STA, 2011 4. Kelly Linden, Bishop Moore, 2011 5. Tyler Gomez, Archbishop McCarthy, 2011
TOP UNDERCLASSMEN IN FLORIDA – 1. Marshall Morgan – K/P, Archbishop McCarthy, 2012 2. Nathan Theus – Snapper, Bolles, 2011 3. Justin Duvernois – P, STA, 2011
