A Week with the Express

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jul 9, 2010

A Week with the Express

SI.com's Andy Staples recently accompanied the South Florida Express travel team, which includes 25 of Florida's top prospects, on an unofficial recruiting trip to a national tournament and four schools in the South. From The Grove to South Beach, Staples got a firsthand look of what it's like to be a top recruit. Here are some photos from the team's journey. Express players hold up a friend representing Title Sports Drink, one of the sponsors of their trip.

Jessie York, a receiver from Boyd Anderson High in Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., came prepared.

Boyd Anderson linebacker Kent Turene takes a picture of LSU's Tiger Stadium.

Terrance Mitchell, a safety from Plantation (Fla.) High, leaps to catch a pass in the end zone of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium at Ole Miss.

This sign hangs on the wall at the Holiday Inn Express in Oxford. On the day the Express spent in Oxford, the lead story in the Ole Miss school paper examined the remaining candidates for the new official mascot.

Plantation (Fla.) High linebacker Ryan Shazier eats ribs at Dreamland Barbecue in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Shazier won a rib-eating contest against two teammates by downing 18 ribs. Click here for video

Kent Turene, a linebacker from Boyd Anderson High in Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., chats with former USC and NFL star Keyshawn Johnson, who coached the team the Express would face in the finals. After returning home from the tournament, Turene went public with his commitment to USC.

Plantation High linebacker Ryan Shazier laughs along with South Florida Express assistant coach Ricardo Dixon.

South Florida Express players take the bus to the tournament.

South Florida Express players take part in a pre-game prayer led by offensive coordinator -- and ordained minister -- Kevin Beard.

(From left) Nacho Garcia, Ryan Shazier and A.J. Sebastiano warm up before Saturday's games.

Express quarterback Teddy Bridgewater looks for a target. Bridgewater attends Miami's Northwestern High and has committed to the University of Miami.

Express linebacker Ryan Shazier celebrates a big defensive play.

As players shake hands after a game, Terrance Mitchell offers a hug to an opponent.

Cornerback Deon Bush (back to camera) and linebacker Jerome Howard leap to break up a pass.

Safety Jeremy Cash, an Ohio State commitment, wears No. 8 for Plantation (Fla.) High. Receiver A.J. Sebastiano wears No. 5 for North Broward Prep in Coconut Creek, Fla. Together, they form a familiar football phrase.

Express players celebrate after winning the BadgerSport Elite7-on-7 National Championship. They beat the Los Angeles-based 1925 All-Stars, 20-13, to win the title.

Brett Goetz, the head coach and founder of the South Florida Express, does his best Bear Bryant impression after winning the BadgerSport Elite 7-on-7 National Championship, which was played in the University of Alabama's football complex.

Abraham "Nacho" Garcia, an offensive tackle at The University School in Davie, Fla., poses in front of Tim Tebow's Heisman Trophy while visiting Florida Field.

Avery Johnson, a receiver at Ely High in Pompano Beach, Fla., takes in the scenery at Florida Field. Johnson's older brother, Patrick Peterson, plays cornerback for LSU.

A Week with the Express

A Week with the Express

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