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'Get on the Radar' tour helps undiscovered Atlantic recruits with Power 5 visits

emilee smarr, palm beach post
·5 min read

Atlantic head coach Jamael Stewart and the Eagles took off on a recruiting tour in June amid preparation for the looming 2022 season. They returned with looks, experience and a newfound brotherhood that'll only strengthen the boys of fall.

Seventeen Atlantic football players packed their bags for what Stewart coined the "Get on the Radar" tour — a weeklong trip visiting the campuses of Florida, Auburn, Alabama State, University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB), Georgia Southern, Kennesaw State, Troy, Albany State, Charleston Southern and Stewart's own alma mater.

"It was something I never had the luxury of doing when I was their age," Stewart said, a Delray native who graduated from Olympic Heights and ultimately earned a scholarship to play football at Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach.

"It's very important for kids to step foot on a diverse group of college campuses — big and small."

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And when they weren't stunting in competition mode, impressing recruiters, the boys could be found playing pool, the latest Madden drop or two-hand touch football.

"The chemistry built on this trip will help us in the season because we are all comfortable around each other and know each other very well," said junior linebacker Jayden Parrish, feeling any adversity Atlantic may face this season "won't destroy" the Eagles' bond.

Check out a class-by-class breakdown of which players turned heads and came back to Palm Beach County with some new contacts.

A group of Atlantic football players took flight on a tour through four states, visiting schools big and small in hopes of putting their names on the radar of college recruiters.
A group of Atlantic football players took flight on a tour through four states, visiting schools big and small in hopes of putting their names on the radar of college recruiters.

Da'Marion Alberic, 2024, WR

Interest from: Alabama State, Auburn, Charleston Southern

Needing help for presumed WR1 Martay McClendon as Reece Dobard graduated in the spring, a "Play of the Day" honor at Auburn is a good sign that Atlantic's receiver room will remain in strong, steady hands, set to take the field in a familiar Kickoff Classic matchup with Palm Beach Central on Aug. 18.

Lincoln Graf, 2025, QB

Interest from: All schools

Completing 67% of passes for 1,076 yards and four touchdowns, Graf posted quite the freshman campaign while alternating with then-senior starter Zachary Waters. Graf hit the lab over spring and evolved into a magnetizing fixture in the pocket, but, most importantly, a much-needed leader.

Even as players like Boca Raton-transfer quarterback Jacob Cashion exit to St. Andrew's and wide receivers Matthew McKenzie and Jay'vier Johnson to Benjamin — don't forget impact kicker and punter Robert Hammond III to Cardinal Gibbons — Graf's presence and growth remain a constant and glue for the remaining Eagles.

Mark Hanniford, 2026, QB/ATH

Interest from: Charleston Southern, UAB

With Graf in the front seat(s), it's uncertain how much we'll get to see from Hanniford at quarterback. Yet, beyond a nicely pitched deep ball and pristine out-routes, rumor has it that a coach could put this undiscovered talent just about anywhere on the field.

Tyrique Hollis, 2024, DB

Interest from: Alabama State, Charleston Southern, Troy

If the nickname "Pick 6" wasn't promising enough, an equally fitting call sign for Hollis would be "Steamroller." If four linemen can't force the tackle, rest assured that Hollis' grip will be the one to get a man down.

Martay McClendon, 2023, WR/DB

Interest from: Charleston Southern, Georgia Southern

As a junior, McClendon stood out in a roster stacked with upperclassmen, gripping two touchdowns and averaging 26.6 yards in 21 receptions over eight games.

Jayden Parrish, 2024, LB

Interest from: All schools

Junior linebacker Jayden Parrish earned camp MVP honors at Auburn and University of Alabama-Birmingham.
Junior linebacker Jayden Parrish earned camp MVP honors at Auburn and University of Alabama-Birmingham.

On top of a first offer from Florida Atlantic, Parrish received his second from Auburn in mid-May, but the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder proved his talents to the Tigers in person, earning camp MVP and going on to execute another MVP-worthy performance at UAB.

"It meant the world to me when they gave me the offer, and it was a great opportunity to show them my work ethic with them having front row seats to see it," Parrish said. "It felt great knowing that the work me and my teammates put in at the camp was noticed."

Jovante Pierre-Louis, 2023, RB

Interest from: UAB, Alabama State, Charleston Southern

It seems that Atlantic has found its substitute for exiting offensive dual-threat and St. Thomas signee Omari Mitchell in Pierre-Louis, who has one standing offer from Edward Waters. As seven Atlantic seniors — and counting — head off for college, there's more room for Pierre-Louis to stuff the stat sheet than his seven appearances in 2021, making two trips across the goal line for the Eagles.

Kamare Williams, 2025, WR/DB

Interest from: All schools

The Boynton Beach transfer is set to make waves with Delray's offense following a breakout freshman performance on the Tigers' defense last fall, racking up 30 tackles, five interceptions, three pass breakups, a fumble recovery and a touchdown.

Emilee Smarr can be reached at esmarr@gannett.com. 

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Atlantic High recruiting tour highlights undiscovered Power 5 prospects