When the University of Miami takes the field Monday night for the national championship, it will be an especially meaningful moment for the players who grew up right here in South Florida.
More than two dozen Hurricanes on the roster played high school football in Miami-Dade and Broward counties — including a special group of Miami Central Rockets from my alma mater.
Before they were chasing down quarterbacks on college football’s biggest stage, Reuben Bain and Wesley Bissainth were doing the same thing as standout stars at Miami Central Senior High School.
“We’re very proud of these young men,” said Miami Central Principal Raymond Sands. “Our kids are placed in these positions while they’re in high school, so that when they go to college, we like to pride ourselves on them being college ready.”
Rocket pride runs deep on the Hurricanes’ roster. From Northwest 95th Street to the national championship stage at Hard Rock Stadium, the journey has come full circle.
Five Miami Central graduates are part of this year’s dominant Miami defense: Reuben Bain, who is expected to be one of the top picks in April’s NFL Draft; Wesley Bissainth, the senior leader; Sophomore standout Armando Blount; and highly touted freshmen Amari Wallace and Ezekiel Marceline.
Now, all five are playing on the biggest stage in college football.
“This is a life-changing experience for these young men,” said Miami Central Head Coach Derrick Gibson.
“It’s truly inspirational,” said Vincent Williams, a junior offensive lineman. “To see these guys in the big games and just to watch them, because truly, it’s possible through hard work and effort.”
And it’s not just on the football field.
The “Roc Boyz” are not only standouts for the Hurricanes on the field; they’re excelling in the classroom as well. Bain and Bissainth graduated from the University of Miami last month and, after Monday night’s championship game against Indiana, are expected to follow in the footsteps of other Rockets turned pros, including this year’s NFL rushing leader, James Cook.
But no matter which uniform they wear next, these neighborhood heroes will always be part of the Rockets family.
“These guys come back on the regular,” Central Defensive Coordinator Pierre Mathis said. “They work out in our weight room, work out on our field, even during summer practices. They come out of training and work out with our guys as well.”
“Their dream is to play on this stage,” Sands added. “To have kids from the neighborhood – kids you’ve seen at church or in the grocery store on television means the world to everyone. I’m just a proud, proud principal right now.”
Currently, according to Sands, there are more than 60 Miami Central graduates playing college football across the country, and that includes the five Hurricanes who will suit up Monday night with a chance to win a national championship.
Want more insights? Join Working Title - our career elevating newsletter and get the future of work delivered weekly.
