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561 Made: The Path to the NFL

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Christian Proscia (@Christian_Proscia_Photography)

PALM BEACH COUNTY- The 2023 NFL Draft has officially come to a close. 259 young men got to hear their name called by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. After the Draft, the remaining undrafted players have either signed contracts as an “Undrafted Free Agent” or received an invitation to a team’s rookie minicamp.

So far, there have been eight Palm Beach County alumni that have transitioned to the NFL. Let us take a look at each of their journeys.

Photo Credits: NFL

Mike Morris

Mike Morris is a 6’6″ Defensive End from Belle Glade, but, he attended American Heritage Delray during high school. Throughout his career as a Stallion, Morris was a defensive force to be reckoned with.

During his freshman season, Mike recorded a staggering 13 sacks! In his last two seasons at American Heritage, Mike Morris recorded:

173 Tackles

56 Tackles for Loss

9 Sacks

2 Forced Fumbles

2 Fumble Recoveries

1 Blocked Punt (Returned for a Touchdown)

This impressive stat line helped Morris receive numerous First-Team All-County selections from the Palm Beach Post and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. After being rated as a Four-Star recruit by Rivals.com, Mike Morris received numerous Power-Five offers, including Clemson, Miami (FL), Florida State, Michigan and West Virginia, before ultimately committing to the Michigan Wolverines.

Mike Morris at Michigan. Photo Credits: Michigan Athletics

Early on in his career as a Wolverine, Morris did not get many reps. Through the years, he climbed the depth chart to a starting role. During his senior season at Michigan, Mike Morris exploded onto the scene. In 2022, Morris recorded:

23 Total Tackles

11 Tackles for Loss

7.5 Sacks

4 QB Hurries

3 Pass Deflections

1 Forced Fumble

1 FG Block

Due to his performance during his senior season, Mike was named to the First-Team All-Big10 team, as well as being named to the Second-Team All-American team.

After Michigan’s 51-45 loss to TCU in the Fiesta Bowl, Morris announced his declaration for the 2023 NFL Draft. Mike Morris was selected at pick 151 in the 5th round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks.

Atorian “AT” Perry

Atorian Perry is a 6’5″ Wide Receiver from Lake Worth. He attended Park Vista Community High School for his high school career. During his senior season with the Cobras, AT recorded:

33 Receptions

615 Receiving Yards

8 Receiving Touchdowns

58 Rushing Yards

1 Rushing Touchdown

During his senior season, Atorian helped lead the Cobras to the state playoffs with a 10-4 record. Park Vista upset No. 1 seed Miramar in the first round 28-20. In the Miramar game, Atorian had 7 catches for 123 yards and 2 touchdowns.

After the end of his senior season, AT Perry was named First-Team All-County by the Palm Beach Post and the South Florida Sun Sentinel. While at Park Vista, Atorian was named as a Two-Star recruit by Rivals.com. He received multiple Division I offers including Appalachian St., Wake Forrest, UAB, Liberty, and Toledo. AT Perry committed to play football at Wake Forrest.

AT Perry at Wake Forrest. Photo Credits: Wake Forrest Athletics

Atorian had a record setting career at Wake Forrest. Throughout his time at Wake Forrest, Perry recorded:

171 Career Receptions (6th in Wake Forrest history)

2662 Career Receiving Yards (3rd in Wake Forrest history)

28 Receiving Touchdowns (Wake Forrest record, 7th in ACC history)

12 100 Yard games (Wake Forrest record)

During the 2021 season, Atorian set the Wake Forrest record with 15 receiving touchdowns in a single season. After scoring 11 touchdowns in 2022, AT Perry became the only player in Wake Forrest history to have two double digit touchdown seasons. Atorian was selected to the First-Team All-ACC teams in both 2021 and 2022.

After a historic career at Wake Forrest, Atorian Perry declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. He was selected at pick 195 in the 6th Round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints.

Keidron Smith

Keidron Smith is a 6’2″ Cornerback from Boca Raton. Smith attended Oxbridge Academy for his entire high school career. While at Oxbridge, Keidron played Wide Receiver and Cornerback, where he recorded:

49 Solo Tackles

85 Total Tackles

11 Pass Deflections

6 Interceptions

15 Receptions

307 Receiving Yards

2 Receiving Touchdowns

During his senior season, Smith, lead the Thunderwolves to a 10-2 record, as well as a trip to the 2017 FHSAA Class 3A State Championship game against Chaminade Madonna (31-28, Chaminade Madonna). At the end of the season, Keidron Smith, was named to the First-Team All-County teams as well as Defensive Player of the Year by both the Palm Beach Post and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Keidron Smith was rated as a Three-Star recruit by Rivals.com. He received numerous Power-Five offers including: LSU, Tennessee, Louisville, Oklahoma, UNC, and Mississippi. Smith signed and committed with the Ole Miss Rebels shortly after visiting the campus in November 2017.

Keidron Smith at Mississippi. Photo Credits: Ole Miss Athletics

Keidron Smith made an immediate impact at Ole Miss. During his true freshman season, Smith played in all twelve games and made four starts. In 2018, he recorded:

47 Total Tackles

5 Pass Deflections

1 Tackle for Loss

1 Interception

Keidron Smith played three more seasons with the Rebels. At the end of his senior season (2021-22), Smith recorded:

213 Total Tackles

8 Tackles for Loss

1 Sack

5 Forced Fumbles

26 Pass Deflections

5 Interceptions

After his senior season, Keidron Smith used his final year of eligibility to transfer to the University of Kentucky.

Keidron Smith at Kentucky. Photo Credits: Kentucky Athletics

While at Kentucky, Keidron Smith continued his on field dominance. During the 2022-23 season, Smith recorded:

46 Total Tackles

7 Pass Deflections

1 Forced Fumble

2 Interceptions

1 Interception returned for a Touchdown

This impressive stat line helped Keidron secure Second-Team All-SEC honors. At the end of the season, Keidron Smith announced his declaration for the 2023 NFL Draft. Smith was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an Undrafed Free Agent.

https://twitter.com/KeidronS/status/1609311161782079489?s=20

Marquis Waters

Marquis Waters is a 6’1″ Safety from Delray Beach. Waters attended Atlantic High School. Throughout his time at Atlantic, he played running back, defensive back, and special teams, where he recorded:

    •    139 carries for 1,467 yards  
    •    21 rushing touchdowns
    •    1 kick return for touchdown
    •    1 punt return for touchdown
    •    2 blocked field goals
    •    5 Interceptions  
    •    100 tackles
    •    15 tackles for loss
    •    19 pass breakups
    •    2 forced fumbles

Waters’ impressive stat line helped him secure Second-Team All-County honors as a junior and First-Team All-County honors as a senior by the Palm Beach Post and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. He was rated as three-star recruit by Rivals.com and 247Sports, and he held numerous Division I offers. Marquis Waters committed to the Duke Blue Devils in the fall of 2016.

Marquis Waters at Duke. Photo Credits: Duke Athletics

During his three seasons as a Duke Blue Devil, Waters recorded:

    •    234 tackles
    •    13.0 tackles for a loss
    •    3 interceptions
    •    1 fumble recovery
    •    18 pass breakups
    •    7 quarterback hurries
    •    1 blocked field goal

Going into the 2021 season, Waters announced that he would be entering the transfer portal. Shortly thereafter, he committed to Texas Tech to play his senior season.

Marquis Waters at Texas Tech. Photo Credits: Texas Tech Athletics

During his time at Texas Tech, Marquis recorded:

    •    69 tackles
    •    14 tackles for loss
    •    1 sack
    •    3 pass deflections
    •    2 interceptions
    •    1 interception returned for a touchdown

After the 2022 season, Waters was named honorable mention All-Big 12 selection by the conference coaches, and was named First-Team All-Big 12 honors by Pro Football Focus. During the offseason, Waters announced his declaration for the 2023 NFL Draft.

Marquis Waters was signed as an Undrafted Free Agent by the New York Jets.

Abraham Beauplan

Abraham Beauplan is a 6’2″ Linebacker from Boynton Beach, where he attended Boynton Beach high school. While at Boynton, Beauplan was rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com. Abraham Beauplan received multiple Division I offers from Pittsburgh, Florida Atlantic, Indiana and Georgia Tech, but he ultimately committed to play at JUCO Navarro.

In two seasons at Navarro, Beauplan recorded:

133 Total Tackles

3.5 Sacks

4 Forced Fumbles

Leading into the 2020 season, Abraham Beauplan announced his intention to transfer to Marshall.

Abraham Beauplan at Marshall. Photo Credits: Marshall Athletics

In three seasons at Marshall, Abraham Beauplan recorded:

231 Total Tackles

23 Tackles for Loss

5 Forced Fumbles

3.5 Sacks

3 Pass Breakups

1 Interception

After the 2022 season, Abraham Beauplan announced his declaration for the 2023 NFL Draft. Beauplan was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an Undrafted Free Agent.

James Blackman

James Blackman is a 6’5″ Quarterback from Belle Glade, where he attended Glades Central high school. During his junior and senior seasons at Glades Central, Blackman recorded:

4,775 yards

38 touchdowns / 7 Interceptions

After his impressive junior and senior seasons, James Blackman was named First-Team All-County by the Palm Beach Post and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Blackman was also rated as a Four-Star recruit by Rivals.com and 247Sports.

Rivals.com had Blackman rated as the 10th best duel threat quarterback in the class of 2017. Other notable recruits on this list were: Kellen Mond (1), Tate Martell (2), Tua Tagovialoa (3), N’Kosi Perry (8), Malik Cunningham (9), and Hendon Hooker (13).

James Blackman received many Division I offers, including: Miami (FL), Florida State, Louisville and West Virginia. Blackman ultimately committed to the Florida State Seminoles in the fall of 2016.

James Blackman at FSU. Photo Credits: FSU Athletics

During his time at Florida State, James Blackman recorded:

5,445 Yards (12th FSU History)

43 Touchdown Passes (10th FSU History) / 23 Interceptions

60.5% Completion Percentage

136.9 QBR

Before the 2021 season, James Blackman announced his intention to transfer to Arkansas State for his remaining two years of eligibility.

James Blackman at Arkansas State. Photo Credits: Arkansas State Athletics

While at Arkansas State, James Blackman passed for

3,815 Yards

22 Touchdowns / 7 Interceptions

62.6% Completion Percentage

After the 2022 season, James Blackman announced his declaration to the 2023 NFL Draft. Blackman was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an Undrafted Free Agent.

John Smith

John Smith is a 6’0″ Cornerback from Lake Worth. Smith attended Park Vista Community High School. While at Park Vista, Smith played Quarterback. During his junior and senior seasons, John Smith threw for

1025 Yards

14 Touchdowns

908 Yards Rushing

15 Touchdowns

During the 2016 season, the three headed monster of John Smith, Atorian Perry and Junior running back Corey Cola Jr. helped lead the Cobras to a FHSAA Class 8A District 10 Championship. After the 2016 and 2017 seasons, Smith was named First-Team All-County by the Palm Beach Post and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

In the fall of 2017, John Smith announced his commitment to Holy Cross.

John Smith at Holy Cross. Photo Credits: Holy Cross Athletics

During his true freshman season, Smith switched positions from Quarterback to Cornerback. This position change was beneficial for Smith, as he recorded:

54 Career Games Played (1st Holy Cross History)

169 Total Tackles

8 Tackles for Loss

43 Pass Deflections

32 Pass Breakups (3rd Holy Cross History)

13 Interceptions (6th Holy Cross History)

1 Interception Returned for a Touchdown

1 Forced Fumble

1 Blocked Kick

John Smith had a historic career at Holy Cross. Smith was named as a Three-time First Team All-Patriot League team member in 2020, 2021, 2022, Two-time All-New England team member in 2021, 2022 and he made the All-ECAC Team in 2021. After the 2022 season, John Smith declared for the 2023 NFL Draft.

John Smith was undrafted, but he was invited to the New York Jets’ Rookie Minicamp.

Datrone Young

Datrone Young is a 5’10” Cornerback from Delray Beach who attended Atlantic High School. During his final two seasons at Atlantic, Young recorded:

 41 Tackles

7 Interceptions

24 Pass Breakups

After his stellar junior and senior seasons, Datrone Young was named First-Team All-County by the Palm Beach Post and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Young was also rated as a Three-Star prospect by 247Sports.com, Scout.com, and ESPN.com. Datrone Young received multiple Division I offers including Iowa State, Florida Atlantic, South Florida, UAB, and Wisconsin.

At the end of 2016, Datrone Young signed with the Iowa State Cyclones.

Datrone Young at Iowa State. Photo Credits: Iowa State Athletics

Datrone Young played four seasons with the Cyclones. During his career at Iowa State, Datrone recorded:

87 Total Tackles

4 Tackles for Loss

1 Interception

8 Pass Deflections

Prior to the 2022 season, Datrone Young announced his intention to transfer to Duke University.

Datrone Young at Duke. Photo Credits: Duke Athletics

During the 2022 season, Datrone Young recorded:

45 tackles

1 Tackle for Loss

1 Interception

1 Fumble Recovery

7 Pass Breakups

Following the season, Datrone declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. Young was undrafted, but he was invited to the Miami Dolphins’ Rookie Minicamp.

Toddy Centeio

Toddy Centeio is a 6’0″ Quarterback from West Palm Beach. Centeio attended Royal Palm Beach and Dwyer during his high school career. While at Royal Palm Toddy Centeio recorded:

2,250 Passing Yards

27 Touchdowns

While at Dwyer, Toddy recorded:

2,344 Passing Yards

31 Touchdowns / 11 Interceptions

197 Rushing Yards

3 Rushing Touchdowns

After his stellar seasons at Dwyer, Toddy Centeio was named First-Team All-County by the Palm Beach Post and South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Centeio was also nominated as a finalist for the Lou Groza Award, which is awarded to Palm Beach County’s MVP.

Toddy Centeio was rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com. He received multiple Division I offers, including: Miami (FL), NC State, Toledo, Temple and Western Kentucky. Centeio ultimately committed to Temple University in the summer of 2016.

Todd Centeio at Temple. Photo Credits: Temple Athletics

Toddy Centeio spent three seasons at Temple, however he did not see a lot of action. During those three seasons, Todd recorded:

613 Passing Yards

1 Passing Touchdown / 1 Interception

68% Completion Percentage

235 Rushing Yards

1 Rushing Touchdown

After his redshirt sophomore season, Todd announced his intention to transfer to Colorado State.

Todd Centeio at Colorado State. Photo Credits: Colorado State Athletics

While at Colorado State, Todd got to show off his elite athleticism. In two seasons, Centeio recorded:

3,167 Passing Yards

58% Completion Percentage

529 Rushing Yards

2 Rushing Touchdowns

After his senior season, Toddy again announced his intention to transfer with one year of eligibility left. Centeio committed and transferred to James Madison University.

Todd Centeio at James Madison. Photo Credits: James Madison Athletics

After transferring to James Madison, Toddy took the Sunbelt Conference by storm. During his final season, Centeio recorded:

2,697 Passing Yards (7th in JMU History)

25 Passing Touchdowns (6th in JMU History)

393 Rushing Yards

7 Rushing Touchdowns

After this season, Centeio was named as the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year and the Sun Belt Conference Newcomer of the Year. Todd also broke the James Madison single game passing touchdown record (6) against Middle Tennessee.

Toddy Centeio announced his declaration for the 2023 NFL Draft. He was undrafted, but was invited to the Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Commanders, Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars Rookie Minicamps.

https://twitter.com/toddycenteio/status/1606671157264007176?s=20

Congratulations to all of the Palm Beach County legends that are making their childhood dreams come true!

All of us at New Era Prep are proud to have covered your career’s since your high school days!

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