The dreams begin early in the youth leagues where players have been told about and witnessed success stories of Miamians who have made it to the NFL and impacted the game.
A vast array of talent fuels competition that extends to elite high school football teams and on to established and emerging college programs.
“Kids in Miami play football at the age of 4 or 5, and it’s real contact. They take it seriously,” Xavier Rhodes said. “Me, I think I played at the age of 10 or 11, so I was more of a guy that was into wrestling, but once I got into football and I realized I could do well in it, that’s when I took it seriously.