Broward County’s Sony Michel
The legend of Sony Michel began on the baseball diamond (seriously). He, along with his older brother Marken, started out on the diamond before a youth coach discovered them and persuaded them to give football a shot. Being fresh to the sport the youth coach decided to let the brothers learn the game from the trenches, on the offensive line. That wouldn’t sit well with Sony the following season as he returned eager to have the ball in his hand. It just so happened that it was a practice in which the coach missed, which gave Sony an opportunity to play running back after he ran the starting running back over in a hitting drill. From that point on the legend of Sony Michel only grew in the youth ranks.
Eighth Grade Phenom
Most kids aren’t ready for varsity football in the state of Florida as freshman, let alone the eighth grade. And then there is Sony, who at 14 years old was running a 4.4 and had to have his birth certificate on hand at each athletic event. Due to the fact that Sony attended American Heritage-Plantation, a kindergarten through 12th grade school, he was allowed to participate in varsity athletics. Many knew that Sony would be able to hold his own but many didn’t expect him to dominate in the fashion in which he did. In his fourth varsity game against North Broward Prep, he would rush for 281 yards and three touchdowns. He ended the season rushing for over 1800 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Based off that season alone, colleges were intrigued about Sony and his future potential. He would be met with adversity at the beginning of his sophomore season when he tore his ACL. His junior season he returned to display the same ability he had prior to the injury. As a senior he finally led his team to the first state title in the school’s history. His accolades would include being the number two rusher in the history of Florida football, as well as being an Army All-American.
Georgia Bound
As a freshmen behind Todd Gurley and Nick Chubb, Michel still found a way to rush for over 400 yards and five touchdowns. After the departure of Gurley in his sophomore season, Michel served as a back up to Chubb. Things would soon change early in the season after a grueling leg injury sidelined his backfield mate for the season. Michel took the reigns and literally ran with it. Michel would take this opportunity and rush for over 1100 yards and eight touchdowns while being named All-SEC third team. He was also voted as the team’s offensive most valuable player that season.
In his junior season he was voted as a team captain and split carries with Chubb. He finished the season with 840 yards. That pushed his career total to 2,411 career rushing yards and ninth all time on the Georgia record books. Michel ended the season as the Liberty Bowl game MVP.
He made the decision along with Chubb to return for their senior season. Both look to improve their draft stock while returning Georgia to an elite power in the SEC. Much like how he ended his high school career, Michel believes he has a chance to contend for a championship. His NFL future looks secure as he is rated in the top 10 in his position group, which is an accomplishment after only starting the majority of games for one season.
Michel continues the legacy of tremendous Broward County athletes representing at the highest levels.
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