South Florida’s Route-Running Magic Shines in Browns’ WR Room
The Cleveland Browns’ locker room was eerily quiet on December 2, following a 41-32 loss to the Denver Broncos in a high-scoring showdown that effectively ended their slim playoff hopes. But amidst the disappointment, there was a glimmer of hope—a silver lining that Browns fans could cling to.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, facing his former team for the first time, delivered a career-best performance with 235 receiving yards on nine catches. His teammate and fellow wideout Elijah Moore also had a standout game, racking up 111 receiving yards—his highest total in over three years. For the two South Florida natives and longtime friends, it was a night that felt like a dream realized, even if the team’s season has been anything but.
The Monday night game at Empower Field showcased the kind of chemistry and talent that Browns fans have been yearning for. And while the team’s 2024 campaign has been riddled with struggles, the connection between Jeudy and Moore has been a rare bright spot.
South Florida’s Wide Receiver Factory
Over the past two months, Jeudy has been one of the NFL’s most productive receivers. The Deerfield Beach native, who was the No. 15 pick in the 2020 draft, now ranks fifth in receiving yards (1,052) and just recorded his first 1,000-yard season during a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Meanwhile, Moore, hailing from Fort Lauderdale, has amassed 480 receiving yards this season, ranking second on the team. He’s also on pace to set a career high in receptions.
What makes these two receivers so special? According to them and other South Florida natives, it’s all about the route-running culture they grew up in. The competitive environment of South Florida, combined with the influence of local legends like former Cincinnati Bengals star Chad Johnson, has created a blueprint for greatness.
“It’s that flair down there. I guess South Florida has got the blueprint to great receivers,” said Pat Surtain II, a Denver Broncos All-Pro cornerback and fellow South Floridian. “Everything is precise—the routes, the speed, the hands.”
Moore echoed that sentiment, saying, “We’re all different in our own way, but we’re going to route some s— up.”
South Florida’s NFL Pipeline
South Florida, which includes Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, has long been synonymous with NFL talent. In Week 1 of this season, players from the area were the most represented in the league. Seventeen players from Miami high schools were on active rosters, leading the NFL, while another 12 players hailed from nearby Plantation in Broward County.
The Browns, however, stand out even in this talent-rich context. When rosters were trimmed to 53 players in late August, Cleveland was the only team with more than one wide receiver from South Florida. They started the season with three—Jeudy, Moore, and Amari Cooper—before trading Cooper to the Buffalo Bills in October.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen that,” said Moore. “Since I was in college, I’ve never been in a room [where] the guys that we brought in are all from Florida and, at that, almost the same part. I think it’s exciting. We get to learn from each other.”
Route-Running: A South Florida Specialty
Jeudy and Moore’s success can be traced back to their roots. Growing up just 30 minutes apart, the two were teammates on the Florida Fire 7-on-7 squad and even faced off in high school. Their route-running skills were honed on the streets and parks of South Florida, where impromptu games of “throw-up tackle” or “kill a man with the football” helped develop their elusiveness and creativity.
“South Florida, if I’m being honest with you, is just a whole different mecca,” said Surtain. “The competitive atmosphere—you’ve got grown adults talking about how they bet on youth football games. It’s a different type of competitive structure down there, and I think one of the positions where you see that a lot is at receiver.”
Jeudy credits his footwork to early ladder drills, while Moore attended weekly football camps focused on skill training. Both players also studied NFL greats from their area, with Jeudy idolizing Chad Johnson and Moore looking up to Antonio Brown.
The Browns’ Future
Despite a disappointing season that has seen the Browns register their 18th 10-loss campaign since 1999, the emergence of Jeudy and Moore offers a glimmer of hope. With quarterback Jameis Winston stepping in for the injured Deshaun Watson, the duo’s route-running prowess has been on full display, particularly in option and choice routes.
“Ultimately, especially at that position, the skill positions on offense, you want guys that can get open,” said Glenn Cook, the Browns’ assistant general manager and VP of player personnel. “I think ultimately those guys are pretty talented route runners and understand how to get open in different ways from different positions.”
As the Browns look ahead to 2025, the development of Jeudy and Moore could be a cornerstone for the franchise. Whether it’s Winston, Watson, or another quarterback under center, these South Florida standouts are poised to be key pieces of Cleveland’s offense.
“We’re all kind of cut from the same cloth,” Cooper said earlier this year. “We’re all South Florida guys. We’re all really good route runners. We all have been playing football since a very young age, have been running routes from a very young age. So, you kind of have a natural feel for the position.”
Originally Written by: Jake Trotter
