MIAMI – At this time, you might have not heard much of Ricky Gary Jr. – if at all.
But after how the Pahokee 2026 defensive back performed at the FIU Mega Camp that occurred this past weekend (June 8), the unknown status will change for good.
The 5-foot-8, 155-pound defender has eight pass breakups against his competition in this all-important camp performance.
Why does it matter so much?
Reason: There were 25 colleges on hand at FIU Stadium in Miami to evaluate the scores of high school football players in attendance, including him.
Watch a set of clips below to see for yourself, as video proof means everything these days.
Filming the action was Pahokee 2020 alum Tamarick Best, a former Blue Devils standout defender in his heyday who is now an FIU staple.
Best has created a company entitled Muck Boy Edits, a Muck-based organization that highlights Muck players and teams through primarily graphics.
“The experience was fun,” Gary Jr. said. “The way I competed and played was also good, but not great. I still have much work to put in. And seeing Muckboyedits out, I knew it was my time to get my name out, knowing that he helps kids coming from my area.”
Gary Jr. wants to show improvements from how his sophomore season went with the Pahokee Blue Devils, as he posted the following statistics in eight games played:
•21 tackles
•2 tackles for loss
•1 pass breakup
Best individual game: Week 8 against Benjamin in 35-0 loss with 5 tackles and 1 tackle for loss
“My sophomore season had a lot of difficulties, having to deal with my pulled groin and trying to make a name for myself at the same time,” Gary Jr. said. “I loved the work we put in to win. All the outside work we put in with the coaches in the summer, and by ourselves as teammates, it paid off. But we could have been better leaders and held each other more accountable.”
The spring football circuit was beneficial to Gary Jr. as more on-field experience came with it.
In Pahokee’s spring football game on May 16 against Martin County – a 17-8 road loss – Gary Jr. recorded three tackles.
“The experience from spring practice was way different from the previous years,” Gary Jr. said. “The coaches challenged us mentally and physically, but mostly mentally. They put us in tough real game situations. The spring game was easy, but not mentally. I really had to learn to keep my cool and things like that. I also realized I have to get back to game speed because I’ve been injured for so long.”
Gary Jr. is now looking to use the spring game and FIU Mega Camp experiences as fuel to make continuous improvements throughout the summer offseason.
“This summer is going to be a movie,” Gary Jr. said. “I’m going to get quicker and faster with sound technique by making more plays.”
Gary Jr. shared his aspirations for his upcoming junior season with the Blue Devils.
“My individual goals for this season are to get three picks, more pass breakups and about three committable offers,” Gary Jr. said. “My goals for my team are to be better leaders by us put more points on the board on offense and our defense coming up with points and turnovers. And of course, we want the state ring.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF: Ricky Gary Sr.
VIDEO CREDITS: Tamarick Best and Ricky Gary Sr.
Muck City Media Enterprises 
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