Ransom Everglades junior linebacker Albert Uster won the Miami Herald's High School Athlete of the Week award for Week 1 of the 2026-27 school year after an open reader vote.

Uster, a 6-foot-7 outside linebacker and middle linebacker who wears No. 67, earned the honor following back-to-back dominant defensive performances to open the Raiders' season.

In the season opener, a 13-7 home win over Somerset Silver Palms, Uster recorded five tackles, two solo, with two tackles for loss and a sack. He followed that up in Week 2 against Gulliver Prep with six tackles, three solo, four tackles for loss and two sacks in a 20-7 victory.

Over those two games, the Coconut Grove school's defense held opponents to a combined 14 points while Uster piled up 11 tackles, six tackles for loss and three sacks.

The Herald announced the winner Friday, Sept. 4, after the reader poll closed Thursday night. Uster beat out seven other nominees, including Columbus golfers Eduardo Marin and Jake Williams, Belen Jesuit cross-country runner Armando Cruz, Doral Academy volleyball player Aaliyah Peterson and Westminster Christian football player Anthony Vera.

The Raiders' offense has matched the defensive effort. Quarterback Alfonso Llanes completed 24 of 37 passes for 294 yards across the two wins. Running back Noah Alce carried 39 times for 197 yards and a touchdown, topping 100 yards in the Gulliver Prep game with 21 carries for 105 yards. Receiver Colton Smith added six catches for 89 yards in the Week 2 win.

Ransom Everglades sits at 2-0 heading into a Week 3 home matchup against Doral, according to the Herald's weekly preview. Kickoff is set for Friday at 7 p.m.