A few weeks ago, we ranked the Top 10 Florida high school quarterbacks in 2023. With that thought still in mind, let’s take a step further this week and look at every position. Here are our picks of the top high school football players in Florida.
QB Cedrick Bailey (Chaminade-Madonna)
Bailey, a three-star prospect, was No. 1 on the aforementioned list of top Florida quarterbacks, and he holds that same billing on this list of top Florida high school football players. The rising senior led Chaminade-Madonna to the Class 1M state title last season, completing 70.2% of his passes for 3,355 yards and a 45:5 TD:INT ratio, while also rushing for 215 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 24 attempts. Other top names: Jayden Bradford (IMG Academy), Colin Hurley (Trinity Christian)
RB Jerrick Gibson (IMG Academy)
Not only is Gibson, a five-star prospect at IMG Academy, Florida’s top running back entering the 2023 season, but the rising senior might also be the top player at the position nationally in the 2024 class. In nine games last fall, Gibson rushed for 608 yards and 8 touchdowns on 83 attempts. Other top names: Stacy Gage (St. Thomas Aquinas), Jason Patterson (Sneads)
WR Jeremiah Smith (Chaminade-Madonna)
Florida high school football also will have the nation’s No. 1 receiver in Smith, a five-star prospect and top-5 national player at Chaminade-Madonna. Smith, an Ohio State commit, had a memorable junior campaign with the Class 1M state champion Lions last fall, totaling 1,073 yards and 20 touchdowns on 58 receptions. Other top names: Joshisa Trader (Chaminade-Madonna), James Randle (Mainland)
OL Jimothy Lewis (IMG Academy)
While there are multiple names to choose from here, the pick for best offensive lineman among the top Florida high school football players goes to Lewis. The rising senior at IMG Academy is rated as a four-star prospect and holds offers from upwards of 20 collegiate programs. Other top names: Eddy Pierre-Louis (Tampa Catholic), Jonathan Daniels (Pine Forest)
DL David Stone (IMG Academy)
Yet another key IMG Academy product returning is Stone, a five-star and top-10 prospect nationally who just might be the top defensive lineman in the 2024 class. Stone also recently was among our top eight players nationally set to return next season, and he should make a major impact for one of Florida’s top teams in 2023. Other top names: Booker Pickett Jr. (Wharton), Armondo Blount (Miami Central)
LB TJ Capers (Miami Columbus)
Capers, the state’s top linebacker, will return as the biggest name for defending Class 4M state champion Miami Columbus. A five-star Louisville commit, Capers compiled 40 tackles and 5 sacks last season, and he will be one of Florida high school football’s most versatile defensive playmakers next fall. Other top names: Adarius Hayes (Largo), Rodney Hill (Flagler Palm Coast)
S Jaylen Heyward (Rockledge)
Florida has a few of the nation’s top safeties coming back, with Howard the biggest name of that group. A four-star Georgia commit, the Rockledge junior compiled 44 tackles and a pair of interceptions in 2022. Other top names: Zaquan Patterson (Chaminade-Madonna), Jordan Pride (Blountstown)
CB Ellis Robinson IV (IMG Academy)
It’s a familiar pattern: another Florida player ranked No. 1 nationally at his position. Robinson, a five-star prospect at IMG Academy, is the nation’s top cornerback returning in 2023 and the best corner on this list of top Florida high school football players. The Georgia commit started a year ago as a junior after transferring to the Ascenders from out of state. Other top names: Charles Lester III (Riverview Sarasota), Jamari Howard (Westland Hialeah)
K Jake Weinburg (American Heritage-Delray Beach)
The state’s top returning kicker is Weinburg, a rising senior at American Heritage-Delray Beach. Weinburg is arguably the No. 1 kicker in the 2024 class and is committed to Florida State. Other top names: Liam Padron (Bartram Trail), Nico Gramatica (Cambridge Christian)
