While we have been looking at some of the top names returning for the 2022 Florida high school football season over the last couple of weeks, what about some of the top names from a year ago who have since moved on to the next level? Here are a few Florida high school stars from the 2022 class who are set to shine this upcoming season, their first at the collegiate level.
Shemar Stewart – Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M’s top-ranked 2022 recruiting class, which has been talked about at length recently, includes four five-star recruits along the defensive line alone. Included in that group are two former Florida high school stars in Lakeland’s Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy and Monsignor Pace’s Shemar Stewart, both of whom could see significant roles as freshmen.
Kamari Wilson – Florida Gators
One of the nation’s top safeties out of IMG Academy a year ago, Wilson has the potential to step in as a significant piece in the Gators secondary this season. A former four-star prospect, Wilson may potentially not start initially – the Gators are deep at the safety position – but could easily emerge into a bigger role as the season progresses.
Sam McCall – Florida State Seminoles
The Seminoles did a nice job in recruiting Florida high school stars. One was McCall, a Lake Gibson standout who was Florida State’s highest-ranked recruit in the 2022 class and could very well see a starting role in the Seminoles’ secondary at some point this season. The same could also be said for former Niceville star Azareye’h Thomas, one of Florida high school football’s top overall athletes a year ago.
Marvin Jones Jr – Georgia Bulldogs
One of the top edge rushers in the 2022 class, the five-star American Heritage product could very easily make an impact with the defending national champions as a freshman. Yes, even in what will be a deep Georgia front seven once again, Jones just might force his way onto the field on the strength of pure talent alone.
Daylen Everette – Georgia Bulldogs
Speaking of the Bulldogs, the top two cornerbacks in Florida last season – IMG Academy’s Daylen Everette and Riverside’s Jaheim Singletary – signed with Georgia. Both could potentially play key roles for the defending national champions this season, with Everette in particular a name to watch for.
Jacolby Spells – West Virginia Mountaineers
Part of a talented American Heritage secondary a year ago, Spells now heads to West Virginia where the former four-star could be a key piece of the Mountaineers defense from day one. He’s one of the top incoming freshman DBs in the Big 12, so don’t be surprised if he has a massive 2022 season at West Virginia.
Keon Sabb – Michigan Wolverines
If we’re talking top defensive backs from Florida this past season, it’s hard to have that conversation and not mention Sabb. The IMG Academy standout is set to take the field for defending Big Ten champion Michigan; he could play a key role in a Wolverines secondary tasked with replacing a few names.
Terrance Gibbs – Georgia Southern Eagles
One of Florida’s top running back recruits a year ago, Gibbs is set to suit up this fall at Georgia Southern as a likely instant-impact freshman. There is a notable amount of excitement in Statesboro surrounding the former Winter Park star, as Gibbs is one of the highest-rated recruits in GSU program history.
Nyjalik Kelly – Miami Hurricanes
The former Dillard defensive lineman is one of multiple former Florida high school stars set to take the field this fall for Miami, a group that also includes former IMG Academy tight end Jaleel Skinner. Kelly in particular could play a significant role along the Hurricanes defensive front as one of the ACC’s top freshman defensive linemen.
Kaytron Allen – Penn State Nittany Lions
While he will likely not begin the season as the starter, Allen could very easily play a significant role at running back for Penn State this season. A former four-star prospect out of IMG Academy, Allen is one of the top freshman at the position in the Big Ten, and makes up one-half of Penn State’s elite freshman running back duo alongside five-star Nick Singleton.
Amari Niblack – Alabama Crimson Tide
One of the nation’s top overall athletes in the 2022 class, Niblack is set to take the field this fall for defending SEC champion Alabama. The former Lakewood standout is likely to play tight end with the Crimson Tide, for whom he will be among the team’s top pass catchers at the position from day one.
