Florida is home to the some of the nation’s top players in both the 2023 and 2024 classes, especially at the the cornerback position. Who are some of the top Florida high school cornerbacks returning for the 2022 season, as well as some others to watch for?
1. Cormani McClain (Lakeland)
Arguably Florida high school football’s top player entering the 2022 season, five-star prospect Cormani McClain is considered a top-five player nationally, as well the state’s No. 1 player in the 2023 class. A two-way player at Lake Gibson each of the past two seasons who collected a combined 19 interceptions during that span, McClain transferred to Lakeland during the offseason.
2. Desmond Ricks (IMG Academy)
While McClain is a top-five player in the 2023 class, the same can be said for Desmond Ricks in the 2024 class. You could also argue that Ricks is the top rising junior in the country. The five-star prospect will be a focal point of an IMG Academy secondary that is one of the best in the state.
3. Ellis Robinson IV (IMG Academy)
Yes, the Ascenders will have two of the state’s top three cornerbacks in their secondary this season, with the second of those two being Ellis Robinson IV. A five-star prospect and top-10 national player in the 2024 class, Robinson transferred to IMG Academy in the offseason from Iona Prep in New York, where he collected 45 tackles and eight interceptions a year ago as a sophomore.
4. Makari Vickers (Munroe)
A four-star prospect in the 2023 class, Makari Vickers transferred from John Paul II Catholic to Munroe during the offseason. The senior could make a significant impact for the Bobcats in 2022. Vickers is coming off a junior season that included 69 tackles and eight PBUs.
5. Charles Lester III (Riverview-Sarasota)
Alongside Ricks and Robinson, Florida high school football also has another five-star cornerback in the 2024 class in Lester. The rising junior saw time on both sides of the ball for Riverview-Sarasota a year ago as one of the Rams’ top receivers and defensive backs.
6. Dijon Johnson (Wharton)
You could say that Class of 2023, four-star prospect Dijon Johnson is one of the fastest rising defensive backs in the state. The Ohio State commit returns for Wharton in 2022 coming off a junior campaign in which he collected six interceptions.
7. Jordon Johnson-Rubell (IMG Academy)
IMG Academy’s third player on this list from a deep Ascenders secondary, Jordon Johnson-Rubell could honestly be put on the list of top-10 safeties in Florida as well. A versatile defensive back, the four-star prospect in the 2024 class transferred to IMG Academy from Brewer High School in Texas during the offseason. He totaled 60 tackles and six PBUs as a sophomore at Brewer.
8. Daniel Harris (Gulliver Prep)
A four-star prospect, Daniel Harris returns for his senior season as one of the leaders of the Gulliver Prep defense. Starting for the Raiders a year ago, Harris collected a total of 37 tackles while also picking off a pass.
9. Robert Stafford (Eau Gallie)
Also a wide receiver, Robert Stafford can easily be called one of the fastest-rising 2023 cornerbacks in the state. The four-star prospect collected a total of 17 tackles on the defensive side of the ball last season, as well as five PBUs.
10. Sharif Denson (Bartram Trail)
With multiple names to choose from here, the top 10 concludes with Sharif Denson. A four-star prospect from Bartram Trail in the 2023 class, Denson is coming off a junior season that included 34 tackles and an interception.
Honorable Mention:
Eugene Wilson III (Gaither), Ja’Keem Jackson (Osceola), Damari Brown (American Heritage), Braeden Marshall (Lake Mary), Luke Evans (Chaminade-Madonna), Jamari Howard (Miami Northwestern), Donovan Philord (Champagnat Catholic), Antonio Robinson (Florida Christian), Jason Duclona (Estero), Rayquan Adkins (Dade Christian)
