Top 10 Florida HS football players in Class of 2023
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (BVM) — With Florida being known for producing college football players, this year’s crop is as good as any. According to 247Sports, Florida is home to eight five-star high school football players in the Class of 2023.
Here is how the top 10 seniors in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) stack up against each other:
10. Jalen Brown, WR, Gulliver Prep
Standing at 6-foot-1, 170 pounds, Brown is a star for Gulliver Prep on the football field and the track. The LSU recruit was a regional champion in the 100-meter dash his sophomore year. To no surprise, his speed translates to the gridiron, making him one of the most dangerous playmakers in the state of Florida. He had 56 receptions, 1,033 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior and looks to build off of that this season.
Gulliver Prep (FL) 4-star WR Jalen Brown is heading to LSU. pic.twitter.com/UR63enGUwg
— Michael Yero (@MichaelYero) July 8, 2022
9. Jordan Hall, DL, Westside
“Big Baby” Jordan Hall is a player that high school offensive lineman do not want to go up against. Standing at 6-foot-4, 300 pounds, he is a disruptor on every play. As a junior last season for Westside, he totaled 34 tackles along with five sacks. The Jacksonville native holds 27 Power 5 offers.
😤😤 I’m coming soo different this year pic.twitter.com/6A16JLI5Wj
— Jordan “BigBaby” Hall (@bigjay77) May 21, 2022
8. Cedric Baxter, RB, Edgewater
Before his junior season, Baxter was primarily a receiver on the offensive side of the ball. But when he made the switch to running back, he exploded. Baxter had 1,718 total yards and 26 rushing touchdowns last year leading Edgewater to a 10-2 record. Now, Baxter is a consensus top–five running back in the country.
film don’t lie… pic.twitter.com/4PQEnnHtYR
— Cedric “C4” Baxter Jr (@c4era_) July 19, 2022
7. Jayden Wayne, Edge, IMG Academy
Wayne is the first of many IMG Academy players to check in on the list. The 6-foot-5, 245–pound edge rusher is arguably the most explosive player on the most talented team in the country. He finished last season with 44 tackles and nine sacks. Following his high school career, Wayne will be heading to the University of Miami.
#BREAKING: Another 5⭐️ to The U!
5⭐️ EDGE Jayden Wayne just committed to Mario Cristobal and @CanesFootball 🙌
Miami continues its hot streak on the recruiting trail! pic.twitter.com/S3J0qrmrsP
— 247Sports (@247Sports) July 9, 2022
6. Keon Keeley, Edge, Berkeley Prep
The Notre Dame pledge had a great year as a junior, tallying 65 tackles, 35 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks. Keeley is one of the most towering players in the state, standing at 6-foot-6, 242 pounds. The talented Berkeley Prep edge rusher has all the makings of not only being an NFL player but a difference maker at that level.
The no. 5 player in the country in the 2023 On300.
Notre Dame commit @keon_keeley just made a big-time play. pic.twitter.com/ePbCeaZKRu
— ChadSimmons (@ChadSimmons_) October 23, 2021
5. Carnell Tate, WR, IMG Academy
The Chicago native is heading into his second and final season at IMG Academy this year. While he is not the fastest wide receiver, he makes up for that with elite ball skills. Any ball in the vicinity of Tate will likely be taught. This is what made him so intriguing to Brian Hartline and the rest of the Ohio State coaching staff. Tate committed to the Buckeyes on June 20.
This one for the city🥂 pic.twitter.com/NUU22zp1sc
— Carnell Tate (@carnelltate_) June 20, 2022
4. Samuel M’Pemba, Edge, IMG Academy
M’Pemba has played some wide receiver for IMG Academy, but it would be surprising if his future is not in some type of defensive role. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound St. Louis native has all of the tools to be a pass rusher or possibly a linebacker at the next level. IMG Academy is expected to prioritize him on defense this year, so it may be more clear after the season where his long-term fit may be.
#ESPN300 ‘23 Athlete / LB Samuel M’Pemba w/ a nice run thru the L-Drill @ IMG Pro Day @TheUCReport @DemetricDWarren @SMPEMBA5 @UANextFootball pic.twitter.com/09UJ8ouivi
— Craig Haubert (@CraigHaubert) February 18, 2022
3. Brandon Inniss, WR, American Heritage
Inniss played the role of emergency quarterback last season and held his own. He had 1,253 total yards and 11 touchdowns, leading American Heritage to the second round of the playoffs. But his future is obviously at the receiver position. The 6-foot, 190-pound Ohio State recruit is very polished already for his age and will look to play early on during his time in Columbus.
Brandon Inniss calls a corner out and then does this at Pylon Orlando. https://t.co/ivdkDhN1li pic.twitter.com/3k2oUEtbUr
— Andrew Ivins (@Andrew_Ivins) January 30, 2022
2. Francis Mauigoa, OT, IMG Academy
Standing at 6-foot-5, 330 pounds, Mauigoa has been one of the biggest risers of this year’s class. Currently ranked as the No. 6 player in the country by 247Sports, Mauigoa looks to be the anchor of one of the best offensive lines in the nation. He committed to the University of Miami on July 4.
#BREAKING: The No. 1 OT in the country — 5⭐️ Francis Mauigoa — has committed to Mario Cristobal and @CanesFootball 🙌
“It’s all about The U.” –@FrancisMauigoa @247Canes pic.twitter.com/Eys06JDCFX
— 247Sports (@247Sports) July 4, 2022
1. Cormani McClain, CB, Lakeland
Currently ranked No. 3 in the country by 247Sports, McClain can very well see himself in that top spot by year’s end. In his sophomore year, McClain broke the school record for interceptions in a season with nine. In his junior year, he did it again with 10. Can he do it again as a senior at Lakeland? Regardless, McClain has set himself as one of the most sought-after recruits in the entire country.
Best cover corner I’ve seen. Sauce, Stingley, Cormani McClain. First round pick. pic.twitter.com/95TZr66Gcv
— PolkWay (@polk_way) July 17, 2022
