High School

Vote now: Who is the top performing Florida underclassman high school football player?

We’ve plucked out 10 underclassmen high school football players in Florida that have stood out this season.

Andy Villamarzo

Vote now: Who is the top performing Florida underclassman high school football player?
Vote now: Who is the top performing Florida underclassman high school football player? /

We are just past the mid-point part of the high school football season here in the Sunshine State and there’s no shortage of underclassmen performing at a high level. It’s no surprise that freshmen and sophomores are showing out in Florida as that’s been the case in the past many times over. This list of underclassmen features some of the top performers we’ve seen or have been on the rise in Florida. Take a look at our list and vote for who you feel has been the top performing underclassmen in Florida.

Zephyrhills’ safety/wide receiver DJ Pickett is one of the top players in the country.  / Photo courtesy of Dave Walters

Class of 2025 and 2026 top performers

ATH, DJ Pickett, Zephyrhills, sophomore: In the Class of 2025, Pickett is ranked as the top safety amongst sophomores in the country per multiple recruiting services. Pickett is playing wide receiver and safety, racking up 10 catches, 151 yards and two scores along with 12 tackles and two picks.

WR, Malachi Toney, Plantation American Heritage, freshman: Everyone has been talking about this phenomenal freshman and rightfully so. He’s been the Robin to Brandon Inniss’ Batman on the Patriots’ wide receiving corps. Toney has caught 15 passes for 270 yards and six scores.

DL, Armondo Blount, Dillard, sophomore: A terror for offensive linemen, Blount has undoubtedly been the top underclassman defensive lineman in the state of Florida. Heck, for being a sophomore, he could be tops regardless of class. 

WR, Winston Watkins, IMG Academy, sophomore: The super sophomore has been stellar for the Ascenders on a loaded wide receiving group. If his offers tell you anything, Watkins is a wanted receiver as he’s already a Texas A&M commit and has offers from Alabama, Miami, Ohio State and Penn State.

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QB, Colin Hurley, Trinity Christian Academy, sophomore: The two-time state champion quarterback has already his fair share of Division I offers and they continue to roll in. Hurley has the Conquerors undefeated at 5-0 and throw for 851 yards and 11 touchdowns versus just two picks.

WR, Jaime Ffrench, Mandarin, sophomore: One of Jacksonville’s top performing wide receivers, Ffrench has been an menace to opposing secondaries every Friday night. Through five games, the sophomore has racked up 26 catches for 385 yards and four touchdowns.

WR, Naeem Burroughs, Bolles, freshman: The Bulldogs receiver was somewhat of an unknown going into the 2022 season and now is a known commodity in the 904. Burroughs has caught 14 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns.

QB, Will Griffin, Jesuit, freshman: Griffin may not have a bunch of starts under his belt at Jesuit, but make no mistake about it that he’s no stranger to starting. He’s already got plenty of Division I looks and threw for over 2,400 yards last year as an 8th grader at Northside Christian.

DB, Chris Ewald, Chaminade-Madonna, sophomore: There’s a no fly zone when you throw in the way of Ewald. The super sophomore has deflected seven passes, picked off two and made seven tackles for the 5-0 Lions. He’s also got offers from Florida, Florida State and Georgia.

QB, Sabby Meassick, Tohopekaliga, freshman: Production wise, Meassick would be the most impressive one in this group of underclassmen. Though Meassick doesn’t own a boatload of offers, he’s produced his freshman season. The signal caller has thrown for 1,431 yards and 24 touchdowns and just one interception.

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Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo. 

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Andy Villamarzo

ANDY VILLAMARZO

Andy Villamarzo has been a sports writer in the Tampa Bay (FL) Area since 2007, writing for publications such as Tampa Bay Times, The Tampa Tribune, The Suncoast News, Tampa Beacon, Hernando Sun to name a few. Andy resides out of the Tarpon Springs, FL area and started as a writer with SB Live Sports in the summer of 2022 covering the Tampa Bay Area. He has quickly become one of Florida's foremost authorities on high school sports, appearing frequently on podcasts, radio programs and digital broadcasts as an expert on team rankings, recruiting and much more.

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