Vote now: Who is the Top Returning Player in the Sarasota County, Florida for the 2023 season?

Let’s take a closer look at some of the best-returning players in high school football for the 2023 season out of Sarasota County (Florida).

Our list includes some of the best in the region and players who proved to be invaluable to their teams last season in making key passes, catches, runs, tackles and sacks at the end of the game, being clutch on offense or helping lead the defense as the top player in the county.

Plenty of worthy names are on this list, so be sure to vote in our poll for who you think will be the top returning player for the upcoming season. Voting will close on August 31st, just in time for the start of the regular season.

Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. This poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player that may not be mentioned in our poll.

Charles Lester III, ATH, Venice: One of the most highly recruited and coveted prospects when it comes to the South Suncoast as a whole is Lester III, who will make his college decision at the end of the month. Every major Power 5 school wants his services on defense, but he's not too shabby on offense as well. Lester III caught 34 passes for 354 yards and four scores on offense.

Jamarice Wilder, RB, Venice: As a sophomore tailback for Venice, Wilder showed he will be the next in line of great running backs to come through ‘The Island’. In 2022, Wilder rushed for 898 yards and scored a team-high 12 touchdowns for the Class 4S runner-ups.

Alvin Johnson III, RB, Venice: Johnson paired up with Wilder to form a strong duo. The leading rusher for the Indians a year ago was dynamic in helping Venice reach the Class 4S state championship game. Johnson III rushed for 951 yards and scored 11 touchdowns in 2022.

Ryan Mateluvich, WR, Venice: Matulevich becomes the top leading yard getter for the Indians from a season ago. As the team's No. 2 receiver for the Class 4S runner-ups, the crisp route running junior caught 50 passes for 673 yards and five touchdowns.

Deylen Platt, DB, Venice: The 3-star rated cornerback, according to 247Sports, has Illinois and Ole Miss as his favorites currently. Platt saw plenty of time at cornerback last season, racking up 38 tackles and an interception.

Eli Seed, LB, Venice: Seed is a can’t miss Power Five talent when it comes to linebackers along the South Suncoast. Last season the outside linebacker totaled 127 tackles, three for loss, three interceptions and two fumbles forced.

Griffin Gisotti, WR, Venice: Gisotti transferred in from Cardinal Mooney over the offseason and brings another solid route runner to the offense. In 2022, Gisotti caught 18 passes for 107 yards and also threw for 292 and rushed for 362.

Matthew Peavley, OL, Venice: Arguably the Indians’ top lineman from last year’s Class 4S state runner-up team, Peavley helped pave the way for over 2,300 yards on the ground. He returns as the leader of Venice’s stout offensive line unit.

Joe Ziegler, RB, Sarasota: It was a two-headed monster in the backfield with Judge for the Sailors last fall and it will be that way once again for new head coach Josh Phillips. Zeigler rushed for 750 yards and scored five touchdowns.

DJ Johnson, RB, Sarasota Riverview: The Rams’ leading rusher from a year ago returns to the backfield aiming to break the 1,000-yard plateau this time around. Last fall, Johnson tallied 661 yards and found the endzone eight times.

Jaden Key, TE/DL, Sarasota Riverview: Key is a two-way threat for the Rams and stands 6-foot-4, 240 pounds. Expect the junior to be a force this 2023 season for Sarasota Riverview.

Ahmad Hunter, RB, Sarasota Booker: Hunter was lightning in a bottle for Booker last season. For the Tornadoes last fall, the junior was electric coming out of the backfield, rushing for 1,212 yards on 229 carries and scored 12 touchdowns.

Josiah Booker, ATH, Sarasota Booker: Booker playing at Booker. His stock is one that's really started to take off in Sarasota County. Booker showed off his stuff last season. The all-around athlete hauled in 58 passes for 957 yards and scored nine touchdowns.

Alexander Diaz, QB, Sarasota Booker: Diaz was at Sarasota last season, but transferred just before the Sailors' region semifinal playoff game and headed to Sarasota Booker. Last season for Sarasota, Diaz threw for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns.

George Leibold, LB, Cardinal Mooney: When it comes to linebackers on the South Suncoast, Leibold was one of the top tacklers around. Leibold totaled 117 tackles, eight for loss, two sacks and five interceptions.

Carson Beach, RB, Cardinal Mooney: The junior tailback powered the Cardinal Mooney offense last fall behind his tough running between the tackles. Beach rushed for 952 yards and punched in eight touchdowns for the Cougars in 2022.

Teddy Foster, DB, Cardinal Mooney: Just recently deciding on the University of Florida as his home after high school, this talent is a two-way threat as Foster also sees time on the defensive side of the ball as well. Foster last season caught 17 passes for 242 yards and three scores.

Zymarrion Lang, WR, Cardinal Mooney: Division I programs have really started to line up at the doorsteps at Palmetto to check out Lang. He's got a slew of suitors and last season proved to be impressive as caught 28 passes for 470 yards and five scores. Lang transferred in from Palmetto this offseason.

Isaac Smith, RB, North Port: Smith had a strong showing in the Bobcats’ spring game and scored three touchdowns. The North Port back should be able to easily surpass the 147 yards rushing from a year ago.

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