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2025 USA Today Top 100: Who are the top rising senior football recruits in Florida?

Jacksonville Florida Times-Union

We're little more than five months from the early signing period.

Some of the state's top players have announced their college commitments in the past month, including West Orange defensive back Ivan Taylor (flipping to Michigan from Notre Dame), IMG wide receiver Donovan Olugbode (Missouri), Homestead wide receiver Cortez Mills (Oklahoma) and Robinson edge rusher LaJesse Harrold (LSU).

Many other players still are going through the recruiting process. That includes Zephyrhills standout defensive back D.J. Pickett, the top-ranked player on the 2025 USA Today Florida Network top 100. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Pickett is a five-star recruit who caught 35 passes for 1,033 yards and 15 touchdowns and recorded 31 tackles and an interception in 2023.

"His length is one in a million," Zephyrhills coach Nick Carroll said of Pickett. "His hips and his footwork and his ability to transition is remarkable, which separates him from other guys. His ability to locate and track the ball is incredible. Sometimes you have DBs that don't have the best ball skills, which is why they play DB. But DJ is a different guy. And then he has the speed to go with his length. And he's physical."

The top three on the USA Today top 100 — Pickett, Raines offensive lineman Solomon Thomas and Tampa Bay Tech wide receiver Dallas Wilson — remain unchanged from the spring.

Mandarin wide receiver Jaime Ffrench moves up to the No. 4 spot and Cocoa edge rusher Javion Hilson rounds out the top five.

The lone newcomer to the top 10 is Jones wide receiver Vernell Brown III (No. 8).

Florida State has commitments from two of the top five players on the list — Thomas and Hilson — and four of the top 39 players overall.

After a strong close to June and a good start in July, Miami has commitments from seven of the top 50, led by Mandarin safety Hylton Stubbs.

Here are the top 100 players on updated top 100.

No. 1-10

Raines Vikings Solomon Thomas (65) protects his quarterback from Andrew Jackson Tigers King Massey (55) during The Raines High School Vikings traveled to the Andrew Jackson Tigers home field for their football matchup Thursday, October 26, 2023. The Vikings led 28 to 10 at the end of the half and came away with a 40 to 8 victory.

1. D.J. Pickett (Zephyrhills DB)

6-foot-3, 180 pounds

Verbal commitment: LSU

2. Solomon Thomas (Raines IOL)

6-foot-4, 315 pounds

Verbal commitment: Florida State

3. Dallas Wilson (Tampa Bay Tech WR)

6-foot-3, 180 pounds

Verbal commitment: Oregon

4. Jaime Ffrench (Mandarin WR)

6-foot-1, 185 pounds

Offers include Alabama, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Ohio State, Texas

5. Javion Hilson (Cocoa EDGE)

6-foot-4, 225 pounds

Verbal commitment: Florida State

6. Hylton Stubbs (Mandarin S)

6-foot-2, 175 pounds

Verbal commitment: Miami

7. Ivan Taylor (West Orange DB)

5-foot-11, 163 pounds

Verbal commitment: Michigan

8. Vernell Brown III (Jones WR)

5-foot-11, 165 pounds

Verbal commitment: Florida

9. Tarvos Alford (Vero Beach LB)

6-foot-2, 210 pounds

Verbal commitment: Ohio State

10. Ty Jackson (Seminole Ridge LB)

6-foot-2, 205 pounds

Top 10: Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Oklahoma, Penn State, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas A&M

No. 11-20

11. Jalen Wiggins (Rickards DL)

6-foot-4, 245 pounds

Verbal commitment: Florida

12. Graceson Littleton (Wiregrass Ranch CB)

6-foot, 180 pounds

Verbal commitment: Clemson

13. Dallas Golden (Berkeley Prep DB)

6-foot, 175 pounds

Verbal commitment: Notre Dame

14. Donovan Olugbode (IMG WR)

6-foot-1, 200 pounds

Verbal commitment: Missouri

15. Ziyare Addison (Carrollwood Day OT)

6-foot-5, 290 pounds

Verbal commitment: Oregon

16. Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng (IMG LB)

6-foot-1, 205 pounds

Offers include Florida, Miami, Notre Dame, South Carolina, Stanford

17. Cortez Mills (Homestead WR)

6-foot-1, 170 pounds

Verbal commitment: Oklahoma

18. LaJesse Harrold (Robinson EDGE)

6-foot-5, 230 pounds

Verbal commitment: LSU

19. Ladarian Clardy (Escambia S)

6-foot, 175 pounds

Top 10: Colorado, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, UCF, Washington

20. Ben Hanks Jr. (Booker T. Washington CB)

6-foot-1, 170 pounds

Top 10: Florida, FAU, Florida State, Georgia, Louisville, Miami, Nebraska, Syracuse, UCF, USC

No. 21-30

Jayvan Boggs of Cocoa Tigers catches a pass in the FHSAA football Class 2S state semifinal game against Booker Friday, December 1, 2023. Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK

21. London Merritt (IMG EDGE)

6-foot-2, 255 pounds

Verbal commitment: Ohio State

22. Max Buchanan (Seminole IOL)

6-foot-4, 275 pounds

Verbal commitment: Miami

23. Jayvan Boggs (Cocoa WR)

6-foot, 200 pounds

Verbal commitment: Missouri

24. Chris Ewald (Chaminade-Madonna CB)

6-foot, 160 pounds

Verbal commitment: Miami

25. Byron Louis (American Heritage RB)

5-foot-11, 200 pounds

Offers include Florida State, Miami, Ohio State, Tennessee, USC

26. Girard Pringle (Armwood RB)

5-foot-10, 185 pounds

Verbal commitment: Miami

27. Gavin Nix (IMG LB)

6-foot, 225 pounds

Verbal commitment: Miami

28. Taevion Swint (Osceola RB)

5-foot-9 180 pounds

Verbal commitment: UCF

29. Zae Thomas (American Heritage CB)

6-foot-2, 185 pounds

Verbal commitment: Florida State

30. Alex Graham (IMG CB)

6-foot, 165 pounds

Verbal commitment: Colorado

No. 31-40

Bishop Verot faced Miami Christopher Columbus in a spring jamboree game on Friday, May 24, 2024. Bishop Verot quarterback Carter Smith runs for a touchdown.

31. Myron Charles (Port Charlotte DL)

6-foot-4, 295 pounds

Verbal commitment: Florida State

32. Carter Smith (Bishop Verot QB)

6-foot-3, 175 pounds

Verbal commitment: Michigan

33. Ty Hawkins (IMG QB)

6-foot-1, 195 pounds

Verbal commitment: SMU

34. Winston Watkins Jr. (Venice WR)

5-foot-10, 175 pounds

Offers include Colorado, Miami, Ohio State, Texas, Texas A&M

35. Naeshaun Montgomery (Miami Central WR)

6-foot-1, 165 pounds

Offers include Florida, Florida State, Miami, Penn State, Tennessee

36. Tylon Lee (Pace EDGE)

6-foot-4, 245 pounds

Verbal commitment: UCF

37. Keon Young (Lakeland S)

6-foot, 171 pounds

Verbal commitment: Ole Miss

38. Joshua Moore (West Broward WR)

6-foot-3, 205 pounds

Verbal commitment: Florida

39. Tramell Jones Jr. (Mandarin QB)

6-foot, 196 pounds

Verbal commitment: Florida State

40. Deandre Desinor (Atlantic RB)

5-foot-9, 175 pounds

Verbal commitment: West Virginia

No. 41-50

Palm Beach Central's Waden Charles raises his finger in celebration of a score during the Wellington Cup on Oct. 27. 2023.

41. Waden Charles (Palm Beach Central WR)

6-foot-2, 185 pounds

Verbal commitment: UCF

42. Jarquez Carter (Newberry DL)

6-foot-2, 284 pounds

Verbal commitment: Ohio State

43. Amari Wallace (Miami Central S)

5-foot-11, 170 pounds

Verbal commitment: Miami

44. Elijah Melendez (Osceola LB)

6-foot-2, 225 pounds

Verbal commitment: Miami

45. Rukeem Stroud (Tampa Bay Tech CB)

5-foot-11, 160 pounds

Verbal commitment: UCF

46. Koby Howard (Chaminade-Madonna ATH)

5-foot-11, 185 pounds

Offers include Florida, Florida State, Miami, LSU Tennessee

47. Donovan Johnson (IMG RB)

6-foot, 205 pounds

Verbal commitment: Michigan

48. Raiden Vines-Bright (IMG WR)

6-foot-1, 190 pounds

Verbal commitment: Washington

49. Waltez Clark (Plant RB)

6-foot-1, 194 pounds

Verbal commitment: Florida

50. Bryce Fitzgerald (Columbus S)

6-foot-1, 175 pounds

Offers include Florida, Florida State, Miami, USC

No. 51-60

Cardinal Mooney's Chris McCorkle signals a first down after a catch against Lakewood Ranch on Sept. 1, 2023.

51. Chris McCorkle (Cardinal Mooney CB)

6-foot-1, 172 pounds

Offers include Florida, Florida State, Michigan State, Mississippi State, West Virginia

52. Rashad Johnson (South Sumter S)

6-foot-2, 185 pounds

Verbal commitment: Georgia

53. Tyler Williams (Armwood WR)

6-foot-1, 195 pounds

Verbal commitment: Georgia

54. Samari Reed (Monarch WR)

6-foot-2, 185 pounds

Verbal commitment: Ole Miss

55. Ezekiel Marcelin (Miami Central LB)

6-foot, 190 pounds

Verbal commitment: Miami

56. Jeramiah McCloud (Gadsden County DL)

6-foot-2, 280 pounds

Verbal commitment: Florida

57. Floyd Boucard (Miami Central DL)

6-foot-4, 308 pounds

Verbal commitment: Oklahoma

58. Justin Thurman (Jesuit RB)

5-foot-11, 185 pounds

Verbal commitment: Notre Dame

59. Elijah Pratt (IMG S)

5-foot-11, 165 pounds

Verbal commitment: SMU

60. Jett White (Edison CB)

6-foot-2, 169 pounds

Verbal commitment: Maryland

No. 61-70

Riverside Generals Tae'Shaun Gelsey (13) runs for yardage during early game action. Bartram Trail traveled to Riverside High for the high school football preseason kickoff classic Friday, August 18, 2023. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]

61. Ethan Pritchard (Seminole LB)

6-foot-1, 200 pounds

Verbal commitment: Florida State

62. Randy Adirika (Miami Central DL)

6-foot-4, 270 pounds

Verbal commitment: Penn State

63. Tony Williams (Palm Beach Central DB)

6-foot-1, 190 pounds

Verbal commitment: UCF

64. Romando Johnson (Monarch EDGE)

6-foot-3, 250 pounds

Verbal commitment: West Virginia

65. Brandon Brown (Eau Gallie DL)

6-foot-2, 286 pounds

Verbal commitment: LSU

66. Joshua Patterson (Ed White S)

6-foot, 165 pounds

Verbal commitment: Iowa State

67. Tae’shaun Gelsey (Riverside WR)

6-foot-4, 215 pounds

Verbal commitment: Florida

68. Jermichael Gillis (Lakeland DB)

6-foot-1, 170 pounds

Verbal commitment: USF

69. Antonio Branch Jr. (Northwestern S)

6-foot-2, 174 pounds

Verbal commitment: Penn State

70. Kaden Strayhorn (IMG IOL)

6-foot-3, 295 pounds

Verbal commitment: Michigan

No. 71-80

Mainland's Christian Hudson (9) runs down Seabreeze's Hayden Hayes (2) at Daytona Stadium in Daytona Beach, Friday, Oct. 27, 2023.

71. Darryll Desir (Norland EDGE)

6-foot-5, 240 pounds

Verbal commitment: UCF

72. Bradley Martino (Golden Gate S)

6-foot-3, 175 pounds

Verbal commitment: Minnesota

73. Christian Hudson (Mainland DL)

6-foot-1, 280 pounds

Verbal commitment: UCF

74. Nicolas Clayton (Buchholz EDGE)

6-foot-5, 205 pounds

Verbal commitment: Wisconsin

75. Kamare Williams (Palm Beach Central WR)

6-foot-3, 185 pounds

Verbal commitment: Arkansas

76. Carl Jenkins Jr. (St. Augustine WR)

6-foot-2, 177 pounds

Verbal commitment: UCF

77. George Mullins (South Sumter CB)

6-foot-2, 170 pounds

Verbal commitment: Michigan State

78. Major Preston (IMG CB)

6-foot, 187 pounds

Verbal commitment: Ole Miss

79. Jade Card (Northwestern ATH)

6-foot-3, 200 pounds

Offers include Florida State, Miami, Ole Miss, SMU, South Carolina

80. Connor Howes (Osceola OT)

6-foot-6, 295 pounds

Verbal commitment: Arkansas

No. 81-90

Vikings RB Eddie Love, Jr., breaks tackles as he advances the ball during the South Walton- Fort Walton Beach football game at South Walton.

81. Taren Hedrick (Community School of Naples OT)

6-foot-5, 305 pounds

Verbal commitment: Ole Miss

82. Derry Norris (Spruce Creek DL)

6-foot-4, 270 pounds

Verbal commitment: Georgia Tech

83. Malakhi Boone (South Sumter LB)

6-foot-2, 230 pounds

Verbal commitment: UCF

84. Isaiah Mizell (Boone WR)

6-foot, 160 pounds

Verbal commitment: Arizona

85. Robert Jones III (Vero Beach CB)

6-foot-2, 170 pounds

Verbal commitment: Illinois

86. Eddie Love Jr. (Fort Walton Beach RB)

5-foot-8, 175 pounds

Verbal commitment: East Carolina

87. Tywan Cox (Northwestern S)

5-foot-10, 165 pounds

Verbal commitment: USF

88. Kaylib Singleton (Oakleaf CB)

6-foot-1, 173 pounds

Verbal commitment: Rutgers

89. Max Redmon (Cardinal Newman DB)

6-foot-2, 190 pounds

Verbal commitment: Florida State

90. Semaj Fleming (Edgewater WR)

5-foot-10, 175 pounds

Verbal commitment: Boston College

No. 91-100

St. Augustine quarterback Locklan Hewlett (11) throws downfield against Mainland during the FHSAA Class 3S high school football championship in Tallahassee on December 7, 2023. [Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union]

91. Mandrell Desir (Norland EDGE)

6-foot-4, 240 pounds

Verbal commitment: UCF

92. Locklan Hewlett (St. Augustine QB)

6-foot-1, 175 pounds

Verbal commitment: USF

93. Gavin Jenkins (Union County CB)

6-foot-2, 170 pounds

Verbal commitment: Toledo

94. Santonyo Isaac (Tampa Bay Tech WR)

6-foot, 165 pounds

Verbal commitment: UCF

95. Sean Cuono (Clearwater Central Catholic RB)

6-foot, 185 pounds

Verbal commitment: Indiana

96. Jyon Simon (Raines DL)

6-foot-2, 260 pounds

Verbal commitment: Rutgers

97. Ja’Kyrian Turner (South Sumter ATH)

5-foot-9, 163 pounds

Verbal commitment: Pitt

98. Tony Kinsler (Spruce Creek WR)

5-foot-11, 176 pounds

Verbal commitment: Pitt

99. Teddy Hoffman (Atlantic ATH)

6-foot, 175 pounds

Verbal commitment: Appalachian State

100. Dylon Worthen (IMG EDGE)

6-foot-2, 235 pounds

Verbal commitment: East Carolina