10 Florida freshmen poised to make immediate impact in college football

Some true freshman impact player you can see coming.

Jeremiah Smith is arguably the best high school football player to come out of Florida in years, so it was no surprise when the five-star All-American starred at Ohio State in 2024.

Malachi Toney was a different story.

He was ranked No. 49 receiver in the nation and No. 51 overall recruit in the state on the 247Sports composite in the 2025 class. That’s hardly a ranking that would lend itself to being the No. 1 receiver for a College Football Playoff team as a true freshman.

So, with most of the 2026 class already enrolled at their new schools, it’s worth wondering what players could make an impression during spring practice.

Former Miami Northwestern star Calvin Russell is an easy choice considering his size and ability. The same goes for former IMG Academy All-Americans Keenyi Pepe and Jake Kruel.

But there will be some surprises, too.

Now that the dust has settled on the transfer portal and 2026 rosters are pretty much set, here are 10 true freshmen from Florida high schools to watch this spring:

Syracuse WR Calvin Russell III

High school: Miami Northwestern

USA TODAY Florida top 100 rank: 4

It’s hard to imagine a world in which Russell isn’t given every chance to have a major impact on the Orange offense in 2026. The five-star recruit is the highest ranked Syracuse commit in more than 20 years. At 6-foot-5, 195 pounds, Russell has the size and body control to win balls in the air, which should be enough to make him a fixture at an outside receiver spot from Day 1.

Nebraska CB Danny Odem

High school: The First Academy

USA TODAY Florida top 100 rank: 11

Odem was the state’s most consistent riser up the recruiting board during the 2025 season, which made him one of the most desired cornerbacks in the nation. Nebraska doesn’t have a lot of returning cornerbacks with multiple years of starting experience and the only cornerback it added in the transfer portal was Victor Evans (Monsignor Pace graduate) from FIU. Odem is the highest rated defensive recruit to sign with Nebraska since Ndamukong Suh in 2005.

USC OT Keenyi Pepe

High school: IMG Academy

USA TODAY Florida top 100 rank: 2

Pepe comes into college on a similar trajectory as Francis Mauigoa, another former IMG tackle who walked onto a college campus and immediately became a three-year starter. Pepe has ideal size at 6-7, 320 pounds with good footwork. It also helps that he’s been going against a stacked group of IMG edge rushers the past few years. USC didn’t sign a tackle in the portal, so expect Pepe to get a real look in spring practice.

UCF WR Tyren Hornes

High school: Booker

USA TODAY Florida top 100 rank: 50

Wide receiver was a big hole in the Knights 2026 class until Hornes announced his commitment during the Under Armour All-America Game. UCF’s coaching staff showed a year ago that it wasn’t afraid to rely on a true freshman this past season as Waden Charles finished third on the team in catches in 2025. Hornes’ ability to separate and make plays with the ball in his hands should help him earn early playing time. If UCF wants to use Hornes out of the slot, he may have to compete with Josh Derry, a transfer from Monmouth who caught 73 passes and caught 13 touchdowns in 2025.

Wake Forest CB AJ Marks

High school: IMG

USA TODAY Florida top 100 rank: 81

Sometimes a player getting immediate playing time is about the opportunity. Sometimes it’s just about the player. Wake Forest has experience returning at cornerback, including former Ed White standout Davaughn Patterson who broke up nine passes in 2025. So, this is about belief in Marks. The 5-11, 189-pound Marks was IMG’s Defensive Player of the Year the last two years and has shown an unwavering confidence and ability against elite competition throughout his career.

Oklahoma EDGE Jake Kruel

High school: IMG

USA TODAY Florida top 100 rank: 5

Kruel’s relentless motor, elite first step and bend alone will earn him a long look in spring practice. How do we know? Because those tools have stood out at every level of football so far and we fully expect that to continue at Oklahoma. He may not have prototypical size at 6-3, 230 pounds, but Kruel’s effort and productivity will silenced questions about his height. It won’t be a surprise for Kruel to earn a place in the rotation and at least get him on the on the field on obvious passing downs early at Oklahoma.

IOL Grant Wise

High school: Pace

USA TODAY Florida top 100 rank: 14

Wise is going to have to force his way into early playing time at Clemson, but he has the ability. The top-ranked offensive lineman in the state started 45 games at Pace and has elite upper body strength. During the early signing period, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Wise was as good as any player they’ve ever had at their camp. Clemson doesn’t need to rush the 6-4, 300-pound Wise, but his play in the spring may force their hand.

Miami WR Somourian Wingo

High school: St. Augustine

USA TODAY Florida top 100 rank: 19

With the exception of Malachi Toney, Miami’s receiving room will look very different in 2026. CJ Daniels and Keelan Marion are graduating and Jojo Trader left in the portal. Miami brought in a trio of pass catchers in the portal in Cooper Barkate (Duke), Vandrevius Jacobs (South Carolina) and Cam Vaughn (West Virginia), but the outside receivers will all be getting a first look in the spring. Wingo’s size (6-2, 180 pounds) and production could help him get in the mix early.

Illinois OL Micah Smith

High school: Vero Beach

USA TODAY Florida top 100 rank: 24

Smith, an Under Armour All-American, was a big flip for the Illini during the early signing period. The attribute that may help the 6-5½, 325-pound Smith get on the field quickly is his versatility. He primarily played tackle at Vero Beach, but some project him to move inside in college. His quick feet and strength could help him make an early impression, but he’ll have to beat out an established player to get on the field right away.  

Florida State S Jordan Crutchfield

High school: Vero Beach

USA TODAY Florida top 100 rank: 55

Former Booker star Chauncey Kennon was the top-ranked player in Florida State’s class and absolutely could play early. But Crutchfield could get an early look at Florida State too, if for no other reason that the Seminoles defensive backfield will look drastically different in 2026. Safeties Earl Little Jr. and Edwin Joseph both left in the transfer portal, while CJ Richard Jr. (Illinois State) and Ma’khi Jones (Duke) arrived in Tallahassee. Crutchfield still has to develop considering he spent much of his prep career at linebacker. But Crutchfield’s last prep game was a three-interception performance against Notre Dame signee Noah Grubbs in the Class 7A championship. That kind of big play ability could help him get on the field early.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: 10 impact college football freshmen from Florida to watch this spring