College Football Playoff stars: 10 players from Florida to watch

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The state of Florida will be well represented in the College Football Playoff semifinals, and we're not just talking about Miami.

All four semifinal teams have starters or impact players who graduated from Florida high schools.

Obviously, the Hurricanes' roster features several impact players from Florida. All-Americans Rueben Bain Jr., Francis Mauigoa and Malachi Toney all played high school football in Florida. The same goes for Cotton Bowl Offensive MVP Mark Fletcher Jr., Carson Beck and Wesley Bissainthe.

Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza leads Indiana's offense, and more than half of the Hoosiers starting secondary hails from Florida.

Cornerbacks Jadon Canady and Chris Graves Jr. could play a key role for Oregon and Ole Miss, respectively.

Here are 10 players from Florida high schools to watch during the semifinals:

(Players are listed in alphabetical order.)

Miami EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.

Bain (Miami Central) was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and consensus All-American in 2025. He has 45 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble this season.

Oregon CB Jadon Canady

Canady (Sandalwood) started his college career at Tulane, then transferred to Ole Miss before moving to Oregon for his senior season. He has 35 tackles, six pass breakups and two interceptions this season.

Indiana S Amare Ferrell

Ferrell (Columbia) has started every game for the Hoosiers the past two seasons and earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2025. He has 44 tackles and four interceptions on the season.

Ole Miss CB Chris Graves Jr.

Graves (Bishop Verot) started his college career at Miami but transferred to Ole Miss before the 2023 season. He has a career-best 25 tackles, one forced fumble and one pass breakup this season.

Miami OT Francis Mauigoa

Mauigoa (IMG) won the ACC Jacobs Blocking Trophy and was a consensus All-American in 2025. He has started every game since arriving at Miami in 2023.

Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza

Mendoza (Columbus), the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner and AP College Football Player of the Year, transferred from Cal before the season. He's thrown for 3,172 yards and 36 touchdowns and rushed for 256 yards and six touchdowns.

Indiana CB D'Angelo Ponds

Ponds (Chaminade-Madonna) was a Freshman All-American at James Madison in 2023 and transferred to Indiana last season. The first-team All-American and Rose Bowl Defensive Player of the Game has 49 tackles, seven pass breakups and an interception this season.

Indiana CB Jamari Sharpe

Sharpe (Miami Northwestern) has started every game for the Hoosiers this season. He has 40 tackles, four pass breakups, a team-high four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Miami WR Malachi Toney

Toney (Plantation-American Heritage) was the ACC Freshman of the Year and an All-American in 2025. He leads Miami in receptions (94), receiving yards (1,008), receiving touchdowns (eight) this season.

Ole Miss WR Winston Watkins

Watkins (Venice) has made a strong impression as a true freshman. He has 25 catches for 370 yards and a touchdown to go along with four carries for 20 yards.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Fernando Mendoza leads list of top CFP players from Florida to watch

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