Florida high School football recruiting rankings: Top 2027 prospects

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Speed and elite talent. That's what comes to mind when someone imagines a top high school football prospect from Florida.

Whether it's someone all the way down in Miami or a prospect up in the panhandle, there's no shortage of elite high school football talent produced by the state every year.

This year is no different as multiple top-50 prospects in the class call Florida home.

Here's a look at the top 10 players from the Sunshine State in the 2027 class.

1. Mark Matthews, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale)

Position: Offensive Tackle

Height: 6-5.5

Weight: 300

Commitment: Uncommitted

Football recruiting notes: Matthews is arguably the most sought-after lineman in the 2027 class, as he appears to be the most college-ready. He played a massive role in anchoring an offensive line that led St. Thomas Aquinas to the Sunshine State Class 5A title.

2. Eric McFarland, IMG Academy (Bradenton)

Position: Wide Receiver

Height: 5-8

Weight: 177

Commitment: Uncommitted

Football recruiting notes: McFarland may not be the biggest receiver in his class, but he's electric with the ball in his hands. Last year, he caught 29 passes for 595 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was also named the MVP of the Polynesian Bowl after totaling 101 yards of offense and scoring once.

3. Zyron Forstall, IMG Academy (Bradenton)

Position: EDGE

Height: 6-3.5

Weight: 225

Commitment: Uncommitted

Football recruiting notes: Another IMG standout, Forstall transferred there ahead of his junior year. On a defense loaded with future Division I talent, he recorded 28 tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks and four quarterback pressures.

4. Kaden Henderson, Jesuit (Tampa)

Position: Linebacker

Height: 6-1.5

Weight: 218

Commitment: Incommitted

Football recruiting notes: An injury limited Henderson to only five games last season, but he put up numbers in those five games that many players would need a full season for. He finished 2025 with 49 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and nine sacks.

5. Nick Lennear, Miami Carol City (Opa Locka)

Position: Wide Receiver

Height: 5-11.5

Weight: 165

Commitment: Miami

Football recruiting notes: Lennear had a great junior season with Miami Northwestern, but really flashed in the 3A championship. He caught six passes for 135 yards and a touchdown while also adding an interception on defense. He committed to Miami on March 5.

6. Julius Jones, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale)

Position: Wide Receiver

Height: 5-10

Weight: 175

Commitment: Uncommitted

Football recruiting notes: The son of former Notre Dame and NFL running back Julius Jones and nephew of former All-Pro running back Thomas Jones, Julius has been getting varsity snaps since his freshman year. He currently has official visits scheduled to Miami (May 29), Oregon (June 5), Notre Dame (June 11) and Florida (June 19).

7. Desmond Malpress, Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville)

Position: EDGE

Height: 6-3

Weight: 205

Commitment: Uncommitted

Football recruiting notes: Malpress is a big edge that many expect to stay in Florida, though a favorite has not emerged in his recruitment. He currently has official visits scheduled to Georgia Tech (June 5), Syracuse (June 12) and Florida State (June 19).

8. Osani Gayles, IMG Academy (Bradenton)

Position: Wide Receiver

Height: 5-11.5

Weight: 185

Commitment: Uncommitted

Football recruiting notes: Gayles is the other part of the Ascenders one-two punch at receiver and a big reason why they went unbeaten in 2025. He caught 20 passes for 492 yards and five touchdowns.

9. Aaryn Washington, IMG Academy (Bradenton)

Position: Cornerback

Height: 5-11.5

Weight: 152

Commitment: USC

Football recruiting notes: Washington will play at IMG Academy for his senior season after playing at Mater Dei the last few years. A speedy back who may fit better at nickel when he gets to USC, Washington appeared in a handful of games last year due to an injury.

10. Frederick Ards III, Jones (Orlando)

Position: EDGE

Height: 6-5

Weight: 225

Commitment: Uncommitted

Football recruiting notes: An elite pass-rusher off the edge, Ards totaled 73 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 11 sacks in 2025. His summer schedule includes official visits to Alabama (May 28), Florida (June 4), Texas A&M (June 12) and South Carolina (June 19).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: Top Florida high School football recruits in class of 2027

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