Top Florida high school football recruits for the Class of 2026

There’s little argument as to what the top high school football states are across the country, and Florida is among them every year. The Sunshine State routinely puts out more than 40 blue-chippers a year, including multiple five-star prospects pursued by teams across the country.

Only adding to that is IMG Academy, which recruits high school players from across the country to come to Bradenton and train at world-class facilities. The 2025 class in the state featured a dozen top-100 recruits, and much of the same is expected in 2026. Fifty-five players from Florida in the current On3 Industry Ranking are considered blue-chip recruits this cycle.

Below are the 10 best:

1. QB Dia Bell

High School: American Heritage
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 13

The Gatorade Player of the Year in Florida, Bell finished his junior season with 2,597 passing yards and 29 touchdowns while completing better than 70 percent of his passes. He missed the teams final few games due to a season-ending leg injury, but was a dynamic runner as well. Top Offers: Texas (commit), Ohio State, Penn State, LSU, Miami

2. WR Calvin Russell

High School: Northwestern
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 22

After starting his career as a quarterback/athlete, Russell transitioned full-time to receiver in 2024 and showed why he’s one of the nation’s best. The 6-foot-5, 190-pounder caught 39 passes for 704 yards (18 YPC), to go along with 13 touchdowns. Top Offers: Miami, Florida, Florida State, Oregon, Auburn

3. RB Derrek Cooper

High School: Chaminade-Madonna Prep
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 23

Cooper played all of the field for Miami-area powerhouse Chaminade-Madonna in 2024. As a running back, he toted the rock 124 times for 905 yards (9.3 YPC) and 13 TDs. He also showed some skills in the receiving game, with nine catches for 156 yards and a touchdown. On defense, he was all over the field with 46 tackles, four sacks, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. Top Offers: Miami, Auburn, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Ohio State

4. EDGE Trenton Henderson

High School: Pensacola Catholic
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 29

Despite not playing in one of the state’s most talent-rich areas, Henderson has proven himself time and time again to be one of the Sunshine State’s best. Following a solid sophomore campaign, he racked up 50 tackles, including 18 TFLs, 20 hurries, 10 sacks and six pass breakups as a junior. Top Offers: Auburn, Alabama, Miami, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, USC

5. EDGE Jake Kreul

High School: IMG Academy
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 46

Kruel opted to transfer from Bishop Moore in Orlando to IMG for his final two season of high school football. As a sophomore for the Hornets, he was an absolute menace to offensive lines. Along with 76 total tackles, he notched 34 tackles for loss and a whopping 17 sacks. Playing alongside tons of Division I talent at IMG, he still managed to total 39 tackles, six sacks and 11 QB hurries this fall. Top Offers: UCF, Florida State, Oklahoma, Miami, Ohio State

6. OT Keenyi Pepe

High School: IMG Academy
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 55

Pepe saw playing time as a freshman on a loaded IMG squad in 2022, and was named to All-American teams both of his first two years on a really deep offensive line. This fall, he took over as the team’s starting left tackle and helped anchor one of the country’s best lines. Top Offers: Miami, USC, Oregon, Texas, Oklahoma

7. WR Naeem Burroughs

High School: The Bolles School
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 67

Burroughs is one of the state’s fastest wideouts, continually turning in sub 11-second 100-meter dash times on the track. On the field, he does a little bit of everything for the Jacksonville powerhouse. As a junior, he caught 33 passes for 825 yards (25.1 YPC) and 12 touchdowns. Top Offers: Florida, USC, Florida State, Wisconsin, UCF

8. SAF Kaiden Hall

High School: Milton
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 69

Hall plays all over the field at the high school level, but projects to the secondary in college. He totaled more than 30 tackles this fall, along with three TFLs on defense. And on offense, he was primarily used as a run-focused quarterback. That followed a breakout sophomore season, where he notched 64 tackles (8 TFLs) and an interception. Top Offers: Oklahoma, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Florida State

9. LB Izayia Williams

High School: Tavares
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 71

Few players in the state are a more pure all-around athlete than Williams. In addition to his exploits on the track — 11.05 in the 100 and a regional long jump qualifier — he stars all over the field for Tavares. He was credited with 125 total tackles as a junior, and also had more than 500 all-purpose yards on offense. Top Offers: Florida, Alabama, Florida State, Penn State, Georgia

10. SAF Justice Fitzpatrick

High School: St. Thomas Aquinas
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 73

Fitzpatrick, the younger brother of ex-Alabama star and NFL safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, is making a name for himself. Playing for a loaded STA squad, he was a contributor as a sophomore before a strong junior season this fall. He totaled 34 tackles, seven pass breakups and a couple of interceptions to help the Raiders to another state title. Top Offers: Miami, Florida, Florida State, Oregon, Georgia, USC