The Sunshine State is a perennial producer of NFL talent, and this year is shaping up to be no different.
Heading into the college football season, several former Florida high school stars are high on the list of NFL scouts.
Miami has a pair of former prep standouts from Florida expected to be top 10 picks in offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa and edge rusher/defensive lineman Reuben Bain Jr.
Defensive line is a strength of the 2026 class, with edge rushers Tyreak Sapp (Florida) and Gabe Jacas (Illinois) and defensive lineman Zane Durant (Penn State) and Darrell Jackson (Florida State) all possible first or second day picks.
Three first round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft played high school football in Florida: Alabama offensive tackle Tyler Booker (No. 12, Dallas Cowboys), Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart (No. 17, Cincinnati Bengals) and Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (No. 31, Philadelphia Eagles).
A lot can (and will) change over the next few months, but here’s a look at the top NFL draft prospects from Florida high schools heading into the college season.
(Players are listed in alphabetical order.)
RB Kaytron Allen, Penn State
Allen, an IMG grad, and Nicholas Singleton give Penn State one of the best running back tandems in the nation.
EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
The Miami Central alum was the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2023 but battled injuries last season.
OT Austin Barber, Florida
Barber, a Trinity Christian graduate, is on the Outland Trophy Watch List and will be a rare four-year SEC starter.
DL Zane Durant, Penn State
The former Lake Nona star has made 27 starts the past two seasons and earned back-to-back honorable mention on the All-Big Ten team.
EDGE Gabe Jacas, Illinois
Illinois has done a great job of developing Florida defenders into early NFL Draft picks the past few years. Jacas, a Fort Pierce Central grad, is next in line.
OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
Barring injury, Mauigoa feels like a safe bet to extend IMG’s record streak of first round picks to seven consecutive drafts.
QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Mendoza went somewhat under the radar at Columbus but earned back-to-back ACC Quarterback of the Week honors at Cal last season.
CB D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana
The Chaminade-Madonna grad was a second-team All-American in 2024 and a Freshman All-American in 2023.
EDGE Tyreak Sapp, Florida
The St. Thomas Aquinas alum led the Gators with 13 tackles for loss and seven sacks last season.
WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Another former IMG standout, Tate had 52 catches and 733 yards for the Buckeyes’ 2024 national championship team.
Honorable mention: Texas RB CJ Baxter (Edgewater), Miami QB Carson Beck (Mandarin), Florida State DL Darrell Jackson (Gadsden County), Alabama S Keon Sabb (IMG), Florida C Jake Slaughter (Trinity Catholic)
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: NFL draft prospects from Florida to watch entering college season
Reporting by Jon Santucci, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
