The NFL Hall of Fame will add five new members on Saturday.
The 2026 class is headlined by former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Both players were first-ballot selections.
It begs the question, what current players are destined for the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes and Myles Garrett all appear to be locks.
But what about players from Florida? Is Derrick Henry a Hall of Famer? What about Khalil Mack?
Here are five current NFL players from Florida high schools who have a case to be a Hall of Famer:
Derrick Henry, Ravens RB
Resume: Ten seasons, 2020 Offensive Player of the Year, 2020 first-team All-Pro, five Pro Bowls, 13,018 rushing yards, 122 rushing touchdowns, five receiving touchdowns
Argument for: Henry (Yulee) has a size-speed combination that has launched some memorable highlights, but his body of work speaks for itself. He had a 2,000-yard season in 2020, seven seasons of 1,000 yards or more and has scored at least 10 touchdowns in eight consecutive seasons. Henry is 10th all-time in career rushing yards, fourth in career rushing touchdowns and 10th in career touchdowns.
Argument against: Henry doesn’t offer much as a receiver. Even in a pass-happy league, he has never caught more than 33 passes in a season. He also had some tough playoff games, including just 40 yards on 18 carries against the Ravens in 2020.
Verdict: He’s a Hall of Famer. If Henry retired today, he’d be in line for a gold jacket. He will turn 33 this season, but hasn’t showed signs of slowing down. Now, it’s just about trying to win that elusive Super Bowl ring and continue to rise up the career rankings.
Lamar Jackson, Ravens QB
Resume: Eight seasons, 2019 and 2023 MVP, three-time first-team All Pro, four Pro Bowls, 22,608 passing yards, 187 passing yards, 6,522 rushing yards, 35 rushing touchdowns
Argument for: Jackson (Boynton Beach) is a two-time MVP, was the league’s first unanimous MVP (2019), and finished just 26 points behind Josh Allen for a third MVP in 2024. Every other multiple-time MVP is in the Hall of Fame or is a lock for future induction. Jackson is the NFL’s all-time record holder for rushing yards by a quarterback. Jackson is tied with Aaron Rodgers for the highest career passer rating (102.2).
Argument against: He has dealt with injuries during three of his seven seasons as a full-time starter, so a lot of his case hinges on his three outstanding seasons. There’s also his sub-par playoff record. The Ravens are 3-5, with a 60.6 completion percentage (lower than his regular season average) and just 10 passing touchdowns with seven interceptions.
Verdict: He’ll be a Hall of Famer. Not certain he’s a lock today, but those two MVP awards will carry a lot of weight and he’s still only 29 years old.
Khalil Mack, Chargers EDGE
Resume: Twelve seasons, 2016 Defensive Player of the Year, Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2010s Team, three-time first-team All-Pro, nine Pro Bowls, 113 sacks, 148 tackles for loss, 33 forced fumbles
Argument for: Mack (Fort Pierce Westwood) has been a consistent force off the edge, with five double-digit sack seasons and eight seasons of eight sacks or more. He holds the Chargers record for sacks in a game and is tied with Hall of Famer Howie Long for the Raiders single-game sack mark. Mack was the first player in NFL history to be selected a first-team All-Pro at two positions in the same year.
Argument against: Mack had a couple pedestrian seasons (by his lofty standards) in Chicago, including an injury-plagued 2021. And while it is a team sport, Mack’s teams are 0-6 in the postseason, and he was held without a sack in four of those games.
Verdict: Probably a Hall of Famer. Mack came back for a 13th season after dealing with an elbow injury in 2025. Another season like his 2023 campaign (17 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles) would make him a lock.
Nick Bosa, 49ers EDGE
Resume: Seven seasons, 2019 Defensive Rookie of the Year, 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, 2022 first-team All-Pro, five Pro Bowls, 278 tackles, 64.5 sacks, 91 tackles for loss
Argument for: When Bosa (St. Thomas Aquinas) is healthy, he is elite. In every season that he’s played at least 14 games, Bosa recorded at least nine sacks, at least 15 tackles for loss and has been a Pro Bowl selection. He has three double-digit sack seasons. Bosa also has played well in the postseason, recording 10 sacks in 12 games and helping the 49ers reach the Super Bowl twice.
Argument against: The asterisk next to Bosa’s name concerning his health is real. He missed almost all of the 2020 and 2025 seasons because of ACL injuries. Bosa, who has injured both his knees, is coming off surgery to repair his right ACL. He needs more sustained success, too. Five full seasons isn’t enough.
Verdict: He’s not a Hall of Famer. Bosa isn’t there yet and now has to deal with coming back from, a second serious knee injury in his NFL career. He also needs to hit more statistical benchmarks to really be considered. Getting to the 100-sack mark would help.
Patrick Surtain II, Broncos CB
Resume: Five seasons, 2024 Defensive Player of the Year, two-time first-team All-Pro, four Pro Bowls, 279 tackles, 12 interceptions, 59 passes defended
Argument for: Surtain (American Heritage) is one of, if not the, best cornerbacks in the NFL. He has the ability to legitimately shut down the opponent’s No. 1 receiver every week. He is the first cornerback in league history to be named Defensive Player of the Year.
Argument against: While his elite ability is without question, his resume is still thin. He needs to play longer and have sustained success at the same level he’s been playing.
Verdict: He’s not a Fall of Famer yet. Terrell Davis appeared in just 78 games, the fewest of any NFL Hall of Famer who played in the last 30 years. Surtain has played in 80 games and doesn’t have Davis’ two Super Bowl rings. He’s well on his way, though.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Which NFL stars from Florida high schools have a Hall of Fame case?
Reporting by Jon Santucci, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jon Santucci, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
