Class of 2023: Elite Talent Is Coming

When it comes to ranking players – in any sport – there are those prospects who just jump out at you – and it’s a no brainer. What rating players today has come down to, and over the last 13 months, it has pretty much come down to seeing them perform in rough times, leaving college coaches with no choice but to go off people’s word and trust in many for accurate information. This “dark period” imposed by the NCAA has hung over the players, coaches, parents and administrators for far too long, and when you are evaluating prospects, especially for the Class of 2023, you have to understand that the normal year-long evaluation period did not exist this cycle. No college camps, absolutely nothing for athletes who needed exposure – and somewhere to find competition. It became so tough and quite depressing for many, who needed this sport to start again. Remember, a college scholarship hangs in the balance for so many. This 2023 class is amazing and loaded with talent that we have watched – the best way you can during a pandemic, but they were sophomores this past season – and because maturity is a process – many of these young athletes had not come close to filling out. When we post the first of several Top 100 lists for the Class of 2023 next week, it will include over 500 total athletes in a state that is loaded with prospects. While some may have been left off the list – for one valid reason or another – it is our intention to get it right. Because rankings are indeed subjective and very important, we want you to contact us with prospects for us to keep an eye on – or if they change schools. Having produced and authored lists for nearly a half century, we have a pretty decent idea which players will end up on that final listing. But until then, we will continue to cover and promote EVERYONE in the state of Florida – EVERY DAY! SOME ELITE PROSPECTS TO KEEP AN EYE ON As we have been told over the past two years – as this class continued to mature – there are as many big-time football players in this class as any in recent memory. From elite pass-catcher Brandon Inniss Brandon Inniss 6'0" | 195 lbs | WR/TE American | 2023 State FL (6-0, 195, Plantation American Heritage) to Cormani McClain Cormani McClain 6'1" | 170 lbs | OL Lakeland | 2023 State FL (CB, 6-1, 170, Lakeland Lake Gibson), Richard Young Richard Young 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB Lehigh | 2023 State FL (RB, 6-1, 200, Lehigh), John Walker John Walker 6'3" | 310 lbs | DL Osceola | 2023 State FL (DT, 6-3, 285, Kissimmee Osceola), Carnell Tate Carnell Tate 6'2" | 170 lbs | WR IMG Academy | 2023 State FL (WR, 6-2, 180, Bradenton IMG Academy), Pearce Spurlin Pearce Spurlin 6'6" | 220 lbs | TE South Walton | 2023 State FL (TE, 6-6, 220, Santa Rosa Beach South Walton) and Tampa Jesuit linebacker Troy Bowles Troy Bowles 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Jesuit | 2023 State FL (6-2, 200) to mention a few. This class is so deep – especially at the receiver position – where there are as many as 10 in the first 50 rated players. Prospects such as Raylen Wilson Raylen Wilson 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB Lincoln | 2023 State FL (OLB, 6-1, 200, Tallahassee Lincoln), Makari Vickers Makari Vickers 6'1" | 180 lbs | OL Munroe | 2023 State FL (CB, 6-2, 180, Tallahassee St. John Paul Catholic), Javin Simpkins Javin Simpkins 5'9" | 170 lbs | RB Miami | 2023 State FL (RB, 5-7, 170, Miami Norland), Larry Jones Larry Jones 6'1" | 230 lbs | LB Lakeland | 2023 FL (LB, 6-1, 230, Lakeland), Jaden Booker Jaden Booker 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Naples | 2023 FL (RB, 5-10, 185, Naples Palmetto Ridge), Will Prichard Will Prichard 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Santaluces | 2023 State FL (QB, 6-3, 200, West Palm Beach King’s Academy) and Todd Williams Todd Williams 6'4" | 235 lbs | LB Wakulla | 2023 FL (OLB, 6-4, 235, Crawfordville Wakulla) to add to that impressive list. But for every elite player who has plenty of hype following along this off-season, there are those who may not get the spotlight, but could be huge surprises this season. The reason that we had nearly 600 athletes included in the 2023 Pre-Spring list is to give them exposure and a share of a coveted spotlight. Talented rising juniors such as quarterbacks Taron Dickens Taron Dickens 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Miami Northwestern | 2023 FL (6-0, 175, Miami Northwestern), Tyler Jefferson Tyler Jefferson 6'2" | 220 lbs | QB Fort White | 2023 FL (6-2, 220, Fort White) and Joe Borchers Joe Borchers 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB IMG Academy | 2023 FL (6-3, 200, Bradenton IMG Academy). Running backs are also plentiful – and sleepers such as Jamari Ford Jamari Ford 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Miami Northwestern | 2023 FL (5-10, 170, Miami Northwestern), Donares Johnson Donares Johnson 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Lakeland | 2023 FL (5-10, 180, Lakeland) and Kayleb Wagner Kayleb Wagner 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB Baker | 2023 FL (6-1, 200, Baker) are a trio who will be impressive. The receiving corps, as we noted, will be special, but it is deep and talented from top to bottom. Keep an on prospects such as Darion Domineck Darion Domineck 6'4" | 185 lbs | WR/TE Fleming Island | 2023 State FL (6-4, 185, Orange Park Fleming Island), Traylon Ray Traylon Ray 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Florida | 2023 State FL (6-3, 180, Tallahassee North Florida Christian) and Noah Solomon Noah Solomon 6'0" | 170 lbs | WR Bay | 2023 FL (6-0, 176, Weston Cypress Bay). Tight ends Kristian Ingman Kristian Ingman 6'5" | 235 lbs | TE IMG Academy | 2023 FL (6-5, 235, Bradenton IMG Academy), Fin Jones Fin Jones 6'5" | 240 lbs | TE Cardinal Mooney | 2023 FL (6-5, 240, Sarasota Cardinal Mooney) and Luke Petitta Luke Petitta 6'5" | 240 lbs | TE Riverview | 2023 FL " last=""]" last=""]" last="Petitta"], 6-5, 210, Sarasota Riverview. Up front, offensive linemen who will look for some of that spotlight are Harrison Green Harrison Green 6'4" | 290 lbs | OL Fort Lauderdale | 2023 FL (6-4, 290, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Chrisdasson Saint Jean Chrisdasson Saint Jean 6'6" | 310 lbs | OL Evans | 2023 FL (6-6, 310, Orlando Evans) and Bryce Lovett Bryce Lovett 6'5" | 330 lbs | OL Rockledge | 2023 State FL (6-5, 300, Rockledge). Defensively, there are a number of prospects who are in need of exposure. Up front, look for Malakei Owens Malakei Owens 6'5" | 260 lbs | DL Godby | 2023 FL (6-5, 260, Tallahassee Godby) and Dairo Melendez Dairo Melendez 6'2" | 275 lbs | DL Immaculata-LaSalle | 2023 FL (6-2, 275, Miami Immaculata LaSalle. Linebackers will also have a chance to shine – with Tay’Marius Clemons Tay’Marius Clemons 6'3" | 205 lbs | LB Gadsden County | 2023 FL (6-3, 205, Havana Gadsden County - OLB), Brady Nowlan Brady Nowlan 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Nature Coast Tech | 2023 FL (6-2, 210, Brooksville Nature Coast Tech) and David Vadala David Vadala 5'10" | 220 lbs | LB Fort Lauderdale | 2023 FL (5-10, 220, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas). When talking secondary, there are always plenty of prospects to choose from – and this class is no exception. Prospects such as Jayden Gillens Jayden Gillens 5'10" | 175 lbs | OL Jones | 2023 FL (CB, 5-10, 175, Orlando Jones), Bo Mascoe Bo Mascoe 5'9" | 170 lbs | DB Osceola | 2023 State FL (5-11, 170, Kissimmee Osceola) and Antonio Smith Antonio Smith 6'3" | 170 lbs | OL Gulliver Prep | 2023 State FL (CB, 6-3, 170, Miami Gulliver Prep) are all as impressive as you get at this level. You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com. 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