Postseason Preview: (1S) Players To Watch

It's Playoff time folks! The Florida High School Athletics Association hosted a live football bracket show on Sunday to reveal high school playoff rankings and matchups in march to the Florida HS State Championship that will be played at FAMU. Before then, Prep Redzone will be highlighting some of the notable players in their classifications and positions.    Here are notable prospects from Class 1S.   QBs   Ethan Crossan | QB | 2025 | FBA | @ethan_crossan   Crossan leads the state in Class 1S for passing yards in his junior season. The 6-0, 190-pound sophomore has a decent frame and QB mechanics that he uses to make things happen and extend plays when needed. Don't sleep on the moves in the open field as Crossan has flashed the ability to be a scramble threat at the next level. Intelligent and talented QB that we will have eyes on in the postseason.   2023 stats: 159/261 (60%), 2371 yards, 31-5 TD/INT    JP Pickles | QB | Class of 2024 | North Florida Christian | JPPickles19   The North Florida Christian product <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/04/pylon-training-camp-series-notable-qb-standouts/">recorded outstanding numbers</a> a season ago in his junior season, and has followed it up with over 2000 passing yards with 20+ TD passes for his senior season. He also leads the team in rushing yards with 106 carries for 955 yards and 10 touchdowns. Pickles is a prime example of a hidden gem that has been overlooked or underrecruited. He surely has the fundamentals and upside to produce at the next level and I expect his recruitment to take off this fall season.   Austin Peay Commit   2023 stats: 136/243 (56%), 2129 yards, 22-6 TD/INT | 106 rushes, 955 yards, 10 TD   Tremaine Hughes Jr. | Class of 2024 | St. John Paul II Catholic School | @TremaineHughes1   Hughes has been a solid dual-threat quarterback who can be dangerous with his arm or legs to create plays when things shut down. He also participates in track and field which you can see in the open field after the burners are put on. A pure athlete with postseason games that will help his overall recruitment opportunities.   2023 stats: 119/187 (63%), 2095 yards, 22-6 TD/INT   Tanner Helton | QB | 2024 | ECHS | @TannerHeltonQB   One of the more slept-on production quarterbacks in the 2024 class has been Tanner Helton who always dominates in the off-season period which has translated to the gridiron in his senior season. He's top 10 in passing yards for the region with a 6-5 frame and strong arm. A decent grab for college coaches looking for a solid upside QB prospect.   2023 stats: 117/174 (67%), 1834 yards, 20-4 TD/INT   Parker Stirnkorb | QB | 2024 | ZCA | @Parkerstirnkob   What a season and way to battle adversity for Stirnkorb who led ZCA to a district championship and an 8-2 regular season record with a good chance to make it in the playoffs. He's doing all he can on the football field to generate some college interest.   2023 stats: 130/200 (70%), 2070 passing yards, 28 passing TDs   [player_tooltip player_id='1143156' first='Brogan' last='McNab'] | QB | Class of 2026 | Holy Trinity Episcopal | @BroganMcNab2026   McNab adds to one of the more stacked 2026 quarterback classes that I've had a chance to cover. The two-year varsity starter has displayed good footwork mechanics and a grasp of the offense in his time under center. McNab and the Tigers will be looking to bounce back this season with a district title run. The dual-threat riser will be an important component of the offense as he's able to stretch the defense with a good arm and decent rushing attack with his legs.    Offers: Marshall and Umass   2023 stats: 96/145 (66%), 1428 yards, 16-2 TD/INT   Jackson Benton | QB | Class of 2024 | Victory | @Jackson_ben10   Record: 5-4 - Playoffs   Benton has risen on my radar list since taking the starting QB position at Victory this season. He's a decent game manager but can extend plays with his legs and stay accurate for downfield throws. Good frame at 6-2, 204 with upside and heart to compete at the next level.    2023 stats: 79/150 (52%), 1033 yards, 13-4 TD-INT – 241 rushing yards   [player_tooltip player_id='736787' first='Joseph' last='Allen'] | QB | Class of 2027 | @JosephAllenQBSG   One of the top 2027 QB prospects in the state has led Melbourne Central Catholic to an 8-2 regular season record while throwing for nearly 2000 passing yards. He's a solid-framed QB listed at 6-1, 200-pounds with decent accuracy and arm strength for his class. Still plenty of time for Allen to grasp the position but he's showing early upside and leadership qualities.   2023 stats: 115/195 (59%), 1747 yards, 23-9 TD/INT   [player_tooltip player_id='606162' first='Preston' last='Wright'] | Class of 2025 | Trinity Catholic | @PrestonW_11    Wright is a dual-sport athlete who missed time last season due to an injury but has made the most of his junior season behind center. Have had the chance to watch Wright develop since watching him compete during the Prep Redzone Showcase. Has a good frame at 6'1, 185 pounds with plenty of time to focus on the mechanics of the position. He has good arm strength and lower body because of his baseball skills combined with a quick release and decent accuracy.   2023 stats: 86/156 (55%), 1131 yards, 11-6 TD/INT   RBs   Josh Bellamy | RB | Class of 2025 | Lakeland Christian | @JoshBellamyJr1   Bellamy has been a playmaker and productive piece for the Vikings so far this season. He's still slept on in the Polk area despite a nearly 1,000-yard rushing season with double-digit touchdowns.    2023 stats: 120 rushes | 986 yards | 11 TD | 8.2 yards per carry   [player_tooltip player_id='392566' first='Carson' last='Beach'] | RB | 2024 | CMHS | @carsonbeach22   One of the top RB prospects in the area has a chance to stamp his name in the playoffs before making a big-time decision to play at the next level. He finished top 3 in rushing yards in Class 1S and has seen an uptick in college interest. A solid framed and versatile back with plenty of upside.    2023 stats: 128 rushes, 826 yards, 11 TDs   Killian O'Neal | RB | Class of 2025 | LCS | @killian_oneal24   The second half of LCS's running back duo is a workhorse for the offense. Good sized RB prospect that's a bowling ball on the football field.   2023 stats: 78 rushes, 530 yards, 10 TD   Alexavier Hairston | RB | 2024 | ZCA | @alexavierjh   2023 stats: 100 rushes, 640 yards, 3 TD   Brian Oesterle | ATH | 2024 | MCC | @brian_oesterle   2023 stats: 97 rushes, 805 yards, 7 TD   WRs   [player_tooltip player_id='826461' first='Winston' last='Watkins'] | WR | 2024 | FBA @winstonwatkins_   Simply one of the top WR prospects in the country has put on a show this season, stamping his name as the Real Deal.    2023 stats:    [player_tooltip player_id='927717' first='Jayden' last='Petit'] | ATH | 2026 | FBA @JaydenPetit12   2023 stats: 50 receptions, 844 yards, 14 TD   Kendall Johnson | ATH | Class of 2025 | ZCA | @KxndallJxhnson   Johnson leads Pasco County in total receiving TDs (15) after another three-score performance in a huge district win against VCA. He recorded crazy stat lines this season all while providing kicking duties and running the wildcat.    2023 stats: 45 receptions, 778 yards, 15 TD   Leon Washington | WR | Class of 2024 | @lee2gone   The FAU commit is one of the more electric slot receivers in the state who can score at will in the open field with good elusiveness and agility to his game.   2023 stats: 44 receptions, 742 yards, 8 TD   [player_tooltip player_id='927727' first='Jaeden' last='McMillan'] | ATH | Class of 2026 | Holy Trinity Episcopal | @1wayJaeden   McMillan is one of the better receiver prospects in the class of 2026 who will play Division I ball at the next level. Has already generated some interest in his recruitment heading into his sophomore season. He's a pure athlete that is effective in various aspects. Helped his team in multiple departments last year and is for sure someone we will have eyes on.   Offers: Penn State, Marshall, USF, UMass   2023 stats: 46 receptions, 694 yards, 7 TD   Ramel Hernandez | WR | 2024 | @ramel_hrndz   2023 stats: 39 receptions, 845 yards, 11 TD   Kooper Jones | WR | 2024 | VCA | @kooper_jones   What a way to put your name on the map. Jones has defied all odds and finished as the top regular season receiving yards leader in Polk. He's an underdog who uses that mentality to boost his efforts on the football field. Smart kid, with a big heart but has the talent just needs the exposure.   2023 stats: 35 receptions, 550 yards, 4 TD   Jayden Ramos | WR | Class of 2024 | ZCA | @JAYDENRAMOS160   Ramos has put together a solid senior season with ZCA, recording multiple big-play catches while finding paydirt many times this season. He's done what he can on the football field to generate some college interest.    2023 stats:    [player_tooltip player_id='1056904' first='Amarri' last='Range'] | WR | 2025 | ZCA | @amarri_range   2023 stats: 32 receptions, 447 yards, 6 TD   Defense:   Major Hart II | LB | 2024 | NFCS | @MajorHartII1   #42th in total tackles    Hart has been all over the field this season as he's ranked top 50 in the state for total tackles. An under the radar backer in the North Florida area who recorded nearly 100 total tackles a year ago.    2023 stats: 97 total tackles, 19.0 TFL, 1.0 sacks   [player_tooltip player_id='1209647' first='Trey' last='Berry'] | DB | 2025 | LCS | @Trey_berryy2   The Player of the Year for LCS this season is second on the team in total tackles as a defensive back while leading the team with 4 interceptions. He's a decent-sized versatile athlete who can provide good coverage and solid tackling abilities.   2023 stats: 90 total tackles, 8.0 TFL, 4 INTs   Terry “T3”Arnold | LB | Class of 2024 | North Florida Christian | @ArnoldTerryIII   Arnold has to be one of the more under-the-radar linebacker products in the North Florida area as he was all over the field last season, leading the team in total tackles and third in tackles for loss. Has a decent frame with time to add weight for the next level.    OJ Vaughan Jr | DB | Class of 2024 | North Florida Christian | @ojvaughanjr7    Vaughan is another underrated NFC prospect who can play at the next level. Impressed with his initial handwork and ability to flip his hips in coverage combined with the DOG mentality in the tackling department. College coaches should have his name circled as we head into the fall season.   2023 stats:    [player_tooltip player_id='1128660' first='Trent' last='Maloney'] | ATH | 2025 | FBA | @trent_maloney87   2023 stats: 97 total tackles, 6.5 TFL, 1.0 sacks   Brayden Larson | LB | 2024 | ZCA  @BraydenLarson07   2023 stats: 66 total tackles,    Rogers Jones | ATH | 2025 | ZCA | @rogersjones_4   Jaden Gray | DB | 2025 | VCA | @GrayJaden_   Kaden Paghense | DL | 2026 | ZCA | @kaden_paghense

It's Playoff time folks! The Florida High School Athletics Association hosted a live football bracket show on Sunday to reveal high school playoff rankings and matchups in march to the Florida HS State Championship that will be played at FAMU. Before then, Prep Redzone will be highlighting some of the notable players in their classifications and positions.