Florida Summer 30 Teams

Since the end of the 2023 season, the team at Prep Redzone Florida has been attending every 7-on-7, prospect camp, combine and team events across the Sunshine State.

With over 75 TEAMS profiled and well over 3,500 individual player blogs, stories and breakdowns, we have had the pleasure of producing more content than anyone in the state – by far.

If you have followed what we do, you already know that when it comes to evaluating and watching teams and players, there are very few who see more.

Our pre-season and in season team rankings – like our player rankings – are accomplished by being at everything LIVE and not just going off the word of many who never see the teams perform in person.

During the season, we adjust team rankings as games are played – being fair to every program in the Sunshine State.

While no team ranking is ever going to please everyone, those who know the game understand the process that if a certain school does not appear at the beginning – it is the final ranking that counts.

While we respect everyone's opinion, it's tough to argue with people who see every player and team live.

This Summer List is just a starting point and will be adjusted as the season progresses.

Here are 30 teams that warrant the pre-season exposure:

1.Bradenton IMG Academy (10-0, Independent). One of the most prospect rich programs in the nation only gets stronger – in every class.

2. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (14-1, 5A). Five-time defending state champions reload with high level talent. They are still among the best in the country and will have a tougher schedule to contend with this coming season.

3. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (14-0, 1A). The loss of seven Power 4 prospects would shake most teams to the core, but this program, second nationally, is prepared for an amazing ninth consecutive state title appearance.

4. Cocoa (14-1, 2A). The Tigers are indeed one of the best teams in the state and are loaded with talent as they go for a third straight title. They are big, fast, athletic and talented.

5. Miami Central (8-3, 3A). Missing out on the state finals for the first time in five years only motivated the Rockets to rebuild in the off-season. They have some elite prospects and coaching.

6. Lakeland (12-3, 5A). This may be the most talented Dreadnaughts' squad that has come along in many years. They are loaded and have a chance to win a third straight state crown. The road will be tough, but they are ready for the challenge.

7. Plantation American Heritage (10-2, 4A). Missing out on another state title appearance in 2023 only motivated this talented program to add more pieces. Do not sleep on the Patriots because they are ready for a state championship run.

8. Jacksonville Raines (10-2, 3A). The Vikings just missed out on getting to the state finals a year ago, but with the addition of some new faces and returning standouts, keep an eye on them – from start to finish!

9. Tampa Berkeley Prep (13-2, 2A). After winning their first ever state football title last season, beating unbeaten Miami Norland, this program is no longer a surprise. They are still well coached and loaded with talent.

10. Jacksonville Mandarin (11-4, 6A). Reaching the state title game was simply not enough for the Mustangs. They are as talented as any program in Florida, but now need to finish things off. A team to follow.

11. Miami Christopher Columbus (13-2, 7A). The loss of several key pieces from two straight state championship teams would shake most programs, but counting out the Explorers would be a huge mistake. When the bell rings they will be right there.

12. Homestead (12-2, 6A). Having two consecutive state runner-up teams usually takes a toll on many schools, but the Broncos are much more talented than anyone realizes. They have plenty in the tank and a line that can dominate.

13. Venice (12-3, 7A). While they lost in the last two state finals, the Indians always come to the table with plenty of talent – and 2024 will be no exception. They have several key players who are hungry.

14. Miami Norland (14-1, 4A). A disappointing loss in the 2M state title game has haunted the Vikings all off-season, but they have a solid offense and a stingy defense that could end up in a repeat of '23.

15. Davie Western (9-4, 7A). Here is a team that has come close in the past few seasons, but if the Wildcats put it all together, they will have as much talent as anyone in the state and are more than motivated.

16. Orlando Jones (10-4, 4A). With Homestead out of the way and a more than productive off-season, the Tigers are loaded everywhere – with an opportunity to get to the state title game in December.

17. Orlando Edgewater (11-1, 5A). Two years in a row, that one loss kept the Eagles from flying to the state title game. They will once again be a team to keep an eye on.

18. Tampa Bay Tech (10-2, 5A). Another program, loaded with elite talent, that came up short last season. There are many obstacles ahead, but the Titans are worth keeping an eye on.

19. Fort Myers Bishop Verot (11-2, 2A). After a strong finish this past season and a very productive spring, here is a team to truly keep on your radar. They have the pieces in a competitive class.

20. Sanford Seminole (10-3, 7A). They came close a year ago and return some elite prospects – along with some new faces in a year that will provide plenty of competition. Could this be the year?

21. Gainesville Buchholz (13-1, 6A). A tough loss to Lakeland in the state semifinals stood in the way of making history, but the Bobcats are in great shape as a familiar face returns to lead the program.

22. Lake Mary (10-2, 7A). One of the best quarterback prospects in the nation will lead the way as the Rams reload and add some new faces for another legitimate state title run.

23. Tampa Plant (11-3, 6A). The Panthers are back. If you take this talented program lightly, it will be a huge mistake. They have built for this season – with a mix of prospects on both sides of the ball.

24. Seffner Armwood (10-2, 6A). Like the old days, if you play this elite program, you will have to bring your best. While they have skill, their lines of scrimmage are as good as any.

25. St. Augustine (13-1, 4A). Falling short a year ago in the 3S state title game, the Jackets have plenty of motivation and the talent to back it up. Be prepared to hear this school's name deep into the state playoffs.

26. Daytona Beach Mainland (13-1, 5A). A 3S state title was indeed something that this program had been working toward, and they accomplished, but a coaching change in the off-season and the loss of key players will motivate this team to get back to the championship game.

27. Ocala Vanguard (11-3, 4A). Talk about a program that continues to come close. The Knights accomplished a lot in 2023, but this season, they believe that they have more of a total team on both sides of the ball.

28. Miami Booker T. Washington (9-3, 2A). Never, ever doubt a Tim “Ice” Harris coached team, and despite several key players moving on to the next level, the Tornadoes continue to develop players and will be a major obstacle.

29. Lake Wales (12-1, 4A). A disappointing end for the Highlanders who had hoped to defend their 3S state title, but that never happened. They are indeed one of the most motivated and talented teams heading into the season.

30. Coconut Creek Monarch (11-3, 6A). A fourth quarter breakdown in the 4M state semifinals stood in the way of getting to a first ever state football finals. But nobody reloaded more than the Knights and they will not go down without a fight.

FIFTEEN MORE TO WATCH: Bushnell South Sumter (11-2, 3A), Clearwater Central Catholic (13-1, 1A), Crawfordville Wakulla Crawfordville Wakulla FL (3A, 11-1), DeLand (7A, 11-3), Delray Beach Atlantic (5A, 11-2), Hawthorne (R, 13-0), Jacksonville Bolles (2A, 8-6), Madison County (R, 10-2), Miami Palmetto (7A, 9-2), Naples (4A, 10-3), Niceville (5A, 9-3), Starke Bradford County (2A, 14-1), Tampa Carrollwood Day (1A, 8-2), Tampa Jesuit (4A, 10-3), West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman (1A, 9-2).

Busy Off-Season Across The Sunshine State. https://prepredzone.com/2024/05/busy-spring-across-the-state/

Statewide Coverage Daily. https://prepredzone.com/florida/

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