The Climb: Class of 2026 Recruits Making Big Moves

Florida has long been a hotbed of high school football talent. Annually, Florida produces some of the nation's top prospects. Florida athletes are known for their speed, agility, and raw athleticism. These prospects have made names for themselves and have caught the attention of coaches and scouts at the collegiate level. With the 2025 season getting closer, we're looking for players whose stock is rising in the state.   These players are all talented and have college-level abilities. Some of these players have a few offers, but all of them have the ability to play college football at some level.   There are some big-time, highly rated prospects and several sleeper prospects who should all be getting looks for the next level. This list is full of stud prospects.   Prep Redzone Florida will always support every player on their journey to playing college football.   [player_tooltip player_id='1258713' first='Malik' last='Holman'], LB/RB – South Lake High   Height/Weight: 5'11", 196 lbs   Evaluation: Holman is a dynamic two-way playmaker with the toughness and stamina to contribute heavily on both sides of the ball. As a running back, he displays great vision, balance, and contact balance—evidenced by his 1,100+ yard rushing season. Defensively, his 66 tackles and downhill pursuit show strong instincts and toughness at the linebacker spot. He's a natural athlete with high football IQ, and his ability to impact the game in multiple ways makes him an intriguing prospect with small-school FBS or high-level FCS potential.   [player_tooltip player_id='283761' first='Kadin' last='Hanifen'], LB – Middleburg High   Height/Weight: 6'2", 200 lbs   Evaluation: Hanifen is a rangy, aggressive linebacker who fills up the stat sheet. At 6'2", he brings ideal length and solid frame potential as he adds more bulk. His ability to trigger downhill is matched by strong wrap-up technique and an ability to stay square to the ball. He disrupts both in the run game and on designed pressures, and the double-digit TFLs confirm his ability to diagnose and attack. Hanifen plays with fire and consistency—he's a rising prospect to monitor this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1263672' first='Reese' last='Van Gemert'], LB/Edge – Community School of Naples   Height/Weight: 6'1", 215 lbs   Evaluation: Van Gemert brings a high motor and aggressive play style off the edge or from a stand-up linebacker spot. He's disruptive behind the line of scrimmage, as his 9 tackles for loss and multiple sacks show. At 215 lbs, he has the frame and burst to play either as a SAM or hybrid edge role at the next level. He flashes strong hand usage and the ability to win leverage battles. His ability to rush the passer and force turnovers gives him strong value in modern defenses.   [player_tooltip player_id='1580859' first='D'Mauri' last='Francois'], LB/ATH – Dunbar High   Height/Weight: 5'11", 190 lbs   Evaluation: Francois is a fast-closing, explosive linebacker with tremendous acceleration and burst. He routinely flashes on film flying to the ball and rarely gets caught flat-footed. His ability to cover ground quickly makes him dangerous in pursuit and coverage, and his athleticism allows him to track down plays from all angles. A true sideline-to-sideline defender, Francois could also project as a box safety at the next level with his frame and speed. He's a standout athlete with upside in multiple roles.   [player_tooltip player_id='1583358' first='Wyatt' last='Fleming'], LB – Mosley High   Height/Weight: 5'10", 205 lbs   Evaluation: Fleming is a rugged, physical linebacker who plays with toughness and attitude. His 405-pound bench press reflects his impressive upper-body strength, which shows up when taking on blocks and making contact. He's a natural tone-setter with vocal leadership and effort that jumps off the field. Fleming's ability to stack and shed combined with solid production makes him a glue guy in any defense. While slightly undersized, his grit, strength, and motor make him a high-floor prospect with real value.

Florida has long been a hotbed of high school football talent. Annually, Florida produces some of the nation's top prospects. Florida athletes are known for their speed, agility, and raw athleticism. These prospects have made names for themselves and have caught the attention of coaches and scouts at the collegiate level. With the 2025 season getting closer, we're looking for players whose stock is rising in the state.