Notable Underclassman Performers of 2023
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As the high school football season begins to conclude, we will look at some Underclass stock riser prospects that deserve recognition in their respective positions and classifications. This week, Prep Redzone Scout Drew Johnson will highlight instrumental freshmen recruits who…
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Continue ReadingAs the high school football season begins to conclude, we will look at some Underclass stock riser prospects that deserve recognition in their respective positions and classifications. This week, Prep Redzone Scout Drew Johnson will highlight instrumental freshmen recruits who have consistently produced this season. As noted frequently, Prep Redzone Florida aims to provide adequate coverage of all athletes for college coaches At All Levels and readers to evaluate. Let’s get into some of the stats, Hudl films, and recent offers from some of the rising recruits in the state of Florida.
Notable Underclassman Performers of 2023
Edgewater
Joel Morris Joel Morris 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Riverview Sumner | 2026 State FL | QB | Class of 2026 | Edgewater | @MikeClaytonQB1
Ocoee
Michael Mcclenton | DL | 2026 | Ocoee | @michaelmcclent5
*1st in total tackles
Wow, this kid has seemingly come out of nowhere but has put up Madden franchise numbers throughout the season. He currently leads the nation in sacks with 31.0 total, and second in the nation with 202 total tackles. Just check the film, this isn’t little boy football or padded stats but he’s a production beast with incredible upside for the college level. Mcclenton is a monster off the edge, a versatile athlete who understands the game early.
2023 stats: 202 total tackles, 45.0 TFL, 31.0 sacks
Joshua Jones Joshua Jones 6'2" | 190 lbs | ATH FL | ATH | Class of 2027 | Zarephath | @JoshuaJones3x
Jones has one of the best physiques I’ve seen on a rising freshman wide receiver and he’s been able to transfer all of the hard work in the off-season to the gridiron.
Tohopekaliga
Sabby Meassick Sabby Meassick 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Tohopekaliga | 2026 State FL | QB | Class of 2026 | Toho | @SabbyMeassick
Lake Wales
Kaneilius Purdy | ATH | 2027 | Lake Wales | @KaneiliusPurdy
Purdy is one of the top 2027 prospects in the Polk area and soon to be the state. You heard it here folks, this kid will be a Power 5 recruit in years to come. Special team threat and can play all over the field.
D’Cari Smith | ATH | 2026 | Lake Wales | @1era__
Smith is a rising 2026 athlete generating some interest in his recruitment. He’s contributed on both sides of the ball this season for the Highlanders.
Dontavius Purdy | DL | 2026 | Lake Wales | @DontaviusPurdy6
2023 stats: 53 total tackles, 17.0 TFL, 6.0 sacks
CAI KNIGHTS
Pressure bursts pipes, or it can create a diamond as 2027 QB Joaquin Kavouklis has taken on immense pressure to crystallize into a leader in year one under center.
The 6-1, 180-pound freshman is developing into a potential Power 5 prospect for Clearwater Academy International since filling in for the injured Washington State senior QB commit Evans Chuba.
Kavouklis has gained invaluable experience, finishing his inaugural high school season with 1,608 passing yards and 13 touchdowns.
CJ Cresser | DB | 2026 | CAI | @CJCressser
What a way to put yourself on the map. Cresser has provided solid coverage throughout the season in both man and zone coverages. It’s the developing IQ at the position that separates him from prospects his age.
Mannie McKinney | WR | 2027 | CAI | @manniemck_
McKinney is one of the top freshman wide receivers in the state. The electric slot product made some momentum-shifting plays including a big-time catch to set up CAI for a goal-line score.
Bishop Moore
Jake Kreul | DL | 2026 | Bishop Moore | @JK_DE_SNAKE_34
2023 stats: 68 total tackles, 22.0 TFL, 15.0 sacks
This kid has developed into a legitimate Power 5 prospect on the college radar. Very athletic combined with explosiveness and good hand work makes Kreul an intriguing prospect for the next level. Still plenty of time to add weight to his frame but coaches get eyes on him Now.
Armwood
Jaelen Waters Jaelen Waters 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB Seffner Armwood | 2026 State FL | DB | Class of 2026 | Armwood | @Jaelen_waters9
For college coaches looking to establish legitimate relationships with true upside 2026 defensive backs, look no further than Armwood producer Jaelen Waters Jaelen Waters 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB Seffner Armwood | 2026 State FL . This kid has developed into the Real Deal since first laying eyes on him. Really good frame combined with long arms and a nice burst gets the job done in pass coverage. It’s the on-field IQ and confidence at the position that makes him a special recruit for the future. Look for a continued uptick in college interest as we head into the offseason period.
Lakeland
Malik Morris | LB | 2026 | Lakeland | @MalikMorris43_
Morris is a RISING STAR who has a nose for the ball and has been my standout linebacker this season. I’ve watched Morris fire off into his gap to finish off back-to-back tackles throughout the year and sure Morris will be one of the hottest names in the Polk County area next season.
Auburndale
Omar Ciuevas Omar Ciuevas 6'3" | 315 lbs | OL Community School Of Naples | 2026 FL | LB | 2026 | Auburndale | @twin_frmpolk
2023 stats: 101 total tackles, 27.0 TFL, 5.0 sacks, 12.6 TPG
It’s nice to watch young high school football players fly around the field and put it on the line to make game-changing plays and when you do, it must be highlighted.
Chad Williams Chad Williams 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Auburndale | 2026 FL | QB | Class of 2026 | Auburndale | @ChadWqb12
The Bloodhounds have shocked some with the strong season they’ve had despite replacing production pieces lost before the season. Williams has been a bright spot on the offense as a young leader behind center that can get it done with his arm and limit turnovers.
2023 stats: 52/101 (51%), 864 yards, 7-3 TD-INT
Lake Minneola
Chancellor Barclay Chancellor Barclay 6'4" | 280 lbs | OL Orlando The First Academy | 2026 State FL | OL | Class of 2026 | Lake Minneola | @ChancellorB2026
Immokalee
Justin Compere Justin Compere 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Miami Norland | 2026 State FL | RB | Class of 2026 | Immokalee | @CompereJustin
The rising sophomore finished the season with 900 rushing yards with 10 touchdowns. Compere has plenty of time to grow and add weight for the strain of the position but his speed and explosiveness pop out when watching his film and workout videos. Has everything you want in a rising Division I running back: great balance, good RB vision, and a versatile athlete who’s highly competitive.
West Orange
Jaffar Jean-Louis Jaffar Jean-Louis 5'10" | 170 lbs | WR Plantation American Heritage | 2026 State FL | DB | 2026 | West Orange | @DevinJackson010
2023 stats: 58 total tackles
Jackson has been one of my top DOG standouts because he wasn’t afraid to step up and show off his technical skills in coverage while providing reliable tackling. The West Orange product has plenty of time to sharpen his bag of skills and see a big uptick in offers.
Larry Miles | WR | Class of 2026 | West Orange | @d1larry123
2023 stats: 39 receptions – 531 yards – 3 TD
Holy Trinity
Mason Mathis Mason Mathis 6'5" | 300 lbs | OL Pace | 2026 State FL | 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 three-year varsity starter has displayed good footwork mechanics and a grasp of the offense in his time under center. The dual-threat riser has been 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: 2,462 yards, 17-3 TD/INT | 842 rushing yards – 13 TD
Buchholz
Trace Johnson | QB | 2026 | Buchholz | @Tracejohnson12_
2023 stats: 145/234 – 2261 yards – 29 TD
Winter Park
Will Wankleman | QB | Class of 2026 | Winter Park | @willwankleman
Lake Gibson
Joel Morris | QB | Class of 2026 | Lake Gibson | @1_Joel_Morris
A tough season for the Braves who are without some production pieces combined with a hard schedule. Morris has made the most of his sophomore season, soaking up the real game experience while working out the kinks in his game. Still has plenty of time to put it all together and lock in those big-time D1 offers.
Cason Dash Cason Dash 6'1" | 175 lbs | DB Lakeland Lake Gibson | 2026 FL | DB | 2026 | Lake Gibson | @CasonDash3
Dash is a 2026 DB prospect that colleges need to get into before it’s too late. He’s had a learning and development year at the position which should be critical moving forward. He can provide solid man coverage but will be a true D1 prospect with more technique.
Fort Meade
Omari Russell | DB | 2026 | Fort Meade | @omari_russell
Bishop Moore Pt. 2
Jaeden Powell | @Jaelynpowell08
Liam Ishizaki Liam Ishizaki 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Loxahatchee Seminole Ridge | 2026 FL | DB | Class of 2026 | Bishop Moore | @trentongummer
2023 stats: Targets – 50 Allowed Catches – 8 | Allowed Yards: 97 | Allowed TDs: 0 | PBUs: 13 | INTs: 5 | 32 total tackles
Since the off-season, Gummer had made noise because of his coverage skills and anticipation to watch it translate in the regular season. Really solid performance for the sophomore this season as he allowed just 3 TDs against tough competition.
Drew Follett Drew Follett 6'4" | 230 lbs | TE Winter Park | 2026 State FL | WR | Class of 2026 | Bishop Moore | @KenyonAlston
Alston is one of the top WR prospects in the 2026 class as he showed off his skill set this season 602 receiving yards with 9 TDs. A must-look at 2026 WR prospect for college coaches in need of relationships with young recruits.
David Coleman | DB | 2027 | Bishop Moore | @DavidLColemanJ2
College coaches have to develop a relationship with this fast rising 2027 defensive back. Plenty of upside, length, and skill to be a problem at the next level.
Cocoa
Duran Guilford | DB | 2026 | Cocoa | @DuranGuilford
2023 stats: 63 total tackles, 3 INT
CJ Hester | DB | 2026 | Cocoa | @CliftonHester14
2023 stats: 48 total tackles, 2 INT
These two combined sophomores led the team in INTs with a combined 5 total on the season. Really impressed with their ability to cover and IQ on the backend as well as the effort to make tackles.
FBA
Landon Wolney | TE | 2027 | FBA | @landonwolny_80
Wolny is a decent route runner for his size and has flashed sure-hand capabilities when contested. He can likely develop into a true Power 5 recruit with more work put in during the off-season. Really impressive freshman year with lots of upside for Wolny. College coaches should get in early and monitor his progression.
Boca Raton
Chance Routson | QB | 2026 | Boca Raton | @1cr3_
Routson started behind center as a freshman for Boca Raton last season and has taken that confidence into the sophomore year as he totaled 2,760 yards with 25 TDs. Just check the film, this kid is a gamer with plenty of time to develop.
Newberry
Keil McGriff Keil McGriff 5'11" | 170 lbs | ATH Newberry | 2026 FL | QB | Class of 2026 | Newberry | @Keil_Mcgriff
Mitchell
Cayden Thomas | QB | Class of 2026 | Mitchell | @CaydenThomas_
Raines
Shareef Jackson | DB | 2026 | Raines | @DREAMSJ23
2023 stats: 7 INTs
Naples
Nino Joseph | RB | 2027 | Lely | @njoseph015
2023 stats: 150 carries – 1,055 yards – 10 touchdowns
ZCA
Kaden Paghense | DL | 2026 | ZCA | @kaden_paghense
Gavin Davis | WR | 2027 | ZCA | @GavinKDavis11