The playmakers, the big targets, the pass-catching specialists, whatever you want to call them, receivers are often the players that fans want to see. Florida historically produces a high number of productive receivers that graduate to the D-1 college level and the NFL. Antonio Brown (Miami Norland), Doug Baldwin (Gulf Breeze), T.Y. Hilton (Miami Springs), Sammy Watkins (South Fort Myers), Amari Cooper (Miami Northwestern), Calvin Ridley (Monarch, Coconut Creek) are just some of the current NFL players that are from the sunshine state. Let’s not forget my cousin’s Kelvin and Travis Benjamin (Glades Central) [just kidding not related].
The 2019 season will not only display Florida’s yearly display of wide receiver talent but the receiving and tight end units collectively can compete with any other in the country. Here is a look at the best units Florida has to offer.
Dynamic Duos
Chamberlain Chiefs (Tampa) 5A
Kaleb Long, 2020 WR (three-star, 6’4” 178 pounds)
Joe Hodge, 2020 WR (three-star, 5’6” 155 pounds)
Champagnat Catholic Lions 2A
Johnquai Lewis, 2020 WR, (three-star, 6’0” 170 pounds)
Malik Rutherford, WR (5’8” 160 pounds)
Columbus Explorers (Miami) 8A
Chris Gibert, WR 2021, (5’10” 177 pounds)
Xzavier Henderson, WR 2020, (four-star, 6’4” 185 pounds)
Edgewater Eagles (Orlando) 7A
Tommi Hill, 2021 WR (three-star, 6’1” 185 pounds)
Christian Leary, 2021 WR (three-star, 5’10” 175 pounds)
Gulliver Raiders (Miami) 4A
Amin Hassan, 2020 WR (two-star, 5’7” 166 pounds)
Diego Lamonica, 2020 TE (three-star, 6’5” 227 pounds)
IMG Academy Ascenders (Bradenton) (No FHSAA Classification)
Christian Burkhalter 2021 TE (three-star, 6’5” 215 pounds)
Michael Redding III, 2020 WR (Miami Commit, four-star, 6’2” 190 pounds)
Lakeland Dreadnaughts 7A
Fenley Graham, 2020 WR (Florida Commit, three-star, 5’11” 165 pounds)
Arian Smith, 2020 WR (three-star, 6’0” 169 pounds)
Miami Carol City Chiefs 4A
Javon Ferguson, 2020 WR (three-star, 5’10” 165 pounds)
Thaiu Jones-Bell, 2020 WR (Alabama Commit, four-star, 5’11” 190 pounds)
Miami Central Rockets 6A
Geovanni Ribalta, 2020 WR (5’11” 164 pounds)
Baron Grant, 2020 WR (three-star, 6’1” 194 pounds)
Miami Christian Victors 2A
Marc Britt, 2020 WR (four-star, 6’1” 185 pounds)
Vallonsky Jeanty, 2021 WR (5’11” 163 pounds)
Miami Southridge Spartans 6A
Roscoe Parrish III, 2020 WR (two-star, 5’9” 165 pounds)
Travis Tilman, 2020 WR (three-star, 5’11” 135 pounds)
Seminole Noles (Sanford) 8A
Zion Jackson, 2020 WR (three-star, 6’3” 185 pounds)
Jordan Davis, 2020 TE (UCF Commit, three-star, 6’4” 226 pounds)
Vanguard Knights (Ocala) 5A
Trevontae Rucker, 2021 WR (four-star, 6’0” 157 pounds)
Leonard Manuel, 2020 WR (Florida Commit, four-star, 6’5” 200 pounds)
Top Seven Receiving Units
Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs (Fort Lauderdale) 4A
Two of the most efficient route runners in the state of Florida are 2021 receivers Troy Stellato (three-star, 6’1” 175 pounds) and Jake Harrington (5’10” 180 pounds). Both can flatt out fly and are tough as nails.
Add the lengthy and dependable Majon Wright (three-star, 6’2” 190 pounds) and you have a trio that can compete with any in the country.
Glades Central Raiders (Belle Glade) 4A
Muck City is resurging in recent times and this year’s receiving corps from GC is reminiscent of years past. Ja’Vontae Williams (three-star, 6’1” 190 pounds) is a 2020 receiver that is perhaps ready to play on the field for a power 5 school next year.
Desna Washington (2020) at 6’5″ 195 pounds is a matchup nightmare for most defensive backs and 2020 receivers Ruben Jackson (two-star, 5’10” 150 pounds) and James Davis (two-star, 5’10” 146 pounds) add to a quartet that should assure that someone will be open on every passing play.
Miami Palmetto Panthers 8A
The Panthers from South Dade just keep getting better and this year seems like the year the state really takes notice. Kentron Portier (three-star, 2020, 6’4” 200 pounds) jumps out as the main target because of his sheer size but the basketball player has reliable hands as well. Brashard Smith (2021, 5’11” 180 pounds) is elusive in the open field and is always a threat to score.
After a recovery of the football in the end zone for a touchdown for Rockledge, @BrashardS of @PantherPride305 electrifies crowd with a touchdown catch and run where spins out of a tackle. Score 21-14 Panthers #HeLoose @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/gIhL5qSeuN
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) May 18, 2019
Another versatile Panther is Jason Marshall (6’1” 173 pounds). The four-star 2021 WR/DB has blazing speed and will be a problem on both sides of the ball. The explosive Mike Jackson (2022, 5’10” 145 pounds) adds to an arsenal that will be feared this Fall.
St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (Fort Lauderdale) 7A
Size, strength, and agility. These are usually the traits that would describe Aquinas’s receivers from a number of different eras. The 2020 four-star Georgia commit Marcus Rosemy (6’2,” 195 pounds) will look to continue that tradition.
Big 2020 tight ends Joseph Kirner (two-star, 6’3” 200) and Jake Ray (6’3” 234) add some big targets to their corps. The’Andris Freeman (two-star, 6’3” 175 pounds) is the other 2020 big-play receiver bound to make plays for the Raiders all season.
Miami Northwestern Bulls 5A
The Bulls should be running wild with their trio of receivers all committed to the University of Miami. The 5’11” 165 pound 2020 four-star Marcus Fleming simply catches everything in his vicinity and has the break-away speed to get in the endzone.
The taller four-star junior Romello Brinson at 6’2” 170 pounds is more of the jump-ball specialist and will be a mismatch for smaller corners. Khalil Brantley (2021, three-star, 6’2″ 190 pounds) is the largest target at tight end and will be tough to bring down once he grasps the football.
Miami Booker T. Washington Tornadoes 4A
The Tornadoes have a strong corps of playmakers for every situation. The stand-out receiver is the four-star 2021 receiver, Jacorey Brooks (6’3” 168 pounds).
The young receiver has all the tools to be great on the next level. He has great hands and moves with grace to locate the ball. FIU commit Theodore Richardson (2020, 6’0” 175 pounds) can beat you deep and is great catching the ball over the shoulder. TJ Summerall (2020) is the speedy slot receiver that can burn you at any given time and Godby (Tallahassee) transfer 2020 TE/WR Macho Arza (6’2” 185) is another big target that will gain some notoriety this fall. In their Spring game against McArthur, the Tornadoes receivers let spectators know how good they can be against D-1 level defensive backs.
Deerfield Beach Bucks 8A
‘The Beach Boys’ will be scary once again at the wide receiver position. Pittsburgh commit Aydin Henningham (four-star 6’2” 200 pounds), Miami commit Xavier Restrepo (three-star, 5’10” 185 pounds) and Deajaun McDougle (three-star, 5’11” 170 pounds) all run 4.5 40 times and are impeccable at route running.
Four-star Bryce Gowdy, the largest of the 2020 receivers at 6’2” 207 will provide a larger target for the Bucks and help to move the chains in critical moments. Deajaun’s brother Jamarion and Andison Coby provide depth at the high school level that is unheard of. Their four to five receiver sets will virtually be impossible to defend.
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