Here are some of the top Florida football juniors that are set for big-time senior campaigns in the class of 2027.
The middle of the regular season is upon us, and it's usually a great time to stop and look around at where things stand in the current season.
Instead, we're going to look ahead at some of the biggest names to keep an eye on in 2026.
This year's junior class is as rich with talent as ever, and that's becoming more evident than ever as the class of 2027 begins to put together strong resumes. Programs like IMG Academy, Miami Northwestern, and St. Thomas Aquinas are in the national spotlight with juniors leading the charge.
As this year's top juniors heat up, so does their recruitment. College coaches are on the sidelines on Friday nights, applying pressure and getting ready for what will be crowded races to land a commitments while recruits take some of their first official visits during the fall.
With season's kicking into high gear and recruitment intensifying, let's highlight a few of the players in the Sunshine State that are poised to be the marquee names of next year's senior class.
Here is a watchlist for the top players in the class of 2027.
Nick Lennear, Miami Northwestern WR
Lennear has long been one of the most electric pass catchers at Miami Northwestern, an impressive feat considering the talent that group has had. The 6-foot, 165 pound receiver is committed to play in the Navy All-American Bowl, is a composite 5-star on 247Sports, and he tallied a team-high 11 touchdown receptions on the way to a Class 3A title as a sophomore. His offers include Miami, Oregon, FSU, Texas, and others.
Zyon Forstall, IMG EDGE
Forstall transferred in to IMG Academy this offseason from Jesuit in New Orleans, where he established himself as the premier edge rusher in the country. He's up to 6.0 TFL and 3.0 sacks through four games for an Ascender defense giving up just 10 points per game. The five-star junior is 6-foot-3½, 235 pounds, and is a big-time target for programs like USC, Miami, LSU, and Ohio State. He's committed to play in the 2026 Navy All-American Bowl.
Kaden Henderson, Tampa Jesuit LB/EDGE
Henderson burst onto the national scene as a linebacker, but his added height and weight (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) have drawn eyes to his tape off the edge recently. He's already up to 8.0 TFL, 5.0 sacks, and five QBH through five games. He took spring unofficial visits to Ohio State, Alabama, Florida State, Florida, Miami, USC, and Clemson.
Mark Matthews, St. Thomas Aquinas OT
The defending Class 5A state champion Raiders are averaging nearly nine yards per carry, and that's in large part to the stout offensive line. Leading the charge is coveted tackle Mark Matthews, who stands at 6-foot-6, 270 pounds as a junior. A consensus top-5 tackle in the country, Matthews will play in the Navy All-American Bowl and is being pursued by the likes of Texas A&M, Miami, Notre Dame, Florida, and Nebraska.
Amarri Irvin, IMG Academy LB
Irvin has exploded to six quarterback hurries, 2.0 TFL, and 2.0 sacks for the Ascenders while earning offers from the likes of Alabama, Notre Dame, Florida State, and Auburn this offseason. The composite 4-star has taken unofficial visits to Gainesville and Tallahassee as well.
Jamar Thompson, West Boca DL
The big defensive tackle and composite 4-star has been a foundation of one the most complete defenses in the state over the last two seasons. The Bulls have given up more than seven points just once this year in a 21-14 loss to nationally-ranked Bergen Catholic (N.J.). Thompson is up to 7.0 TFL and 3.0 sacks for West Boca, who remain undefeated in the state since Nov. 17, 2023. He's added Ohio State, Michigan, and Oklahoma to an already lengthy offer list this season.
Kenton Dopson, Miami Norland CB
Despite a 2-4 start at Miami Norland, Dopson has impressed this season with four interceptions in matchups against some of the most explosive offenses in the state like Miami Northwestern, Lake Mary, and Atlantic. He committed to his hometown Hurricanes this past March over programs like Texas, Maryland, and Nebraska. North Carolina has since entered the race and is applying pressure, having hosted Dopson for an official visit on Sept. 13.
Julius Jones, St. Thomas Aquinas WR
Jones has been dominant for the nationally-ranked Raiders, and is responsible for over one-third of their receptions and passing yards. He's caught 21 passes for 350 yards and eight scores. Jones, a 4-star and consensus Top 20 receiver in the country, recently took a visit to Notre Dame, and is also a priority for the in-state Big Three.
Osani Gayles, IMG Academy WR
Gayles (5-foot-11, 165 pounds) is a dynamic playmaker that tallied over 1,200 all-purpose yards a sophomore at St. Mary's (Calif.). He's a target for programs like Notre Dame, Penn State, Miami, and Oregon - all of which he's either visited or is set to visit this fall. He's reeled in five passes for two touchdowns and 125 yards for an IMG team averaging a margin of victory over 36 points.
Fred Ards III, Jones EDGE/LB
Ards III is a well-built player that has impressed with his hand in the ground or standing up. He's up to 33 tackles, 3.0 TFL, and 3.0 sacks through five games at Jones. Syracuse, Florida, South Carolina, and Miami are in hot pursuit of the 6-foot-5, 225 pound 4-star.
Mekhi Williams, Lennard S
Williams is a lengthy safety that has been impressing since he tallied five interceptions as a freshman. He's since committed to Florida State, and has helped Lennard to an undefeated start in his junior campaign. He's tallied one interception and three PBU for a Longhorn defense giving up less than four points per game. Miami has entered the race for Williams and he's taken a fall visit to Coral Gables.
Sean Tatum, John Carroll Catholic OT
The Rams are averaging over 300 yards of offense through four games with a stout offensive line unit and Tatum leading the effort. The big tackle and composite 4-star has very impressive movement for his size, and is helping the Rams average nearly nine yards per carry. He posted a final five in mid-September that included Florida State, Ohio State, Miami, Florida, and Tennessee.
Tranard Roberts, The Villages RB
Roberts transferred out of IMG Academy after tallying 300 rushing yards and four scores on 30 carries as a sophomore. He's set to play in the Navy All-American Bowl, and is a composite 4-star on 247Sports. Florida is a heavy favorite to land Roberts, with schools like Florida State and Miami also in the hunt.
Zayden Gamble, St. Thomas Aquinas S
Gamble, a physical and explosive safety, has registered 18 total tackles with 2.0 TFL and a pick for the Raiders, who currently sit an No. 11 in the nation (MaxPreps). He's a big-time Miami target that has exploded onto the national scene this offseason, adding offers from Ohio State, LSU, Notre Dame, Florida, and Oklahoma since the start of the new year.
Zion White, IMG Academy WR
White, a native of Honolulu, is most certainly a name to keep an eye on in this loaded Ascender offense. The big receiver was the top offensive recruit in Hawaii before arriving to Bradenton, and has programs like BYU, Cal, and North Carolina in the hunt.
Ah'Mari Stevens, Miami Edison CB
Ah'Mari Stevens was already a star at Miami Edison, but his sudden mid-season transfer to Chaminade-Madonna will make the rest of the year appointment viewing. The Lions already boast a host of elite talent like Running back Derrek Cooper (Texas Commit) and wide receiver Jasen Lopez (Florida State commit), so expect Stevens, a composite 4-star and Miami commit, to have some truly special tape coming soon.
Cencere Gaylord, IMG Academy CB
Gaylord has shined for the Ascenders, and has tallied four interceptions through an undefeated start. The composite 4-star and Mission Hills (Calif.) native has tradition powerhouses' attention. Programs like Georgia, USC, Notre Dame, Florida, and Oregon are all pushing hard for the talented defensive back.
Jamarin Simmons, Godby WR
Simmons is a talented and dynamic playmaker for Godby, and showcases that all over the field. He's up to 487 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 32 catches, with an extra 64 rushing yards and one score on five carries. He also has a 70-yard touchdown, an interception, and seven total tackles pass to boot. He's high up on his hometown Seminoles' board, with programs like Florida, Kentucky, Ole Miss, and Clemson also in the mix.
Desmond Malpress, Atlantic Coast EDGE
Malpress (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) has elite length and strength, and it has earned the attention of programs that breed elite defensive line talent like South Carolina, Miami, and Florida. The composite 4-star has shined for Atlantic Coast, and is up to 5.0 TFL, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a pass break up in just three games played.
Santana Harvey, Lakeland DL
Harvey has prototypical NFL edge-rusher measurements at 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, with the height and wingspan that has powers like Georgia, Notre Dame, Clemson, Texas A&M, and Florida calling. He shined as a sophomore (16.5 TFL, 8.5 sacks), and has impressed against some stout offensive like De La Salle (Calif.) and Lake Mary.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: 2027 recruiting rankings, Florida football top juniors watchlist
Category: General Sports
