Drafting football dream teams from Florida's top senior recruits

Drafting football dream teams from Florida's top senior recruitsStory byJon Santucci and Nick Wilson, USA TODAY NETWORK - FloridaFri, November 28, 2025 at 11:02 AM UTC·10 min read

The early signing period is right around the corner, which means it's time for the fourth annual USA TODAY Florida Network Fantasy Recruit Draft.

Recruiting reporters Jon Santucci and Nick Wilson each drafted a 22-player team (sorry kickers and punters) of the top senior recruits in the state.

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There were only two basic rules: They had to draft as close to specific positions as possible (so no taking four edge rushers and saying two will randomly play inside on the defensive line), and they can't pick more than two players from any high school. (Basically, not just taking players from IMG Academy, Chaminade-Madonna, St. Thomas Aquinas, Miami Northwestern or any other perennial state power.)

Since this is a fantasy draft, they also got to overlook any current injuries and draft as if players are completely healthy.

By virtue of guessing the correct number (performed by an impartial editor), Wilson got the first pick.

Team Wilson: WR Calvin Russell, Miami Northwestern

Miami Northwestern's Calvin Russell Jr. takes a selfie with his state medal after his team won the Class 3A championship against Raines on Dec. 14, 2024.

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 7

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College commitment: Syracuse

I was between two names here. I don't think there are very many people on the planet that can defend him. And knowing how you draft, I'm going to need some very special offensive players.

Team Santucci: RB Derrek Cooper, Chaminade-Madonna

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 4

College commitment: Texas

I'm making this pick based on positional value, basically I don't think there are a ton of options on his level.

Santucci: You know what's funny. In a real world you probably start with quarterback. But I think you and I look at this saying that there four legitimate quarterbacks in our top 50, so this could be a situation where quarterback doesn't go until the last pick.

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Wilson: I agree.

Team Wilson: EDGE Asharri Charles, Venice

Venice High defensive end Asharri Charles (#5).

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 10

College commitment: Miami

Santucci: Oh, I love that pick. He's been so productive this year.

Team Santucci: CB Chauncey Kennon, Booker

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 5

College commitment: Florida State

Santucci: I have a short list of guys I really want right now and he's at the top of it.

Team Wilson: IOL Grant Wise, Pace

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 12

College commitment: Clemson

Wilson: I was between two names here and I really need to start filling out this position. He's too good to let set for too long.

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Santucci: I love that pick. And I really don't like you right now.

Team Santucci: EDGE Jake Kreul, IMG

USA Today Florida Network top 100 rank: 3

College commitment: Oklahoma

Team Wilson: CB Jaelen Waters, Armwood

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 11

College commitment: Miami

Wilson: I don't want to wait too much longer on him. You're not throwing anywhere near him.

Team Santucci: CB Danny Odem, The First Academy

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 15

College commit: Nebraska

Santucci: I don't know why, but a strategy just came together in my mind. No idea if it will be a good one or not, but for some reason I just got locked in on something.

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Wilson: Your team is good, but I think my team is scarier.

Team Wilson: WR Naeem Burroughs, Bolles

Bolles Naeem Burroughs (1) runs with Columbia Wesli Haywood (30) close behind during a FHSAA football game at Columbia High School in Lake City, FL on Friday, October 31, 2025. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 6

College commit: Clemson

Team Santucci: CB/S Justice Fitzpatrick, St. Thomas Aquinas

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 9

College commit: Georgia

Santucci: You can keep loading up at wide receiver and I'll keep loading up at defensive back. I feel comfortable playing him at safety or nickel corner.

Wilson: Yeah, but you can only cover these guys for so long.

Santucci: With Jake Kreul coming off the edge, your quarterback might only have two or three seconds.

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Team Wilson: S Devin Jackson, The First Academy

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 13

College commit: Oregon

Team Santucci: EDGE Trenton Henderson, Pine Forest

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 8

College commit: LSU

Wilson: Oh, my gosh! That was my next pick. That was my next one. But you've only picked one offensive player.

Santucci: Yeah, for some reason I decided to really build up a defense, but I love all these defensive backs and edge rushers.

Team Wilson: OT Keenyi Pepe, IMG

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 2

College commit: USC

Santucci: Why did I get cute and not take him?

Wilson: I don't know, but at this point you're making my picks for me.

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Team Santucci: LB Izayia Williams, Tavares

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 25

College commit: Florida State

Santucci: Look, I don't know why I'm leaning so heavily on defense, but I've already committed. But I feel like this is getting away from me. I am leaving a lot of good players on the board. The crazy thing is I'm not a defense-first guy. But you picked Calvin and Naeem and I totally overreacted.

Team Wilson: IOL Micah "Champ" Smith, Vero Beach

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 28

College commit: UCLA

Team Santucci: IOL Chancellor Barclay, The First Academy

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 27

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College commit: Clemson

Wilson: Your entire offense right now is literally Derrek Cooper and Chancellor Barclay.

Santucci: It's a good start.

Team Wilson: WR Somourian Wingo, St. Augustine

St. Augustine Yellow Jackets Somourian Wingo (1) breaks tackles while on his way to the first score of the game. The St. Augustine Yellow Jackets (10-1) hosted the Ed White Commanders (9-2) in the FHSAA Region 1-4A football second round playoffs at St. Augustine High School in St. Augustine, Fla. St. Augustine defeated Ed White 44-12. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 19

College commit: Miami

Santucci: Oh, I like that pick. He was on my short list.

Team Santucci: DL Elijah Golden, Cardinal Mooney

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 26

College commit: Notre Dame

Wilson: No! No. That was my next pick!

Santucci: I mean this with all sincerity, your anger makes me happy.

Team Wilson: OT Samuel Roseborough, Clearwater

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 17

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College commit: Texas A&M

Wilson: If you're going to keep going defense, I'll go the other way.

Team Santucci: S Zech Fort, IMG

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 14

College commit: Georgia

Santucci: I'm done at IMG, but I feel really good about him. I'm fully aware that I've abandoned the offensive line, but for some reason I got locked in on defense.

Wilson: I need to take advantage of you taking no offensive players and just get dudes who are going to destroy.

Team Wilson: LB/EDGE Jordan Campbell, Miami Northwestern

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 20

College commit: Miami

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Team Santucci: LB/S Simeon Caldwell, Bolles

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 18

College commit: Ohio State

Santucci: You only need one more offensive lineman, so I'm going to go the other way and keep picking the dream defense I want. I'm certain this is bad team building, but that ship has already sailed.

Team Wilson: EDGE DeAnthony Lafayette, Lake Nona

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 45

College commit: Miami

Wilson: I don't need to rush since you can't take any more edge rushers, but I was going to take him anyway. I do need to make you aware so you can start picking offensive linemen.

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Team Santucci: WR Jasen Lopez, Chaminade-Madonna

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 36

College commit: Florida State

Team Wilson: S Xavier Lherisse, Eau Gallie

Xavier Lherisse of Eau Gallie runs for a touchdown against Merritt Island in the Class 3A football regional semifinal November 21, 2025. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 38

College commit: Oregon

Santucci: No!

Wilson: I told you to take him.

Team Santucci: WR Larry Miles, Jones

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 41

College commit: Nebraska

Santucci: I know I'm building this from the inside out, but if I play both Jroc and Miles in the slot, you can't cover them. I haven't played this right from the start so why switch it now.

Wilson: I really like this pick, but dude, you're done.

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Team Wilson: S Ayden Pouncey, Winter Park

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 24

College commit: Notre Dame

Team Santucci: OT Joel Ervin, Fort Myers

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 44

College commit: Miami

Team Wilson: DL Kendall Guervil, Fort Myers

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 33

College commit: Florida

Wilson: You went with a Greenie, so I'll go with one, too.

Team Santucci: LB Justin Edwards, Edgewater

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 29

College commit: Miami

Santucci: I don't know where everyone fits, maybe I play Caldwell at safety, but I love the mentality Edwards brings.

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Team Wilson: CB CJ Bronaugh, Windemere

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 22

College commit: Florida

Team Santucci: WR Jayden Petit, St. John Neumann

Jayden Petit prepares for a football drill during practice. The St. John Neumann High School football team held practice Tuesday morning July 29, 2025.

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 55

College commit: Wisconsin

Team Wilson: IOL Canon Pickett, Tampa Bay Tech

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 66

College commit: Miami

Team Santucci: WR Tyren Wortham, Booker

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 46

College commit: Uncommitted

Santucci: I don't care about matchups right now. I just want a playmaker and Wortham makes plays.

Team Wilson: WR Brandon Bennett, American Heritage

American Heritage Patriots receiver Brandon Bennett (11) catches a touchdown pass during the second quarter of a game against the Naples Golden Eagles at Staver Field in Naples on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024.

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 47

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College commit: Florida State

Team Santucci: C Ryan Miret, Miami Southridge

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 83

College commit: Ole Miss

Team Wilson: LB Malik Morris, Lakeland

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 32

College commit: Florida

Wilson: I'll play him at linebacker and then he'll be my backup running back.

Team Santucci: OT Johnnie Jones, Venice

Venice High offensive tackle Johnnie Jones, Jr. (#70).

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 43

College commit: Missouri

Team Wilson: DL/EDGE Kevontay Hugan, Booker

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 60

College commit: Indiana

Team Santucci: OT Chancellor Campbell, Lakewood

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 74

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College commit: Florida

Santucci: I'm going to go with two giants at tackle and I'll bump Joel Ervin inside.

Team Wilson: QB Will Griffin, Jesuit

Tampa Jesuit quarterback Will Griffin warms up before a spring game against Lakeland, May 17, 2025

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 40

College commit: Florida

Team Santucci: DL James Johnson, Miami Northwestern

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 21

College commit: Texas

Santucci: Look, I did a horrible job from a team-building standpoint, but my defense is legit.

Team Wilson: RB Le'Khy Thompkins, IMG

USA Today Florida Network top 100 rank: 70

College commit: Louisville

Team Santucci: QB Dia Bell, American Heritage

USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 rank: 1

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College commit: Texas

Final Rosters

Team Wilson

Offense: QB: Will Griffin (Jesuit), RB: Le'Khy Thompkins (IMG), WR: Calvin Russell (Northwestern), Naeem Burroughs (Bolles), Somourian Wingo (St. Augustine), Brandon Bennett (American Heritage), OL: Grant Wise (Pace), Keenyi Pepe (IMG), Champ Smith (Vero Beach), Samuel Roseborough (Clearwater), Canon Pickett (Tampa Bay Tech)

Defense: EDGE: Asharri Charles (Venice), DeAnthony Lafayette (Lake Nona), DL: Kendall Guervil (Fort Myers), Kevontay Hugan (Booker), LB: Jordan Campbell (Northwestern), Malik Morris (Lakeland), CB: Jaelen Waters (Armwood), CJ Bronaugh (Windermere), S: Devin Jackson (The First Academy), Xavier Lherisse (Eau Gallie), Ayden Pouncey (Winter Park)

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Team Santucci

Offense: QB: Dia Bell (American Heritage), RB: Derrek Cooper (Chaminade-Madonna), WR: Jasen Lopez (Chaminade-Madonna), Larry Miles (Jones), Jayden Petit (St. John Neumann), Tyren Wortham (Booker), OL: Chancellor Barclay (The First Academy), Joel Ervin (Fort Myers), Ryan Miret (Southridge), Johnnie Jones (Venice), Chancellor Campbell (Lakewood)

Defense: EDGE: Jake Kreul (IMG), Trenton Henderson (Pine Forest), DL: Elijah Golden (Cardinal Mooney), James Johnson (Northwestern), LB: Izayia Williams (Tavares), Justin Edwards (Edgewater), CB: Chauncey Kennon (Booker), Danny Odem (The First Academy), Justice Fitzpatrick (St. Thomas Aquinas), S: Zech Fort (IMG), Simeon Caldwell (Bolles)

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida football 2026 recruiting class, drafting a dream team

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