Want talented football players? Come to Florida.
It’s certainly not a new phenomenon, but every early signing period and National Signing Day serves as a reminder of how eager the nation’s top college football programs are to land players from Florida.
Here’s a look at the FBS programs that did the best job recruiting the state in the class of 2023.
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Florida schools
Miami
USA Today Florida Network top 100 signees: 12
2022 In-state ranking: 3
The Hurricanes first full recruiting cycle under Mario Cristobal resulted in a top 10 class and signatures from several linemen and skill position players who will get an opportunity to play early. IMG offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, Miami Central defensive lineman Rueben Bain, IMG edge rusher Jayden Wayne and IMG tight end Riley Williams headline the class.
Florida
USA Today Florida Network top 100 signees: 14
2022 In-state ranking: 4
The Gators first recruiting class under new coach Billy Napier ended up with some of the top talent in Central and Northeast Florida signing with Florida. The list includes Boone wide receiver Aidan Mizell, Osceola cornerback Ja’Keem Jackson, Olympia defensive lineman Kamran James, Orange Park guard Roderick Kearney and Bartram Trail cornerback Sharif Denson.
Florida State
USA Today Florida Network top 100 signees: 9
2022 In-state ranking: 2
The Seminoles not only landed some impressive talent in Clearwater Central Academy offensive tackle Lucas Simmons, Stranahan wide receiver Hykeek Williams and Vero Beach receiver Vandrevius Jacobs, but they also finished well. Florida State picked up St. Thomas Aquinas safety Conrad Hussey, Chaminade-Madonna athlete Edwin Joseph and Key West offensive tackle Andre Otto in the early signing period.
UCF
USA Today Florida Network top 100 signees: 6
2022 In-state ranking: 1
This was another solid in-state class for Gus Malzahn and his staff. Osceola defensive lineman John Walker is on the short list — with Daunte Culpepper — for the best recruit in program history. Getting Lake Brantley linebacker Andrew Harris, Lake Mary cornerback Braden Marshall and Apopka edge rusher Kaven Call to stay home was impressive.
FAU
USA Today Florida Network top 100 signees: 0
2022 In-state ranking: 5
The Owls signed 12 players from Florida and landed a pair of highly recruited offensive linemen in IMG interior lineman Jordan Church and Evans tackle Chrisdasson Saint-Jean. Tom Herman’s first class also includes St. Thomas Aquinas running back Gemari Sands and Xavier Terrell and Gulliver Prep safety Antonio Smith.
USF
USA Today Florida Network top 100 signees: 0
2022 In-state ranking: 7
South Florida had the smallest number of in-state signees with just six. New head coach Alex Golesh’s first class includes offensive linemen James Jenkins (Carrollwood Day), Nikola Milovac (Clearwater Academy International) and Timothy Lawrence (Fleming Island) and IMG cornerback Jarvis Lee.
FIU
USA Today Florida Network top 100 signees: 0
2022 In-state ranking: 6
The Panthers class likely will be most remembered for being able to get Miami Central quarterback Keyone Jenkins, a former Auburn commit, to stay home during the early signing period. FIU signed 13 total players from Florida, including Miami Norland safety Jamari Holman and Miami Northwestern edge Toddrick Brewton.
Power 5
ACC: Pittsburgh
USA Today Florida Network top 100 signees: 0
The Panthers signed seven Florida players, thanks in large part to the efforts of defensive line coach — and South Florida native — Charlie Partridge. Pitt’s signing class from Florida includes Lakeland cornerback Shadarian Harrison, Tampa Bay Tech edge rusher Antonio Camon and Lakewood athlete Montravious Lloyd.
Best ACC team recruiting Florida in 2022: Syracuse
Big 12: Oklahoma
USA Today Florida Network top 100 signees: 4
Brett Venables and his staff have made Florida a priority and the Sooners once again did a strong job in the state. The haul includes Munroe safety Makari Vickers, Osceola defensive lineman Derrick LeBlanc and Tampa Catholic linebacker Lewis Carter, Rickards wide receiver Keyon Brown and Union County defensive lineman Markus Strong.
Best Big-12 team recruiting Florida in 2022: Oklahoma
Big Ten: Ohio State
USA Today Florida Network top 100 signees: 4
The Buckeyes didn’t sign the largest amount of Florida signees in the Big Ten – Rutgers led all teams with six – but the four players they did sign have the potential to make a major impact. Plantation-American Heritage’s Brandon Inniss and IMG’s Carnell Tate are the top two receivers in the state on the USA Today Florida Network top 100. Brian Hartline, now the Buckeyes offensive coordinator, deserves a lot of credit for Ohio State’s success.
Best Big Ten team recruiting Florida in 2022: Indiana
Pac-12: Colorado
USA Today Florida Network top 100 signees: 1
Deion Sanders didn’t wait long to make an impact in Florida. Flipping Lakeland cornerback Cormani McClain from Miami was huge and sends a loud message. But he wasn’t the only one. Colorado signed two exciting playmakers in Ocoee’s Asaad Waseem and St. Thomas Aquinas’ Isaiah Hardge. Both profile as slot receivers.
Best Pac-12 team recruiting Florida in 2022: Oregon State
SEC: Georgia
USA Today Florida Network top 100 signees: 8
No out of state program was able to get the quantity or quality of players that the defending national champions were able to secure. The Bulldogs loaded up on front seven talent, including Venice edge rusher Damon Wilson, Westside defensive tackle Jordan Hall, Lincoln linebacker Raylen Wilson, Jesuit linebacker Troy Bowles.
Best SEC team recruiting Florida in 2022: Georgia
Group of 5
AAC: Temple
USA Today Florida Network top 100 signees: 0
The Owls signed six Florida athletes, including Jesuit running back Joquez Smith, Miami-Booker T. Washington athlete Xavier Irvin and Homestead slot receiver Richard Dandridge.
Best AAC team recruiting Florida in 2022: Cincinnati
C-USA: UAB
USA Today Florida Network top 100 signees: 1
Trent Dilfer’s first class includes Palm Bay edge rusher Daniel Harris, who was a top-50 national recruit before suffering a serious knee injury before his junior year, and Lakeland defensive tackle Guerlens Milfort.
Best C-USA team recruiting Florida in 2022: Marshall
MAC: Central Michigan
USA Today Florida Network top 100 signees: 0
The Chippewas dipped into Florida for four players: Wide receivers Shatavious Hogan (Miami Jackson) and Javorian Wiberly (Palm Beach Central), Columbia athlete Tyler Jefferson and Miami Central safety Mark-Allen Gay.
Best MAC team recruiting Florida in 2022: Toledo
Mountain West: Boise State
USA Today Florida Network top 100 signees: 0
Very few players left Florida for the Mountain West Conference during this cycle. St. Thomas Aquinas wide receiver Jackson Grier signed with the Broncos during the early signing period.
Best Mountain West team recruiting Florida in 2022: Air Force
Sun Belt: Coastal Carolina
USA Today Florida Network top 100 signees: 1
The Chanticleers didn’t sign the largest number of Florida athletes (Arkansas State and Georgia Southern each signed six), but the three players headed to Coastal Carolina can have a big impact. Miami Norland all-American running back Ja’Vin Simpkins, Cocoa quarterback Blake Boda and Niceville offensive tackle Joseph Hanson made for a nice National Signing Day haul.
Best Sun Belt team recruiting Florida in 2022: Coastal Carolina