Week 1 is in the books for Florida High School football, and plenty of recruits shined in their regular season debut.
Lakeland made the imposing trip to Traz Powell stadium, and walked away with a 16-8 win powered by a staunch defensive effort led by Malik Morris. Venice came out on top of a shootout with Tampa Bay Tech that saw Winston Watkins Jr. shine, and Florida State commit Tramell Jones Jr. tallied nearly 300 yards in the air in Mandarin’s win over Creekside.
Here are some of the top performances from the top recruits in the state.
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Malik Morris, Lakeland 2026 LB
Offers include: Florida, Florida State, Miami, Georgia, Kentucky, UCF
The linebacker was foundational in the Dreadnaughts’ 16-8 win over Miami Central at Traz. Morris made a key fourth down stop in the third quarter, blocked a Rocket punt on the following drive, and capped off the series with a two-yard touchdown carry (Lakeland’s only touchdown of the night).
Tramell Jones Jr., Mandarin 2025 QB
Commitment: Florida State
It was a weekend to forget for Florida State fans, but not for Seminole commit Jones Jr., who tallied 297 yards and three touchdowns on 15-of-17 passing in Jones’ 57-13 win over Creekside
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Julius Jones, St. Thomas Aquinas 2027 WR
Jones tallied 110 yards in the air on 11 receptions in the Raiders’ 29-21 loss to Bishop Gorman, including a 52-yard touchdown that gave St. Thomas Aquinas the lead in the third quarter.
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Carter Smith, Bishop Verot 2025 QB
Commitment: Michigan
Smith went for 144 yards and two touchdowns on 12-of-18 passing while tallying 31 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in the Vikings’ 48-34 win over Jesuit.
Winston Watkins Jr., Venice 2025 WR
Offers Include: Alabama, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Florida State, Colorado
Venice tallied nearly 500 total yards of offense in a 63-40 win over Tampa Bay Tech, led by Watkins Jr.’s 157 yards and three touchdowns on 10 receptions.
Trenton Henderson, Pensacola Catholic 2026 EDGE
Offers Include: Auburn, Florida, Michigan, Florida State, Georgia
Henderson helped lead the charge in the Crusader’s 33-0 shutout over Navarre. Pensacola Catholic didn’t let up a first down with Henderson on the field, and held the Raiders to under 20 yards gained on the ground.
Joel Morris, Booker 2026 QB
Offers Include: Ole Miss, UAB
Morris cruised to 179 yards in the air with three touchdowns while going a perfect 7-for-7 in the Tornadoes’ 46-0 win over Lely.
Jermane Hayes, University 2025 ATH
Offers Include: North Carolina State, Houston, Coastal Carolina, Vanderbilt
University roared back from a 21-10 deficit against reigning 3S state champion Mainland, capped off with a game-winning touchdown reception from Hayes with less than a minute to play. Hayes added a pick-six to the winning effort.
Will Griffin, Jesuit 2026 QB
Commitment: Florida
Despite falling to Bishop Verot 48-34, Griffin shined with 305 yards in the air and one touchdown on 31-of-47 passing.
Javian Hilson, Cocoa 2025 EDGE
Commitment: Florida State
Hilson recorded a sack, forced fumble, and tackle for loss in a 42-10 win over Titusville
Jasen Lopez, Chaminade Madonna 2026 WR
Offers Include: Florida, Miami, Florida Atlantic, Boston College
Lopez led all receivers with 114 yards and a touchdown on 10 catches in the Lions’ 34-27 loss to St. John Bosco.
Trayvon Jean, Naples 2025 RB
Offers Include: Bethune Cookman, UMass
Jean, who posted nearly 1,700 rushing yards in his junior campaign at Golden Gate, started the regular season right where he left off with 134 yards on the ground and three touchdowns in just eight carries in a 47-14 win over Riverview.
Bjorn Jurgensen, Bishop Moore 2025 QB
Commitment: West Virginia
Jurgensen willed the Hornets to a 45-40 win over Oviedo. Down 40-31 with less than four minutes remaining, Jurgensen pieced together back-to-back scoring drives, first with a 20-yard touchdown pass, and then a go-ahead six-yard touchdown carry with 40 seconds to play.
Jamie Ffrench, Mandarin 2025 WR
Top 4: Miami, Texas, Tennessee, LSU
Ffrench managed 116 receiving yards on just four catches in a 57-13 win over Creekside.
Byron Louis, American Heritage RB
Top 4: Miami, Florida State, Georgia, Wisconsin
Louis was a bright spot in a 37-28 loss to Milton (Ga.), going for 167 rushing yards and a touchdown on 18 tries.
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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida high school football Week 1 recruiting. Which top college prospects stood out
