As we get set for another high school football season, we will be revealing our Top 100 players to watch for in their respective classes. We will start with the senior class, followed by juniors, and then sophomores. The following players are ranked by their collegiate potential and the impact they made during the 2023 season.
#20 Dallas Golden– Berkeley Prep
Position: Safety
Commitment: Notre Dame
As a junior last season, Golden got snaps at running back and safety where he was a part of a Berkeley Prep squad that won their first state championship in school history. Golden will be playing in a loaded secondary at the next level where he could be a multi-year prospect for the Fighting Irish.
2023 Stats: 205 carries, 1467 yards, 19 touchdowns (Offense) 9 total tackles, 5 interceptions (Defense)
#19 Demetres Samuels Jr.– Heritage (Palm Bay)
Position: Safety
Commitment: Florida
Samuels Jr. brings a ton of versatility where he can play multiple positions on the field’s defensive side and add extra length. Samuels ran a 4.65 40-yard dash as well as a 4.4 shuttle run during his junior year. Likely will be a couple of years before we see Samuels play on the college field as he is likely to enroll in Gainesville at just 17 years old.
2023 Stats: 6 receptions, 106 yards, 2 touchdowns (Offense) 19 total tackles, 5 interceptions (Defense)
#18 London Merritt– IMG Academy
Position: Defensive Line
Commitment: Ohio State
Before coming to IMG Academy, Merritt was a two-sport athlete who also ran track where he ran a 12.48 100-meter dash and 25.93 in the 200-meter back in 2022 at Woodward Academy in Georgia. The 6-3 250-pound edge rusher has a high ceiling where he could be a multi-year prospect at the next level as he could transition into playing a linebacker role.
2023 Stats: 31 total tackles (4.0 Tackles for loss), 5.0 sacks, 1 interception
#17 Ben Hanks Jr.– Booker T. Washington (Miami)
Position: Defensive Back
Commitment: Florida
Hanks is a two-sport athlete and he has won district championships in both football and track. He plays with great length and athleticism where playing in zone coverage doesn’t seem to phase him as he has the quickness to get tackles in the open field. Hanks could be viewed as a multi-year starter at the next level as he adds muscle and to get quicker with his foot speed.
2023 Stats: 19 total tackles (2.0 Tackles for loss), 3 interceptions
#16 Graceson Littleton– Wiregrass Ranch
Position: Defensive Back
Commitment: Clemson
Littleton checks all the boxes whether it’s playing against man-coverage or zone-coverage, he has ultra-level quickness and is very comfortable jumping the passing lanes. Littleton uses his speed to get across the field and make tackles in pursuit. Ran a 4.51 40-yard dash at the Under Armour Combine in Orlando back in 2022.
2023 Stats: 30 total tackles (3.0 Tackles for loss), 1 interception
#15 Jalen Wiggins– Rickards (Tallahassee)
Position: Defensive Line
Commitment: Florida
Wiggins has a ton of upside in his game where he has become more of a straight-line edge-rusher. Wiggins has an outstanding reach that gives him an advantage but also has often at times been thrown into double coverage with the tight ends. Has a chance to be a real difference maker once he gets to the next level as his game continues to improve.
2023 Stats: 32 total tackles (4.0 Tackles for loss), 3.0 sacks (Defense) 4 receptions, 79 yards, 1 touchdown (Offense)
#14 LaJesse Harrold– Gaither (Tampa)
Position: Defensive End
Commitment: LSU
Harrold comes into Gaither after spending last season at Robinson where he plays with a ton of physicality and speed from the defensive end position. He creates a ton of pressure on opposing quarterbacks with his athleticism and high energy. Played basketball and ran track as well during his junior season.
2023 Stats: 42 total tackles (18 Tackles for loss), 8.5 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries.
#13 Gavin Nix– IMG Academy
Position: Linebacker
Commitment: Miami
Nix has a ton of athleticism in his game where he can play in any system whether it’s man-to-man or zone coverage. He is consistently violent when it comes to laying a hit down as he has the strength where he can play on the edge. Nix is projected to be a multi-year starter when he gets to the next level and could be viewed as a high-level tackler as well.
2023 Stats: 42 total tackles (7 Tackles for loss), 1.0 sack
#12 Donovan Olugbode– IMG Academy
Position: Wide Receiver
Commitment: Missouri
The 6-1 200-pound receiver put on plenty of highlights as a junior in his first season playing at national powerhouse IMG Academy. His ability to create separation in his route-running skills has continued to take huge strides. Olugbode is viewed as one of the top wide receivers when it comes to yards after catch where he has the speed to get upfield. He has high upside and could be viewed as a potential multi-year starter at the next level.
2023 Stats: 31 receptions, 561 yards, 5 touchdowns
#11 Tarvos Alford– Vero Beach
Position: Linebacker
Commitment: Ohio State
Measuring in at 6-2 215-pounds ahead of his senior season, Alford is viewed as a tackling machine whether it’s stopping the run or dropping back in pass coverage. Alford is a multi-sport athlete where he was part of a 4×100 relay team that qualified for a regional berth during his sophomore year.
2023 Stats: 114 total tackles (12.0 Tackles for loss), 4.0 sacks, 1 interception
