College Freshman -From Florida 2025
The state of Florida year in and year out produce some of the top prospects in the nation. The class of 2025 from Florida was no difference. Malachi Toney took the country by storm by being one of the top freshman regardless of which state he came from. Toney just happened to come from the sunshine state. He led Miami with 94 receptions – 1008 yards – 10.72 Average and 8 touchdowns. He also rushed for over 100 yards and 1 touchdown. Toney was by far the most impactful freshman from Florida. We will break down some of the other players who made an impact.
QB
Carter Smith – Wisconsin – 6’4-180 (Bishop Verot) (26-46 56.5% 2 TD – 1 INT)
Andrew Insdorf –Towson – 6’1-200 (Saint Thomas) (187 – 314 59.6% 16 TD – 4 INT)
Tramell Jones – UF – 6’0-200 (Mandarin) (21 -35 60% 2 TD – 0 INT) 4
Comments: Wisconsin brought in a transfer QB. Smith showed some positives signs when he played this year. He is a very good athlete with a big time arm. He is someone to keep an eye on. We felt he had the most upside of any quarterback in the 2025 class from Florida. Insdorf had a great freshman season. If he does that again in 2026, he will be in the portal signing with a D1 program.
RB
Girard Pringle Miami – 5’10 -175 (Armwood) 62- 375 -4 TD
Ja’Kyrian Turner (Pittsburgh) 5’9-165 (South Sumter) 140 – 745 Yards -7 TD
Jaquari Lewis (App State) 5’10-180 (Chaminade) 140 – 618 Yards – 6 TD
Comments: Pringle flashed. He is super quick through the line of scrimmage. He showed toughness for someone his size. He has the ability to change a game on one play. Turner is a big surprise. He went to Pittsburgh who already had options on the team. He shined as a freshman. We first saw Lewis at Dillard HS and felt he was one of the more underrated backs in high school. He made an impact as a freshman.
WR
Dallas Wilson UF 6’3-190 (Tampa Bay Tech) 12 Receptions – 174 Yards – 3 TD
Joshua Moore-Miami 6’3-205 ( (West Broward) 15 Receptions -198 Yards -2 TD
Cortez Mills -Nebraska 6’2-170 (Homestead) 9 Receptions – 147 Yards – 1 TD
Vernell Brown UF 5’10-165 (Orlando Jones) 40 Receptions – 512 Yards – 0 TD
Winston Watkins Ole Miss 5’10-170 (Venice) 25 Receptions – 370 Yards – 1 TD
Koby Howard Penn State 5’11-170 (Chaminade) 7 Receptions – 133 Yards
Teddy Hoffman NC State – 6’0-170 (St. Andrews) 25 Receptions – 349 Yards – 3 TD
Comments: Toney made a major impact as a freshman. Outside of Jeremiah Smith, Toney has made the biggest impact of any freshman in the past 10 years. Wilson, Moore, Brown and Watkins all look like future stars. This class of receivers has lived up to the early hype. We can’t wait to watch these guys grow.
DE
Darryl Desir (Miami Norland) 6’3-225 (FSU) 23 Tackles
Mandrell Desir (Miami Norland) 6’3-240 (FSU) 30 Tackles
Comments: Know as the twins in Tallahassee, these two were not expected to have the type of seasons they had. Florida State’s lack of difference makers forced these two on the field early and often. They did not disappoint as both showed flashes of being very good players at the college level. FSU must keep them as both have hit the transfer portal.
DT
Floyd Boucard (Miami Central) 6’3-280 (USC) 9 Tackles, 1 Sack, 2 TFL
Donta Simpson (Chaminade) 6’2-290 (Miami) 4 Tackles
Comments: We were probably the biggest fans of Boucard coming out of high school. Guys his size should not also play hockey. Very good athlete who we feel is going to end up a star in college. Simpson got some playing time and showed out well. He is another player we could see having a very good college career.
LB
Elijah Melendez Auburn 6’2-225 (Osceola) 29 Tackles, 1 Sack, 3 TFL
Comments: Melendez who we had rated as one of the top linebackers in Florida. As a freshman he did not disappoint. He will be a starter next year and one of the better linebackers in the SEC. He has size and can run. He also does not mind collisions on the football field.
S
Bryce Fitzgerald Miami – 6’1 190 (Columbus) 15 Tackles, 6 INT, 1 TFL
Comments: Fitzgerald was severely underrated coming out of high school. His 6 interceptions probably leads all freshman in the entire country. He is Miami’s next great safety. He made his impact later in the season. Look for him to be on some pre-season All-American teams in 2026.
CB
DJ Pickett LSU 6’4-190 (Zephyrhills) 37 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 3 INT, 3 TFL
Gracseon Littleton Texas 6’1-180 (Wharton) 47 Tackles, 2 INT, 4.0 TFL
Comments: Pickett is one of the best defensive backs to come out of Florida in the past decade. He has size, length and speed. He is very difficult to get open on. He has the ability to shut down half the field. Pickett is going to be a Sunday Player. Littleton may end up the steal of this year’s class. He started as a freshman at Texas and was one of their better defenders by seasons end. Look for him to be a name to remember in 2026.