Evaluating the State of Florida's Special 2023 WR Class

From Miami to Pensacola, the state of Florida has a tremendous class of 2023 prep wide receivers.

Brian Smith | Apr 26, 2022

TAMPA - You need speed? Got it. Quickness? Sure thing. Route runners? Absolutely. Size? That’s here, too. Welcome to the Sunshine where the talent within the class of 2023 wide receivers have a wide variety of skills.

Keep in mind that all of these young football players have a variety of skills; the categories used simply denote a top attribute. Each of them could likely fall into multiple aspects of being a wide receiver.

Further, some recruits listed as defensive backs and running backs could have also been added to this list. Finally, there are even more receivers that have not been scouted yet so they are not mentioned. It seems like there’s a talented wide receiver in just about every direction one looks in the Sunshine State. Florida is loaded!

Route Runners

All of the following players could be listed in multiple categories, but their ability to run routes catches one’s attention when combined with their athletic prowess. Any one of these young men that makes it to the NFL from this first group, it should not be a surprise. While there’s still work to be done because learning routes is a life-long skill for a receiver, each of these players does a really good job for a high school player.

William Fowles, 6’3”, 200-pounds, Hialeah (Fla.) Dade Christian School

William Fowles Wide Receiver Miami (Fla.) Dade Christian - 2023 — William Fowles was tremendous at the Miami Under Armour Camp / Brian Smith, Inside The Knights

Brandon Inniss, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage

Andy Jean, 6’1”, 180-pounds, Miami (Fla.) Northwestern

Bryson Rodgers, Wesley Chapel (Fla.) Wiregrass Ranch

Carnell Tate, Chicago (Ill.) / Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy

Nice route by Andy Jean ⁦@1typeandy⁩ ⁦@UANextFootball⁩ ⁦@JohnGarcia_Jr⁩ pic.twitter.com/KzHy1kXjEA
— Brian Smith (@fbscout_florida) February 21, 2022

Traylon Ray, 6’2”, 180-pounds, Tallahassee (Fla.) North Florida Christian

Big Receivers

This group plays with their size as much if not more than anything. Even Lawrence, who has plenty of shake and bake, uses his strength as much as anything else. Several others within this specific grouping could also be listed elsewhere. Overall, the number of big receivers that make plays after the catch is off the charts.

Jeremiah Augustin, 6’6”, 180-pounds, Jupiter (Fla.) Jupiter Christian

More people need to know about this player! @Dwight_XOS @JohnGarcia_Jr https://t.co/y0zmIND40s
— Brian Smith (@fbscout_florida) April 26, 2022

Ahmari Borden, 6’3”, 190-pounds, Quincy (Fla.) Munroe Day School - Stanford commitment

Raymond Cottrell, 6’3”, 210-pounds, Milton (Fla.) High School - Georgia commitment

Darion Domineck, 6’4”, 185-pounds, Orange Park (Fla.) Fleming Island

Olsen Patt Henry, 6’2”, 210-pounds, Naples (Fla.) First Baptist

Arthur Jenkins, 6’3”, 190-pounds, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Dillard - FAU commitment

Darren “Goldie” Lawrence, 6’1”, 200-pounds, Sanford (Fla.) Seminole - FSU commitment

Reed Robinson, 6’3”, 185-pounds, Pensacola (Fla.) Booker T. Washington

Jeremiah Shack, 6’3”, 200-pounds, Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin

Dayquavious Sorey, 6’2”, 200-pounds, Graceville (Fla.) Chipley - Georgia commitment

Hykeem Williams, 6’3”, 215-pounds, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Stranahan

Dynamic

From the following players, it’s basically comical how many of these players will make a defensive back a YouTube highlight. The stop-and-start moves, double moves, and just plain speed from the following list is phenomenal. Every one of these players can change a game with a single play.

Jalen Brown, 6’1”, 170-pounds, Miami (Fla.) Gulliver Prep

Keyon Brown, 6’2”, 190-pounds, Tallahassee (Fla.) Rickards

Eddie Combs, 5’11”, 165-pounds, Rockledge (Fla.) High School

Richard Dandridge, 5’10”, 155-pounds, Homestead (Fla.) High School

Santana Fleming, 5’10”, 160-pounds, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage

Isaiah Hardge, 5’10”, 165-pounds, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas

Kelton Henderson, 5’11”, 175-pounds, Lehigh Acres (Fla.) Lehigh

Bolt up⚡️⚡️ pic.twitter.com/HIycI4wlCX
— Kelton Henderson (@KeltonH5) February 16, 2022

Vandrevious Jacobs, 6’0”, 170-pounds, Vero Beach (Fla.) High School - FSU commitment

Izaiah Jean-Baptiste, 5’10”, 180-pounds, Kissimmee (Fla.) Osceola

Edwin Joseph, 6’0”, 175-pounds, Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna

Edwin Joseph has a wide range of skills as a playmaker at WR. Stop-and-start, screens, back shoulder, jump balls, and go routes are all part of his repertoire. @JosephEdwinnn @Nadeboyz @Dwight_XOS https://t.co/ken99odsFp
— Brian Smith (@fbscout_florida) April 19, 2022

Nathaniel “Ray Ray” Joseph, 5’10”, 170-pounds, Miami (Fla.) Edison

Ja'Carree Kelly, 5’10”, 165-pounds, Gainesville (Fla.) Buchholz

Kenny Kelly, 6’2”, 195-pounds, Tallahassee (Fla.) Godby

Lamar Seymore, 6’0”, 175-pounds, Miami (Fla.) Central - Miami commitment

Robert Stafford, 5’11”, 170-pounds, Melbourne (Fla.) Eau Gallie

Tray Tolliver, 5’9”, 170-pounds, Lake City (Fla.) Columbia

Asaad Waseem, 6’0”, 180-pounds, Orlando (Fla.) Ocoee

Robby Washington, 5’10”, 170-pounds, Miami (Fla.) Killian - Miami commitment

Rico Watkins, 5’11”, 165-pounds, Tallahassee (Fla.) Rickards

Creed Whittemore, 5’11”, 180-pounds, Gainesville (Fla.) Buchholz

Eugene Wilson III, 5’11”, 170-pounds, Tampa (Fla.) Gaither

Upside

Some of these young men have major offers so why would they be placed here? Well, they are just scratching the surface of what they are capable of doing. The size and length of these players is the starting point, and all of them can really run in the open field. Any one of these three could be a future star if they continue to develop by working their craft and honing their skills.

Tyree Patterson, 6’2”, 180-pounds, Eustis (Fla.) High School - Florida commitment

Aidan Mizell, 6’2”, 180-pounds, Orlando (Fla.) Boone

Zackary Drawdy, 6’3”, 180-pounds, Yulee (Fla.) High School

50/50 ball i like me everytime🤷🏽‍♂️@overtime pic.twitter.com/N07jNu0hrr
— Zack Drawdy Jr (@zackdrawdy) March 27, 2021

Hardwood to Gridiron

As high of an upside as any player in the country, Williams has only played wide receiver since last August. Thrusted into the role and scoring touchdown after touchdown along the way, he’s now beginning to add the nuances of running routes. This 27 ppg basketball player has now dedicated himself to the life of a receiver. Look out for Williams down the line, as there are few with better hand-eye coordination, leaping ability, and speed than this gazelle on the gridiron. His vast potential cannot be defined by words. Watch this one-handed snag by Williams, as he makes it look routine:

Tyler Williams, 6’4”, 195-pounds, Lakeland (Fla.) High School

Final Thoughts

It’s enjoyable scouting wide receivers from across the state of Florida. The sheer volume is incredible and this list is certainly far from complete. No list can truly mention them all. Regardless, do note that Florida’s wide receiver class of 2023 is truly special.

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