Vote now: Who is the Top Returning Defensive Tackle in Florida for 2023?

Here are 17 players for your consideration

Let’s take a closer look at some of the best returning defensive tackles in high school football for the 2023 season in the Sunshine State.

Our list includes some of the best in the country and players who proved to be invaluable to their teams last season in making key sacks in crucial moments of the game, delivering big hits or helping lead the defense as the top tackler.

There are plenty of worthy names on this list, so be sure to vote in our poll for who you think will be the top returning defensive tackle for the upcoming Florida high school football season. Voting will close on August 31, just in time for the start of the regular season. 

Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. This poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player that may not be mentioned in our poll.

Sincere Edwards, Wekiva: Once upon a time was a UCF commit, Edwards is a straight terror on the defensive line for opposing guards and centers. In 2022, Edwards notched 62 tackles, 27 for a loss and 17 sacks for the Mustangs. 

Armondo Blount, Miami Central: Can really play really any of the four positions on the defensive line and transferred over from Dillard over the offseason. Last season for the Panthers, Blount racked up 16 sacks and 30 tackles for loss. 

David Stone, IMG Academy: Is ranked the No. 6 overall prospect of the 2024 class by 247Sports and for plenty of good reasons. Stone, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound tackle, has an explosive first step and looks college ready right now. 

Artavius Jones, Blountstown: Jones has all the Florida universities chasing him, with Florida State, Miami (FL) and UCF among his favorites. He played both ways for the Tigers and notched 58 tackles, with 14 coming for a loss. 

Sean Sevillano Jr., Clearwater Academy International: A Canadian transplant, Sevillano Jr. has transitioned into the states just fine and is one of the state’s best. A Notre Dame commit, Sevillano last season had 78 tackles and 22 sacks for the Knights. 

Dimitry Nicolas, Miami Norland: Though Nicolas may not be ranked among the upper echelon, his play is as good as anyone on this list. At 6-foot-3, 275 pounds, Nicolas brings great tenacity at the position and a constant motor. 

TJ Lindsey, IMG Academy: Playing next to Stone creates a nearly unstoppable tandem down in Bradenton. Lindsey stands 6-foot-3, over 290 pounds and has teams like Auburn, Miami (FL), Texas and Texas A&M on his trail.

Preston Watson, Sanford Seminole: Watson is a multi-sport athlete and plays on the hardwood as well. When it comes to the gridiron, he’s one of the top defensive tackles in Central Florida after having a solid season for the Seminoles in 2022. 

Tyreek’e Robinson, Manatee: Not just the South Suncoast’s best three technique, but could be the tops in the state. Robinson last season for Jacquez Green’s Hurricanes racked up 23 tackles and his top schools are Miami (FL) and USC. 

Garrison Butler, Bolles: The Cincinnati commitment was arguably the top defensive tackle in the Northeast Florida region in 2022. Butler last season racked up 50 tackles and 17 of those went for a loss. 

D’Antre Robinson, Jones: Robinson is a 2-sport athlete for the Fightin’ Tigers, with basketball being the other sport. Jones defense was one of the toughest in Central Florida as he notched 89 tackles and nine sacks last season. 

Jamorie Flagg, Miami Booker T. Washington: Can’t forget about Flagg over at Booker T. Washington. Playing for the legend Tim ‘Ice’ Harris, Flagg had himself a strong 2022 and had 38 tackles, 16 for loss and six sacks. Flagg is a Florida State commitment. 

Xavier Porter, Tampa Catholic: Porter just recently committed to Louisville after putting together a solid 2022 campaign for the Crusaders. The 265-pound defensive tackle had 50 tackles and two sacks a year ago. 

Nate Gabriel, Auburndale: The heart and soul of the Bloodhounds defense, Gabriel made sure the interior was impenetrable. Last season in Polk County, Gabriel had over 50 tackles, 26 for loss and seven sacks. 

Christian Hudson, Mainland: Whomever has to go up against this Buccaneers’ defense will have plenty of Power 5 players to go up against. Hudson is one of them and pairs up with LJ McCray to form a formidable duo in the front seven. 

Davion Dixon, Miami Palmetto: Dixon is the other Notre Dame commitment on this list and the statistics he put up last season were eye popping to say the least. The future Fighting Irish defensive tackle racked up 70 tackles, 33 for loss and 10.5 sacks for the Panthers. 

Antonio Henley, Gaither: Cowboys head coach Kirk Karsen proclaimed last season that Henley could be the defensive tackle not just in Tampa Bay, but in the state. Henley had a sensational 2022 campaign, nabbing 32 tackles for loss and 16 sacks. 

Myron Charles, Port Charlotte: The 6-foot-5, 270-pound defensive tackle has impressed many throughout the offseason and his play last fall had heads turning. Charles has offers from Alabama, Florida, Florida State and LSU to name a few. 

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.