Top 10 Southwest Florida high school football players in the Class of 2025

These are the best players in the Class of 2025 preparing to take the field for their senior seasons

First Baptist Academy Lions corner back Logan Bartley (24) and running back Sam Sparacio (22) celebrate after a turnover during the first quarter of the Class 1S state semifinal against the Munroe Bobcats at First Baptist Academy in Naples on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. / Jonah Hinebaugh/Naples Daily News / USA TODAY NETWORK

The area of Collier, Lee, and Charlotte counties that constitutes Southwest Florida is once again stacked with talent.The players of the Class of 2025 are back this fall after putting up big-time stats as juniors and earning plenty of Division I college scholarship offers. Here's a look at the best seniors in Southwest Florida this high school football season (in alphabetical order):

1. Logan Bartley, DB, First Baptist Academy

After registering 101 tackles (17.5 for loss) last season, the 6-foot-1, 195-pound Bartley picked up five offers from Power 5 college football programs. Bartley, who had three rushing TDs last year, is committed to Kansas State.

2. Myron Charles, DE, Port Charlotte

Charlotte High running back Connor Trim (#21) is met at the line of scrimmage by Port Charlotte defensive lineman Myron Charles (#33). / Mike Lang / USA TODAY NETWORK

The massive defensive lineman (6-5, 270) is the second-highest ranked senior in the area (see Carter Smith below). Rivals ranks Charles at No. 173 nationally in the Class of 2025. He is committed to Florida State.

3. Jayce Cora, WR/ATH, Community School of Naples

Though he only played a few games last season due to injury, Cora has drawn tons of college interest due to his size (6-4, 190) and athleticism. He has seven Division I offers, including Notre Dame, West Virginia, Illinois and Pitt.

4. Taren Hedrick, OL, Community School of Naples

Hedrick moved from Missouri to Naples before last season and immediately made an impact. Coming in a 6-5, 305 pounds, boasts 13 offers and is committed to Ole Miss.

5. Darrion Jones, DB, Cape Coral

The 6-2, 180-pound safety hauled in three interceptions last season. He also was second on his team with three receiving touchdowns. This summer Jones committed to Kansas, picking the Jayhawks out of his 12 Power Five offers.

6. Bradley Martino, WR, First Baptist Academy

At Golden Gate last year, defensive back Bradley Martino (2) celebrated a big play. He has since transferred to First Baptist Academy. / Jonah Hinebaugh/Naples Daily News / USA TODAY NETWORK

Martino was Collier County's breakout star of 2023, scoring 11 touchdowns on 24 offensive touches while grabbing three interceptions and five fumble recoveries for Golden Gate. He committed to Minnesota this summer, then transferred to Class 1A title contender FBA.

7. Lazaro Rogers, RB, East Lee

If Martino was the breakout star of Collier, Rogers grabbed the title in Lee County. He went for 1,515 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground while picking up six scholarship offers. Rogers (5-10, 190) is committed to Northern Illinois.

8. Shawn Simeon, RB, Naples

Naples Golden Eagles running back Shawn Simeon (#5) is hard to stop. Spring football was back as Venice hosted the Naples Golden Eagles at Venice's Powell-Davis Stadium Tuesday evening May 21, 2024. / THOMAS BENDER/HERALD-TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK

The lead running back in Naples' triple-option always puts up big numbers, but Simeon took it to another level in 2023. He rushed for 2,040 yards and 27 touchdowns, including an FHSAA-playoff record seven TDs in a regional game. Simeon (5-10, 180) committed to Toledo over 14 other Division I programs.

9. Carter Smith, QB, Bishop Verot

Carter Smith, the starting quarterback for the Bishop Verot High School football team passes during a practice at the school on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. / Andrew West/The News-Press/Part of the USA Today Network / USA TODAY NETWORK

Ranked as the 86th best senior in the country by Rivals, Smith (6-3, 200) already is one of the best players in Southwest Florida history. He owns the Lee County record for career touchdowns (117) and likely will graduate as the area's leader in every passing category. Smith is committed to defending national champion Michigan.

10. Madrid Tucker, WR/DB, Fort Myers

Fort Myers players Madrid Tucker catches a pass resulting in a touchdown. The Fort Myers High School football team defeated Charlotte by a final score of 44-18 on Friday, September 22, 2023. The victory marked a historic 700th win for Fort Myers. / Ricardo Rolon/USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA / USA TODAY NETWORK

Son of former MLB player Michale Tucker, the three-sport star might be the best all-around athlete in the area. He had 12 receiving touchdowns (plus 722 receiving yards) and five rushing TDs last year, but he might go to college as a cornerback. Tucker (5-11, 170) has 12 scholarship offers.