Vote: Who Was The Top Freshman Football Player In Florida Of 2024?

We’ve picked out 13 freshman football players in Florida that stood out this past 2024 season
First Baptist Academy Lions quarterback Brady Quinn (8) scrambles while looking for a receiver during the second quarter of a game against the Port Charlotte Pirates at First Baptist Academy in Naples on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024.
First Baptist Academy Lions quarterback Brady Quinn (8) scrambles while looking for a receiver during the second quarter of a game against the Port Charlotte Pirates at First Baptist Academy in Naples on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. / Jonah Hinebaugh/Naples Daily News/USA Today Network-Florida / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The 2023 high school football season is complete and we are going around the East Coast, reflecting on the last few months. 

One of the big questions is what newcomers on the scene made the biggest impact to a football program or state even? That’s where freshmen that saw extensive playing time come into the mix. 

That’s why we ask the question: Who was the top freshman football player of 2023? 

We will go state-by-state along the East Coast and once that voting is done, do a final poll including all the freshmen that won going head-to-head. 

We’ve selected 13 worthy candidates and ask you the fan to vote for who you think topped them all.

SBLive voting polls are intended to be a fun way to create fan engagement and express support for your favorite high school athletes and teams. Unless expressly noted, there are no awards for winning the voting. Our primary focus is to highlight the abilities and accomplishments of all the athletes and teams included in our poll. You can vote as often as you wish and are encouraged to share our polls with others. - SBLive Sports

Voting closes on January 19th, 11:59pm

Here are the nominees:

Trimarcus Mayes, OL/DL, Niceville

Niceville has a potential great one in Mayes, who started both ways for the Class 5A state semifinalist Eagles. He had nine solo tackles, 17 total tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack on the season.

Jackson Stecher, QB, Orlando Master's Academy

Stecher broke onto the scene this season and flourished for Master's Academy as one of the top freshmen quarterbacks around. In 2024, Stecher ended up completing 138-of-179 (77 percent) passes for 2,666 yards, 38 touchdowns and just two picks.

Niemann Lawrence, QB, Ransom Everglades

One of the most highly coveted 2028 quarterbacks around, Lawrence is already turning heads after a couple years playing varsity football so far. In 2024, Lawrence completed 160-of-249 passes for 2,665 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Brady Quinn, QB, First Baptist Academy of Naples

Starting for one of Southwest Florida's top programs, Quinn took the reigns and played beyond his years. The freshman passer completed 176-of-316 passes for 2,549 yards and 33 touchdowns.

Champ Monds, QB, Vero Beach

Monds is the top dual-threat quarterback of all the freshmen passers on this list and proved so on the Treasure Coast's top club. The signal caller finished the season throwing for 2,234 yards, 23 touchdowns through the air. On the ground, Monds went for 502 yards and nine touchdowns.

Taihj Moore, ATH, DeLand

As the season went on, Rick Darlington and crew used the freshman sensation as an intrical piece to the offense. Moore ended '24 rushing for 1,380 yards on 160 carries and scoring 19 touchdowns.

Aiden Graham, RB, Oak Ridge

The Pioneers have a bright future with a building block like Graham within the program. Graham ended this past season rushing for 1,148 yards on 155 attempts and scored seven touchdowns.

Eric McFarland, WR, IMG Academy

Not many freshman came onto the scene in the Sunshine State and impressed like McFarland did. Starting for the Ascenders' national team, McFarland hauled in 36 passes for 574 yards and eight touchdowns. McFarland has his fair share of Power 4 interest from schools from around the country.

Brysen Wright, WR, Mandarin

On a team filled with talent from top to bottom, Wright was a contributor as a freshman for the Mustangs. Wright hauled in 31 passes for 646 yards and eight touchdowns.

Tyree Mannings Jr. WR, Sarasota Booker

Playing for the Class 3A state semifinalist Tornadoes, Mannings Jr. had a vital role on both sides of the ball for Scottie Littles. The athlete amassed 765 yards on 30 catches and found the endzone seven times. Also had over 300 yards via kick/punt return.

Tromon Isaac Jr., WR, Western

The Wildcats were one of South Florida's top programs and Isaac Jr. impressed many his first season. Isaac Jr. caught 30 passes for 743 yards and scored seven touchdowns.

A'mir Sears, ATH, West Broward

Wherever West Broward needed Sears, he stepped in and produced. Sears on offense hauled in 25 passes for 501 yards and five scores. Defensively, Sears notched 102 total tackles and four interceptions.

Aden Johnson, ATH, South Broward

The Bulldogs had their own star in Johnson, who made plenty of plays on defense this past season. Johnson tallied 93 tackles, 29 for a loss and 13 sacks. On offense, he caught 17 passes for 395 yards and three touchdowns.


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-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @highschoolonsi


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Andy Villamarzo
ANDY VILLAMARZO

Andy Villamarzo has been a sports writer in the Tampa Bay (FL) Area since 2007, writing for publications such as Tampa Bay Times, The Tampa Tribune, The Suncoast News, Tampa Beacon, Hernando Sun to name a few. Andy resides out of the Tarpon Springs, FL area and started as a writer with SB Live Sports in the summer of 2022 covering the Tampa Bay Area. He has quickly become one of Florida's foremost authorities on high school sports, appearing frequently on podcasts, radio programs and digital broadcasts as an expert on team rankings, recruiting and much more.