The state of Florida is one of the nation's biggest hotbeds for football players. Just about every college in the nation comes to Florida for elite high school talent.
But which colleges do the best job of getting players from Florida high schools to the NFL?
The USA TODAY Florida Network broke down the past five drafts to determine which colleges have had the most success with Florida players in the NFL Draft.
And because not all picks are created equally, more weight was given to a first-round pick than a seventh-round pick. USA TODAY gave points for each draft pick on the following scale: 10 points for a first-round pick, eight for a second, six for a third, five for a fourth, three for a fifth, two for a sixth and one point for a seventh.
Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) passes against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesDec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa (61) blocks the rush during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn ImagesOhio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) celebrates a touchdown Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, during the Big Ten football championship against the Indiana Hoosiers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 4: Rueben Bain Jr. #4 of the Miami Hurricanes pressures Tommy Castellanos #1 of the Florida State Seminoles during the fourth quarter of the game at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on October 4, 2025 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Jason Clark/Getty Images)Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor (3) gets into position during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn ImagesIndiana Hoosiers defensive back D'Angelo Ponds (5) reacts after making a stop Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.Sep 20, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman R Mason Thomas (32) reacts after recording a sack during the third quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn ImagesNov 29, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) scores a rushing touchdown during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesGeorgia defensive back Daylen Everette (6) carries the ball for a touchdown after a fumble during the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff quarterfinals at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.Nov 1, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) celebrates his sack on Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn ImagesCarson Beck #11 of the Miami Hurricanes throws the ball against the Ole Miss Rebels during the 2025 College Football PlayoffDec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Zane Durant (28) against the Boise State Broncos during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesFlorida Gators defensive back Devin Moore (28) breaks up a pass intended for Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Dillon Bell (86) during the second quarter of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]Oct 11, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end Patrick Payton (6) retrieves a fumbled ball by South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Lanorris Sellers during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images1 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) passes against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images1 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) passes against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images2 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa (61) blocks the rush during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images3 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) celebrates a touchdown Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, during the Big Ten football championship against the Indiana Hoosiers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.4 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 4: Rueben Bain Jr. #4 of the Miami Hurricanes pressures Tommy Castellanos #1 of the Florida State Seminoles during the fourth quarter of the game at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on October 4, 2025 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Jason Clark/Getty Images)5 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor (3) gets into position during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images6 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Indiana Hoosiers defensive back D'Angelo Ponds (5) reacts after making a stop Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.7 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Sep 20, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman R Mason Thomas (32) reacts after recording a sack during the third quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images8 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Nov 29, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) scores a rushing touchdown during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images9 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Georgia defensive back Daylen Everette (6) carries the ball for a touchdown after a fumble during the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff quarterfinals at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.10 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Nov 1, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) celebrates his sack on Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images11 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Carson Beck #11 of the Miami Hurricanes throws the ball against the Ole Miss Rebels during the 2025 College Football Playoff12 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Zane Durant (28) against the Boise State Broncos during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images13 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Florida Gators defensive back Devin Moore (28) breaks up a pass intended for Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Dillon Bell (86) during the second quarter of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]14 / 14Fernando Mendoza leads 2026 NFL Draft prospects from Florida H.S.Oct 11, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end Patrick Payton (6) retrieves a fumbled ball by South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Lanorris Sellers during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn ImagesHere are the top 10 schools getting Florida players to the NFL the past five years:
Just missed the cut: Boston College (18 points), Iowa State (16 points), Texas A&M (16 points), LSU (13 points), Oklahoma (11 points).
Highest drafted player: WR Tutu Atwell (Miami Northwestern, No. 57 overall in 2021)
Atwell, who won a Super Bowl ring with the Los Angeles Rams as a rookie, recently signed a one-year deal to return home and join the Miami Dolphins. Edge rusher Ashton Gillotte (Boca Raton) had a quality rookie year as a backup for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2025.
Highest drafted player: DL Calijah Kancey (Miami Northwestern, No. 19 overall in 2023)
Kancey, who missed 14 games in 2025 because of a torn pectoral muscle, is the only Pitt player from Florida to be taken in the first three rounds over the past five years. Kancey started 26 games during his first two seasons, recording 11.5 sacks and 22 tackles for loss.
Highest drafted player: QB JJ McCarthy (IMG, No. 10 overall in 2024)
McCarthy missed his rookie year because of an injury but went 6-4 as a starter in 2025. DJ Turner (IMG) was a second-round pick in 2023. Turner set career highs for interceptions, pass breakups and forced fumbles with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2025.
Highest drafted player: Richie Grant (Choctawhatchee, 40th overall in 2021)
Grant had a couple strong seasons in Atlanta, while RJ Harvey (Edgewater) scored 12 touchdowns as a rookie with the Denver Broncos in 2025. Kalia Davis (West Florida), a sixth-round pick in 2023, is coming off a breakout season with the San Francisco 49ers and signed with the Cleveland Browns as a free agent.
Highest drafted player: Greg Rousseau (Champagnat Catholic, No. 30 overall in 2021)
Rousseau has been solid with the Buffalo Bills, recording 32 sacks and 89 quarterback hits in five seasons. Defensive backs Kamren Kinchens (Miami Northwestern) and Tyrique Stevenson (Miami Southridge) both have had bright moments in the past few seasons. Eight of Miami’s picks were selected in the fifth round or later.
Highest drafted player: CB Asante Samuel Jr. (St. Thomas Aquinas, No. 47 overall in 2021)
The majority of Florida State’s top picks over the past five years have been defensive backs: Samuel, Renardo Green (Wekiva) and Azareye’h Thomas (Niceville). Green started every game he played for the San Francisco 49ers, including both postseason games, in 2025.
Highest drafted player: CB Devon Witherspoon (Pine Forest, No. 5 overall in 2023)
Surprised to see Illinois this high on the list — ahead of both Florida State and Miami? You shouldn’t be. Illinois has done a fantastic job producing quality NFL players from Florida. Witherspoon and Sydney Brown (St. Stephen’s) have both won Super Bowl rings, and Chase Brown (St. Stephens) rushed for 1,000 yards last season.