Ten Florida receivers who have shined this fall

We're just past the midway point of the high school season for Florida. Most teams now have six games in the books, and some players in the passing game have really started to break away from the pack. Here's eight ten receivers (well, actually, nine receivers and a tight end) who have emerged this fall. Some were already well-known coming into the season. Some of the others? Well, they weren't quite as well known before this fall.

Now, keep in mind, I'm not advocating that these are the eight best wide receiver prospects in Florida. There have been a number of top prospects (Ermon Lane, Ja'Von Harrison, Corey Holmes and Artavis Scott among them) whose numbers haven't matched those of the players in this post for one reason or another. However, the below-listed prospects have raised their level of play this fall, without a doubt.

Ryan Sousa (6-0, 177, Lake Nona) – The prolific senior out of the Orlando area continues to put up big numbers. Sousa had over 2,400 receiving yards and 30 touchdowns over the past two seasons, and his numbers continue to trend up for Lake Nona. Through six games this fall, Sousa has grabbed 59 receptions for 901 yards (15.3 ypc) and 10 scores. FSU commitment.



Natrelle Jamerson (6-0, 175, Ocala Vanguard) – Jamerson has been a part of a prolific offensive attack for the Knights this fall. Through six games, Jamerson has 39 receptions for 785 yards (20.1 ypc) and eight scores. Tight end Elkanah Dillon has also been very effective for the Vanguard passing game this season, as the Knights are 3-3 on the season.



Mike Boone (5-9, 175, Glen St. Mary Baker County) – Following a 46-7 victory against Paxon on Friday night, the FIU pledge had nabbed 48 receptions for 841 yards (17.5 ypc) and 11 scores through seven games for 5-2 Baker County.



Jordan Franks (6-4, 210, Crawfordville Wakulla) – The senior tight end has thrived with brother Feleipe throwing him passes this fall. Franks had notched 40 receptions for 742 yards (18.6 ypc) and seven scores for the 6-1 War Eagles, before a 28-7 victory over Starke Bradford on Friday night.



Anthony "Shug" Rhynes (5-11, 190, Tampa Middleton) – Rhynes' performance has been overshadowed by the fact he competes on a 1-5 team. Still, the senior receiver had 23 receptions for 811 yards and seven scores following into a 26-21 victory for Middleton on Friday night against Blake, the Tigers' first victory of the season. Rhynes had a 70-yard pass reception for a score in the game.

Travis Rudolph (6-1, 188, West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman) – The Under Armour All-American has put together good numbers on the ground and as a receiver over the past three seasons. But nothing like he's done so far this fall. Through seven games, Rudolph already has career highs of 36 receptions, 762 yards (21.2 ypc) and 11 touchdowns for the 4-2 Crusaders. Rudolph has certainly emerged as one of the top prospects in the state of Florida at the wide receiver position, if not the best.



J.C. Jackson (5-10, 185, Immokalee) – After another big game for the Florida commitment on Friday night in a win over Naples, Jackson now has 18 receptions for 615 yards (34.2 ypc) and 9 scores for Immokalee, despite the fact he's only played in five games for the Indians, who are now 5-2 on the season. Jackson now has two games of 200+ receiving yards in the last three weeks for Immokalee.



Stephen Denmark (6-3, 200, Tallahassee Rickards) – Denmark has been a standout on a surprising 6-0 Rickards squad. He has 23 receptions for 632 yards (27.5 ypc) and eight scores for the season. He also added an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against FAMU High on Thursday, demonstrating why his stock should continue to rise over the course of this season and heading into the weeks leading up to National Signing Day.

Garrett Johnson (5-10, 168, Winter Garden West Orange) – The explosive slot receiver has been incredibly productive once against for West Orange this fall, nabbing 38 receptions for 607 yards (16.0 ypc) and nine touchdowns for the 6-1 Warriors before a 56-7 win over Cypress Creek on Friday night. Johnson had a 63-yard reception for a touchdown and also returned a punt 68 yards for a touchdown in that contest as well. Johnson is committed to Kentucky.



Ny'Qwan Murray (5-11, 170, Orlando Oak Ridge) – The central Florida speedster recently picked up his first FBS offer from Cincinnati. Murray had 41 receptions for 788 yards (19.2 ypc) and 10 scores before a 23-20 win over Ocoee to move their record to 4-3 on the year. Murray had a 99-yard TD reception against East Ridge earlier this season, which is linked below.

Five names to keep an eye on

A quick look at five prospects who were off-the-radar (or perhaps more on the fringe of it) heading into the season. All five players have had a strong start to the season and will force many BCS programs to take a closer look at their highlight tape (and perhaps in some cases, their transcripts as well) over the coming months.

1. LB Jakob Johnson (6-4, 240, Jacksonville Ribault) – We've already covered the German transplant in-depth over the past few days (both here and here). Nine tackles, an interception and a forced fumble in a win against Baker County last week proved to be a statement game for the versatile and athletically gifted prospect who has the ability to play as a linebacker in space, but the type of frame that suggests he could end up on the defensive line in time. Idaho, Tennessee and Tulane have already offered. A whole bunch of other schools are starting to sniff around now too.

2. LB Josh Black (6-2, 225, Tampa Sickles) – Off to a hot start with 34 tackles, 9.0 sacks, 10 QB hurries and a forced fumble through four games on a 4-0 squad. Black currently claims tenders from the likes of Arizona, Iowa State, Minnesota and South Florida among his current FBS options. But if he keeps up this performance throughout the rest of the season, bigger schools could come calling in time. Another defensive end who will likely have to make the transition to LB (whether it be in a 3-4 or 4-3 alignment) at the next level.



3. DT Freddie Booth-Lloyd (6-1, 305, Cocoa) – The big man is a space eater on the interior of the defensive line. Could also project as an offensive guard at the next level, although his lack of height may hinder him on offense. But he's got plenty of size for the defensive line. His numbers to date (20 tackles, three sacks and a blocked field goal through three games) suggest he has more than enough ability to play on that side of the ball in college. And, don't forget he's already done this over the course of the season as well:

@justinlwells don't forget the 80 yard pick 6 Booth Lloyd has too!
— J Worden (@coachjpworden) September 27, 2013

His pick-six is the first highlight on this tape. Talk about a dancing bear.



Booth-Lloyd will need to continue to re-shape his body as he moves on to college, however. Georgia Tech, Iowa State and Michigan State have all reportedly offered. Miami has shown considerable interest in Booth-Lloyd as well.

4. FB Jeremiah Jackson (6-0, 210, Brooksville Hernando) – An extremely versatile player for Hernando, Jackson has been his usual, productive self on defense with 49 tackles (5.0 for loss), two hurries and a forced fumble through the first month of the season. He also has four career interceptions, and while Jackson only has two carries for three yards through the first three games, he's recorded 210 carries for 1,233 yards and 13 scores in three-plus seasons on offense for the Leopards. Jackson claims no offers at the moment. If the Gators elect to take a fullback this year, other options could include Kellen Snider (6-1, 215, Ft. White), Kyle Forde (6-0, 225, Bradenton IMG Academy), Greg Gooch (6-1, 235, Longwood Lyman) and Kevin Bronson (6-3, 250 Delray Beach Village Academy).



5. WR Anthony Rhynes (6-0, 200, Tampa Middleton) – Although Middleton is off to an 0-3 start, Rhynes is having an awfully productive season in limited opportunities from the receiver position. 11 receptions for 467 yards and five touchdowns through three games for Rhynes. That's 42.3 yards PER RECEPTION. Incredible numbers for a prospect suddenly emerging on the radar for a struggling team. Rhynes doesn't even appear to be on the radar for college yet. That will surely change in short order.

@justinlwells Jeremiah had 26 tackles in ONE game this year. And I think Shug Rhynes has two 90+yd TD catches. Crazy stats.
— John C. Cotey (@JohnnyHomeTeam) September 27, 2013