Looking Ahead: Florida’s 2027 Recruiting Class Is Already Loaded With Star Power
The 2027 high school football recruiting class in Florida is shaping up to be one of the most talent-rich in recent memory - and it just got even deeper. With elite prospects like Eric McFarland and Champ Monds reclassifying into the cycle, the group is now bursting at the seams with next-level talent.
Five 5-star recruits headline the class, including St. Thomas Aquinas’ Mark Matthews, the top-ranked player in Florida and the No. 1 offensive tackle in the country. And with the traditional February signing day losing some of its luster in the NIL and transfer portal era, many programs have already turned their attention to the future - and this 2027 class is giving them plenty to get excited about.
Here’s a closer look at 10 names you’ll want to know before the next high school season kicks off:
Zyron Forstall | EDGE | IMG Academy
6-3½, 235 pounds
Originally from New Orleans, Forstall made a big move to IMG Academy and wasted no time making an impact. He posted 9 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, and 4 quarterback hurries - all while facing some of the best offensive lines in the country.
He’s already got offers from blue-blood programs like Ohio State, Oregon, Alabama, and Texas, and he’s taken unofficial visits to Texas A&M and USC. A two-time All-American invitee (Under Armour and Polynesian Bowl), Forstall brings a blend of speed and power that makes him a nightmare off the edge.
Nick Lennear | WR | Carol City
6-0, 170 pounds
247Sports Composite: 5-star | No. 3 in Florida | No. 4 WR nationally
Lennear made his name at Miami Northwestern, where he racked up 381 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns on just 20 catches through seven games. He also flashed his athleticism on defense with an interception and two pass breakups.
Now at Carol City, he’s one of the most heavily recruited receivers in the country, with offers from Miami, Texas A&M, FSU, Michigan, LSU, and more. His Navy All-American Bowl invite is just the beginning.
Mark Matthews | OT | St. Thomas Aquinas
6-6, 300 pounds
**247Sports Composite: 5-star | No. 1 in Florida | No.
1 OT nationally**
Matthews is the prototype offensive tackle - long, strong, and technically sound. He anchored a St.
Thomas Aquinas line that averaged over 375 yards of total offense per game and powered the team to another state title. He’s already taken unofficial visits to Miami, Texas A&M, and Notre Dame, and he’s earned All-American honors from both Under Armour and the Polynesian Bowl.
Simply put, Matthews is the kind of lineman you build a program around.
Eric McFarland III | WR | IMG Academy
5-9, 175 pounds
247Sports Composite: 5-star | No. 4 in Florida | No. 5 WR nationally
McFarland made waves as a sophomore with 595 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on just 29 catches - and then reclassified from 2028 to 2027. Now, he’s one of the most electric playmakers in the class.
Despite his smaller frame, his speed and route-running make him a constant threat. He’s got offers from Michigan, LSU, Oregon, Florida, Miami, Georgia, and more, and he’ll be showcasing his skills at the Under Armour All-American Game and the Polynesian Bowl.
Kaden Henderson | LB/EDGE | Tampa Jesuit
6-1½, 215 pounds
247Sports Composite: 5-star | No. 5 in Florida | No. 2 LB nationally
Henderson is a hybrid defender who can line up as a traditional linebacker or come off the edge with explosiveness. He racked up 49 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, and 20 quarterback hurries in a dominant junior season.
He’s already on Florida’s radar - they just signed his teammate, QB Will Griffin - and he’s also drawing heavy interest from Tennessee, Texas A&M, Alabama, and FSU. He’ll be suiting up in both the Under Armour All-American Game and the Polynesian Bowl.
Jamar Thompson | DT | West Boca Raton
6-3, 305 pounds
Thompson was the heart of a defense that might’ve been the best in the state last season. He tallied 16 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, and 42 total stops while leading West Boca Raton to back-to-back Class 6A titles.
The big man in the middle has added offers from Ohio State, Michigan, and Oklahoma to an already impressive list. With his size and motor, Thompson is a true game-wrecker in the trenches.
Jamarin Simmons | WR | Godby
5-11, 150 pounds
Simmons is a two-way standout who turned heads with 932 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns on 59 receptions. On defense, he added 25 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 6 pass breakups - showing off his versatility and ball skills.
Hailing from Tallahassee, he’s a top target for FSU, but Clemson and LSU are also in the mix. Simmons brings a dynamic presence to both sides of the ball.
Amarri Irvin | LB | IMG Academy
6-0, 220 pounds
Irvin is already committed to Notre Dame, and it’s easy to see why. He logged 36 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, and 13 QB hurries in just nine games for IMG.
A high-IQ defender with sideline-to-sideline range, Irvin had offers from Alabama, Florida, and FSU before choosing the Irish. He’s also been selected for the Under Armour All-American Game - a fitting stage for one of the most polished linebackers in the class.
Wonderful "Champ" Monds IV | QB | Vero Beach
6-2, 225 pounds
Monds was the top-ranked player in the 2028 class before reclassifying to 2027, and he’s still one of the most intriguing quarterback prospects in the country. A leg injury in the season opener kept him sidelined until November, but he returned with authority - throwing for 564 yards, 6 touchdowns, and no interceptions in three games.
He recently picked up an offer from Notre Dame to go along with ones from FSU, Michigan, Ohio State, and Ole Miss. If he stays healthy, Monds could be the face of this class.
**Julius Jones Jr. | WR | St.
Thomas Aquinas** 5-10, 175 pounds
The bloodlines are strong here - Jones is the son and nephew of former NFL running backs Julius and Thomas Jones - and his game backs it up. He led powerhouse St.
Thomas Aquinas with 876 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns on 58 catches. With invites to the Under Armour All-American Game and offers from Florida, Miami, Oklahoma, LSU, Oregon, and Ohio State, Jones Jr. is carving out his own path to stardom.
Final Thoughts
The 2027 class in Florida is already making waves, and with camp and combine season just around the corner, the spotlight is only going to get brighter. From dominant linemen to explosive skill players, this group has the talent to shape the future of college football - and beyond.
Keep an eye on these names. You’ll be hearing them a lot more in the years to come.