Who is the all-time best football player from Florida? Vote here!

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You've got Pro Football Hall of Famers, Heisman Trophy winners, early NFL draft picks and plenty of other decorated legends.

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As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, USA TODAY Sports will celebrate the 250 greatest American sports figures of all time. Alongside that national recognition, the USA TODAY Network will spotlight the roots of the country’s sports culture: the high school athletes and sports figures who shaped communities and defined their states.

First, we are going to take a look at athletes in their individual sports.

Here are Florida's stars of the gridiron, selected by a statewide panel. The 10 players (listed in alphabetical order) were all standouts at the high school level before advancing to even greater heights in college and the pros, helping to mold the game.

Don't see your preferred selection? There's also a write-in option.

Derrick Brooks, defensive back, Booker T. Washington

(Nov 04, 2007)-Herald Tribune Staff Photo by Rod Millington)--Bucs LB Derrick Brooks tries the get the crowd excited during the second quarter Sunday.--The Tampa Bay Bucs hosted the Arizona Cardinals Sunday Nov. 04, 2007.

Before becoming a superstar at Florida State and the NFL, Brooks was an all-everything defensive back at Washington High in Pensacola, where he helped his school reach the 5A state title game as a junior. Brooks was named the USA TODAY national defensive player of the year. He went on to help revolutionize the linebacker position with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.

Lee Corso, quarterback/cornerback, Miami Jackson

Lee Corso, former Florida State quarterback who recently retired from College GameDay, speaks with Tom Block on the FSU pregame tailgate show Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.

Corso moved to Miami as a child, and at Andrew Jackson High School, he became a star, mostly as a quarterback. An All-State performer in football and baseball, Corso weighed signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers out of high school or playing football at Florida State. He picked the latter, helping put FSU on the football map as the Sunshine Scooter. He went on to coach college football and become a preeminent voice on ESPN.

Brian Dawkins, defensive back, Raines

Aug 4, 2018; Canton, OH, USA; Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2018 enshrinee Brian Dawkins during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Tom Bensen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Dawkins may have made more noise on the basketball court than the football field at Raines High School, where he helped the Vikings win a state hoops title. But the man eventually known as Weapon X did not let his otherwise undersized stature deter him. He worked his way to a scholarship at Clemson and then to the NFL, where he became a Hall of Fame safety for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Derrick Henry, running back, Yulee

Dec 1, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) rushes by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jalyx Hunt (58) during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Hard not to include the man that set the national high school rushing yards record at 12,124 yards. Henry is perhaps still the most feared running back in the NFL, so imagine trying to tackle him coming out of the backfield at Yulee High. Not many were able to, as Henry hit the end zone for 153 rushing TDs in his high school. The success kept coming for Henry, who went on to win the 2015 Heisman Trophy and two rushing titles in the NFL.

Lamar Jackson, quarterback, Boynton Beach

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws a pass in the second quarter of the NFL football game between Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Dec. 14, 2025.

Speaking of Heisman Trophy winners, Jackson may have only played two years of high school football, but he was already a viral sensation before he earned his diploma. In his time at Boynton Beach, he amassed 2,263 yards passing and 31 touchdowns, along with 1,624 yards rushing and 22 more scores. Since then, he’s one of nine men to win the Heisman Trophy (2016) and NFL MVP (2019, 2023).

Ray Lewis, linebacker, Kathleen

![Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis celebrates after returning an interception for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans late in the game during the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Adelphia Coliseum Jan. 7, 2001.

Titans Vs Ravens In Afc Divisional Playoff Football](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/JQ3oBKk.xdFpYbEf_jWVMw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY2NTtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/daytona-beach-news-journal/3df54ad675e798e9a76e0c356feb3e91)

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis celebrates after returning an interception for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans late in the game during the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Adelphia Coliseum Jan. 7, 2001. Titans Vs Ravens In Afc Divisional Playoff Football

Known for his all-time high intensity and standard-bearing play at linebacker, Lewis’ career began as a football star and state-champion wrestler at Kathleen High in Lakeland. During his high school days, Lewis accumulated more than 200 tackles to go with 10 sacks and eight interceptions, drawing the attention of the University of Miami, where he almost immediately impacted the Hurricanes. During his 17-year Pro Football Hall of Fame career, he was the heart and soul of two Baltimore Ravens championship teams.

Deion Sanders, quarterback/defensive back, North Fort Myers

Nov 10, 1996; San Francisco, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Dallas Cowboys cornerback #21 Deion Sanders during a games against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park. The Cowboys defeated the 49ers 20-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports (c) Copyright USA TODAY Sports

As he did during his professional playing days, Sanders did it all at North Fort Myers, lettering in football, baseball, basketball and track and field. In a state of incredible athletes, Sanders may still be one of the all-time best. Though he wasn’t heavily recruited, he turned down a contract from the Kansas City Royals to join Florida State, where the world began to learn about Prime Time, who went on to play in a World Series, win two Super Bowls, reach the Pro Football Hall of Fame and now coach college football.

Warren Sapp, tight end/linebacker, Apopka

Sep 28, 1997; Tampa, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Warren Sapp (99) in action against the Arizona Cardinals at Tampa Stadium. The Bucs defeated the Cardinals 19-18. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Before becoming one of the NFL’s greatest defensive tackles, Sapp was more than a handful at Apopka as a tight end, linebacker and punter (who had a 40-plus-yard average). A double-double machine in basketball, he had 14 touchdown catches and 52 solo tackles as a senior. He also lettered in track before joining Miami for college, where he switched positions en route to becoming a Hall of Fame defensive tackle.

Emmitt Smith, running back, Escambia

Jan 31, 1993; Pasadena, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith (22) carries the ball against the Buffalo Bills during Super Bowl XXVII at the Rose Bowl. The Cowboys defeated the Bills 52-17. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports

Before winning three Super Bowls as the focal point of the Dallas Cowboys dynasty, Smith was the star on his high school football team in Pensacola. He led Escambia to two state championships (1984, 1985) and rushed for 8,804 yards and 106 touchdowns in his four seasons. As a senior, he was named the USA TODAY national player of the year. It was a bit of foreshadowing for the eventual NFL all-time leading rusher and Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Tim Tebow, quarterback, Nease

Oct 7, 2006; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback (15) Tim Tebow celebrates with fans after the Gators defeated the Louisiana State Tigers 23-10 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2006 Jason Parkhurst

Though he was homeschooled, Tebow put Nease High School on the map, winning Florida Player of the Year twice. While a broken leg ended his junior season early, he was still able to set the state record with 4,286 passing yards. As a senior, he helped Nease win the 4A state title, accounting for a then-record six touchdowns, and set state records for passing yards, total yards and total touchdowns in a high school career. That dual-threat success continued at Florida, where he helped the Gators win two national titles, winning the 2007 Heisman Trophy.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Best football player of all-time from Florida? Vote in our poll