Who's Florida's all-time best football player? VOTE now

Before becoming a superstar at Florida State and the NFL, Brooks was an all-everything defender 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

Florida State University Athletic Director Michael Alford greets Lee Corso, former Florida State quarterback who recently retired from College GameDay, ahead of the FSU game against Miami on 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. Later went on to coach college football and become a preeminent voice on ESPN.

Brian Dawkins, defensive back, Raines

September 30, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Retired Philadelphia Eagles Brian Dawkins thanks the fans prior to the game against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey G. Pittenger-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 basketball 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 to 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

Dec 21, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) stiff arms New England Patriots linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson (44) during the first half of the game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images

Speaking of Heisman Trophy winners, Jackson may have only played two years of high school football, but 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

Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George, left, has the ball stripped from his hands by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (52), who returned it for a touchdown during the AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Adelphia Coliseum Jan. 7, 2001.

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 over 200 tackles to go with 10 sacks and eight interceptions, drawing the notice 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

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalos head coach Deion Sanders against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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

![(10-26-03)(Herald Tribune Staff Photo by Rod Millington)--Digital Image

Tampa Bay Bucs' defense made great plays against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, shutting the Cowboys out from scoring, and winning 10-0. Bucs DT Warren Sapp lost his helmet while sacking Cowboy QB Quincey Carter in the third quarter.](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ReGEHvZuh..635vBebH5qA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTExNjg7Y2Y9d2VicA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/pensacola-news-journal/013d99b18769f1b68b78ebbdd51dd2fe)

(10-26-03)(Herald Tribune Staff Photo by Rod Millington)--Digital Image Tampa Bay Bucs' defense made great plays against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, shutting the Cowboys out from scoring, and winning 10-0. Bucs DT Warren Sapp lost his helmet while sacking Cowboy QB Quincey Carter in the third quarter.

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

Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith (22) is congratulated by teammates Nate Newton (61), Michael Irvin (88) and Troy Aikman (8) during Super Bowl XXX at Sun Devil Stadium, Jan. 28, 1996, in Tempe, Arizona. Dallas defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17.

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

September 27, 2008; Gainesville FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow (15) gets tackled by Mississippi Rebels safety Kendrick Lewis (1) at the one yard line during the fourth quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mississippi beat the Gators 31-30. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

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 Pensacola News Journal: Who's Florida's all-time best football player? VOTE now