Florida high school football recruiting: Individual matchups to watch during Week 1

The nation is coming to Broward County this weekend.

OK, it’s seven high school teams from around the nation playing seven of Broward’s premier teams on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

But the teams are some of the county’s premier programs – DeMatha (Maryland), St. Joseph’s (Pennsylvania), Los Alamitos (California) and St. John’s (Washington D.C.) – and boast some of the nation’s top recruits.

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Here is a look at one individual matchup to watch in each of the seven games featuring top recruits.

Stranahan WR Hykeem Williams vs. Life Christian Academy (Va.) S Kaleb Spencer

Williams (No. 25 USA Today Florida Network top 100)  is one of the top senior receiver recruits in the state. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Williams has narrowed his list to Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Pittsburgh and Texas A&M. At 6-foot-2, Spencer (Oklahoma commit) has the size to match up with Williams on jump balls.

Western WR Santana Fleming vs. Johns Creek (Ga.) CB Jayden Dykes

Fleming, a senior, caught 18 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns at American Heritage in 2021. The 5-foot-10, 160-pound receiver’s offers include Auburn, Louisville and Mississippi State. Dykes is a tall defensive back at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds. He recorded 46 tackles and broke up four passes in 2021.

Dillard OT Rico Jackson vs. Rock Creek (Md.) EDGE Anthony Little

Jackson stands 6-foot-6, 295 pounds. He was verbally committed to Illinois in early June before decommitting late last month. His offers include Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, N.C State and South Carolina. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Little is verbally committed to Georgia Tech. He is ranked the No. 14 overall prospect in Maryland by Rivals.com.

Cardinal Gibbons RB Kamari Moulton vs. DeMatha (Md.) DL Jason Moore

Moulton has been one of the most productive running backs in the state the past two seasons and is expecting to have another big year as a senior. The 5-foot-9, 180-pound Moulton’s offers include FAU, UConn, Central Michigan and several other Group of 5 programs. Moore, an Ohio State commit, is a 6-foot-6, 255-pounder who is considered one of the premier recruits in the nation. Moore can get in the backfield in a hurry.

More: Florida's top spring practice and recruiting updates: South Florida

St. Thomas Aquinas WR Chance Robinson vs. St. Joseph’s (Pa.) CB Omillio Agard

These are two of the top players in the class of 2024. Robinson was a backup for a deep Aquinas team in 2021 but is expected to be one of the team’s top targets this fall. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound receiver has offers from Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Michigan State, Ole Miss and others. Agard, a 5-foot-10, 165-pound cornerback, recently announced a top 10 of Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas A&M.

Los Alamitos (Ca.) QB Malachi Nelson vs. Plantation-American Heritage DB Daemon Fagan

Nelson, a five-star recruit, recently made headlines when he signed with Klutch Sports. The 6-foot-3, 182-pound senior is committed to USC and ranked the No. 2 recruit in the nation on the 247Sports composite. Fagan, a N.C. State commit, is long at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds. He has six interceptions the past two seasons and is a strong last line of defense for the Patriots.

Chaminade WR Jeremiah Smith vs. St. John’s (D.C.) DB Collin Gill

Smith, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound receiver, is one of the nation’s top recruits in the class of 2024. Smith caught 31 passes for 667 yards and seven touchdowns last season and has offers from Alabama, Miami, Ohio State, USC and many others. Gill, an Oregon commit, is 6-foot, 200 pounds. He picked the Ducks over offers from Maryland, Michigan, Ole Miss, Virginia and others.

Here are some of the other top individual matchups to watch in a packed Week 1.

IMG OT Francis Mauigoa vs. Miami Central DE Rueben Bain

For the second consecutive week, Mauigoa (Miami commit) faces one of the premier edge rushers in Florida. Last week, it was Venice’s Damon Wilson. This time it’s Bain, who had a monster season in 2021 with 29.5 sacks. The 6-foot-5 Mauigoa (6-foot-5, 330 pounds) is the No. 2 player on the USA Today Florida Network top 100. Bain (6-foot-3, 250 pounds) is No. 23. Bain’s offers include Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Miami and Oklahoma.

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Gulliver Prep WR Jalen Brown vs. Rockledge S Jaylen Heyward

Brown, an LSU commit, is an elite sprinter who will stretch the field for Gulliver Prep. The 6-foot-1, 170-pounder caught 56 passes for 1,033 yards and 11 touchdowns last season and should get more targets this fall. Heyward, a junior, saw his recruiting pick up in the spring as he added offers from Alabama, Texas A&M, Ohio State, Michigan and others. Heyward had three interceptions in 2021 and will be watching Brown closely on Friday.

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Buchholz WR Jaren Hamilton vs. Columbia S Amare Ferrell

Hamilton, who transferred from P.K. Yonge, is a 6-foot-1, 188-pound senior who likely will be called on to stretch the field the way Quan Lee (now at UCF) did last season for the Bobcats. His top seven is Alabama, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi State, South Carolina, USC and West Virginia. Ferrell, an Indiana commit, is strong in coverage and should be on Hamilton’s side of the field a lot.

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Pahokee WR Hardley Gilmore vs. Cardinal Newman CB Josh Philostin

Two underclassmen take top billing in this anticipated Palm Beach County matchup. Gilmore, who transferred from IMG, is a 6-foot-1, 165 pound junior with offers from a handful of Power 5 programs. The speedy Philostin, a 5-foot-11, 160-pound cornerback, has been offered by Indiana but should see his recruitment pick up this school year.

More: Next 11: Meet the Palm Beach Post's inaugural class of top underclassmen

Homestead WR Richard Dandridge vs. Palmetto ATH Jacory Barney Jr.

Dandridge, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound senior, is an electric playmaker who can make guys miss in tight spaces. The Temple commit will be a big part of Homestead’s offense. Barney’s recruiting took off this past spring.  The 6-foot-1, 160-pounder has been offered by Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Tennessee, Utah and several others. His speed makes him a good matchup for Dandridge.

Benjamin RB Chauncey Bowens vs. John Carroll Catholic EDGE Wilky Denaud

Bowens, a junior, is a physical back at 5-foot-11, 215 pounds but also has the speed to pull away from defenders.  His Power 5 offers including Auburn, Florida State, Indiana, Miami and West Virginia. Denaud, an Auburn commit, will line up at both edge spots for the Golden Rams. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Benjamin try to run away from Denaud most of the night.

More: Auburn commit Wilky Denaud set for monster final season with John Carroll Catholic

Benedictine (Ga.) QB Luke Kromenhoek vs. Columbus EDGE Dylan Stephenson

Kromenhoek, a junior, is a standout athlete, having played running back, wide receiver, safety and special teams in addition to being a backup quarterback. Now the starter, the Florida State commit, threw four touchdown passes last week. The 6-foot-4 Stephenson had 15 sacks and 16 tackles for loss at Miami Killian last season. The junior’s offers include Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Michigan and Michigan State.

Jones WR Derrick Rogers vs. Cocoa S Cedrick Hawkins

Rogers, a Maryland commit, caught a touchdown pass in the Kickoff Classic against Miami Northwestern. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound outside receiver caught 44 passes and scored 11 touchdowns in 2021. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Hawkins verbally committed to Ohio State in January. He is ranked No. 42 on the USA Today Florida Network top 100.

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St. Augustine RB Devonte Lyons vs. Bolles LB Trent Carter

Lyons had a breakout season in 2021 when he rushed for 909 yards, averaged 101 yards per game and scored 13 rushing touchdowns. He has offers from FAU and USF. Carter, a junior, saw his recruitment pick up during the spring when he picked up offers from Louisville, Maryland, Nebraska and others. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder had 60 tackles and eight tackles for loss in 2021.

Treasure Coast OT Alex Woods vs. Osceola DL Derrick LeBlanc

Treasure Coast and Osceola are built to dominate in the trenches, so this will be a good early test for both teams. Woods, a SMU commit, is a 6-foot-4½, 280-pound senior who was a key to the Titans powerful run game in 2021. LeBlanc is the No. 20 recruit on the USA Today Florida Network top 100 and an Oklahoma commit.

More: Why coaches say Treasure Coast's Alex Woods is blossoming on the Titans' offensive line

Seminole WR Darren Lawrence vs. Sarasota Riverview CB Charles Lester III

Lawrence, a Florida State commit, is the No. 99 player on the USA Today Florida Network top 100. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder was the Seminoles’ top target last season and should be again this fall. Lester is one of the nation’s top recruits in the class of 2024. His offers include Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan and Ohio State.

More: Exclusive: Seminole WR Darren "Goldie" Lawrence announces college decision

Clearwater Central Catholic OL Kevin Terry vs. Berkeley Prep EDGE Keon Keeley

Terry, a 6-foot-5, 260-pound senior, is committed to Temple. He started at left tackles for CCC last season when they went 8-4 and reached the regional championship game (where they lost to Berkeley Prep). Keeley, the No. 3 player on the USA Today Florida Network top 100, recently decommitted from Notre Dame. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound edge rusher has offers from Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Ohio State and several others.

Lakeland WR Tyler Williams vs. Clearwater DB Jarvis Boatwright

Williams, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound senior, is No. 33 on the USA Today Florida Network top 100. The multi-sport athlete is considering Clemson, Georgia, Ole Miss, South Carolian and Texas A&M. Boatwright is one of the state’s top safeties in the class of 2024. His offers include Kentucky, Florida, Florida State, Pitt and West Virginia.

Lehigh ATH Kelton Henderson vs. Naples DB Kerry Brown

Obviously the first (and second and …) priority for any defense playing Lehigh is trying to stop five-star running back Richard Young. But the addition of Henderson only makes the offense that much more dangerous. The dynamic South Carolina commit scored six touchdowns in 2021. Brown, a Minnesota commit, is 6-foot, 175 pounds.

More: The Big 15: See who from Dunbar, Naples, First Baptist, Lehigh ranked No. 5 to 1 for 2022

Wharton RB Stacy Gage vs. Jesuit LB Troy Bowles

This is one of the best matchups in the state. Gage, a 5-foot-11, 200-pound junior, is one of the top running backs in the class of 2024. The IMG transfer has offers from Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, USC and several others. Bowles, the son of Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles, is committed to Georgia. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder is ranked No. 16 on the USA Today Florida Network top 100 and recorded more than 250 tackles in his varsity career.

Northwestern WR Adam Moore vs. Venice S Elliot Washington

Moore, a senior who likely ends up at tight end in college, has more than 20 offers. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder’s offers include Arkansas, Florida State, Indiana, Miami and Penn State. Washington is No. 27 on the USA Today Florida Network top 100. The Penn State commit can play safety or cornerback. He intercepted four passes and broke up four passes in 2021.

More: Herald-Tribune Super 20 high school football recruits: Nos. 2-5 revealed

Jon Santucci is the statewide football recruiting reporter for the USA Today Florida Network. He can be reached at jsantucci@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida recruiting: Individual matchups to watch during Week 1