Ultimate season pass: How to see Florida's top high school football recruits in 2022

The 2022 high school football season is almost here, which for most people reading this means that Friday nights will be booked solid for the next three months.

You could go back to your alma mater or show love for some local teams.

But there is another option — if you don’t mind putting a few miles on your car.

Here’s the plan: See the best recruits in the state each week.

The rules are simple. You can only see one game each week. It has to be a game featuring two in-state teams. And you can only see each team once this season.

Obviously, that makes things a little trickier. We’re only going to see 24 teams (Kickoff Classic plus 11 regular season games), so several top teams and players are going to be left out because the schedules need to line up. It also means we’re prioritizing seeing recruits over necessarily seeing the best teams or games. But, considering we’re looking for the top recruits it also means we will be seeing many of the best teams in the state.

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Finally, we’re focusing on seeing the top seniors in the state. Certainly, there’s a lot of talented underclassman, but this is the last chance to see seniors in a high school uniform.

Okay, you get the idea. Let’s get to the 2022 Ultimate Recruiting Season Pass.

Kickoff Classic: Miami Northwestern at Jones (Aug. 20)

Two perennial state powers – both were state semifinalists in 2021 – meet in this exhibition game. Northwestern has one of the premier offenses in the state, led by wide receiver Andy Jean (Florida commit), tight end Adam Moore and running back Jamari Ford, as well as a cornerback Rayquan Adkins (Louisville commit). Jones is led by linebacker Malik Bryant (Miami commit) and future Maryland pass catchers Dylan Wade and Derrick Rogers.

More: Exclusive: Jones 3-star TE Dylan Wade announces college decision

More: Exclusive: Jones three-star WR Derrick Rogers announces college decision

Week 1: Miami Central at IMG (Aug. 26)

The season opener could be the Game of the Year, at least on paper. Miami Central, which has won three consecutive state titles, has a defense anchored by four-star edge rusher Reuben Bain and four-star linebacker Stanquan Clark and an offense featuring wide receiver Lamar Seymore (Pitt commit). IMG’s roster might be the best in the nation. Francis Mauigoa (Miami commit) is the top offensive tackle in the state, Carnell Tate (Ohio State commit) arguably is the best wide receiver in the state and edge rushers Jayden Wayne (Miami commit) and Samuel M’Pemba could be the scariest duo in the nation.

Week 2: Naples at Venice (Sept. 2)

Naples and Venice are two of the top contenders for the Suburban Class 3A and Suburban Class 4A titles, respectively. Naples boasts future Power 5 running backs Kendrick Raphael (Iowa commit) and Isaiah Augustave (Arkansas commit) and defensive backs Kerry Brown (Minnesota commit) and Jonas Duclona (Cincinnati commit). Venice, which won the Class 8A state title last fall, is led by five-star edge rusher Damon Wilson, four-star defensive back Elliot Washington (Penn State commit) and tight end Fin Jones (FAU commit).

Week 3: Gulliver Prep vs. Cardinal Gibbons (Sept. 9)

The top-end talent at Gulliver Prep can rival just about anyone in the state. Speedy wide receiver Jalen Brown (LSU commit), defensive back Daniel Harris (Georgia commit) and edge rusher Lamont Green Jr. (Florida State commit) all are four-star recruits and defensive back Antonio Smith is a three-star recruit. Gibbons’ offense includes quarterback Dylan Rizk (UCF commit), three-star running back Kamari Moulton and wide receiver/defensive back Jesse Anderson (Pitt commit).

More: Football: UCF QB commit Dylan Rizk ready 'to do whatever to be on the team'

More: Exclusive: Cardinal Gibbons 3-star ATH Jesse Anderson announces college decision

Week 4: Osceola at Lakeland (Sept. 16)

Two loaded rosters featuring elite defensive and skill position players. Osceola has two of the state’s top defensive linemen in John Walker (UCF commit) and Derrick LeBlanc (Oklahoma commit) as well as standout defensive backs Ja’Keem Jackson (Florida commit) and Bo Mascoe (Rutgers). Lakeland is led by the state’s top ranked recruit: cornerback Cormani McClain. But he’s far from alone. The Dreadnaughts also have four-star wide receiver Tyler Williams, three-star wide receiver Daidren Zipperer and three-star defensive lineman Guerlens Milfort.

More: Exclusive: Lakeland 4-star WR Tyler Williams announces his Top 10 schools

More: Exclusive: Daidren Zipperer, rising receiver recruit at Lakeland High, releases top-6 list

Week 5: Berkeley Prep at Tampa Catholic (Sept. 23)

Both teams feature plenty of talented underclassmen, but this game is headlined by two of the top defenders in the state. Berkeley Prep’s Keon Keeley is one of the premier pass rushers in the nation. Tampa Catholic’s Lewis Carter (Oklahoma commit) is one of the top linebackers in the state. It might be quality over quantity here, but the quality is elite.

Week 6: Seminole at Apopka (Sept. 30)

This game typically has been reserved for the regional championship or state semifinals, but it’s now a District 2-4M game with major postseason implications. On the field, these two teams feature plenty of college talent.  Seminole is led by the passing combination of wide receiver Darren “Goldie” Lawrence (Florida State commit) and quarterback Luke Rucker (FAU commit). Apopka, as usual, is strong in the trenches with defensive lineman Kaven Call (UCF commit) and offensive tackle Tai Ray (Pitt commit).

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

Week 7: St. Thomas Aquinas at Dillard (Oct. 7)

The District 11-3M championship likely will be determined on this night in a game with two of the most talented rosters in the state. St. Thomas Aquinas’ loaded lineup includes a pair of safeties committed to Penn State – King Mack and Conrad Hussey – as well as linebacker Jayvant Brown, defensive lineman Jason Hammond (Iowa State commit) and talented pass catchers Isaiah Hardge (Colorado commit) and Tekai Kirby (Virginia commit). Dillard has wide receiver Tastean Reddicks (Oregon State commit), running back Chris Johnson, offensive lineman Rico Jackson, defensive backs Jerry Johnson and Trevaughn Martinez to go along with uber-talented underclassmen.

Week 8: Wharton at Tampa Bay Tech (Oct. 14)

Two of the west coast’s best meet up in this rematch of a 2021 regional championship game. Wharton boasts Dijon Johnson, one of the premier defensive backs in the nation. The Wildcats also have a loaded junior class running backs Stacy Gage and Arkese Parks and edge rusher Booker Pickett. Tampa Bay Tech, which is looking to return to the state championship game, once again features a strong defense with edge rusher Antonio Camon (Pitt commit), safety Norris Davis (Iowa State commit) and linebacker Corey Lucius.

Week 9: Pensacola Catholic at Munroe (Oct. 21)

Two of North Florida’s top small schools face off in this late-season tilt. Pensacola Catholic cornerback Ja’Bril Rawls is committed to Florida State, defensive lineman Timothy Gulley is committed to Arkansas State and quarterback Aidan Byrd is being recruited by several Group of 5 programs. Munroe has the four-star duo of safety Makari Vickers and wide receiver Ahmari Borden (Stanford commit) as well as junior defensive lineman Keishawn Mashburn (Florida State commit)

Week 10: Fleming Island at Buchholz (Oct. 27)

The District 3-4S finale features two several talented recruits. Fleming Island is led by four-star running back Sam Singleton (Florida State commit) and three-star linebacker Abram Wright (Rutgers commit). Buchholz, which is coming off a state semifinal appearance in 2021, has a pair of Florida commits in athlete Creed Whittemore and defensive lineman Gavin Hill as well as fast-rising wide receiver/athlete Jaren Hamilton.

More: Florida lands pledge from 2023 DL Gavin Hill; he joins Buchholz teammate Creed Whittemore

Week 11: Lehigh at Dunbar (Nov. 3)

The regular season road trip ends in Southwest Florida. Lehigh running back Richard Young (Alabama commit) has long been considered one of the jewels of the class of 2023. The Lightning also have athlete Kelton Henderson (South Carolina commit), linebacker Gerral Blue Jr. and offensive lineman Jahiem Buchanon (FIU commit). Dunbar’s lineup includes four-star defensive back Shawn Russ Jr. and junior wide receiver Tawaski Abrams.

More: Lehigh 5-star running back Richard Young announces commitment to Alabama Crimson Tide

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Florida high school football: How to see state's top recruits in 2022