(Written by: Drew Johnson (@RealNews102)
High School Football is back around the country as many schools in the state of Florida kicked off Week 0 this week as Platform Scout Drew Johnson took notes of the Notable Standouts who deserve recognition. As always, The Platform is here to Expose the Unexposed and also put a spotlight on rising stars.
Dereon Coleman | QB | 2026 | Jones | @DereonColemanQB
The recent Miami Hurricanes commit was on fire all night to start the season for Jones, finishing with 400+ yards and 4 TDs.
Joshua Perry | RB | 2025 | Edgewater | @joshua3perry
What a way to start the season after all the offseason momentum. Perry had a productive preseason game vs @NFLAcademy where he finished with 23 rushes for 234 yards and 3 TDs.
Noah Grubbs | QB | 2026 | Lake Mary | @NoahGrubbsQB
What a way to start the junior season for one of the top 2026 QBs in the country. In a 40-18 win over Oviedo, Grubbs finished with 18/31 passes for 273 yards and 3 passing TDs.
Brady Hart | QB | 2026 | Cocoa | @BradyHartQB
My top ranked QB in the state and soon to be top 5 in the country is off to a hot start to his junior season throwing for 5 first half TDs in the kickoff classic vs. Satellite.
Larry Miles | WR | 2026 | Jones | @d1larry123
One of the premier 2026 WRs in the country put on a show to stamp his name as the real deal. It was a 99-yard TD catch from Coleman to Miles that put the game out of reach.
Jaylen White | QB | 2026 | Clearwater | @jaylen_white12
We knew this kid was talented after dominating the college bus tour this offseason but it’s now coming all together as White showed he’s a true Dual Threat under center. He recorded 10/13 passes for 213 yards and 2 TDs while adding 6 rushes for 133 yards and 2 TDs on the ground.
Jadarius Dobie | RB | 2026 | Lakeland | @dobie_jadarius
Not sure there were many running backs who ran as hard as this kid on Week 0 which earned him a verbal offer from Georgia Tech this weekend.
Vernell Brown III | WR | 2025 | Jones | @VB3_9
The complete piece of this growing trio of talent between Coleman, Miles, and Brown who had the game changing play this weekend with an electric 85-yard punt return. The legacy Florida commit is no doubt the real deal.
Kaneilius Purdy | ATH | 2027 | Lake Wales | @KaneiliusPurdy
Not sure how this kid is ranked higher nationally in the 2027 class as he’s a true do-it-all type of athlete. What a way to start the season as Purdy had 4 TDs in a Highlander win over Treasure Coast.
Somourian Wingo | WR | 2026 | SAHS | @_somourianwingo
One of my top WRs in the state put on a show to start the season as he recorded 8 receptions for 151 yards and 2 TDs.
Chris Denson | QB | 2025 | Plant City | @chrisdenson03
This kid played with maximum effort in a Jamboree style weekend where Plant City struggled with Lakeland HS early but had a great game to take down Bartow. Denson was the man with a plan as the Coastal Carolina commit showed off great Dual Threat play.
Dathan Glover | ATH | 2025 | Santa Fe | @dathan_g3
One of the most slept on prospects in the Polk area has to get eyes on him this season. He’s the leader for the Hawks on both sides, finishing week 0 with 4 touchdowns including an 87 yard pick 6.
Keveun Mason | RB | 2025 | Sebring | @keveunmason07
Fresh off an off-season move to Sebring, Mason went off on the ground in the kickoff classic finishing with 4 total TDs.
Nino Joseph | RB | 2027 | Lely | @njoseph015
One of the top 2027 running backs in the state is off to a hot start to his sophomore season as he finished week 0 with 10 rushes for 164 yards and 4 rushing TDs with 1 reception for 65 yards and a touchdown to add through the air. Definition of a playmaker.
Jaelyn Powell | RB | 2027 | The First Academy
Great way to start the season for one of the premier 2027 running back prospects in the state. He totaled 4 TDs to kick off the new season.
Carter Quinn | QB | 2026 | Lely | @Carter1Qb
Listed Quinn in my top 10 2026 QB list and still may have him there as he threw 11/13 passes for 290 yards and 3 TDs for Lely.
Hanoj Williams | WR | 2027 | Timber Creek | @kingnoji4
This kid dominated at our PRZ camp this offseason and with stats like he had in game one, it’s for sure Williams has a bright future. He recorded 6 receptions for 156 YARDS and 2 TD’s.
Mannie McKinney | WR | 2026 | Tampa Catholic | @manniemck_
Fresh from an offseason move to Tampa Catholic, it didn’t take long for McKinney to stamp himself as a playmaker. He had a real solid performance against IMG Academy, recording 3 TDs with 183 receiving yards and 1 fumble recovery.
Lincoln Graf | QB | 2025 | Atlantic | @GrafLincoln
Great way to start the season for Graf and this Atlantic offense. He led his group well while completing 24/32 passes for 285 passing yards and 4 passing touchdowns while adding 1 rushing touchdown for a total of 303 yards.
Uriah Maynard | RB | 2025 | East Ridge | @UriahMaynard1
One of the more productive running back performances this week as Maynard recorded 226 all purpose yards on 20 rushes with 7.9 YPC. Huge season ahead for this kid.
Derrick McBride | ATH | 2026 | Lake Gibson | @dmcbridejr_
Not the start the Braves hoped for but this kid has been a bright spot on this program and had a breakout receiving performance in week 0 with 2 TD catches and 140 total yards.
Amari Caro | ATH | 2025 | Pinellas Park | @_Amari_Caro
Caro starts his senior campaign with 3 TDs as he’s one of the more electric players in the area to watch this fall.
Dylan Wester | WR | 2026 | Booker | @Wester3Dylan
Great way to start the season for Wester and new additions on this Booker offense. He recorded 2 TDs with over 150 all purpose yards.
Collin Dunmore | QB | 2025 | Newberry | @CollinsDunmore
Accurate first half numbers with limited mistakes for this talented senior QB. In one half of play in the Preseason game vs Lafayette (Mayo), Dunmore threw for 11/12 passes with 150 yards and 3 TD passes. He also added 38 rushing yards.
Best of the rest:
Zack Pillow | WR | 2025 | Cocoa | @zackpillow3
2 touchdown catches and 90 yards receiving.
Trey Berry | LB | 2025 | LCS |
Berry has developed into one of the best defensive prospects college coaches need to take a look at in the Polk County area.
Aaron Truedell | RB | 2027 | LCS | @clapz_aj
This kid will be a workhorse for LCS this season as he earned an offer from Georgia Tech after his performance this weekend.
Trevon James | RB | 2025 | George Jenkins | @Admire_tre4
It’s about time the Eagles produce another Bell Cow running back as James is build with a 6-0, 200 pound frame and recorded 183 yards and 3 TDs in week 0.
Chance Houston | QB | 2027 | Land O’ Lake | @cc11houston
A true 2027 QB prospect but plays well above his age is this kid Chance Houston. He’s put the work in this offseason which has translated to the fall period where he used his dynamic arm to help take down Lake Minneola in week 0. Keep any eye on Houston this season.
Myshawn McKinley | DB | 2025 | VCA | @myshawnMK
I’m not sure if there was a better ball hawk across the state this weekend as McKinley recorded 2 INTs with one sealing the game for Victory.
