South Florida- This weekend marked the end of spring football across the NCAA.
With the 2025-26 College Football season closing in rapidly, most scouts and analysts have begun their projections of potential breakout seasons. I’m going to do things a little differently, and keep the roots of this piece buried in the greater South Florida area.
While programs like Miami, Florida or Florida State could easily fill this list by their lonesome, I’m limiting myself to only a few representatives from the Big 3 to this list.
Please Note: Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith will not be noted, as he’s the consensus top WR in college football.
Without further ado, let’s breakdown 10 South Florida alumni that I project to thrust themselves into Super-Stardom this season:
CJ Bailey: QB, NC State
High School: Chaminade Madonna (Hollywood, FL.)
CJ Bailey is entering this season as one of the top returning QB’s to college football. After being thrust into the starter role following an unfortunate career ending injury to Grayson McCall, Bailey hit the ground in full sprint. CJ Bailey finished the season 3-4 as the ‘Pack’s starter, and has only continued to grow from there.
Bailey tossed for 2,400 yards and 17 touchdowns, while rushing for another 280 and 5 scores. After multiple elite passers have taken their talents to pro waters, I project CJ Bailey to step into that star role this upcoming season. CJ’s projected break out season will also closely tie into my prediction that NC State will be competing for the ACC Title in 2025.
Mark Fletcher + Jordan Lyle: RB Miami
High School: American Heritage (Plantation, FL.), St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL.)
Miami’s a program that consistently boasts a dynamic running back duo, and I expect this season to be no different. While Mark Fletcher certainly had a breakout season in 2024, this season he will cement himself into the ‘feature back’ role. As for Jordan Lyle, he did what most true freshman do, sit a little lower on the depth chart, learn from the starters, and when the opportunity arises take your playtime in stride.
Following Miami’s spring practices/game, my biggest take away was how elite this RB room could be. I think the ground game will be the focal point of the ‘Canes offense throughout this upcoming season. Fletcher’s always been that bruiser type back, while Lyle is a cutter.
2024 Stats:
Mark Fletcher: 607 Yards, 9 TD
Jordan Lyle: 400 Yards, 4 TD
Miami RB’s Jordan Lyle (21) and Mark Fletcher Jr. (4). Photo Credits: Christian Proscia, NewEraPrep
Micah Mays: WR Wake Forest
High School: The Benjamin School (Palm Beach Gardens, FL.)
Micah Mays has the potential to become the next great Wake Forest Demon Deacon WR to hail from South Florida (AT Perry). Throughout his time in Winston Salem, Mays has continued to make plays and work his way up the depth chart. This spring, Micah has solidified himself as the top pass catcher for the Deacs, and I project that momentum to carry into the season.
Micah Mays lined up pre snap vs Miami. Photo Credits: Christian Proscia, NewEraPrep
Joshisa Trader: WR Miami
High School: Chaminade Madonna (Hollywood, FL.)
Joshisa Trader took the majority of his true freshman season learning behind four receivers who are now testing professional waters. When Trader received significant playtime in the 2024 ‘PopTart’s Bowl’, he reminded the world how good he was, going for 3 catches, 61 yards and a 40 yard receiving touchdown.
Throughout Miami’s spring practices, JoJo Trader has stepped into the alpha receiver role, and can very easily go for 1,000+ yards and double figure scores in 2025.
JoJo Trader and Cam Ward during the 2024 ‘PopTart’s Bowl’ Photo Credits: Alex Muniz, NewEraPrep
Teddy Hoffmann: WR NC State
High School: Atlantic (Delray Beach, FL.)
This one might be a bit of a hot take to the causal readers, but those that know, know. NC State wide receiver Teddy Hoffmann has the opportunity to be the Wolfpack’s secret weapon headed into his true freshman season. Anyone who’s watched Hoffmann’s game knows that he always finds a way to get open. The biggest strength of Teddy Hoffmann’s game is his elusive routes, finding gaps in coverage, allowing him to make big plays.
I’m extremely interested to see how his game translates to the collegiate level, and I expect him to rapidly climb the depth chart of a very depleted NC State receiver core.
Teddy Hoffmann on his OV to NC State. Photo Credits: NC State Athletics
Darius “Boobie” Johnson: WR Syracuse
High School: Northwestern (Miami, FL.)
Darius Johnson has been making serious noise since getting on campus in January. Boobie took spring ball by storm, making highlight play after play every practice, and capping it off with an incredible performance in the Orange’ spring game. In an ACC that’s as weak as ever, I could very easily see those Boobie Blurrs make an appearance.
Darius Johnson on his OV to Syracuse. Photo Credits: Syracuse Athletics
Amaree Williams: TE/DE Florida State
High School: The Benjamin School (Palm Beach Gardens, FL.)
Amaree Williams has the potential to be big man Travis Hunter. Williams was a two way star in high school, wrecking opposing teams as a tight end and edge rusher. Amaree would forgo his senior year at Benjamin, and take his talents to Tally early. During his true freshman season at Florida State, Amaree Williams was only used as a TE, recording 5 catches, 71 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Following the end of the season, Seminoles HC Mike Norvell has stated numerous times the intention to include Amaree Williams into the defensive rotation. If FSU is able to tap into Amaree Williams’ full potential, the sky is truly the limit for the ways they can utilize him.
Amaree Williams lined up vs Miami. Photo Credits: Christian Proscia, NewEraPrep
Isaiah Hardge: WR/DB Colorado
High School: St Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL.)
Hmmmmm, a South Florida native WR/DB on Colorado’s roster. This one sounds familiar doesn’t it?
Am I saying that Isaiah Hardge can immediately become Travis Hunter? No, I most certainly am not. Despite his limited role as a true freshman, Hardge was utilized as a Swiss army knife, recording 1 catch for 39 yards, 2 rushing attempts for 8 yards, and 5 total tackles.
The entire Colorado staff has had high praise for Isaiah Hardge throughout spring ball, and WR’s coach Jason Philips has stated he expects Hardge to carry the production that Jimmy Horn and LaJohntay Wester had in 2024.
