SBLive's 2022 all-state Florida high school football team: 24 different schools represented between offense, defense
The 2022 high school football season was filled with tremendous moments and spectacular performances on both an individual and team level in the Sunshine State.
Some players built off their dominant seasons from the year before and made the list in back-to-back seasons while others had true breakout years making a name for themselves.
Here is SBLive's all-classification, all-state team in the state of Florida for fall 2022.
Our guiding criteria:
1. Individual performance and accolades.
2. Success of team held considerable weight in selections.
3. A player was only eligible at one position.
4. Players selected for inclusive individual awards (such as state MVP Blake Boda of Cocoa, or Defensive POTY Miami Central DL Rueben Bain) did not double on the all-state teams.
SBLIVE’S 2022 ALL-STATE FOOTBALL TEAMS
ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
Photo by Matt Christopher
Quarterback: Cedrick Bailey, Chaminade-Madonna, Jr. (1M)
Was a threat to not only hurt you with his arm, but also via use of his legs if need be. Bailey threw for 3,355 yards, 45 touchdowns versus just five picks and also rushed for 215 and two scores.
Running back: Cole Tabb, Choctawhatchee, Jr. (3S)
The bell cow for the Indians' ground attack was Tabb and the tailback was one of the toughest runners around. The junior rushed for 2,407 yards and scored 24 touchdowns.
Running back: Orel Grey, University Christian, Sr. (1M)
Doing just about everything for the Christians, Grey didn't just run the ball for University. The senior workhorse rushed for 2,064 yards, 30 touchdowns and had 184 through the air. He also added 666 return yards (kick/punt) and 21 tackles.
Running back: Mark Fletcher, Sr., Plantation American Heritage (2M)
The University of Miami (FL) commit rushed for 1,934 yards and scored 23 touchdowns for the Class 2M state runner-up Patriots.
Wide receiver: Brandon Inniss, Sr., Plantation American Heritage (2M)
There may not have been a better all-around technician at the wide receiver position than Inniss. The Ohio State commit had 1,336 yards and 15 touchdowns this past season.
Wide receiver: Asaad Waseem, Sr., Ocoee (4M)
The new recruit of Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes was one of state's best receivers in 2022. Waseem had 1,353 yards receiving and 16 touchdowns.
Wide receiver: Vandrevius Jacobs, Sr., Vero Beach (4S)
Jacobs was second amongst all receivers in the Sunshine State in receiving yards with 1,511 yards on 100 receptions and 21 touchdowns.
Tight end: Olsen Patt-Henry, Sr., Naples First Baptist (1S)
The Clemson-bound tight end and Class 1S state champion was instrumental in helping First Baptist claim its first ever championship. Patt-Henry caught 65 passes for 1,253 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Offensive lineman: Francis Mauigoa, Sr., IMG Academy (Ind.)
Without a doubt one of the state's best offensive tackles playing for one of the country's top programs. Mauigoa is a University of Miami (FL) signee.
Offensive lineman: Jonathan Daniels, Jr., Pine Forest (3S)
Daniels holds offers from 20 schools, helped paved the way for a Pine Forest rushing attack that racked up 2,768 yards.
Offensive lineman: Broden Sobolewski, Sr., St. Thomas Aquinas (3M)
The center started three seasons at center for St. Thomas Aquinas and was a state champion every single season. Sobolewski has already signed on to play at Army.
Offensive lineman: Tommy Kinsler, Sr., Trinity Catholic (1S)
A University of Miami (FL) signee, Kinsler was the key cog on Trinity Catholic's offensive line. Kinsler led the way for a Celtics' run game that went for 2,003 yards.
Offensive lineman: Lucas Simmons, Sr., Clearwater International Academy (Ind.)
The 6-foot-8, 300-pound offensive tackle was one of the country's most coveted recruits and athletic lineman blocked for an offense that compiled over 4,500 yards. Simmons will be playing at Florida State this fall.
Athlete: Ajai Harrell, Sr., Mainland (3S)
Harrell rushed for 200 yards and had over 100 receiving in the Class 3S state title game against Lake Wales. The senior ended the season with 1,286 yards receiving, 14 touchdowns and had 655 rushing with 16 scores.
Hybrid: Traylon Ray, Sr., North Florida Christian (1S)
Whether Ray was asked to catch passes, run the ball, make tackles and even throw touchdowns, he did it. The senior caught 70 passes for 1,236 yards, 11 touchdowns, rushed for 145, made 37 tackles and even threw a touchdown pass. Also picked off six passes on defense.
Hybrid: Damarcus Creecy, Sr., Mainland (3S)
When it comes to being multi-faceted, Creecy was him. The senior threw for 3,420 yards, 32 touchdowns and rushed for 555 on the ground. Him and Harrell made a lethal combo for the Buccaneers.
Placekicker: Robert Hammonds III, Sr., Cardinal Gibbons (2M)
A bonafide D-I kicker right now, Hammonds was automatic on PAT's (57-of-57) and was 12-of-17 on field goals and hit a long of 53 yards.
ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
Photo by Matt Christopher
Defensive lineman: Terrell James, Sr., Lake Wales (3S)
James truly made his presence known week in and week out for the Class 3S state champion Highlanders. James had 108 tackles, 58 for loss, 29 sacks, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
Defensive lineman: John Walker, Sr., Kissimmee Osceola (4S)
One of the best interior lineman in the entire state made offensive guards Friday night's miserable. Walker, a UCF signee, totaled 79 tackles, 16 for loss and nine sacks.
Defensive lineman: Jordan Hall, Sr., Westside (2M)
Despite playing for a 1-9 club, Hall was without a doubt a force at defensive tackle. The Georgia signee made 106 tackles, 31 for loss and nine sacks for the Wolverines.
Defensive lineman: DeeJay Holmes, Jr., Pahokee (1R)
Holmes this past 2022 campaign for the Blue Devils had 32.5 sacks along with 117 tackles, three pass deflections and four fumble recoveries.
Defensive lineman: Booker Pickett, Jr., Wharton (3M)
The Tampa Bay Area's top pass rusher in the 2022 season totaled 56 tackles, 30 sacks and forced four fumbles for the Wildcats.
Linebacker: Grayson Howard, Sr., Andrew Jackson (2M)
The senior notched 188 tackles, 18 went for a loss, five sacks, three fumble recoveries and a fumble force. The South Carolina signee was truly all over the place for the Tigers.
Linebacker: David Vadala, Sr., Plantation American Heritage (2M)
The Patriots' linebacker dominated the South Florida circuit. Vadala racked up 176 tackles, 31 for loss, eight sacks, three fumble recoveries and an interception.
Linebacker: Sean Major, Sr., Lake Wales (3S)
Major's stats are eye popping right off the bat. 187 tackles, 62 for loss and 12 sacks for the Class 3S state champions. Video game-like numbers.
Linebacker: Rashad Watson, Sr., Apopka (4M)
For the 2022 season, Watson racked up 151 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and forced two fumbles. Heck, he also rushed for 215 yards on offense as well and 10 touchdowns for the Class 4M state runner-ups.
Defensive back: Cormani McClain, Sr., Lakeland (4S)
McClain was money when it came to lockdown coverage and sometimes laid a lick on ball carriers. The University of Miami (FL) commit didn't have many teams throwing his way during Lakeland's run to the Class 4S title.
Defensive back: Sharif Denson, Sr., Bartram Trail (4S)
The University of Florida signee locked up one side of the field for the Bears. Denson had 23 tackles and picked off two passes.
Defensive back: King Mack, Sr., St. Thomas Aquinas (3M)
So versatile was Mack for the Class 3M state champion Raiders. The future Nittany Lion made 50 tackles, picked off a pass and had 431 return yards combined between kick/punt returns.
Defensive back: Desmond Ricks, Sr., IMG Academy (Ind.)
Ricks, an Alabama signee, spear-headed a loaded Ascenders' secondary. Amongst a group of defensive backs that are all D-I bound, Ricks stood out.
Hybrid: Jaden Robinson, Sr., Columbia (3S)
The hard hitting Florida signee was instrumental in helping the Tigers reach the Class 3S state semifinals and Robinson finished with 157 tackles, eight sacks, two interceptions, four pass deflections, six fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles.
Hybrid: Jayce Brown, Sr., Choctawhatchee (3S)
Whenever you pick off 10 passes and compile over 900 yards receiving, it's the definition of doing it on both sides of the ball. Brown is also a Kansas State signee.
Punter: Michael Kern, Jr., St. Thomas Aquinas (3M)
The Raiders didn't punt a whole lot, but when they did, Kern was a weapon. The junior punted 20 times for an average of 41.2 and 10 landed inside of the 20-yard line.
Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.
