Vote: Who should be SBLive’s Central Florida Football Player of the Year for 2023?

Central Florida football players had the stuff of champions this season, leading their teams to big victories, championships and more.

Whether it was offense, defense or special teams, area athletes made their mark this year. We looked at teams from Orange, Osceola, Lake, Seminole, Volusia, Brevard, and Indian River counties and nominated 17 athletes for this week’s SBLive Central Florida Football Player of the Year for 2023. We examined statistics, leadership ability, how successful they were in the regular season, and how far they took their team in the postseason in determining the candidates.

We ask you, the fan, to decide who should be the top player selected. Voting will conclude on December 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m..

Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. The poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player that may not be mentioned in our poll.

Here are the nominees:

DJ Murray, QB, Mainland (Daytona Beach): Senior transfer from Flagler Palm Coast enjoyed a memorable season, passing for 1359 yards and 16 touchdowns, and rushing for 787 yards and 11 scores to lead the Bucs (14-1) to the Class 3 Suburban state title.

Javon Ross, WR/DB, DeLand: Senior do-it-all star ran for 1,022 yards and 19 TDs, caught 45 passes for 892 yards and 11 scores, and had 405 yards in kickoff returns and 68 yards in punt returns for more than 2,000 all-purpose yards, and made six interceptions and one fumble recovery on defense in leading the Bulldogs to the Class 4S, District 9 title and a state semifinals berth.

Jayvan Boggs, WR, Cocoa: Fleet-footed junior and Ohio State commit helped the Tigers (14-1) win back-to-back Class 2S state championships with a whopping 93 receptions for 1,493 yards and 23 TDs.

DJ McCormick, LB, Rockledge: The UCF commit had a stellar season for the Class 3S playoff participant Raiders, finishing with 114 tackles, 64 solo, and 2.5 sacks.

Tay Welch, ATH, Eau Gallie (Melbourne): Ultra-talented junior rushed for 1,353 yards and 11 TDs, and caught 11 passes for 142 yards and two scores in leading the Commodores to their first-ever district championship, the Class 3S regional semifinals and a 10-2 record.

Michael McClenton, LB/DE, Ocoee: Super sophomore led Central Florida in tackles with a whopping 202 stops, 137 solo, 45 tackles for loss, and 31 sacks.

Dereon Coleman, QB, Jones (Orlando): Sophomore first-year starter split time with senior transfer Trever Jackson and passed for 2,224 yards and 16 TDs, and rushed for 247 yards and four TDs to lead the Tigers (10-4) back to the Class 3M state semifinals.

JT Bronaugh, RB/FS/WR, Foundation Academy (Winter Garden): Senior rushed for 1,629 yards and 19 TDs, and caught 11 passes for 251 yards and five TDs to lead the Lions to a 7-3 record.

Noah Grubbs, QB, Lake Mary: Star sophomore had a spectacular season for the Rams with 3,670 yards passing and 49 TDs, and eight yards rushing and four TDs, helping the Seminole County power to a 10-2 record and the Class 4M, Region 1 semifinals.

Preston Watson, DT/DE, Seminole (Sanford): Duke commit had a stellar senior season with 70 tackles, 29 solo, 22 tackles for loss, nine sacks, one interception, and one fumble recovery to lead the Seminoles to a 10-3 record and a Class 4M playoff berth.

Marquet Williams, WR, Oviedo: Senior had a stellar season with a whopping 66 receptions for 1,002 yards and 17 TDs in leading the Lions to an 8-3 record, the Class 3M, District 2 title and a playoff berth.

Dane Thompkins, RB, Lake Minneola: Junior turned in a fine season with 1,490 yards rushing and 22 TDs, and 127 yards receiving and one TD to lead the Hawks to the Class 4S, District 5 title and a regional finals berth.

Connor Calfy, LB/FB, Mount Dora Christian: Senior led the Bulldogs to the Sunshine State Athletic Conference Class 5A title by making 81 tackles, 18 solo, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack and two fumble recoveries.

Sabby Meassick, QB, Tohopekaliga (Kissimmee): Star sophomore was one of the state’s top passers, throwing for 3,843 yards and 39 TDs and rushing for 61 yards and one score in leading the Tigers to a 6-5 record and a bowl victory against Lake Howell (Winter Park).

Jalen Bell, Strong Safety, Osceola (Kissimmee): Senior delivered a strong season for the Kowboys with 60 tackles, 33 solo, 10 tackles for loss, two sacks, six interceptions, and one fumble recovery. His efforts helped Osceola make the Class 4S playoffs.

Jonathan Tumblin, LB/RB, Sebastian River: Senior had a memorable season for the Indian River County school with 113 tackles, 68 solo, 29 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries in leading the Sharks to the Sunshine State Athletic Conference Atlantic Division title.

Tyler Aronson, QB, Vero Beach: Senior turned in a strong season with 2,077 yards passing and 23 TDs, and 234 yards rushing and four TDs in leading the Indians to a Class 4S playoff berth and a 9-3 record.