ESPN releases top 300 for 2024; 7 of nation's top 12 prospects from Florida

ESPN released its top 300 football prospects in the class of 2024, and there's a few eye-opening trends.

One of the unsurprising developments is that Chandler High School (Arizona) Dylan Raiola is rated the nation's No. 1 prospect.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Ohio State pledge is the No. 1 prospect according to both 247Sports and On3. 

For years, the debate has ranged about the top state in terms of high school football talent between California, Texas and Florida.

In the class of 2024, at least at the top end, it's no contest.

Florida claimed five of the top eight spots and seven of the top 12.

Here's a rundown of the Florida prospects in the nation's top 12 recruits:

No. 2 - IMG Academy cornerback Desmond Ricks

No. 3 - Miami Central wide receiver Joshisa Trader

No. 4 - IMG Academy running back Jerrick Gibson 

No. 7 - IMG Academy cornerback Ellis Robinson IV

No. 8 - IMG Academy athlete Jonathan Echols (Committed to Tennessee) 

No. 11 - Columbus outside linebacker T.J. Capers

No. 12 - Chaminade-Madonna Prep wide receiver Jeremiah Smith

Georgia claimed four of the top-20 spots, led by Buford athlete K. J. Bolden (No. 6). Texas, on the other hand, snagged three of the top-21 spots, headlined by Ducanville defensive end Colin Simmons (No. 9). 

The top prospect in the state of California is Carlsbad quarterback Julian Sayin (No. 35).

Three quarterbacks made the top-21 - with Raiola (Ohio State) and C.J. Carr (Notre Dame, No. 18) already off the board. The nation's top uncommitted quarterback is Texas product D.J. Lagway (No. 21).

He is followed by Sayin (uncommitted), North Carolina's Jadyn Davis (No. 38), Jayden Bradford (No. 41) and Maryland's Michael Van Buren (No. 52). 

Four of the nation's top-25 prospects are off the board: Raiola (Ohio State; No. 1), Echols (No. 8; Tennessee), Carr (Notre Dame; No. 18) and wide receiver Ny Carr (Georgia; No. 25). 

Somewhat surprisingly, only one Northwest athlete made the top 100, O'Dea offensive lineman Isendre Ahfua.

O'Dea athlete/running back Jason Brown, the nation's No. 25 overall prospect on 247Sports, came in at No. 102, while Lakeridge wide receiver/tight end Joey Olsen was listed at No. 166.