Bradenton’s IMG Academy, Florida’s football powerhouse, holds the No. 1 spot in Sports Illustrated’s preseason “High School On SI” top 25 Florida rankings for the 2025 season, setting the stage for a heavyweight battle across the Sunshine State. With a deep roster featuring a dozen four- and five-star prospects, IMG looks primed for another dominant run.
Not far behind is Fort Lauderdale’s St. Thomas Aquinas, ranked second in the state. The Raiders, coming off a 12‑3 campaign and a Class 5A state title, are expected to challenge IMG’s supremacy.
Hollywood’s Chaminade‑Madonna lands at No. 3, carrying momentum from a 12‑2 season and a No. 1 final ranking in 2024. The Lions return elite talents such as Derrek Cooper—recently committed to the University of Texas—alongside top wideouts Jasen Lopez and Denairius Gray.
Statewide Contenders and National Aspirations
Fourth-ranked American Heritage of Plantation aims to repeat its Class 4A success, led by five-star quarterback Dia Bell, who is committed to Texas. Fifth comes Miami Northwestern, driven by five-star wideout Calvin Russell, as they chase another Class 3A crown.
Venice (No. 6), West Boca Raton (No. 7), Jones (No. 8), Miami Central (No. 9), and Cardinal Mooney (No. 10) round out the top half of the rankings. Miami Central’s rebound narrative—from forfeiting wins in 2024 due to an ineligible player to title contention—adds intrigue.
Florida’s representation is also strong nationally. SI names IMG Academy the top program in the Southeast and No. 6 nationally, the highest in the region. Also making waves are St. Thomas Aquinas (No. 5 Southeast), Chaminade‑Madonna (No. 6 Southeast), and American Heritage (No. 8 Southeast).
Emerging Power Index Underscores Depth
FloridaHSFootball.com launched its “Florida Power Rankings Index” in April, combining winning percentage, strength of schedule, recent performance, game forecasts, and trends to rank teams weekly.
Florida leads the nation with 52 teams ranked in the Preseason HSFA 300 by High School Football America, more than any other state. IMG, Chaminade‑Madonna, American Heritage, and Miami Northwestern are consistently featured in those rankings, offering proof of the state’s depth and reach beyond its borders.
The Sunshine State’s football ecosystem thrives on high-level competition. IMG’s national schedule includes out-of-state powerhouses, providing elite exposure and development. Meanwhile, perennial state contenders such as Cocoa, Lake Mary, Armwood, Lakeland, Tampa Bay Tech, Manatee, Southridge, and Raines strengthen Florida’s deep Class-specific battles.
All this activity feeds into state playoffs, governed by the Florida High School Athletic Association, with quarterfinals starting Nov. 14, semifinals Nov. 21, and finals on Nov. 28, 2025.
Florida’s 2025 high school football season is set to be a marquee showcase, led by IMG Academy’s national presence and challenged by top-tier programs like St. Thomas Aquinas and Chaminade‑Madonna. From individual prospects to powerhouse teams, Florida continues to define what elite high school football looks like.
