Candidates for Florida's 2025 Gatorade Player of the Year

It’s that time of the year when considerations for candidates for numerous awards becomes the topic of discussion and one of the more notable of them all is the Gatorade Player of the Year for high school football players.

Each state has a player named for the prestigious honor and as the season begins ending for many across the country, the question starts popping up of who should be up for the very honor Gatorade Player of the Year?

Rivals examines state-by-state the unofficial candidates for the Gatorade Player of the Year, with first up being the Sunshine State of Florida. Check out the five Gatorade POTY candidates we have selected and honorable mentioned list of players we believe should be up at the forefront for the award.

(All candidates were selected by Rivals’ Andy Villamarzo)

Xander Edwards, RB, The Bolles School

What put the super sophomore on many people’s radar this 2025 season was when Edwards scored eight touchdowns in a regular season win over Baldwin, which per the NFHS record books would make him the first Florida high school football player ever to accomplish the feat. When going deeper into the numbers, however, Edwards has been arguably the state’s best running back when it comes to production. The sophomore is averaging a ridiculous 10.1 yards per carry and has rushed for 1,992 and scored 32 times on the ground. Add in his 11 catches for 122 yards and Edwards is over 2,000 all-purpose yards for the season as he looks to help lift The Bolles School back into the Class 2A state championship game for the first time since 2020.

Will Griffin, QB, Jesuit

The one thing that has eluded Griffin ever since he started playing varsity high school football as a seventh grader in 2021 is winning a state championship. If the Florida commit continues playing at the level he’s been at this season, Griffin could be hoisting the elusive title down at Pitbull Stadium in Miami come mid-December. The senior quarterback has Jesuit playing at a level like no other, with their lone loss coming to Georgia Class 6A state title contender Valdosta. Griffin this season has had his most efficient season behind center, completing 66 percent of his passes for 2,118 yards, 33 touchdowns and only two picks. He’s also rushed for 185 yards and scored four times as he continues to lead the Tigers deeper in the FHSAA Class 4A state playoffs.

Asharri Charles, EDGE, Venice

Don’t get all caught up staring at the sack total for Charles, who has played like one, if not the best defensive player in the state. The Miami commitment has put up some gaudy numbers for a much improved Venice defensive unit, with Charles racking up 107 total tackles, 26 for a loss, 12.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. Heck, Venice is even using Charles on offense now as the senior has a receiving touchdown this season. In helping Venice attempt to repeat as Florida’s Class 7A champions, Charles has been as elite as they come, including making tons of hustle plays downfield, opposite side of where he’s been lining up at.

Niemann Lawrence, QB, Miami Northwestern

In grading how Lawrence’s season has gone, you have to do it with a little bit of a curve because at the outset he had to share snaps with Leon Strawder, who is now at Plantation American Heritage. When it comes to quarterbacks that have been highly efficient for one of the best high school football teams in Florida, Lawrence checks off many of the boxes. The sophomore has led Northwestern to an undefeated 11-0 mark (yes, one win by forfeit, we know), and Lawrence has been very accurate whenever he throws the rock. The sophomore signal caller has completed 98 of 146 (67 percent) passes for 1,314 yards, 21 touchdowns and one interception. We also factor in competition faced in one of the toughest regions in the state along with he could be leading Northwestern right back into Florida’s Class 3A state championship game in the 305.

Jayden Petit, WR, St. John Neumann

We battled with who should take the fifth and final spot for Florida’s Gatorade POTY consideration, which is why there’s also a honorable mention list of players that were very deserving of it. Humor me as I give you why the Wisconsin commitment should be among the Top 5. Petit has bolstered St. John Neumann’s chances of making a push to the Class 1A, Region 3 final after the club finished 5-5 in 2024. When looking at the numbers, Petit has been as good, if not the best, among all wide receivers in the state. Petit has hauled in 62 passes for 1,429 yards and 21 touchdowns as those statistics matchup against any wide receiver, regardless of class.

Honorable Mention: Asher Ghioto, EDGE, The Bolles School; Chase Burrill, QB, St. Petersburg Catholic; Andrew Chung, QB, West Orange; Jayvian Tanelus (Duke commit), RB, Community School of Naples; Amari Thomas (South Carolina commit), RB, Blountstown

How to Follow Florida High School Football

For Florida high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Sunshine State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the state of Florida.