Power Ranking Top 10 2016 Recruits from State of Florida

Few states compare to the consistency of high-level football Florida features on an annual basis. College conferences and the NFL are filled with athletes who once flourished on high school fields in the Sunshine State.

The latest crop of talent is no exception. Many members of the 2016 class seem destined to continue their climb to stardom against collegiate competition and beyond.

The foundation for dynasties at Florida State, Florida and Miami were built with homegrown talent, while plenty of other programs regularly reach into state borders for reinforcements. 

After film review and prospect evaluation, here's how we rank Florida's top 10 high school standouts set to become seniors next season.

10. QB Feleipe Franks

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Wakulla (Crawfordville, Florida)

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 42 overall; No. 1 dual-threat quarterback

Committed to LSU on June 1, 2014

Why He Belongs Among Florida Best

Feleipe Franks, a freakish 6'5", 220-pound athlete, claimed several SEC offers by the end of his sophomore year. He displays excellent range in arm strength, though his high school offensive attack typically relies on short-to-intermediate attempts.

His accuracy shines in this setting, and Franks consistently hits receivers in stride. Despite his label as top dual-threat quarterback, he is at his finest behind the line of scrimmage and doesn't bail on an aerial play in favor of his legs unless necessary. 

He keeps the defense off balance with a blend of polished pass technique and effective rushing skills. Franks racked up 2,674 total yards and 31 touchdowns in 2014, per MaxPreps.

9. WR Binjimen Victor

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Coconut Creek (Coconut Creek, Florida)

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 111 overall; No. 21 wide receiver

Uncommitted: Offers include Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU and Miami

Why He Belongs Among Florida Best

Expect Binjimen Victor's stock to soar this summer as he takes on the country's top defensive backs in showcase settings. He picked up an invitation to The Opening earlier this month, presenting an opportunity to prove he merits consideration as a top-10 wide receiver talent in this class.

Standing 6'4", 170 pounds, there's a lot to love about Victor's length and catch radius. There's also a high ceiling in place here, as his frame will eventually fill out and make him a more dangerous weapon after contact.

Victor looks like he's climbing a ladder when extending high to grab passes and presents serious matchup issues for most opponents, bursting downfield with breakaway speed at a unique size. He averaged nearly 20 yards per receptions as a junior, tallying 44 catches for 811 yards and 12 touchdowns.

8. WR Sam Bruce

Credit: 247Sports

High School: St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 40 overall; No. 4 wide receiver

Committed to Miami on July 8, 2014

Why He Belongs Among Florida Best

The obvious knock on Sam Bruce is his diminutive stature (5'8", 160 lbs), but pundits and opponents underestimate him at their own expense. He is among the most fiery and motivated difference-makers we've scouted this cycle, and that includes ardent blocking efforts along the perimeter. 

The nephew of St. Louis Rams Super Bowl champion receiver Isaac Bruce, he is a tenacious route-runner who utilizes footwork that's rare to find at this level of the sport. Bruce fights for extra yardage after the catch and has the makings of a money target on third down. 

He caught 65 passes for 1,099 yards and 16 scores during the past two seasons. Bruce also becomes a serious threat in the kick return game.

7. TE Isaac Nauta

Credit: 247Sports

High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 36 overall; No. 1 tight end

Committed to Florida State on Dec. 15, 2014

Why He Belongs Among Florida Best

Isaac Nauta spent last season leading Buford High School to its third straight Georgia state title but transferred to burgeoning Gulf Coast powerhouse IMG Academy for his senior year. The 6'4", 237-pound prospect is among the most complete tight end prospects we've seen this decade, delivering in every offensive facet as a three-down weapon.

The playmaker burst onto the scene as a sophomore, when he turned just 19 receptions into 400 yards and five touchdowns. Bleacher Report national recruiting analyst Sanjay Kirpalani broke down his attributes during our CFB Future 100 Series:

"

Nauta is the total package at tight end. He’s a physical force as a blocker, and his hands and route running are on par with some of the elite receivers in the 2016 class. As good as he is at tight end, he’s a college-caliber talent at defensive end as well. Given the success FSU had with Nick O’Leary, Nauta figures to be his eventual replacement in Tallahassee.

"

6. CB Trayvon Mullen

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Coconut Creek (Coconut Creek, Florida)

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 41 overall; No. 5 cornerback

Uncommitted: Offers include Clemson, Florida, LSU, Ohio State and TCU

Why He Belongs Among Florida Best

Trayvon Mullen was a first-team All-Broward County selection at cornerback last season, recording 28 tackles and 11 pass breakups. He also served as a scintillating special teams talent, racing for six total return touchdowns.

The 6'2", 175-pound prospect brings ideal length to the perimeter and makes life difficult on quarterbacks seeking to sneak pass attempts into tight windows. Mullen seems rangy enough to play various roles in the defensive secondary, as B/R national recruiting analyst Damon Sayles pointed out during our CFB Future 100 Series:

"

Mullen is one of those players who can go from great to elite at any given time. He has sprinter's speed, which allows him to shine as a cover cornerback. If a coach is looking to play a more athletic secondary, Mullen could line up at safety effectively. His quickness and overall length make him an intriguing prospect.

"

5. WR Nate Craig-Myers

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Tampa Catholic (Tampa, Florida)

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 17 overall; No. 1 wide receiver

Committed to Auburn on July 21, 2014

Why He Belongs Among Florida Best

Nate Craig-Myers arguably could have landed atop this list had he not suffered a season-ending leg injury in the first contest of his junior campaign. The 6'2", 205-pound playmaker has since returned to the field and doesn't appear to be dealing with any issues after physical rehabilitation. 

Josh Newberg of 247Sports documented his first dose of seven-on-seven action after the injury this past weekend.

"At one point in the tournament, Craig-Myers’ team was down by 7 points with 30 seconds to go," Newberg wrote. "He proceeded to catch the next three passes in a row—the first to put his team within striking distance, the second was a touchdown and the third throw was caught for a two point conversion and the win."

It's a strong sign that Nitro Nate will be back up to his old tricks this fall. He caught 12 touchdowns as an underclassman, when he looked like the undisputed No. 1 pass-catcher in his class.

4. DE Shavar Manuel

High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 3 overall; No. 1 strong-side defensive end

Uncommitted: Offers include Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Miami and Ohio State

Why He Belongs Among Florida Best

Shavar Manuel is a menace off the edge who already possesses enough physicality to contribute at the college level. The 6'5", 262-pound defender is another new addition to the IMG arsenal after transferring from Blake High School.

He spent 2014 terrorizing opposing backfields, tallying 61 tackles and 20 sacks, per the Tampa Bay Times. He won't warrant as much focus from offensive coordinators as a senior while playing alongside a collection of coveted FBS prospects, which should create more room for him to operate.

B/R's Kirpalani noted Manuel's explosiveness and opportunity for improvement during our CFB Future 100 Series:

"

Manuel is a powerful force who overwhelms most offensive linemen on the prep level. He’s got a nice burst off the line of scrimmage, and he’s deceptively fast coming around the edge. He’s a physical specimen with a lot of raw ability. He can improve on techniques such as using his hands to shed blocks and setting the edge against the run. His ceiling is high if he continues to develop.

"

3. DE Nick Bosa

Credit: 247Sports

High School: St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 11 overall; No. 2 strong-side defensive end

Uncommitted: Offers include Alabama, Florida, Miami, Notre Dame and Ohio State

Why He Belongs Among Florida Best

The younger brother of reigning Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Year Joey Bosa has established quite a reputation of his own. Nick Bosa, expected by many to follow Joey's footsteps to Ohio State, is among the most relentless athletes in this class.

The 6'4", 265-pound lineman is as well-rounded as it gets along the edge. He led St. Thomas Aquinas with 56 tackles—including 29.5 for loss—and logged five sacks, per the Sun Sentinel.

B/R's Kirpalani raved about Bosa's skill set and compared him favorably to his famous big bro:

"

There are similarities between Nick and his brother. Nick may even be a bit faster off the snap. He already has a good swim-and-rip move. He’s physical in setting the edge versus the run, and he has the speed to get around most tackles. His motor is high as well. Overall, there’s a lot to like about Nick and his ability to be a dominant player in college.

"

2. QB Malik Henry

Credit: 247Sports

High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 9 overall; No. 2 pro-style quarterback

Committed to Florida State on Nov. 13, 2014

Why He Belongs Among Florida Best

Malik Henry is another transplant who will spend his senior season at IMG Academy. The 6'3", 180-pound passer previously played in California before relocating across the country to lead a star-studded offensive attack.

He threw for 4,416 yards and 36 touchdowns during the past two seasons, flashing perhaps the best short-to-long accuracy among 2016 quarterbacks. Henry is already meticulous in the pocket and presents a serious threat as a downfield runner despite his status as a "pro-style" prospect.

His demeanor while surveying developments downfield exudes confidence. It should be thrilling to watch him progress this fall while orchestrating an offense filled with FBS-bound teammates. 

1. CB Saivion Smith

High School: IMG Academy

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 7 overall; No. 1 cornerback

Committed to LSU on Feb. 24, 2014

Why He Belongs Among Florida Best

Saivion Smith brings everything to the backfield you look for in a top-tier cornerback. The 6'1", 175-pound playmaker can press opponents, bait quarterbacks and contribute against the run, and he does it all with an air of confidence that gets into receivers' heads during the course of four quarters.

Smith also understands he must be willing to listen and work on technique in order to validate his status as a blue-chip recruit in college.

“Obviously, we understood the magnitude of Saivion’s skill set and what he was capable of,” former IMG coach Chris Weinke told B/R's Kirpalani. “The challenge always is, how do these kids take coaching. I can say that Saivion, as many players that I’ve been around, he’s a kid that is coachable, and he’s one of the players that has the best instincts.”

Smith finished his senior season with 67 tackles, five interceptions and six non-offensive touchdowns, per MaxPreps.

All recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.