South Florida high schools aren’t just a hotbed for football. They are a pipeline to the NFL.
With an unmatched concentration of talent, this region consistently sends more athletes to the league than anywhere else in the country, according to the Miami New Times. From Friday night lights to Sunday stadiums, these five high schools have produced some of the NFL’s biggest names.
Here are the top five high schools in South Florida that have built an undeniable legacy of elite football talent.
St. Thomas Aquinas High School
No school in the country can match Fort Lauderdale’s St. Thomas Aquinas when it comes to NFL production.
The Raiders have sent 49 players to the league, beginning in 1966, with many becoming household names, according to Pro Football Reference. The school was originally founded in 1936 with just 12 students. It grew quickly and added football in 1946. The program has been led by head coach George Smith for 34 years and has won 16 football state championships.
Notable NFL alumni include:
- Michael Irvin — Hall of Fame wide Receiver, primarily with the Dallas Cowboys.
- Joey Bosa — Defensive end, Los Angeles Chargers
- Nick Bosa — Defensive end, San Francisco 49ers
- Phillip Dorsett — Wide receiver, (Super Bowl Champion)
- LaMarcus Joyner — Defensive back / special teams
- Geno Atkins — Defensive tackle (Five-time All Pro First Team selection selection)
- Giovani Bernard — Running back (2013 2nd round pick)
- Bobby Hart — Offensive lineman
- James White — Running back (Three-time Super Bowl Champion)
- Nik Bonitto —- Linebacker, Denver Broncos
American Heritage School
A relatively young powerhouse that started in 1965, American Heritage has skyrocketed in national rankings ever since the 2000s, producing NFL talent. Mike Smith who took over in 2022 is the head coach.Coach Smith has climbed the ranks starting as the running backs coach to now being the head man.
The school has won six Florida high school state championships.
Top NFL / pro players from American Heritage include:
- Patrick Surtain II — Cornerback, Denver Broncos (2024 Defensive Player of the Year)
- Brian Burns — Edge rusher, New York Giants
- Sony Michel– Running Back (Former 1st round draft pick of the New England Patriots)
- Tyson Campbell — Cornerback, Jacksonville Jaguars
Miami Northwestern High School
Miami Northwestern has a proud tradition of football excellence in the heart of Liberty City.
Their dominance in the 2000s helped produce a flood of future pros. They have won eight state championships, with their most dominant era coming in the late 2000s and early 2010s. In 2024, they named Teddy Bridgewater as the head coach and experienced a revival of their program. However, he was suspended for the 2025 season and Jaquatin Victrum was named the interim head coach.
Notable alumni:
- Teddy Bridgewater – Quarterback Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Amari Cooper – Wide Receiver (Former 1st round pick of the Oakland Raiders)
- Lavonte David – Linebacker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Kamren Kitchens – Safety, Los Angeles Rams
Miami Central High School
Miami Central has long dominated Florida’s high school football scene.
The Rockets have sent several players straight to Division I programs andto the NFL. The school was founded in 1959. Derrick Gibson was at the program as a defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. He held this position until 2019 and later returned in February 2025 as the head coach. Miami Central has won nine Florida high school football state championships.
Notable alumni:
- Dalvin Cook – Running back, NFL (Four-time Pro Bowl selection)
- Devonta Freeman – Running back, NFL (Two-time Pro Bowl selection)
- Willis McGahee – Hall of Fame running back
- James Cook – Running back, Buffalo Bills
Miami Norland Senior
Miami Norland rounds out our list. With a strong tradition and standout alumni, the Vikings continue to make waves at the collegiate and professional level.
The school was founded in 1958. Their current head coach is Daryle Heidelburg. He is a former alum that graduated the school in 1993 and later spent time on preseason and practice squad rosters with two NFL teams before transitioning into coaching.
They have won 2 Florida high school state championships.
Notable alumni:
- Antonio Brown – All-Pro Wide Receiver
- Duke Johnson – Running Back
- Ereck Flowers – Offensive Tackle
- Xavier Rhodes – Corner Back (One-time NFL All-Pro selection)
- Carlton Davis – Corner Back, New England Patriots
