Top 10 Florida high school athletes of the 21st century

Many of the state's best went on to stellar professional careers or have shined on the Olympic stage.

Read on for a look at our picks for the top 10 Florida high school athletes of the 21st century beginning with the graduating class of 2001. Selections were based primarily off of prep accomplishments and accolades. 1. Derrick Henry, Yulee

Class: 2013 Sport: Football

Before being named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2020, the Heisman Trophy winner was a machine in the backfield for Yulee. As a freshman Henry ran for 2,788 yards and 38 touchdowns. As a senior he broke Florida records with 4,261 yards and 55 scores on the ground. Henry finished his high school career with 12,124 rushing yards, breaking the national mark set by Ken Hall in 1953.

Class: 2025 Sport: Basketball

Arguably the most accomplished high school basketball player of all-time, Boozer is the only two-time MaxPreps National Player of the Year. He won four consecutive state championships in the state's highest classification, captured three straight Nike EYBL Peach Jam titles, won a pair of gold medals and took home the national title in 2024-25.

Class: 2005 Sports: Baseball, football, track and field

Batted .709 with 16 home runs and 42 RBI as a senior. McCutchen was also one of the top football recruits in the state, reportedly turning down an offer from the University of Miami to play wide receiver. His speed showed up on the track where he won a state championship in the 4x100 relay.

Class: 2008 Sports: Football, track and field

Known as Patrick Johnson in high school, Peterson compiled 733 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns while intercepting five passes on defense as a senior. He was also one of the top sprinters in the state, running the 100 meters in 10.92 seconds and 200 meters in 22.24 seconds.

Class: 2025 Sport: Basketball

Although he played just two full seasons with Montverde Academy after moving from Australia to Florida during his sophomore season, Simmons left his mark on the high school scene. The versatile forward helped the Eagles go 62-1 during his time on the floor with three consecutive Chipotle Nationals titles. As a senior, he piled up 27.1 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game to earn MaxPreps National Player of the Year honors.

Class: 2024 Sports: Football, track and field

The 2023 MaxPreps All-American is already one of the most dominant college football players in the country heading into his sophomore season. It started in high school as Smith helped lead Chaminade-Madonna to three consecutive state championships. As a senior, he caught 90 passes for 1,389 yards and 19 touchdowns for the No. 2 team in the nation. As a junior, Smith won the 110- and 400-meter hurdles at the Class 2A state meet.

Class: 2013 Sport: Swimming

Although he didn't compete in the Olympics while in high school, Murphy has won five Olympic gold medals in his swimming career and nine total. He was a six-time gold medal winner in high school at the state meet and he still holds the state record in the 100 backstroke, an event he won four times. He is also a part of three other relay state records.

Class: 2002 Sport: Baseball

A Cy Young winner in the MLB, Greinke started his baseball career as a shortstop in high school, hitting over .400 with 31 career home runs. It shouldn't be any surprise that he won two Silver Slugger awards in the Major Leagues. Compiled a 0.55 ERA with a record of 9-2 and 118 strikeouts in 63 innings as a senior.

Class: 2024 Sport: Basketball

The recent No. 1 overall pick is the only player to earn state MaxPreps Player of the Year honors as a freshman, which he did in Maine. Flagg was also the leader of an undefeated 2023-24 Montverde Academy squad, averaging 16.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.7 blocked shots per game as a senior.