2016 Florida Preseason Football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Top 25 preseason early contenders - No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas
See why the Raiders are a national title contender


1. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale)
Head coach: Roger Harriott
2015 finish: 13-1
Team preview

St. Thomas Aquinas has been Florida's most dominant team in the last decade with six state titles in that span. The Raiders have one of the most talented rosters in the country and are eyeing their third-straight Class 7A state crown. St. Thomas Aquinas enters the season as the No. 1 team in America and expectations are sky-high.

The Raiders' star-studded roster has 11 Top 1,000 recruits in the nation, and their offense is on another level. Four-star quarterback and Florida commit Jake Allen will lead the air-raid attack after tallying 1,691 passing yards and 18 touchdowns in only 10 games last season. There may not be a better receiver to throw to in the country than the nation's No. 3 wideout Trevon Grimes. Throw in West Virginia commit Mike Harley and Syracuse commit Joshua Palmer, and Aquinas might have the top receiving corps in the nation. The Raiders' defense is loaded with seven Division 1 recruits and will be tough to score on.
 
Sept. 30 marks arguably the biggest showdown of the year in high school football, a date with No. 3 Bishop Gorman.

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2. IMG Academy (Bradenton)
Head coach: Kevin Wright
2015 finish: 9-0
Team preview

IMG might have the most talented team in America. The No. 4 Ascenders have roughly 35-40 players on the roster with Division 1 offers and seven of the country's top 100 seniors. The nation's most talked-about squad is vying for a national title.

The nation's No. 3 dual-threat quarterback Kellen Mond will spearhead the vaunted offensive attack. The senior transfer compiled 1,991 passing yards, 898 rushing yards and 33 scores last season. Look for LSU commit Jhamon Ausbon to be the primary target and speedster Emmanuel Greene to make plays. Also watch for the nation's No. 3 junior receiver Brian Hightower to do some damage. The nation's No. 2 overall prospect Dylan Moses will head the defense. The Ohio-State bound defensive tandem of Isaiah Pryor and Marcus Williamson will be a force to be reckoned with as well. Add in the nation's No. 8 safety and LSU commit Grant Delpit, and the Ascenders have arguably the best secondary in the country.

Aug. 27 is a blockbuster clash with Grayson, the No. 2 team in the nation.

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3. American Heritage (Plantation)
Head coach: Patrick Surtain
2015 finish: 9-2
Team preview Plantation enters the season with a sour taste in its mouth after losing in the second round of the playoffs and having its bid for a three-peat end. But the No. 11 Patriots return one of the best defenses in the state and are hungry for revenge. First-year head coach and former NFL great Patrick Surtain will have them ready.

The nation's No. 1 junior corner Patrick Surtain II will command the defense. Florida commits James Houston IV and Marco Wilson should bolster the unit as well. Also look for speedy corners Anthony Schwartz and Tyson Campbell to generate some noise. The Patriots' returning dual-threat quarterback Jason Brown should feel well protected with the nation's No. 3 guard Tedarrell Slaton jr. and Michigan commit Kai-leon Herbert paving the way. Brown notched 1,195 passing yards, 725 rushing yards and 30 total touchdowns last season and is primed for a huge year.

Aug. 27 marks a big-time out of state matchup with Georgia power Colquitt County, the No. 38 team in the nation.

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4. Central (Miami)
Head coach: Roland Smith
2015 finish: 10-2
Team preview

Miami Central has been the second-most dominant team in the state in the last decade. The No. 16 Rockets return a boatload of talent on both sides of the ball and are hunting for their fifth-consecutive Class 6A state championship.

The Rockets return six starters on offense and the nation's No. 3 junior running back James Cook is lightning in a bottle. The MaxPreps freshman all-American should have plenty of room to roam with the country's No. 14 tackle Navaughn Donaldson clearing the path. The nation's 49th-best receiver Carmoni Green will make a big impact as well. Expect the nation's 23rd-best outside linebacker Waynmon Steed to steer the Rockets' stingy defense.

Sept. 29 is a huge battle with in-state power Booker T. Washington (Miami), the No. 34 team in the country.

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5. Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville)
Head coach: Verlon Dorminey
2015 finish: 14-0
Team preview

Trinity Christian has nabbed three consecutive Class 3A state titles and might possess the best group of skill players out of any small school in the country. The No. 18 Conquerors are loaded with top-level talent and will be hard to contend with this season.

Receiver D.J. Matthews will charge the offense, and the FSU commit is absolutely electrifying. The nation's No. 7 wideout racked up 880 total yards, nine touchdowns and scored 21 percent of the time he touched the ball last season. Ohio State commit Shaun Wade is one of the most versatile and explosive playmakers in the country. The nation's No. 3 cornerback recorded 35 tackles, 11 pass deflections and two interceptions on defense last season. He also registered 343 total yards and two touchdowns on offense. Don't forget about the nation's top-rated junior, safety Tyreke Johnson, who logged 21 tackles, three interceptions and 11 pass deflections on defense last year. He also posted 406 total yards and three touchdowns on offense.

Oct. 21 marks a highly anticipated tussle with IMG, the No. 4 team in the country.