Northeast Florida's top-rated prospects are now familiar names for high school football fans who follow the ins and outs of the recruiting scene.
Juniors and sophomoresare working their way into the spotlight, too.
But what about the freshmen?
This year, there's no shortage of freshman contributors for Jacksonville-area gridiron prospects, from Nassau County toBradford County and in between.
Fans shouldn't be surprised to see some of these freshmen grow into tomorrow's stars. But this list isn't exhaustive: Developing next-level skills takes time, and it's entirely possible that some of Northeast Florida's future college prospects in the class of 2030 are still making their way upward in junior varsity.
Listed here are several newcomers with names
to jot down, an advance look at a few of the freshman talents to catch the eye so far in 2026.
LB Raef Cubbedge, Bradford
Height/weight: 6-0, 190
Why he's here: The buzz about Cubbedge was building before his first varsity season, and he's showing why. With 34 tackles (seven for loss), three sacks, two interceptions, a forced fumble and two pass breakups, he's been all around the football and is tied for the tackles lead on an undefeated Tornado defense. He's an Under Armour 8th-grade All-American with impressive physical tools, including middle school track and field honors in the shot put.
DE Marcelo Estrada, Bartram Trail
Height/weight: 6-0, 205
Why he's here: Winning a freshman-year starting spot at a traditionally-strong Class 5A program is no easy feat, and Estrada has done just that. He's up to 26 tackles with 1 1/2 sacks while establishing himself as a starter at edge for a Bears squad that has already surpassed the win total of 2025.
RB Deangelo Glover, Raines
Height/weight: 5-9, 185
Why he's here: Glover was among Jacksonville's leading middle school athletes a year ago and has displayed his athletic gifts in limited action. Although he's behind junior TJ Williamson and senior Curtis Asberry at tailback, he has averaged 5.8 yards per carry while getting the ball in three games.
QB Liam Hice-Jones, Yulee
Height/weight: 6-0, 218
Why he's here: A dual threat who could become Nassau County's next QB in the spotlight. Starting from Week 1, Hice-Jones has thrown for 805 yards (50.8 percent) with seven touchdowns, while gaining 6.3 yards per carry on the ground. Yulee's District 3-4A is far from easy, but he's helped the Hornets to a 4-3 record.
K Johnny Jakubik, Baker County
Height/weight: 5-10, 155
Why he's here: Starting freshman kickers are always a rarity in high school football, and Jakubik showed his ability by quickly winning that job with the Wildcats. Through six games, he has nailed 15 extra points and converted three field goals with a long of 35.
RB Duke Johnson, Yulee
Height/weight: 5-8, 170
Why he's here: Part of a dynamic Hornet running back department with sophomore Jayden Timmon, Johnson is another candidate for the 1,000-yard club. He ran 67 times for 406 yards and two touchdowns in the season's first half, including 155 yards against rival Fernandina Beach.
DE Braxton Krauss, West Nassau
Height/weight: 6-3, 205
Why he's here: The Warriors can point to many success stories in 2026, and the emergence of Krauss is a big one on the list. A versatile athlete who might also play tight end, he recorded 30 tackles (eight for loss) in the first seven West Nassau games, with four sacks and a forced fumble.
NT Jamarian Lane, Middleburg
Height/weight: 5-10, 235
Why he's here: Lane earned statewide honors as a middle schooler and has wasted no time in finding a role in the heart of Middleburg's defensive front. He made 39 tackles (6 1/2 for loss) and 1 1/2 sacks in his first six varsity games.
RB Daren Manick, Duval Charter
Height/weight: 5-9, 165
Why he's here: Not a physically large back, but quick and tough, Manick has a chance at a 1,000-yard freshman season depending on how far the Panthers progress in the Sunshine State Athletic Association postseason. He has gained 774 yards with five touchdowns thus far, averaging better than seven yards per attempt.
LB Ryan Plummer, Trinity Christian
Height/weight: 5-11, 175
Why he's here: Anybody who's earning regular playing time as a freshman on Trinity's defense is a name to know. Plummer is already a rising contributor with two forced fumbles in the district opener against rival University Christian. He collected 25 tackles, three pass defenses, a fumble recovery and even a rushing touchdown in his first seven games. Also a middle school track standout in the high jump and hurdles.
RB Khaden Robinson, Middleburg
Height/weight: 5-7, 145
Why he's here: Robinson could also line up at wide receiver, but for now, he's the primary ball carrier on a Broncos team making a playoff push in Class 4A. He carried the ball 110 times in his first six Middleburg games, gaining 572 yards and scoring eight touchdowns.
RB Blake Soares, Bartram Trail
![Bartram Trail Bears running back Blake Soares (33) tries to elude Beachside Barracudas defensive back Jason Antolin (6) in the second quarter. The Beachside Barracudas, (3-2) hosted the Bartram Trail Bears (5-1) at Beachside High School Thursday October 8, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2026/10/09/NFTU/92163904007-bartram-trail-at-beachside-38.JPG)
Height/weight: 5-11, 190
Why he's here: Soares has immediately stepped into the starting backfield to help spark a resurgence in Bear country. In his first six games, he rushed for 632 yards on 90 carries, including 100-yard outings against Tocoi Creek, Middleburg, Ponte Vedra and Beachside. He's a big part of a 6-1 start on Longleaf Pine Parkway.
WR Kendrick Spann, Duval Charter
Height/weight: 6-1, 158
Why he's here: With three years to go, Spann (38 catches, 642 yards, nine TD after eight games) is already among the top statistical pass-catchers in Jacksonville. He's far from the only freshman making plays for the Panthers, a list that also includes Manick (see above), plus running back Camron Brown, linebacker Kyle Zapata and receivers Derion Blackman, Jahazzi Douglas and Jacob Harper.
DT Cole Thompson, Nease
Height/weight: 6-0, 240
Why he's here: This Panther is emerging as a pass rusher on a defense that's usually among the area's most aggressive. Thompson already had two and a half sacks in the season's first half and showed his talents in a big way on Oct. 9 against a strong Fletcher team by downing the QB twice more.
QB Justice Turpin, Episcopal
Height/weight: 6-2, 185
Why he's here: A starter while in eighth grade in 2025, Turpin continues to develop into a promising QB for an Eagles team that began at 8-0. He's completing 59 percent of passes (62 of 105, 1,143 yards) while steering clear of miscues (18 touchdowns, one interception) for a team on pace for one of its most successful football seasons ever.
Special category: Eighth grade
DT LiDarius Seymore, Union County
Why he's here: First of all, he's not actually a freshman. Seymore hasn't even begun high school yet, still in eighth grade, but he's already a force on the varsity defense for the Fightin' Tigers. In the season's first half, he recorded five tackles for loss and two sacks while earning plenty of snaps in the heart of the defensive front. Colleges are already taking note: He received a Syracuse offer in the summer after his second year of middle school.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Instant impact: Jacksonville football freshmen in the spotlight
