Vote: Who should be the South Florida offensive player of the first half of 2023?
The halfway point of the season is approaching, and already so many South Florida football players are living up to the hype.
It’s not shocking since the area is loaded with talent.
As we review what’s already transpired, SBLive Sports Florida is seeking some assistance from you, the fans, to decide which player has stood out the most by participating in our Top Midseason Player poll.
We’ll be conducting two separate polls – offense and defense -- to give as many players as possible recognition. In this poll, we’re asking you to vote for the top Midseason Offensive Player. Voting concludes on Oct. 20th, 2023 and you can vote as many times as you want.
The choices are:
Kael Alexander, QB, Miramar: The senior is averaging 204 yards passing per game, and is one of the best in South Florida.
Cedrick Bailey, QB, Chaminade-Madonna: The Lions are a strong favorite to repeat as Class 1M state champions, and Bailey is a big reason why. The North Carolina State commit averaged 242.8 yards passing per game through the first five games, with 15 touchdowns.
Anthony Barbar, QB Westminster Academy: The senior has been outstanding in the first half, passing for 1,596 yards and 17 TDs.
Dia Bell, QB, American Heritage Plantation: A sophomore, Bell is coming of age, and has a chance to become a special signal caller in the upcoming season. In the first half, the football/basketball star completed about 63 percent of his passes.
Davi Belfort, QB, Western: A Virginia Tech commit, Belfort is the leader on a talented Western team that has dealt with some injuries. Belfort makes an impact running and passing.
Clayton Cannon II, WR, Monarch: Another playmaker, who also is a standout as a cornerback. Cannon averages about 92 yards receiving a game.
JC Evans, QB, Miami Central: The Rockets are shuffling in two quarterbacks, and Evans is more of a rushing threat. The senior averaged about 75 yards rushing a game, as well as completed 64 percent of his passes.
Davion Gause, RB, Chaminade-Madonna: With so many top receiving options at Chaminade, Gause gets a limited number of touches. The North Carolina commit makes the most of them, averaging almost 80 yards per game.
Jamaal Haggins, QB, Dr. Krop: Haggins does it all, throwing the ball and running it. He’s completing 63 percent of his passes, and averages 9 yards per carry running the ball.
AJ Hairston, QB, Monarch: The senior is among the best at his position in South Florida, and is completing 70 percent of his passes.
Jamarie Hostzclaw, RB, Coconut Creek: The senior is averaging 70 yards rushing a game.
Robert Kerns, QB, Archbishop McCarthy: The sophomore is throwing for 113 yards and rushing for 82 yards a game.
Jose Leon, WR, Columbus: A steady playmaker who averaged 80 yards receiving, and 92 all-purpose yards, per game in the Explorers’ first five games, as well as four touchdowns.
Byron Louis, RB, American Heritage Plantation: Leading the Patriots’ ground game is Louis, a bruising back who averages almost 95 yards a game on the ground.
Jordan Lyle, RB, St. Thomas Aquinas: Committed to Ohio State, Lyle is a threat every time he touches the ball, averaging about 76 yards a game.
James Madison II, WR, St. Thomas Aquinas: The Raiders have so many threats, and Madison, committed to Missouri, is among them, averaging about 13 yards per reception.
Alberto Mendoza, QB, Columbus: Committed to James Madison, Mendoza also is leading Columbus to what may be a repeat as Class 4M state champions. The senior completed more than 70 percent of his passes with 12 touchdowns.
Michael Merdinger, QB, Cardinal Gibbons: Committed to North Carolina, Merdinger is averaging close to 200 yards a game passing.
Justin Montgomery, RB, St. Thomas Aquinas: On just about any other team, Montgomery would be the primary ballcarrier. On St. Thomas, which is loaded with talent, the senior gets a limited number of carries, yet averages 8 yards per attempt, and he gets his number called for tough yards near the goal line.
Joshua Moore, WR, West Broward: One of the top receivers in South Florida, Moore is attracting plenty of attention from Division 1 colleges. The junior is averaging 62 yards receiving per game.
Calvin Russell, QB/WR, Miami Northwestern: Keep an eye on Russell, a sophomore who is a difference maker. The Bulls are young, and gaining experience. Russell is expected to be even more of a factor with more experience.
Claudell Sherman, QB, Booker T. Washington: The senior is a dual threat, completing 60 percent of his passes, and rushing for about 72 yards a game.
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Chaminade-Madonna: Many regard Smith as the best receiver in the country. The Ohio State commit may also be the best overall player, averaging 123.4 receiving yards per game in his first five games with nine TDs.
Khaleal Sterling, WR, Miami Central: Part of the new wave of Central standouts is Sterling, a junior with big play capabilities. In the first half, he averaged 115.5 yards receiving per game.
Joshua Townsend, QB, Homestead: One of the top quarterbacks in South Florida, Townsend is completing 71 percent of his passes and he’s averaging nearly 57 yards a game on the ground.
Keidran Willis Jr., WR, Pembroke Pines Charter: The Jaguars enjoyed a big first half, and Willis is a major reason why, averaging 112 yards receiving and 81 yards rushing a game.
Ennio Yapoor, QB, Miami Norland: The Vikings enjoyed a sensational first half, and are legitimate contenders in Class 2M. Yapoor, a junior, is leading the charge, completing about 78 percent of his passes with 12 touchdowns, and he’s rushing for nearly 50 yards a game.
Jett Yurgealitis, QB, NSU University School: The senior is enjoying a sensational season, passing for more than 1,000 yards and 16 touchdowns in his first four games.
