USA TODAY High School Sports is proud to announce the 2017 American Family Insurance ALL-USA Florida Football Team. Players were selected based on their athletic achievements from the 2017-18 season.
For the complete list of American Family Insurance ALL-USA state teams, click here.
COACH OF THE YEAR: Rodney Wells, Dr. Phillips (Orlando)
A defensive mastermind, Wells led the Panthers to a 13-2 record and the Class 8A state title, the first in program history. The former Syracuse linebacker’s squad didn’t even need an offensive touchdown—the first Florida title team in 15 years to turn that trick—to beat Delray Beach Atlantic in the final, 17-7, improving to 81-14 in Wells’ seven seasons.
OFFENSE
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Lorenzo Lingard, University (Orange City)
Ranked as the No. 2 running back recruit in the nation, Lingard rushed for 1,701 yards and 26 touchdowns on 207 carries. The Miami-bound senior was named a U.S. Army All-American and earned the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year Award.
First Team
QB Bryce Carpenter (6-1, 200, Sr.), Venice
RB Lorenzo Lingard (6-1, 195, Sr.), University (Orange City)
RB Shaun Shivers (5-7, 170, Sr.), Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood)
WR Justin Watkins (5-11, 185, Sr.), East Ridge (Clermont)
WR Jacob Copeland (6-0, 190, Sr.), Escambia (Pensacola)
TE Keon Zipperer (6-3, 235, Jr.), Lakeland
OL Nicholas Petit-Frere (6-6, 270, Sr.), Berkeley Prep (Tampa)
OL Richard Gouraige (6-5, 270, Sr.), Cambridge Christian (Tampa)
OL Delone Scaife (6-4, 285, Sr.), Southridge (Miami)
OL John Campbell (6-5, 285, Sr.), Dr. Phillips (Orlando)
OL Will Putnam (6-4, 285, Jr.), Plant (Tampa)
Second Team
QB Wyatt Rector (6-4, 220, Sr.), Leesburg
RB Brian Snead (6-0, 205, Sr.), Armwood (Seffner)
RB Tyler Dittmer (5-8, 185, Jr.), Gulf Breeze
WR Jaivon Heiligh (6-2, 190, Sr.), Venice
WR Xavier Williams (6-0, 190, Sr.), Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood)
TE Alec Holler (6-3, 220, Sr.), Trinity Prep (Winter Park)
OL William Barnes (6-4, 290, Sr.), Apopka
OL Dontae Lucas (6-4, 330, Jr.), Miami Senior
OL Martin Weisz (6-6, 305, Sr.), Benjamin (Palm Beach Gardens)
OL Cleveland Reed (6-4, 295, Sr.), Fort Meade
OL Curtis Dunlap (6-5, 370, Sr.), IMG Academy (Bradenton)
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Nesta Silvera, American Heritage (Plantation)
Silvera was a monster on a star-studded, state championship defense, notching a team-best 107 tackles from his defensive tackle spot. The Miami commit had 31 tackles for loss and returned a fumble 57 yards for a touchdown in the Class 5A state final, helping the Patriots (13-0) finish a perfect season.
First Team
DL Nesta Silvera (6-2, 300, Sr.), American Heritage (Plantation)
DL Nolan Smith (6-3, 230, Jr.), IMG Academy (Bradenton)
DL Xavier Thomas (6-3, 265, Sr.), IMG Academy (Bradenton)
DL Taron Vincent (6-3, 295, Sr.), IMG Academy (Bradenton)
LB Nik Bonitto (6-2, 205, Sr.), St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale)
LB Gregory Rousseau (6-6, 225, Sr.), Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah)
LB Amari Gainer (6-2, 205, Sr.), Lawton Chiles (Tallahassee)
DB Akeem Dent (6-0, 170, Jr.), Palm Beach Central (West Palm Beach)
DB Patrick Surtain (6-2, 180, Sr.), American Heritage (Plantation)
DB Asante Samuel (5-11, 175, Sr.), St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale)
DB Brendan Radley-Hiles (5-10, 185, Sr.), IMG Academy (Bradenton)
Second Team
DL Andrew Chatfield (6-3, 220, Sr.), American Heritage (Plantation)
DL Malcolm Lamar (6-6, 260, Sr.), Armwood (Seffner)
DL Jesus Machado (6-1, 200, So.), Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah)
DL Dennis Briggs (6-4, 250, Sr.), Gateway (Kissimmee)
LB Micah McFadden (6-1, 220, Sr.), Plant (Tampa)
LB Brandon Mays (6-1, 200, Sr.), Viera
LB Ryan Smenda (6-3, 225, Sr.), Fleming Island (Orange Park)
DB Tyson Campbell (6-2, 185, Sr.), American Heritage (Plantation)
DB Keontra Smith (6-1, 195, Jr.), Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood)
DB Joshua Sanguinetti (6-2, 170, Jr.), University (Fort Lauderdale)
DB Tyreke Johnson (6-1, 170, Sr.), Trinity Christian (Jacksonville)
SPECIAL TEAMS
K Griffin Cerra (6-0, 160, Sr.), Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale)
