PASADENA, CA -- When the College Football Playoff Semifinal games kick off this Monday, the first day of the new year, 21 former Florida gridiron players will be representing their team on the quest to advance to college football's premier annual stage, the College Football National Championship game.

Let's look at these matchups and highlight the former high school football players from Florida who are listed on the rosters and hope to contribute to their team's success and progress to the National Championship game on Monday, January 8, 2024 in Houston.


#1 Michigan Wolverines vs. #4 Alabama

ROSE BOWL

The marquee of the two college football playoff semifinal games will start New Year's Day playoff action feature two of the nation's preeminent teams as they clash to head to the CFP Championship game next Monday. Out of the 21 aforementioned players, the majority of these former HS players from Florida are on these #1 Michigan and #4 Alabama rosters.

#1 MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

Ann Arbor, Michigan
Head Coach Jim Harbaugh
BIG 10 (B1G) -- BIG 10 Champions
13-0



#1 Ja'Den Burrows
Junior
DB
St. Thomas Aquinas
Fort Lauderdale, FL
2023 Stats: 5 solo tackles, 2 assists, 7 Total tackles. 1 INT

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#4 Micah Pollard
Sophomore
6'2", 221yds
LB
Bartram Trail
Jacksonville, FL
2023 Stats: 2 solo tackles, 4 assists, 6 Total Tackles.

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#32 Jaylen Harrell
Senior
EDGE
6'4", 242lbs.
Berkeley Prep
Tampa, FL
2023 Stats: 13 solo tackles, 15 assists, 28 total. 6.5 sacks, 2 Forced Fumbles, 1 PBU

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#34 Jaydon Hood
Junior
LB
6'2", 225lbs.
St. Thomas Aquinas
Fort Lauderdale, FL
2023 Stats: 3 solo tackles 10 assists, 13 Total Tackles. 1 Forced Fumble

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#70 Peter Simmons
Junior
DL
6'1", 283 lbs.
Bishop Verot High School
Fort Myers, FL

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#64 James Kavouklis
Sophomore
OL/LS
Berkeley Prep
Tampa, FL

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#39 Jack MacKinnon
Freshman
LB
Cardinal Mooney
Sarasota, FL

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Michigan Wolverines Full Official Roster

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#4 ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

Tuscaloosa, AL
Head Coach Nick Saban
12-1
Southeastern Conference (SEC) -- SEC Champions


#15 Dallas Turner
Junior
LB
6'4", 252 lbs.
St. Thomas Aquinas
Fort Lauderdale, FL
2023 Stats: 50 Total Tackles (26 Solo, 24 Assists), 9 SACKS, 2 Forced Fumbles, 1 PBU

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#3 Terrion Arnold
Redshirt Sophomore
LB
6'0", 196lbs.
John Paul II Catholic
Tallahassee, FL
2023 Stats: 61 Total Tackles (38 Solo, 23 Assists), 5 INTERCEPTIONS, 11 PBUs, , 1 SACK, 1 Forced Fumble

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#6 Jaylen Key
Grad Student
DB
6'2", 210lbs.
Godby
Tallahassee, FL
Transfer from UAB

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#19 Keanu Koht
Redshirt Sophomore
LB
6'4", 232lbs.
Vero Beach HS
Vero Beach, FL
2023 Stats: 4 Total Tackles (2 Solo, 2 Assists)

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#20 Earl Little II
Redshirt Freshman
DB
6'1", 186lbs.
Plantation American Heritage
Plantation, FL
2023 Stats: 2 Total Tackles (1 Solo, 1 Assist)

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#23 Jaren Hamilton
Freshman
WR
6'1", 200lbs.
Buchholz HS
Gainesville, FL

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#25 Richard Young
Freshman
RB
5'11", 200lbs.
Lehigh Senior
Lehigh Acres, FL
2023 Stats: 9 carries, 24 yards, 1TD

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#31 Keon Keeley
Freshman
LB
6'5", 242lbs.
Tampa Berkeley Prep
Tampa, FL

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#50 Tim Smith
Senior
DL
6'4", 302lbs.
Sebastian River
Gifford, FL

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#53 Kade Wehby
Junior
SN (Long Snapper)
5'9", 185lbs.
St. Thomas Aquinas
Fort Lauderdale, FL

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#84 Amari Niblack
Sophomore
TE
6'4", 233lbs.
St. Petersburg Lakewood
Saint Petersburg, FL

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Alabama Crimson Tide Full Official Roster

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#2 Washington Huskies vs. #4 Texas Longhorns

SUGAR BOWL

Although the Sugar Bowl will only feature a few players from the Sunshine State, it features arguably the best player on the collegiate level representing our beloved Florida... Michael Penix, Jr. Penix left Indiana to bring Washington back to true national prominence with an undefeated record, a conference championship, and a berth in the College Football Playoffs semifinal. From old school days of Warren Moon leading the Huskies to today's high powered offense with Michael Penix, Jr.

#2 WASHINGTON HUSKIES

Seattle, WA
Head Coach Kalen DeBoer
Big XII Champions
13-0



# Michael Penix Jr.
Senior
QB
Tampa Bay Tech HS
Tampa, FL
Transferred from Indiana

2023 Stats: Penix finished second in the Heisman behind LSU QB Jayden Daniels.
307/466, 4,218 yards, 33TD and 9INT

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Washington Huskies Full Official Roster

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#3 TEXAS LONGHORNS

Austin, Texas
Head Coach Steve Sarkisian
BIG XII (BIG 12)
12-1



#4 CJ Baxter
Freshman
RB
6'1", 218lbs.
Edgewater High School
Orlando, FL

2023 Stats: 129 carries, 595 yards, 4 TD. 2nd on the team in rushing, TDs, and carries. Also has 22 receptions for 117 yards. All as a Freshman

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#71 Payton Kirkland
Freshman
OL
6'6", 350lbs.
Dr. Phillips High School
Orlando, FL

2023 Stats:

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Texas Longhorns Full Official Roster

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CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

NRG Stadium
Monday, January 8, 2024
Houston, TX
7:30PM ET
TV: ESPN