April 29, 2025

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Players From South Florida Selected In The 2025 NFL Draft

Ricardo Urrusuno April 28, 2025 9 min read
South Florida 2025 NFL Draft

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell with Texas A&M defensive end Shemar Stewart after he is selected by the Cincinnati Bengals. / Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Green Bay, WI – After three days in Lambeau Field, the 2025 NFL Draft has concluded. Florida is usually considered one of the best, if not the best state to produce high school football talent year after year. South Florida, in particular, is known as a hot spot in recruiting and sending the best prospects to top-tier NCAA schools. So, let’s focus on players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft who grew up and played high school football in South Florida.

Shemar Stewart

With the 17th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals selected Defensive End, Shemar Stewart. Raised in Miramar, Stewart attended Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Miami Gardens. Shemar Stewart was regarded as one of the top recruits in the 2022 college football recruiting class. As a result, he received a scholarship from Texas A&M.

Despite having just 4.5 career sacks in three seasons while at Texas A&M, Stewart stood out at the NFL combine. He finished in the top three amongst all defensive ends in several pre-draft measurables. He led in the broad jump category with 10’11”. Stewart finished second in the vertical jump measurable with 40.00″ and in the 10-yard split, completing it in 1.58 seconds. He also finished third in the 40-yard dash at 4.59 seconds.

Standing at 6’5 and weighing 267 pounds, Shemar Stewart is known for being able to turn speed into power.

Jayden Higgins

The Houston Texans picked Wide Receiver, Jayden Higgins, in the 2nd round (34th overall). Higgins played high school football at Westminster Christian High School. He was a multi-sport athlete there, having played basketball as well. Higgins would then go on to play two seasons of NCAA football at Eastern Kentucky before transferring to Iowa State University in 2022.

While at Eastern Kentucky, Jayden Higgins recorded 87 catches for 1,151 yards and 13 touchdowns. His numbers exploded at Iowa State, where he had 140 receptions for 2,166 yards and 15 touchdowns. His biggest game as a Cyclone came in the 2023 Liberty Bowl, where he set a program record with 214 receiving yards. In 2024, Higgins was an AP Third Team All-American and a second-team All-Big 12 selection.

At 6’4 and 214 pounds, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds, showing his versatility and athleticism.

Mason Taylor

Tight End, Mason Taylor, was selected in the 2nd round (42nd overall) by the New York Jets. Taylor was born in Plantation and attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School. He is also related to two NFL Hall of Famers, being the son of Jason Taylor and the nephew of Zach Thomas, two former Miami Dolphins. Mason wound up playing NCAA football at LSU. Across 38 games in three seasons, his 129 catches and 1,308 yards became school records.

Taylor is considered to be the most productive tight end in LSU history. He became the first tight end to put up at least 100-receptions and 1,000-yards in a season. Some his academic achievements at the collegiate level include making the 2022 and 2023 SEC Academic Honor Roll. His on the field accomplishments include being the 2022 Freshman All-SEC and the 2024 Third-Team All-SEC.

His 6’5- and 251-pound frame brings flashbacks to his father’s career, only this time he’ll be on the offensive front.

Elijah Arroyo

The Seattle Seahawks selected Tight End, Elijah Arroyo, in the 2nd round (50th overall pick). Born in Orlando but raised in Palmetto Bay until the age of seven, Arroyo eventually returned to his home in 2021, after living in Texas, to play at the University of Miami. Although he missed the majority of the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Arroyo sure made 2024 a memorable one, finishing with 35 receptions, 590 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns.

Following the 2024 season, he was nominated as a candidate for the John Mackey Award, honoring the nation’s best tight end. He had such a remarkable performance at the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl that he was named a top performer. His draft stock immediately skyrocketed as soon as NFL media took notice. Elijah Arroyo particularly impressed scouts with his one-on-one drills and his agility.

He’s 6’5, weighing 250 pounds but he has a special catching ability that can trick DBs into making the wrong moves.

Ashton Gillotte

In the 3rd round (66th overall pick), the Kansas City Chiefs selected Defensive End Ashton Gillotte. Since the age of six, Gillotte grew up in Boca Raton. He attended and played at Boca Raton Community High School. Back in 2020, Gillotte was named as the Sun Sentinel’s Palm Beach County 8A-6A defensive player of the year. After putting up 55 tackles and 10 sacks in just seven games that season, he committed to play at the University of Louisville.

In his four seasons at the collegiate level, Gillotte put up 131 combined tackles, 41 tackles for loss, and 26.5 sacks. He led the entire ACC in sacks with 11.0 in 2023 and was a second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection in 2024. Gillotte was also a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, an award for the top college football player with the best combination of academics, leadership, and on-field performance.

He has the size at 6’2 and 264 pounds to give the Chiefs a combination of speed and bend.

Ruben Hyppolite II

The Chicago Bears picked Linebacker, Ruben Hyppolite II in the 4th round (132nd overall). Hyppolite grew up in Fort Lauderdale. He first attended American Heritage School, winning two state championships there before transferring to McArthur High School. After his high school career ended, Hyppolite was ranked as a four-star prospect and one of the top 25 linebackers across the nation.

Ruben Hyppolite II was even invited to represent the U.S. national team at the International Bowl. Hyppolite ended up committing to the University of Maryland. After five seasons of college football, he finished his career with 236 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 13 tackles-for loss, one interception, six pass breakups, and one forced fumble. He was the Terrapins Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 and also earned All-Big Ten third-team honors.

He’s known for his speed and toughness, standing at 6’0, weighing 240 pounds.

Jason Marshall Jr.

Cornerback, Jason Marshall Jr. was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the 5th round (150th overall). Born and raised in Miami, Marshall will make a return home. He attended Miami Palmetto High School where he played both offense and defense. However, he made his mark on the defensive side. Marhsall also played basketball. As a senior, his team reached the semi-finals of the state playoffs.

As a five-star prospect, he committed to the University of Florida. Jason Marshall Jr. had 98 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, two interceptions, and 25 passes defending in his four seasons as a Gator. Marshall was a member of the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll in both 2022 and 2024. He will look to rebound from last year’s season-ending shoulder injury.

His size and strength at 6’0 and 194 pounds provide the ability to obstruct catch space.

Elijah Roberts

Defensive End, Elijah Roberts, was picked by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 5th round (157th overall). He attended Christopher Columbus High School, leading them to a class 8A state title. After his tenure, he was a four-star recruit and received multiple offers from high profile schools. Roberts ended up committing to play for the Miami Hurricanes, where he played from 2020 – 2022.

Seeking a change of scenery, Roberts then then transferred to SMU where he played his final two seasons of college football. He saw significant playtime and his stats increased as a result. His performance in 2023 led to him being named second-team all-American Athletic Conference. Elijah Roberts put up 72 combined tackles, 24 tackles for loss, and 17.5 sacks in his career as a Mustang.

Standing at 6’3 and 285 pounds, Roberts will provide pass rushing juice to the Bucs defense.

Oronde Gadsden II

The Los Angeles Chargers picked Tight End, Oronde Gadsden II, in the 5th round (165th overall). He was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, having attended American Heritage School. After impressing scouts in high school, he committed to play college football at Syracuse University. Gadsden started his career as both a wide receiver and tight end before eventually making the full-time shift to the latter position.

In his four seasons at Syracuse, he totaled 143 catches, 2,000 receiving yards, and 14 touchdowns. After having his most productive season as a senior, Gadsden was awarded as a 2024 Third-Team All-American. He was also a Two-time First-Team All-ACC. His father, Orode Gadsden, was a wide receiver in the NFL, having spent most of his career with the Dolphins.

Standing at 6’4 and 243 pounds, he will show his presence by running precise routes and making contested catches.

Andres Borregales

The New England Patriots selected Kicker, Andres Borregales, in the 6th round (182nd overall). Born in Venezuela, Borregales and his family eventually settled in Miami. He attended Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School in Hialeah. His longest field goal kick in high school went for 56 yards. Borregales kept it local by committing to the University of Miami.

Over his four seasons at the U, he became the Hurricanes’ all-time point leader with 405. His 86% field-goal mark is the highest in program history amongst kickers who have more than 25 field goal attempts. Borregales has been  nominated for the Lou Groza Award in the past, which is given to the top college football placekicker. He was also a First-team All-ACC in both 2023 and 2024.

At 5’10 and 199 pounds, he displays a strong leg that’s consistent and accurate in clutch moments.

Brashard Smith

The Kansas City Chiefs selected Running Back, Brashard Smith, in the 7th round (228th overall). Smith was born in the Richmond Heights area and attended Miami Palmetto Senior High School. He came out of high school as a three-star recruit and committed to play for the University of Florida. However, he eventually flipped to play at Miami, where he played from 2021 – 2023.

Smith didn’t see the field much in those three seasons before hitting the transfer portal and joining SMU. He also made the switch from wide receiver to running back. His lone season there was certainly a memorable one, earning himself First-Team All-ACC honors. He put up 1,332 rushing yards on 235 carries and 14 touchdowns while also having 39 receptions, 327 receiving yards, and four touchdowns.

He’s 5’9, weighing 194 pounds, and can get past defenders on the ground in vertical routes.

 

About Post Author

Ricardo Urrusuno

He’s a diehard 305 native who roots for his hometown teams in the good, the bad, and the ugly. Recently, he graduated from FIU with an MBA, but now he’s a Lemonhead covering UM basketball. Known to be anywhere and everywhere, you may catch him at a Miami sporting event.

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