As the 2026 college football season approaches, Legacy Library has been studying up on former South Florida high school players poised to thrive at the mid-major level this fall.
After previously looking at the American and Conference USA, we’re moving to the Mid-American Conference. Because so many MAC schools effectively use the South Florida pipeline, we’ve split this into two stories. Those looking for Akron through Eastern Michigan can go here.
For this list, we are defining South Florida as Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. Given the current state of college athletics and the ever-changing rosters in the transfer portal era, we have included only schools that have publicly released official 2026 rosters.
Miami
Amariyun Knighten, DB, Deerfield Beach, R-Sr.: Knighten played his first three seasons at Northern Illinois, racking up 46 tackles, seven pass breakups, and a 33-yard interception over 25 games. He spent last year at Indiana and was credited with one tackle for the national champion Hoosiers.
Ohio
KJ Sejour, DB, Chaminade-Madonna, R-Fr.: Sejour arrives at Ohio after an impressive 2025 season at Chattanooga. The 5-foot-9, 160-pound defensive back finished his redshirt freshman season with 41 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and an interception.
We must note that Ohio lists Sejour as a redshirt freshman as of July 2026. However, he will likely play the coming season as a redshirt sophomore.
Sacramento State
Amari Wallace, S, Miami Central, R-Fr.: A four-star high school prospect by most credible outlets, Wallace redshirted at the University of Miami last year. He now takes his talents across the country to join a Hornets team entering its first FBS season.
Qualyn McQueen, S, Miami Gardens, Sr.: McQueen has certainly traveled throughout his college career, which began in 2022 at NAIA St. Thomas in Florida. He spent one year there before leaving for Riverside City College in California. McQueen played the 2024 season at Independence Community College (Kansas). Most recently, he suited up for Division II Nebraska-Kearney. Could the fifth time be the charm?
Toledo
Hyajah Miller, CB, Coconut Creek, R-So.: A three-star high school prospect, Miller tallied two tackles over his first six collegiate games. We’ll see whether he can break through and start stuffing the stat sheet as a third-year sophomore.
UMass
Da’Marion Alberic, RB, Atlantic, R-So.: Alberic picked up 40 yards from scrimmage (23 rushing, 17 receiving) on 10 touches last year. If there’s an opportunity for added playing time, expect Alberic to run away with it, pun only partially intended.
Western Michigan
Kedrick “KJ” Burley, DE, St. Thomas Aquinas, R-So.: Burley dominated at Keiser last year, recording 5 ½ sacks and 15 tackles for loss after transferring from Middle Tennessee. Keiser went 12-1 and reached its fourth consecutive NAIA national championship game.
Amarian Louis, CB, Miami Southridge, R-Jr.: Western Michigan did not credit the 5-foot-8, 166-pound Louis with any regular-season action last year. He had 21 tackles, two interceptions, and four pass breakups at Dodge City Community College (Kansas) in 2024.
Willard Ferrell, CB, Miami Killian, Sr.: What the 6-foot-1, 155-pound Ferrell might lack in weight, he more than makes up for in production. He had 28 tackles, four pass breakups, and an interception at Presbyterian College (Penn.) last year.
Which former Florida high school players are you expected to see in college football this season? Let us know!
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