The 2026 college football season is nearly here, and Broward County is set to thrive yet again.
Tulane’s College Football Playoff appearance a year ago put the American Athletic Conference into the national consciousness. With more eyes on the AAC, some familiar names from the 954 look to take full advantage this fall.
For this story, we are including only players with a Broward County school listed on their school’s official football roster. Players who are originally from Broward County but played elsewhere in high school are listed separately. Check your favorite team’s category page for those posts!
Florida Atlantic
Branden Hoch, WR, St. Thomas Aquinas: Hoch finished his freshman season with 12 receptions for 177 yards. Although Easton Messer is the established No. 1 in FAU’s passing game, look for Hoch to cement his spot as a reliable target for Caden Veltkamp.
AJ Johnson, TE, St. Thomas Aquinas, R-Sr.: Johnson arrives at FAU after a career-best season at Villanova. The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Johnson had 20 catches, 235 yards, and five touchdowns for the Wildcats. For his homecoming to be an especially fruitful one, Johnson needs Veltkamp to stay healthy and limit his turnovers.
Navy
Joshua Guerin, WR, Coral Glades, Sr.: Guerin only had three catches last season in Navy’s run-first offense, but you should plan on him nonetheless contributing. The Midshipmen are 21-5 the last two years and ended last season ranked No. 23 in the AP Top 25.
South Florida
Jaden Alexis, WR, Monarch, Gr.: Knee problems limited Alexis to only a 4-yard catch the last two seasons. However, the 6-foot, 200-pound Alexis is healthy and ready to torch opposing defenses. Don’t be surprised if the Texas transfer enjoys an All-AAC season under new coach Brian Hartline’s watch.
Shamar Meikle, LB, Miramar, Jr.: Meikle had seven TFLs and two sacks over 21 games at Oregon State. He was one of the bright spots for a Beavers team that finished 2-10 and fired coach Trent Bray in October. Meikle is a dark horse All-AAC candidate, especially playing under defensive coordinator and rising coaching star Josh Aldridge.
Temple
Jayvant Brown, LB, St. Thomas Aquinas, R-Jr.: Brown began his career at Kentucky, racking up eight tackles over 15 games in two seasons. After transferring to Temple last year, Brown tallied 18 tackles and a half sack for the Owls, who finished with their most wins since 2019. Temple hopes to take another major step forward and reach their first bowl game in seven years.
Tulane
John Bock II, C, Cardinal Gibbons, R-Sr.: Tulane has four new offensive line starters, and Bock is easily the most experienced, having started 21 games at FIU. All attention will be on the Green Wave, who look to become the first mid-major to reach the College Football Playoff in consecutive years.
Ryan Mickow, OT, St. Thomas Aquinas, R-Jr.: The 6-foot-7, 311-pound Mickow is expected to be the Green Wave’s starting right tackle. He played 24 games at Boston College the last two years and suited up at both tackle spots.
Which former Broward County players are you expected to see in college football this season? Let us know!
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