(LOS ANGELES) -- When Super Bowl LVI kickoffs on Sunday, February 13, 2022 at SoFi Stadium in LA, 17 Players from the State of Florida are listed on rosters to play in the biggest game of their lives....representing the East Coast's Sunshine State on the West Coast.



Let's talk about these players and their contributions as they suit up to be crowned and immortally cemented in NFL Super Bowl history.

LOS ANGELES RAMS (12-5)

NFC Champions

Head Coach: Sean McVay

The NFC Champs Los Angeles Rams have TEN players listed on their team roster who played on Florida's gridiron during their high school years.





#25
RB
SONY MICHEL
5'11", 215 lbs.
Plantation American Heritage -- Plantation, FL
(BROWARD AREA)
University of Georgia
Nth year in NFL

Star RB Sony Michel enters Super Bowl LVI with [STATS]. In his short 4 year career thus far in the NFL, Michel will be competing in his 2nd Super Bowl, already a Super Bowl champion with Patriots win in SB . Michel continues to live up to his championship pedigree since his 8th-grade boy wonder season on a varsity squad, eclipsing over 1000 yards. He left Plantation American Heritage with a token of appreciation, the Patriots 1st football State Championship trophy. Michel would go on to Georgia, where he would star alongside Nick Chubb in their high octane duo running game with the Dawgs. Sony would lead his team to the National Championship game with a tough loss to. Then on to the NFL, the pedigree reshined in his Michel's rookie season, being the feature back with the GOAT QB Tom Brady in the Patriots backfield, ultimately winning the Super Bowl. Now, in his first season after being traded to the Rams, Michel is back center stage, with a new reworked offense with Matt Stafford quarterbacking the helm and Sony manning the carries. Michel has rushed 208 times this season for 845 yards, and 4 TDs, sharing time with Cam Akers. Will the Rams bring home the Lombardi trophy and Sony Michel win yet another Super Bowl ring, with his second team?? Sunday we will find out.

---

#89
TE
TYLER HIGBEE
6'6", 255 lbs.
Tarpon Springs East Lake -- Tarpon Springs, FL
(TAMPA BAY AREA)
Western Kentucky
Rookie in NFL

Higbee enters Super Bowl LVI as a big cog in the Rams Offense, but was injured with a MCL Sprain and his game status was questionable. Higbee has 60 receptions for 560 yards and 5 TD. Over half of these receptions (33) have been for a first down.

---

#11
CB
DARIOUS WILLIAMS
5'9", 187 lbs.
Creekside HS -- St. Johns, FL
(DAYTONA & ST. JOHNS AREA)
Alabama at Birmingham
4th year in NFL

Starting at corner opposite of Jalen Ramsey should say something alone. When you have one of the best corners in the league, more action goes to the other side, Williams Way. Williams enters Super Bowl LVI with 66 tackles, 55 solo, and 9 Pass Deflections.

---

#19
WR
BRANDON POWELL
5'8", 181 lbs.
Deerfield Beach Bucks -- Deerfield Beach, FL
(BROWARD AREA)
University of Florida
3rd year in NFL

Powell has contributed to his Rams on special teams, returning punts and kickoffs. Former Deerfield Beach star Powell is dangerous with rock, taking one to the house with a 61-yd return, averaging a whopping 22.2 yards a return vs. and also has been nice on kickoff returns to the tune of 26 yards a return.

---

#13
QB
JOHN WOLFORD
6'1", 216 lbs.
Bishop Kenny -- Jacksonville, FL
(FIRST COAST AREA)
Wake Forest
2nd year in NFL

Wolford enters Super Bowl LVI with only 1 completion on the season, and also an interception.

---

#38
RB
BUDDY HOWELL
6'1", 225 lbs.
Coral Gables HS -- Coral Gables, FL
(MIAMI-DADE AREA)
Florida Atlantic
4th Year in NFL

---

#14
RB
JAVIAN HAWKINS
5'9", 196 lbs.
Cocoa Tigers -- Cocoa, FL
(SPACE & TREASURE COAST AREA)
University of Louisville
Rookie in NFL

University of Louisville rushing record holder Javian Hawkins got his feet wet in the preseason. Hawkins enters Super Bowl LVI on the practice squad roster with his contributions maybe not stated in individual season stats, but his preparation for the defense being met soundly with quality competition by giving fair opponent looks to the Rams' vaunted defense.

---

#15
WR
TUTU ATWELL
5'9", 165 lbs.
Miami Northwestern Bulls -- Liberty City, FL
(MIAMI-DADE AREA)
University of Louisville
Rookie in NFL
*Status: Reserve

University of Louisville's record holder WR Tutu Atwell has been on reserve... but being on a championship-caliber team, with two of the premier route-running receivers in the league, Kupp and Beckham, Jr., should bode well for the super fast Atwell on his route-running game. Atwell is one of several former Florida gridiron players to win a state championship while at the world-renown Miami Northwestern.

---

#41
DB
SHARROD NEASMAN
5'11", 213 lbs.
Braden River Pirates -- Bradenton, FL
(SUNCOAST AREA)
Florida Atlantic
6th year in NFL

Neasman played during the regular season with the NY Jets, but signed with the Rams practice squad for the postseason due to a thinning secondary corp.

---

#87
TE
JACOB HARRIS
6'5", 211 lbs.
Palm Harbor University HS -- Palm Harbor, FL
UCF Knights
Rookie in NFL

Rookie out of UCF, Harris may be called on with fellow teammate TE Tyler Higbee questionable.

---

---

CINCINNATI BENGALS (10-7)

AFC Champions

Head Coach: Zac Taylor

The Cincinnati Bengals have SEVEN players listed on their team roster who played on Florida's gridiron during their high school years.




#91
DE
TREY HENDRICKSON
6'4", 270 lbs.
Apopka Blue Darters -- Apopka, FL
(ORLANDO METRO AREA)
Florida Atlantic
5th year in NFL

Hendrickson enters Super Bowl LVI as a 1st year All-Pro... and rightfully so. Hendrickson's 14 Sacks this season spoke for themselves, alongside 34 tackles, and 3 forced fumbles. Hendrickson is one of several former Florida gridiron players to win a state championship, leading his APK Blue-Darters to the promised land in 2012. I'm sure a win for Hendrickson in this SB LVI will make another famous Blue Darter and Super Bowl Champion, Pro Hall-of-Famer Warren Sapp an even prouder distinguished alumni of "Hoka Hey".

---

#37
S
RICARDO ALLEN
5'9", 186 lbs.
Daytona Beach Mainland -- Daytona Beach, FL
(DAYTONA & ST. JOHNS AREA)
Purdue
7th Year in NFL

Ricardo Allen continues to cement his name and legacy as one of the best from Central Florida powerhouse Daytona Beach Mainland. After spending 6 years at Atlanta, Allen signed with a Cincinnati team that is in the Super Bowl in his first season as a Bengal. Allen enters Super Bowl LVI with 12 tackles, 8 of which are solo, in limited playing time this season. This will be Allen's second Super Bowl appearance, with his first ending in a dramatic Super Bowl LI overtime loss to Tom Brady led Patriots beating his Falcons 34-28.

---

#29
CB
VERNON HARGREAVES III
5'10", 204 lbs.
Tampa Wharton -- Tampa, FL
(TAMPA BAY AREA)
University of Florida
6th Year in NFL

Hargreaves enters Super Bowl LVI with 5 tackles in his first season as a Bengal. Hargreaves III joins Bengals' teammate Auden Tate as players coming from Tampa Wharton HS playing in Super Bowl LVI.

---

#93
DE
WYATT RAY
6'3", 250 lbs.
St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders -- Fort Lauderdale, FL
(BROWARD AREA)
Boston College
2nd Year in NFL

Nat King Cole's grandson Wyatt Ray enters Super Bowl LVI with 13 tackles, and one sack... a big sack in the Browns AFC Championship game win over the Browns.

---

#74
OT
FRED JOHNSON
6'7", 326 lbs.
Royal Palm Beach -- West Palm Beach, FL
(PALM BEACH AREA)
Florida Gators
3rd Year in NFL

---

#84
TE
MITCHELL WILCOX
6'4", 247 lbs.
Tarpon Springs East Lake HS -- Tarpon Springs, FL
South Florida
1st Year in NFL

Wilcox recorded 3 receptions for 16 yards in the Bengals AFC Championship win over state rival Browns.

---

#19
WR
AUDEN TATE
6'5", 228 lbs.
Tampa Wharton HS -- Tampa, FL
(TAMPA BAY AREA)
Florida State
4th Year in NFL
Status: *Reserve/Designated to Return

Tate caught 3 passes for 39 yards and a TD going into Super Bowl LVI. Tate joins Bengals' teammate Vernon Hargreaves III as players coming from Tampa Wharton HS playing in Super Bowl LVI.

---

---

FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOLS REPRESENTED IN SUPER BOWL LVI

Below is a breakdown of high schools that have at least one player on the Super Bowl teams roster:


Tampa Wharton (2)
2 Players: Vernon Hargreaves III (CIN), Auden Tate (CIN)
Tampa, FL
(TAMPA BAY AREA)


Tarpon Springs East Lake (2)
2 Players: Tyler Higbee (LAR), Mitchell Wilcox (CIN)
Tampa, FL
(TAMPA BAY AREA)


St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (1)
Player: Wyatt Ray (CIN)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
(BROWARD AREA)


Miami Northwestern Bulls (1)
Player: Tutu Atwell (LAR)
Miami Liberty City, FL
(MIAMI-DADE AREA)


Plantation American Heritage Patriots (1)
Player: Sony Michel (LAR)
Plantation, FL
(BROWARD AREA)


Deerfield Beach Bucks (1)
Player: Brandon Powell (LAR)
Deerfield Beach, FL
(BROWARD AREA)


Cocoa Tigers (1)
Player: Javian Hawkins (LAR)
Cocoa, FL
(SPACE & TREASURE COAST AREA)


Apopka Blue Darters (1)
Player: Trey Hendrickson (CIN)
Apopka, FL
(ORLANDO METRO AREA)


Daytona Beach Mainland (1)
Player: Ricardo Allen (CIN)
Daytona Beach, FL
(DAYTONA & ST. JOHNS AREA)




Coral Gables HS (1)
Player:Buddy Howell (LAR)
Coral Gables, FL
(MIAMI-DADE AREA)




Royal Palm Beach HS (1)
Player: Fred Johnson (CIN)
West Palm Beach, FL
(PALM BEACHES AREA)


Palm Harbor University HS (1)
Player: TE Jacob Harris (LAR)
Palm Harbor, FL
(TAMPA BAY AREA)


Creekside HS (1)
Player: CB Darious Williams (LAR)
St. Johns, FL
(DAYTONA & ST. JOHNS AREA)

Bishop Kenny (1)
Player: QB John Wolford (LAR)
Jacksonville, FL
(FIRST COAST AREA)

Braden River (1)
Player: DB Sharrod Neasman (LAR)
Bradenton, FL
(SUNCOAST AREA)

---

---

CREDITS: Player Photos are credit to their respective NFL teams, Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals