South Florida Football: Four Players Finalists for 2026 Nat Moore Trophy
Fans can vote until November 29, though a panel makes the final call for the regional high school award.
By Madison Darwish ·
CBS Miami announced four finalists for the 2026 Nat Moore Trophy on Tuesday, Nov. 10, during its 7 p.m. newscast. The award recognizes the top high school football player in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe counties. The selection process weighs athletic performance, leadership, character, academics, and sportsmanship.
The four players competing for the honor are Andre Hyppolite of North Miami Beach Senior High School, Nicholas Lennear III of Miami Carol City Senior High School, Mark Matthews of St. Thomas Aquinas High School, and Amir "A1" Sears of Christopher Columbus High School. The list includes both offensive and defensive players from different positions and classes.
Public voting is open through Sunday, Nov. 29. Fan votes account for 10% of the final decision. A selection panel determines the winner based on the remaining criteria. The vote allows the community to influence the outcome, though it does not guarantee a win for the most popular candidate.
Andre Hyppolite is a four-star prospect and a commit to the University of Miami. He has played multiple positions for the North Miami Beach Chargers, including quarterback when the starter was injured. Hyppolite credits head coach Jeff Bertani for believing in him before he became a highly recruited player. He describes his success as the result of hard work and loyalty.
Nicholas Lennear III is a five-star wide receiver who transferred to Miami Carol City for his senior season. He spent three prior years at Miami Northwestern. Lennear committed to the University of Miami and began playing football at age 5. He aims to let his on-field performance define him rather than the attention surrounding his recruitment.
Mark Matthews is a 6-foot-6, 300-pound offensive tackle for St. Thomas Aquinas. He has played football for only three years but is a five-star recruit committed to Texas A&M. Matthews previously played basketball, a background he credits with developing the flexibility and movement that define his play. He prioritizes winning a national championship with the Saints this season.
Amir "A1" Sears is a standout at Christopher Columbus who has been rated the top athlete in the class of 2027. He reclassified from the class of 2028 and committed to the University of Miami in August. Sears plays on both offense and defense. He notes that his father taught him to stay humble and grounded despite his rising profile.
The trophy is named after Nat Moore, who played 13 seasons with the Miami Dolphins from 1974 to 1986. Moore has remained active in South Florida through community and charitable work. The award is sponsored by FPL. Last year’s winner was a running back from Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School, who was selected from a group that included players from St. Thomas Aquinas, Miami Central, and Miami Northwestern.
