Cocoa captures Florida state championship led by 2026 QB Brady Hart
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Football is the ultimate team sport needing contributions across the board in all three phases to be successful. High school teams have different means to get to a state title game, but it takes a leader to walk off the field with a trophy. At Cocoa High School (Cocoa, Fla.), the Tigers have 2026 quarterback Brady Hart.
Putting together a 14-1 season was not an easy task. The Tigers first three games were about as tough as it gets lining up against Jones, Venice, and St. Thomas Aquinas. The five-game run in the postseason was stamped after a 20-6 win over Bradford.
Asked, looking back on the 2023 season, what were some of the big moments for you?
“Venice, that was a huge part in our year,” Hart replied. “We beat Jones in Week 1 (22-20). We made some mistakes; it was not the best win. Venice, they are a really good team. They were the state runner-up. We rallied and beat them (31-21). That was a huge point in our year. That set us off for St. Thomas the next week. I’d like to say we beat them (36-37). That was the game that allowed us to win a state championship.”
Hart (6-5, 185) spoke about some of the biggest things he learned as a quarterback and as a leader during the championship season.
“I learned that relying on your teammates and coaches is huge,” Hart stated. “You can’t do everything by yourself. Playing in the system, you can still make plays, but being in the system allows you to work with your teammates and coaches and win games.”
On capturing a Florida state championship, Hart shared, “It was special, but it almost felt like the second the game was over, I enjoyed it that night, and the next morning it was already onto next season. I am ready to chase that championship again. I am not fulfilled; I want to win again next year.”
The experiences playing against some of the best the Sunshine State has to offer helped Hart further develop his skills.
“I think I can make plays in the system and make reads, but I can also extend plays,” Hart said. “If a play breaks down, I can get out of the pocket and make plays. I can also drive down the field in the pocket tearing up defenses.”
Some of the 11 to offer Hart includes Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa State, North Carolina, Penn State, Pitt, Texas A&M, UCF, USF, and Virginia Tech. Another round of squads is doing a deep dive on Hart’s game film.
“Miami, Florida State, LSU, Notre Dame, and Florida, those are the four that have really been reaching out,” Hart shared. “Notre Dame maybe reaching out the most.”
The rapport with the Fighting Irish coaching staff was covered.
“It is a good relationship,” Hart said. “I think they are coming to watch me throw on Wednesday. Hopefully they will offer then. They said something about coming down, but it is not set in stone. Notre Dame is a really cool school. I am building a relationship with them.”
Game-day visits were taken to Florida, Miami, FSU, and UCF. Next year, a couple of schools are on Hart’s private visit list.
“North Carolina, I am going up there, and I will probably visit Penn State,” Hart stated.
Spinning it throughout his sophomore season, Hart covered 3,759 yards with 41 touchdowns hitting at a 67 percent clip.
*Click the link for the July 9 RNG interview with Brady Hart.