Five-offer 2026 Florida QB Michael Clayton is rising up national recruiting boards
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
All the pieces are there for Michael Clayton (6-4, 191), the upside is tremendous. There are five college programs, Arkansas, Florida A&M, Pittsburgh, Toledo, and Virginia Tech, who see the same in the 2026 Florida quarterback. As Clayton makes the move from Orlando’s Edgewater High School to Seminole, college programs are heading south to watch the gunslinger in action with his new team.
Taking on a 3M Sunshine State schedule with the Eagles, Clayton helped engineer an 11-1 record. The end of season stats saw Clayton pass for 1,902 yards with 20 touchdowns posted.
Being that rising sophomore during the 2023 season, Clayton was asked, after the big season produced on the field, what were some of the biggest things you learned as a leader that will help you going forward?
“The biggest thing I learned as a leader is not everyone can be led the same way,” Clayton stated. “Some need to be pulled aside and some need to be screamed at. Learning how to lead certain guys based on their personalities and what fits them best is the biggest thing I learned.”
Not getting to work with his entire receiving corps over the offseason was an in-season obstacle Clayton worked past.
“A challenge that I overcame was, over the offseason my receivers and I didn’t all have a connection because of injury or kids not being able to play during the offseason. Working during the season, that growing connection helped us with our success.”
Clayton spoke about how he took his game to that next level.
“Getting out of the pocket and making plays on the run, that improved from last year to this year,” Clayton said. “My reads on RPOs (run-pass option) were better. I was making the right reads on those.”
Goals have been set for the offseason.
“Of course, I am working on improving my strength and speed,” Clayton shared. “I feel that I have the skills, but I will improve on that. I will be heavy in the wight room and on the field improving my strength and speed.”
Clayton continued, “I am working with Baylin Trujillo, and I plan on working with 3DQB (California). I plan on traveling to train with them this offseason.”
Additional work will be put in over the winter and spring months connecting with the Seminoles’ receivers while learning a new playbook.
“For 7-on-7, I am working with Sanford Elite; I am transferring to Seminole,” Clayton stated. “I want to work with the receivers there, learn the play calls and the playbook.”
There is excitement in Clayton’s voice when speaking about the offense he will execute in ’24.
“Pro-style,” Clayton said. “We are spreading out the field and throwing it 30 to 40 times a game.”
As things change in the New Year, more scholarship opportunities are lining up.
“Tennessee, Miami, Texas A&M, Florida State, North Carolina, Notre Dame, and West Virginia are showing interest,” Clayton shared.
Two of those programs are ready to see him this month.
“Notre Dame and West Virginia are coming to see me throw in January,” Clayton declared.
Tennessee, Miami, and Florida hosted Clayton on game-day visits this fall. The rising star spoke about how he takes in the experience visiting a program.
“I am looking at the environment, is it an environment I would like to play in, and I look at the sidelines,” Clayton said. “I look at how the coaches coach and the type of energy they are giving. The style of offense, I for sure look at that. The little things like that are what I am looking at.”
As for upcoming stops, Clayton shared, “I plan on visiting all the schools I named.”
*Click the link for the Nov. 27 RNG video interview with Michael Clayton.