National recruiting attention coming for 2027 Florida QB Joaquin Kavouklis
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
When you’ve seen a thousand quarterbacks throwing the pigskin around the yard and then you see one that surprises you… there’s something special happening. At Tarpon Springs High School (FL), the Spongers have a generational kind of talent developing in the pocket. What Joaquin Kavouklis has already done is impressive, and his potential is seemingly unlimited.
Kavouklis (6-1, 187) had a solid freshman year with Clearwater Academy International, but took his game to that next level with Tarpon Spring setting school records for passing yards and passing touchdowns operating out of a Spread attack.
“We executed in the passing game,” Kavouklis stated. “We had a good run game. We had good receivers come in, like Makih Johnson from Clearwater Academy. We did well in the passing game.
“I thought I did well making my progressions from one receiver to the next. From my pre-snap, I was going accordingly to the different concepts on each side of the field, progressing from the coverages they were running.”
NFL guys have trouble throwing across the middle, that is just one of many attributes to Kavouklis’ game that stands out.
“One of my strengths is putting the ball where my receivers can get it,” Kavouklis stated. “I have a connection with my receivers. I know how the DBs are going to play, and how the defense is playing us. I have good touch and good velocity on my ball.
“It is hard for the defense to react because the ball zips out of my hand. I am good at throwing on the run, moving around the pocket, and delivering the ball from different arm slots. I can escape the pocket to my benefit.”
Joaquin Kavouklis with Baylin Trujillo at Miami.
After throwing for 2,404 yards with 22 passing touchdowns in 2024, Kavouklis wants to expand his explosiveness on the field.
“I am working on my speed,” Kavouklis shared. “I think that at the next level, being a D-I quarterback, you have to throw great, but you also have to take off, gain yards, and score touchdowns. I am working on my speed. I am working on my throwing and my mechanics. I’m getting right and getting ready for upcoming camps. I am hitting the weight room too.”
Arkansas, Syracuse, Toledo, UCF, UNLV, USF, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia have presented the 2027 QB with scholarship opportunities.
The teams that could offer next were shared, “Miami, Florida, Ohio State a little bit, Wake Forest, Bama, Georgia a little bit, and Penn State are showing interest.”
Spinning it this spring in practice and/or at college camps over the summer will aid in Kavouklis adding more offers to his sheet.
“They watch my film, but they want to see me throw live,” Kavouklis said. “I will go to camps with schools showing interest and see what happens.”
Meanwhile, Arkansas, UCF, USF, and Miami have wasted no time getting Kavouklis on campus.
The trip to Fayetteville was a success.
“It went very well,” Kavouklis shared. “Coach (Bobby) Petrino (OC) and coach (Sam) Pittman are building something special there. They are on the rise. That town was amazing. They have a big spirit going on there with the Razorbacks. It is special there.”
Kavouklis got to see the Hurricanes in action with QB coach Baylin Trujillo.
“That was great,” Kavouklis stated. “I went with my QB coach and some other QBs. I talked to coach (Shannon) Dawson and coach (Mario) Cristobal after the game; they are after me hard. I like the town. Being from Florida, staying in Florida for college would be great. Overall, it was amazing.”
Familiarity with the offense and being close to home is helping the Bulls recruit the backyard talent.
“It was a good visit,” Kavouklis said. “USF is right down the street. I am close with coach (Alex) Golesh and coach (Joel) Gordon (OC). We run their offense; it was fun to talk ball with them. It was fun to see how they see things. They are good guys; I like them a lot.”
A return trip to the Natural State is on Kavouklis’ 2025 itinerary.
“I will go back to Arkansas for sure, and I will head to Virginia Tech and West Virginia,” Kavouklis shared. “For other Junior Days, I am not sure yet.”
Kavouklis got his feet wet as a freshman starter for Clearwater Academy International throwing for 1,581 yards with 10 scores during the 2023 season.
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Photo credit: Kavouklis family – Joaquin Kavouklis at Arkansas and at Miami.