MaxPreps 2016 Football All-American Team

Video: 2016 MaxPreps All-American Football Team
See highlights of some of the best players in the nation.

It's one thing to be picked out as a top recruit. It's another to be recognized and then back it up with big numbers.

That's largely what the following 60 high school football players did in 2016, and because of that they were selected as MaxPreps All-Americans.

All but one from this elite group were seniors — Mater Dei sophomore quarterback J.T. Daniels was the lone exception — and almost all led teams to either state titles or deep playoff runs.



As of Jan. 1, 44 of the 60 had made a college commitment.

Leading the way for this star-studded team is Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) quarterback Tate Martell, the National Player of the Year. He was one of several do-everything quarterbacks on the list. See the feature story on Martell and other finalists. 


First Team Offense
QB - Tate Martell, 5-11, 190, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), Ohio State commit
Finished perfect career as starter (43-0) by accounting for 3,619 yards and 62 touchdowns for nation's No. 1 team.

QB - Shawn Robinson, 6-1, 200, DeSoto (Texas), TCU
In first year at new school, led the Eagles to their first state title by accounting for 4,846 yards and 47 touchdowns.

RB - Najee Harris, 6-2, 226, Antioch (Calif.), Alabama
Nation's No. 1 recruit led Panthers to first North Coast Section title game in 39 years by rushing for 2,776 yards and 34 touchdowns.

RB - D'Andre Swift, 5-10, 205, St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia), Georgia
Pennsylvania Football Writers' Association POY finished with 1,699 yards, including 140 and three scores in the state finals for the nation's No. 12 team.

RB - Jaylen Warren, 5-9, 205, East (Salt Lake City), Undecided
Rushed for state-record 3,099 yards and 38 touchdowns, leading nation's No. 19 team to 14-0 record and state title.



WR - Donovan Peoples-Jones, 6-2, 190, Cass Tech (Detroit), Michigan
Five-star recruit had 60 catches for 1,071 yards and 17 touchdowns, leading the Technicians to a 14-0 record, a state title and No. 14 national ranking.

WR - Tee Higgins, 6-5, 192, Oak Ridge (Tenn.), Clemson
Five-star recruit and winner of Tennessee's "Mr. Football" award for the second-straight year had 57 catches for 861 yards and 19 touchdowns during the regular season.

TE - Chase Rogers, 6-4, 248, St. Stanislaus (Bay St. Louis, Miss.), Undecided
Completed stellar four-year career with 61 catches for 1,042 yards and 13 touchdowns in 12 games and had 216-3,729-44 for his career.

OL - Wyatt Davis, 6-5, 310, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), Ohio State
Five-star recruit led an offense that averaged 284 yards rushing and 209 yards passing to a No. 5 ranking and a CIF Open Division title.

OL - Josh Myers, 6-6, 290, Miamisburg (Ohio), Ohio State
Another 5-star recruit headed to Columbus, the tackle led Miamisburg to a 10-3 record and 34 wins over four seasons. First lineman to win the JJHuddle Ohio High School Player of the Year award.

OL - Foster Sarell, 6-7, 311, Graham-Kapowsin (Graham, Wash.), Undecided
Five-star recruit, ranked the second-best player overall in the country by 247Sports, led the Eagles to a 9-2 record.



OL - Walker Little, 6-8, 305, Episcopal (Bellaire, Texas), Stanford
Ranked the No. 18 recruit overall by 247Sports, paved the way for a 9-2 Knights team with equal run- and pass-blocking skill.

OL - Trey Smith, 6-6, 310, University School of Jackson (Tenn.), Tennessee
Yet another 5-star recruit, the No. 26 senior overall, Smith led the Bruins to the state semifinals and nearly 300 yards rushing per game.

AP - Cam Akers, 6-0, 215, Clinton (Miss.), Florida State
America's second-ranked running back was moved to quarterback and threw for 3,128 yards and 31 touchdowns to go along with 2,104 rushing yards and 34 more scores, leading the Arrows to a 14-1 record and state title.

AP - Tim Tawa, 6-0, 182, West Linn (Ore.), Stanford
Considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in state history, Tawa completed 264 of 383 passes for 3,994 yards, 55 touchdowns and just one interception for the undefeated state champs. Also rushed for 456 yards and nine touchdowns, averaged 39.5 yards per punt and made 77 of 81 extra points. Headed to Stanford on a baseball scholarship.

K - Brandon Ruiz, 5-10, 172, Williams Field (Gilbert, Ariz.), Alabama
Arizona's No. 25 recruit overall made 17 of 20 field goals with a long of 58 yards. Of his 93 kickoffs, 88 went for touchbacks for the 5A state champs.

First Team Defense
DL - Jaelan Phillips, 6-5, 245, Redlands East Valley (Calif.), UCLA
Nation's No. 5 recruit overall and No. 1 defensive end had 142 tackles and 21 sacks for the 9-3 Wildcats.



DL - Chase Young, 6-5, 225, DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.), Ohio State
America's No. 28 recruit overall and third-ranked defensive end had an endless motor for his 12-0 team that finished No. 8 in the country.

DL - Aubrey Solomon, 6-4, 296, Lee County (Leesburg, Ga.), Undecided
Five-star recruit is ranked the No. 2 defensive tackle in the country and was named Georgia 1-AAAAAA Defensive Player of the Year by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

DL - Haskell Garrett, 6-2, 262, Bishop Gorman, Ohio State
More than one-third of his 54 tackles were for losses (20), leading the nation's No. 1 team to an eighth-straight state title.

LB - Matt Brown, 6-0, 210, Solon (Ohio), Undecided
Selected the Ohio Division I Defensive Player of the Year. Also a highly recruited lacrosse player.

LB - Dylan Moses, 6-3, 235, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), Alabama
In nine games for the country's No. 3 team that allowed 9.4 points per game, the nation's No. 8 recruit overall had 106 tackles.

LB - Anthony Hines III, 6-3, 225, Plano East (Texas), Texas A&M
Nation's top-rated inside linebacker had 245 tackles, which ranked second in the nation, and 38 were for losses. Also caused five fumbles and added two interceptions.



LB - Tadarian Moultry, 6-3, 230, Jackson-Olin (Birmingham, Ala.), Auburn
Alabama's fourth-ranked senior recruit is a member of the East team to play at next month's U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Led his team to an 8-3 year after seasons of 3-7 and 4-6.

DB - Jacoby Stevens, 6-2, 193, Oakland (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), LSU
Nation's top-rated safety led Patriots to a 14-1 record and state-finals berth with nine interceptions and 59 tackles. Also had 12 receiving touchdowns.

DB - Bubba Bolden, 6-3, 185, Bishop Gorman, Undecided
Physical safety intercepted seven passes for mythical national champions and also had kick block to save perfect season.

DB - Shaun Wade, 6-2, 174, Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.), Ohio State
No. 22 recruit overall and fourth-rated cornerback had 63 tackles, seven interceptions and nine pass deflections.

DB - Isaiah Pola-Mao, 6-4, 200, Mountain Pointe (Phoenix), Undecided
Four-star safety was everywhere with 10 interceptions, 18 pass deflections, 100 tackles and nine touchdown grabs out of 27 catches.

AP - Deangelo Gibbs, 6-2, 200, Grayson (Loganville, Ga.), Georgia
Nation's No. 40 recruit overall did it all on both sides of the ball for the country's No. 4 team, which went 14-1 and won 14 straight to nab a 7A state title.

P - Brian Delaney, 5-11, 200, Westfield (Chantilly, Va.), Virginia
Rated the No. 5 kicker in America by 247Sports.com, helped the Bulldogs to a 13-2 record and 6A state title.



Second Team Offense
QB - Charlie Brewer, 6-1, 190, Lake Travis (Austin, Texas), SMU
Associated Press' Texas POY followed a long line of quarterbacks in his family to complete 264 of 342 passes for 3,923 yards, 64 touchdowns and two interceptions in leading Cavaliers to a 6A-1 state title, 15-1 record and No. 7 national ranking.

QB - J.T. Daniels, 6-2, 200, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), Undecided
Finished off one of the finest sophomore seasons in history by throwing for 4,849 yards, 67 touchdowns and only six interceptions for nation's No. 9 team.

RB - Ty Chandler, 5-11, 185, Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville, Tenn.), Tennessee
America's fifth-ranked running back lived up to his billing rushing for 2,252 yards (8.7 average) and 39 touchdowns.

RB - Eric Melesio, 5-9, 165, Norte Vista (Riverside, Calif.), Undecided
Led nation with staggering total of 478 carries for 4,469 yards and 56 touchdowns for the 11-3 Braves. Rushed for more than 200 yards in 13 games, more than 300 yards five times, including a high of 563 yards and eight scores in playoff win over St. Margaret's.

RB - Kennedy Brooks, 6-0, 197, Mansfield (Texas), Oklahoma
In 10 games, four-star recruit rushed 259 times for 2,722 yards and 36 touchdowns, including 551 and 12 in the last two regular-season games.

WR - Jeff Thomas, 5-10, 174, East St. Louis (Ill.), Undecided
No. 49 recruit overall had 50 catches for 1,101 yards and 13 touchdowns for the 14-0 Flyers and 159 catches, 3,174 yards and 32 touchdowns for his career.

WR - Ceedee Lamb, 6-2, 170, Foster (Richmond, Texas), Oklahoma
Four-star receiver grabbed 98 catches for 2,032 yards and 33 touchdowns for the 14-1 Falcons, who lost in the 5A-1 semifinals.



TE - Hunter Bryant, 6-4, 250, Eastside Catholic (Sammamish, Wash.), Washington
Four-star recruit had 56 catches for 959 yards and 10 touchdowns, as well as 138 catches and 35 scores during his career.

OL - Austin Jackson, 6-6, 280, North Canyon (Phoenix), Undecided
Arizona's top recruit paved the way to nearly 360 yards per game for the Rattlers. Jackson also had 80 tackles, 29 for losses, on defense.

OL - Jack Anderson, 6-5, 285, Frisco (Texas), Texas Tech
America's No. 2 offensive guard led Raccoons to an 8-3 record and 30 points per game.

OL - Austin Deculus, 6-6, 325, Cy-Fair (Cypress, Texas), LSU
Texas' No. 5 recruit overall helped the 8-3 Bobcats rush for more than 200 yards per game.

OL - Cesar Ruiz, 6-3, 310, IMG Academy (Fla.), Michigan
The nation's top-rated center helped the third-ranked Ascenders to an 11-0 record with an almost perfectly balanced offense that averaged 200 yards passing and 188 rushing per game.

OL - Isaiah Wilson, 6-6, 355, Poly Prep Country Day (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Georgia
New York's top recruit dominated opponents on both sides of the ball, helping the Blue Devils to a 5-3 record.



AP - Keytaon Thompson, 6-5, 230, Landry-Walker (New Orleans), Mississippi State
Gatorade State Player of the Year rushed for more than 1,400 yards and 25 scores and passed for 3,800 yards and 42 touchdowns, leading Landry-Walker (13-2) to a state 5A title.

AP - Roshauud Paul, 6-0, 170, Bremond (Texas), Texas A&M
Dual-threat quarterback and cornerback led Tigers to a 16-0 record and 2A-II state title by accounting for 4,764 yards and 73 touchdowns.

K - Jake Lane, 6-2, 155, Park Crossing (Montgomery, Ala.), Undecided
Tied state record with 22 field goals in 27 attempts, including game-winners from 41 and 49 yards for the 13-1 Thunderbirds. Named All-Super State in Alabama.

Second Team Defense
DL - Robert Beal, 6-4, 230, IMG Academy (Fla.), Georgia
Nation's No. 5 rated defensive end had 72 tackles and 8.5 sacks for the nation's No. 3 team (11-0).

DL - Corey Malone-Hatcher, 6-4, 250, St. Joseph (Mich.), Michigan
Michigan's No. 6 recruit averaged eight tackles per game for the 6-4 Bears.

DL - Chester Graves, 6-5, 230, Park Hill (Kansas City, Mo.), Undecided
Missouri's top recruit had 128 tackles (12.6 per game) with six sacks and three caused fumbles for the 6-4 Trojans.



DL - Aaron Odom, 6-3, 250, Callaway (Jackson, Miss.), Mississippi State
Mississippi's 10th-ranked overall recruit had 166 tackles (13.8 per game), 28 sacks and nine caused fumbles. Had 511 tackles and 54.5 sacks in his career.

LB - Josh Ross, 6-1, 212, St. Mary Prep (Orchard Lake, Mich.), Michigan
Michigan's third-ranked senior helped St. Mary's Prep to 10-4 record and state Division 3 title.

LB - Landry Kershaw, 6-2, 220, Bishop Lynch (Dallas), Undecided
Led nation in tackles with 270 (19.3 per game), leading the Friars (9-5) to TAPPS Division I state title.

LB - Nathan McBride, 6-2, 230, Vidalia (Ga.), Georgia
America's No. 2-ranked inside linebacker helped the Indians to a 9-3 season.

LB - Levi Jones, 6-3, 215, Westlake (Austin, Texas), Undecided
No. 12-ranked outside linebacker had 103 tackles, including 12 for losses, for the 11-3 Chaparrals.

DB - Ambry Thomas, 6-0, 174, King (Detroit), Michigan
Michigan's No. 2 senior recruit was fearless from his cornerback spot for King, which went 12-2.



DB - Grant Delpit, 6-3, 190, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), LSU
Nation's third-ranked safety had 47 tackles, four interceptions and six pass deflections for the 11-0 Ascenders.

DB - Darnay Holmes, 5-11, 190, Calabasas (Calif.), Undecided
No. 12 senior recruit overall in the country and second-rated cornerback had few balls thrown in his direction. Had 30 tackles, no interceptions and on offense contributed 69 catches for 1,214 yards and 14 touchdowns for the 14-1 Coyotes.

DB - Richard LeCounte, 6-0, 185, Liberty County (Hinesville, Ga.), Georgia
Nation's No. 2 ranked safety had 100 tackles, two interceptions and caused two fumbles for the 11-2 Panthers.

AP - Lamont Wade, 5-10, 185, Clairton (Pa.), Penn State
America's fifth-ranked cornerback made even a bigger impact at running back, where he rushed for 254 yards in a West Regional title win and more than 7,000 yards in his career.

P - Pressley Harvin III, 6-0, 235, Sumter (S.C.), Georgia Tech
Second-ranked senior punter in the nation averaged 42.7 yards in 28 punts, with 14 pinned inside the 20.