MaxPreps 2017 Preseason All-American Football Teams

Video: 2017 MaxPreps Preseason Football All-Americans
Host Zack Poff breaks down some of the players selected on the Preseason All-American First Team.

The 2017 high school football season is right around the corner. So the last thing to do before it begins is to release our Preseason All-American Teams.

The Junior and Sophomore teams will be coming out Aug. 2 and 3, respectively.

Fun facts are abundant with our group of 60. For instance, both quarterbacks on the first team are from Georgia. And an amazing six players from IMG Academy made the cut (otherwise known as 10 percent). California leads the way with 13 players overall and Florida has the second-most with 10. A total of 18 states have representation on the teams. The top team in the nation from our Preseason Top 25 Early Contenders, Mater Dei, has three players honored. And finally, all 60 are seniors.



First Team Offense

QB — Trevor Lawrence, 6-6, 195, Cartersville (Ga.)
Lawrence enters his senior season riding a 30-game winning streak and has gone 42-2 as a starter in leading Cartersville to back-to-back state championships. The 5-star quarterback is less than 2,500 yards away from breaking Deshaun Watson's Georgia state record for most career passing yards.

QB — Justin Fields, 6-3, 220, Harrison (Kennesaw, Ga.)
Less than 20 miles separates the top two quarterbacks on the first team and no quarterback had a better summer than Fields. He was named the MVP of the Elite 11 and was recently named the No. 1 overall player in 247Sports' most recent rankings.

RB — Zamir White, 6-1, 220, Scotland (Laurinburg, N.C.)
The nation's top-rated running back in the Class of 2018 is coming off a junior season that saw him rush for nearly 2,000 yards and 27 touchdowns en route to North Carolina Gatorade Football Player of the Year honors.

RB — Jaelen Gill, 6-1, 180, Westerville South (Ohio)
One of the best stories heading into 2017 season is Westerville South's 5-star running back. He suffered a fractured fibula during his junior year but showed he is back at 100 percent after an impressive showing at The Opening. He checks in as the No. 1 all-purpose back in the Class of 2018.

RB — TJ Pledger, 5-8, 190, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Pledger went from coast to coast for his senior year. He was named to the 2016 MaxPreps Junior All-American Team after rushing for nearly 2,000 yards and 32 touchdowns for Chaminade (West Hills, Calif.). He is primed for a big senior year at IMG Academy.



WR — Amon-Ra St. Brown, 5-11, 190, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Mater Dei's 5-star wide receiver is coming off a monster junior campaign. He had over 1,200 yards receiving and 21 touchdowns. Expect a big-time senior season for the No. 2 wide receiver in the Class of 2018.

WR — Terrace Marshall, 6-2, 190, Parkway (Bossier City, La.)
Parkway's 5-star stud checks in as the No. 1 wide receiver in the Class of 2018.

TE — Jeremy Ruckert, 6-5, 240, Lindenhurst (N.Y.)
The nation's No. 1 tight end in the Class of 2018 proved he was one of the best playmakers at The Opening. The future Ohio State Buckeye is rated as the No. 1 player overall from New York.

OL — Jamaree Salyer, 6-4, 340, Pace Academy (Atlanta)
The top-rated offensive lineman in the Class of 2018 is one of the top recruits in all of high school football. He was named the offensive line MVP at The Opening, proving he is one of the baddest dudes in the country.

OL — Jackson Carman, 6-6, 290, Fairfield (Ohio)
The nation's top-rated offensive tackle in the Class of 2018 is also the top-rated player from Ohio. He is one of the best all-around offensive linemen in the country.

OL — Justin Dedich, 6-2, 290, Chaparral (Temecula, Calif.)
The No. 1 center in the Class of 2018 is one of the best players from California. He can play all three offensive line positions and is one of the most versatile linemen in the country.



OL — Brey Walker, 6-7, 320, Westmoore (Oklahoma City)
The 2018 Oklahoma commit is one the best pass and run blockers in the country. The 5-star offensive tackle checks in as a Top 20 recruit overall and is the No. 1 player from the Sooner State.

OL — Tommy Brown, 6-6, 313, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
JT Daniels threw for nearly 5,000 yards and 67 touchdowns during his sophomore season, and one of the main reasons why was because he had Brown blocking for him. The 2018 Alabama commit is one of the best offensive linemen in the country and expect him to keep Daniels' jersey clean again in 2017.

AP — Devon Williams, 6-4, 200, Antelope Valley (Lancaster, Calif.)
Outside of having one of the best highlight tapes in high school football, Antelope Valley's 4-star wide receiver does it all. In 2016 he had over 1,500 yards of total offense, 16 touchdowns, 55 tackles, four forced fumbles, five interceptions and three interceptions returned for touchdowns.

AP — Talanoa Hufanga, 6-0, 195, Crescent Valley (Corvallis, Ore.)
After an impressive showing at The Opening, the No. 1 player from Oregon added a fifth star on 247Sports. He is one of the best all-around players in the country and is currently the top-rated athlete in the Class of 2018.

K — Cameron Dicker, 6-1, 185, Lake Travis (Austin, Texas)
The 2018 Texas Longhorn commit checks in as the No. 1 kicker in the country.

First Team Defense
DL — Xavier Thomas, 6-3, 265, IMG Academy
The No. 1 defensive player in the Class of 2018 is an absolute nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. Don't be surprised if Thomas is the best player down the road from this class.



DL — Taron Vincent, 6-2, 285, IMG Academy
Lining up right next to Thomas is 2018 Ohio State commit Vincent. The 5-star defensive tackle checks in as the No. 1 DT in the Class of 2018 and is the No. 12 player overall. Football genes run well in the family, as his dad Troy Vincent was a five-time Pro Bowl cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles and currently works as the executive vice president of football operations for the NFL.

DL — Micah Parsons, 6-3, 235, Harrisburg (Pa.)
The 5-star defensive end is one of the most talented players in the country. He lines up on the defensive line, at linebacker, at tight end and even running back.

DL — Eyabi Anoma, 6-5, 230, St. Frances Academy (Baltimore)
In his first full season of football at St. Frances Academy, all Anoma did was sack the quarterback 24 times. He is one of the most talented defensive linemen in the country and still hasn't even come close to reaching his ceiling, which is scary for opposing quarterbacks.

LB — Palaie Gaoteote, 6-2, 235, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
The nation's No. 1 linebacker in the Class of 2018 still hasn't suffered a loss during his high school career. He's been a big-time playmaker for Kenny Sanchez and will be the leader of the defense in 2017 for the No. 2 team in our Top 25 Early Contenders.

LB — Solomon Tuliaupupu, 6-2, 220, Mater Dei
The former Claremont (Calif.) star will finish his high school career for the No. 1 team in our Top 25 Early Contenders. In 2016 he had 126 tackles and 18 tackles for loss. He checks in as the No. 3 inside linebacker in the Class of 2018 and is poised for a big senior year for the Monarchs.

LB — Teradja Mitchell, 6-2, 245, Bishop Sullivan Catholic (Virginia Beach, Va.)
The 2018 Ohio State commit is one of the best all-around linebackers in the country. He has a knack for finding the rock and laying the wood. Bishop Sullivan Catholic is one of the most talented teams in all of high school football and it all starts with the future Buckeye.



LB — Dax Hollifield, 6-1, 220, Shelby (N.C.)
The No. 5 inside linebacker in the Class of 2018 helped lead Shelby to a 16-0 season last year and a 2AA state championship. He finished his junior year with 146 tackles and 18 sacks.

DB — Patrick Surtain II, 6-2, 180, American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)
You know you are a big-time cornerback if you don't put up huge numbers because quarterbacks are too scared to throw your direction. That is the case with the No. 1 defensive back in the Class of 2018. It even happened up in Oregon at The Opening against the best quarterbacks in the country.

DB — Caden Sterns, 6-1, 190, Steele (Cibolo, Texas)
The 2018 Texas commit is one of the best all-around players in the country. He makes plays at wide receiver and special teams, but making things happen in the secondary is where the No. 2 safety in the Class of 2018 shines. He took three interceptions back for touchdowns in 2016.

DB — Jaiden Woodbey, 6-2, 205, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)
There might not be a more well-rounded defensive back in high school football than Woodbey. The 2018 Ohio State commit lines up all over on defense, at safety, at cornerback, at linebacker, and he could probably even line up on the defensive line if he wanted to.

DB — Anthony Cook, 6-0, 170, Lamar (Houston)
You know you are big-time if you are the No. 1 player in all of Texas, and that is the case with Cook. He checks in as the No. 13 overall recruit and only Patrick Surtain II is rated higher among cornerbacks.

AP — Brendan Radley-Hiles, 5-10, 180, IMG Academy
One of IMG Academy's newest additions to the 2017 team is arguably the best all-around player in the country. Radley-Hiles was named a 2016 MaxPreps Junior All-American last year after a great season at Calabasas (Calif.). Expect a monster senior campaign for the 2018 Nebraska commit.



P — Skyler Delong, 6-4, 180, Nation Ford (Fort Mill, S.C.)
The 2018 Alabama commit checks in as the No. 1 punter in the Class of 2018 on 247Sports.

Second Team Offense
QB — Tanner McKee, 6-6, 220, Centennial (Corona, Calif.)
The 5-star quarterback threw for more than 3,500 yards and 36 touchdowns as a junior and expect him to put up even bigger numbers in 2017 for the No. 8 team in our Top 25 Early Contenders.

QB — Matt Corral, 6-2, 200, Long Beach Poly (Calif.)
The 5-star quarterback will end his high school career at Long Beach Poly. He threw for over 3,000 yards and had 22 touchdowns to only three interceptions during his junior year at Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.). The future Florida Gator has one of the strongest arms in the country.

RB — James Cook, 5-11, 180, Central (Miami)
The speedster from Miami Central checks in as the No. 3 running back in the Class of 2018 and the younger brother of Dalvin Cook is poised for a big-time senior year.

RB — Ricky Slade, 5-9, 185, Hylton (Woodbridge, Va.)
The 2018 Penn State commit is one of the most explosive running backs in the country. He rushed for over 1,500 yards and had 20 total touchdowns in 2016. He checks in as the No. 2 all-purpose running back and No. 1 player overall from Virginia in the Class of 2018.

RB — La'Damian Webb, 5-9, 190, Beauregard (Opelika, Ala.)
The 2018 Mississippi State commit eclipsed the century mark in all 14 games in 2016. He finished the year with over 3,000 yards rushing and 49 touchdowns. Webb became the first junior to nab Alabama's Mr. Football award and there is a good chance he does it again in 2017.



WR — Justyn Ross, 6-4, 195, Central (Phenix City, Ala.)
If Webb doesn't win Alabama's Mr. Football award, it will probably be because Ross did. The Top 50 recruit overall checks in as the No. 1 player from Alabama in the Class of 2018.

WR — Jalen Hall, 6-4, 190, Long Beach Poly
Hall will be joining Corral at Long Beach Poly for his senior season and they will be one of the best quarterback/wide receiver duos in the country. The former Hawkins (Los Angeles) star was a 2016 MaxPreps Junior All-American after hauling in 50 grabs for nearly 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns. Expect an even bigger season with Corral throwing him the rock in 2017.

TE — Brevin Jordan, 6-3, 250, Bishop Gorman
The 2018 Miami commit was the second-leading receiver for the consensus national champs in 2016. Jordan checks in as the No. 3 overall tight end in the Class of 2018.

OL — Curtis Dunlap Jr., 6-4, 365, IMG Academy
IMG Academy had one of the best offensive lines in 2016 and don't expect that to change in 2017. One of the main reasons why is because the Florida Gators commit is back. He checks in as the No. 6 offensive guard in the Class of 2018.

OL — Junior Angilau, 6-6, 300, East (Salt Lake City)
If IMG Academy doesn't have the best offensive line in high school football, it's because of the five guys out in Salt Lake City. Angilau helped pave the way for Jaylen Warren to break the single-season state record for most rushing yards in 2016.

OL — Sam Taimani, 6-2, 280, East
Another big piece to East's dominant offensive line helped pave the way to a 14-0 season last year and a spot at No. 18 in our final Xcellent 25 rankings after leading East to its second-consecutive 4A state title.



OL — Verdis Brown, 6-3, 295, IMG Academy
It is always nice when you can replace one big-time center with another one and that is exactly what IMG Academy did. After losing 2016 MaxPreps All-American Cesar Ruiz to graduation, the former Mount Carmel (Chicago) star is next in line for the Ascenders. The 2018 Florida State commit checks in as the No. 3 center in the Class of 2018.

OL — Cade Mays, 6.5-5, 305, Knoxville Catholic (Tenn.)
The 2018 Tennessee commit checks in as the No. 2 offensive tackle in the Class of 2018. The 5-star stud is also the top-rated player from Tennessee and is the No. 15 rated recruit overall.

AP — Re-al Mitchell, 5-10, 190, St. John Bosco
Mitchell will be in serious contention to be the 2017 National Player of the Year during his senior season. He is one of the best all-around quarterbacks in the country, as he threw for nearly 3,000 and rushed for 1,000-plus yards in 2016. He also scored 45 total touchdowns. He led St. John Bosco to its second CIF Open Division state championship since 2013 last year and the Braves will be in contention again in 2017.

AP — AJ Lytton, 5-10, 170, Wise (Upper Marlboro, Md.)
The 2018 Florida State commit is one of the best all-around players in the country. He makes plays on offense, defense and special teams. The DMV-area has some big-time players but Wise's 4-star playmaker might be the best from the area.

K — Barret Pickering, 6-0, 175, Hoover (Ala.)
The 2018 Nebraska commit made a school-record 19 field goals in 2016. Expect his leg to be key for Hoover again in 2017.

Second Team Defense
DL — Tuli Letuligasenoa, 6-2, 295, De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)
In 2015, the Spartans had a stellar defensive tackle lead them to a CIF Open Division state title in Boss Tagaloa. In 2017, Letuligasenoa has a chance to do the same thing. The 2018 USC commit is one of the best defensive tackles in the country and he should play a big role for one of the best defenses in high school football.



DL — Nik Bonitto, 6-2, 205, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Aquinas will have one of the best defenses in the country this season and one of the main reasons why is because of Bonitto. The Raiders are a quarterback's worst nightmare because they have one of the top secondaries in the country and have Bonitto coming off the edge in a matter of seconds.

DL — KJ Henry, 6-5.5, 235, West Forsyth (Clemmons, N.C.)
The 5-star defensive end remains one of the top uncommitted prospects in the Class of 2018 and checks in as the No. 14 player overall. He is coming off a 17-sack junior season and he also blocked six punts in 2016.

DL — Brenton Cox, 6-4, 250, Stockbridge (Ga.)
The 2018 Ohio State commit is coming off an impressive junior season in which he had 75 tackles and 18 sacks. The 5-star defensive end checks in as No. 19 player overall in the Class of 2018.

LB — JJ Peterson, 6-1, 210, Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.)
Peterson is one of the most special talents in all of high school football. The 4-star linebacker even returned a couple of kickoffs for touchdowns in 2016. He does it all. He can stop the run, sack the quarterback, cover any position and make momentum-shifting plays on special teams.

LB — Bo Calvert, 6-3, 220, Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.)
The 2018 USC commit had 85 tackles and 16 sacks in 2016. He is one of the best linebackers in the country and expect a big senior season from the Southern California star.

LB — Payton Wilson, 6-4, 225, Orange (Hillsborough, N.C.)
The 4-star linebacker is coming off a monster junior season that saw him record 127 tackles, 39 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. He was also Orange's second-leading rusher with 756 yards and six touchdowns.



LB — Channing Tindall, 6-2, 215, Spring Valley (Columbia, S.C.)
One of the top linebackers in the country showed off his skills at The Opening and was one of the best defensive players there. The 4-star recruit is one of the best all-around linebackers in the country.

DB - B.J. Foster, 6-1, 190, Angleton (Texas)
The 2018 Texas commit is one of the best all-around players in the country. His junior season was limited because of an MCL injury but expect a big senior year from the No. 1-rated safety in the Class of 2018.

DB — Tyreke Johnson, 6-1, 190, Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.)
Trinity Christian Academy has produced some of the best talent from Florida over the past decade, so add Johnson to that list. The 4-star defensive back is one of the most talented players in all of high school football and is hoping he can help TCA to a fifth-consecutive state title, something that has never been done in Florida high school football history.

DB — Kelvin Joseph, 6-1, 190, Scotlandville (Baton Rouge, La.)
The 2018 LSU commit is one of the best all-around defensive backs in the country. He checks in as a Top 50 recruit overall and is the No. 6 cornerback in the Class of 2018.

DB — Leon O'Neal Jr., 6-1, 190, Cypress Springs (Cypress, Texas)
There might not be a more competitive player in all of high school football than the 4-star safety from Cypress Springs. He does it all. He can cover, make plays at the line of scrimmage, and ballcarriers better be careful running through the middle of the field when O'Neal is back there.

AP — Olaijah Griffin, 6-0, 170, Mission Viejo (Calif.)
The Top 50 recruit overall is one of the top players in all of California. He has played a major role in Mission Viejo winning 39 of its last 40 games and helped lead the Diablos to the CIF Division I-AA state championship in 2015.



P — Preston Pitt, 6-0, 165, Viewmont (Bountiful, Utah)
Pitt was one of the best punters in the nation during his junior season. He averaged 45.5 yards per punt and the three-sport star is one of the most athletic punters in the country.