Video: Way Back When - Emmitt SmithTrying to rank the greatest high school football players ever is a difficult task because of all the variables involved, but MaxPreps has endeavored to rank the best 25 ever to play the game.
Because high school is usually the start of a player's career, it's impossible to judge a player's greatness without taking into account their football career after the high school level. That's why the MaxPreps All-Time Player Rankings also include the player's awards and accomplishments in college and at the professional level. In fact, players did not qualify for the list unless they were selected All-American in high school, consensus All-American in college and to the Pro Bowl in the NFL.
As a result of this criteria, a number of all-time NFL greats are not on the list. Jerry Rice and Walter Payton, two of the NFL's all-time greats, were not All-Americans in high school. Meanwhile, players like Joe Montana and Dan Marino were not consensus All-Americans in college.
Then there are high school greats like Ken Hall and Chris Leak, who had outstanding prep careers, but did not win All-American honors in college or make the Pro Bowl in the NFL.
Besides the qualifying criteria, players were awarded points based on earning All-American honors at the prep and college levels. Points were also awarded for winning the Heisman Trophy in college as well as making the Pro Bowl, All-Pro first team, the NFL's All-Decade Teams and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the NFL.
Therefore the rankings are an objective list based solely on the points accumulated (based on the player's accomplishments) over their prep, college and NFL careers.
Top 25 all-time greatest high school football players
1. Peyton Manning, Newman (New Orleans)
High school: Manning twice earned Parade All-American honors at Isidore Newman High. He was also named the Gatorade National Player of the Year. He had a 34-5 record as a starter and threw for 7,207 yards and 92 touchdowns in three seasons.
College: He became the all-time leading passer at the University of Tennessee with 11,201 yards and 89 touchdowns. He earned consensus All-American honors and was the Maxwell Award winner along with the Davey O'Brien Award winner. He finished second in the voting for the Heisman Trophy behind Charles Woodson.
NFL: A five-time Associated Press MVP, Manning has been named to 14 Pro Bowls and has been first team all-pro seven times. He was also named to the Team of the Decade for the 2000s by the NFL Hall of Fame. He ranks No. 1 all-time in NFL history with 530 passing touchdowns (entering the 2015 season).
2. Jim Brown, Manhasset (N.Y.)
High school: Brown reportedly averaged 14 yards per carry his senior year and earned honorable mention All-American honors by Scholastic Coach Magazine. He received 13 varsity letters, according to the New York Times.
College: A unanimous first team All-American as a senior, Brown rushed for 986 yards and 14 touchdowns in just eight games. He was also an All-American in lacrosse.
NFL: Although he played just nine seasons, Brown concluded his career as the NFL's all-time leading rusher with 12,312 yards. He was an eight-time rushing champion, made the Pro Bowl nine times and was first team All-Pro eight times. He was also named to the 1960s All-Decade Team and was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.
3. Merlin Olson, Logan (Utah)
High school: Olson earned a spot on the Wigwam Wiseman All-American 6th Team in 1957 and was also honorable mention All-West by Teen Magazine.
College: At Utah State, Olson twice made the consensus first team All-American list as a defensive tackle. He was also named to the Newspaper Enterprise Association's All-Time All-American Team in 1969.
NFL: Olson has the distinction of being named to both the 1960s and 1970s All-Decade Teams. He went to 14 consecutive Pro Bowls and was first team All-Pro six times. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982.
4. Dick Butkus, Chicago Vocational
High school: Butkus earned All-American awards from Wigwam Wiseman, Scholastic Coach and Teen Magazine as a senior fullback and linebacker in Chicago.
College: At the University of Illinois, Butkus earned All-American honors as a junior and senior in 1963 and 1964, respectively. He also finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting.
NFL: A first round draft pick of the Chicago Bears, Butkus is a member of the All-Decade Teams for the 1960s and the 1970s. He made eight straight trips to the Pro Bowl and was first team All-Pro five seasons. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
5. John Hannah, Albertville (Ala.) and Baylor (Chattanooga, Tenn.)
High school: Hannah attended two different schools, earning honorable mention All-American honors from Scholastic Coach as a senior at Albertville in 1968. He was also a national wrestling champion while attending Baylor.
College: As an offensive lineman at Alabama, Hannah earned consensus All-American honors and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
NFL: Hannah earned nine trips to the Pro Bowl and was first team All-Pro seven times while playing guard for the New England Patriots. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Teams for the 1970s and the 1980s and he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991.
6. Derrick Brooks, Booker T. Washington (Pensacola, Fla.)
High school: The USA Today Defensive Player of the Year in 1990, Brooks also earned Parade All-America honors.
College: At Florida State, Brooks was a two-time consensus All-American and a four-year starter for the Seminoles.
NFL: Elected to 11 Pro Bowls, Brooks was named first team All-Pro six times and was a member of the All-Decade Team for the 2000s. He was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.
7. Rod Woodson, Fort Wayne Snider (Ind.)
High school: Woodson earned "Mr. Indiana" honors as a senior in 1982 and also landed on the Parade and USA Today All-American Teams.
College: Woodson attended Purdue and was an All-American defensive back in 1985 and 1986.
NFL: A member of the 1990s All-Decade Team, Woodson has an NFL record 12 interception returns for touchdowns. He was an 11-time Pro Bowl participant and made first team All-Pro six times. Ranked third all-time in NFL history with 71 interceptions, Woodson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009.
8. Emmitt Smith, Escambia (Pensacola, Fla.)
High school: Smith finished his high school career as the second all-time leading rusher in national history with 8,804 yards. He was the USA and Parade Magazine National Player of the Year in 1986.
College: At Florida, Smith set school records for career rushing yards and rushing touchdowns and earned consensus All-American honors. He was also inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
NFL: The NFL's all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards, Smith made the Pro Bowl eight times and was a first team All-Pro four times. He was also named the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1992 and is a member of the 1990s All-Decade Team. He was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
9. Ted Hendricks, Hialeah (Fla.)
High school: Hendricks dominated as a defensive end at Hialeah, earning All-American honors by Scholastic Coach Magazine in 1964. The stadium at Hialeah High School is named in his honor.
College: At the University of Miami, Hendricks twice earned consensus All-American honors and was fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting as a senior.
NFL: Hendricks played for three teams, the Colts, Packers and, most notably, the Oakland Raiders. He earned a spot in the Pro Bowl eight times and was a four-time first team All-Pro. He was a member of the 1970s and 1980s All-Decade teams and was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
10. Earl Campbell, Tyler (Texas)
High school: Campbell played mostly linebacker in high school, until his senior year, when he rushed for 2,224 yards and led Tyler to a state championship. He was a Parade Magazine All-American.
College: Campbell was the Heisman Trophy winner in 1977 after rushing for 1,744 yards and 18 touchdowns. He rushed for 4,443 yards and 40 touchdowns at Texas while earning consensus All-American honors.
NFL: Campbell had a shortened NFL career due to injuries, but he made the most of his nine years in the league. He made five Pro Bowls and was first team All-Pro three times. He was also the Associated Press Most Valuable Player in 1979. A member of the 1970s All-Decade Team, Campbell was named to the Hall of Fame in 1991.
11. Gale Sayers, Omaha Central (Neb.)
High school: A standout in football and track and field, Sayers led the state in scoring as a junior and senior and he led Omaha Central to an undefeated season as a senior while earning All-American honors. He also set a state record in the long jump at the state meet in 1961 and was an All-American by Scholastic Coach in that sport as well.
College: Sayers was a two-time consensus All-American while at Kansas. He rushed for 2,675 yards in his college career and had 3,917 all-purpose yards. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
NFL: Due to injuries, Sayers' NFL career was limited to seven seasons. However, he earned four trips to the Pro Bowl and was five times a first team All-Pro. He is a member of the 1960s All-Decade Team and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. While he had 4,956 yards rushing in his career, he also had eight touchdowns on returns and he once scored six touchdowns in one game.
12. Eric Dickerson, Sealy (Texas)
High school: Dickerson earned a spot on the Parade Magazine All-American team when he ran for 2,642 yards and 37 touchdowns and led Sealy to the Class AA state championship. He also was a state champion in track in the 100-yard dash with a time of 9.4 seconds.
College: Dickerson ran for 4,450 yards in college at SMU and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting his senior year. He was a first-team All-American in 1982 and second team in 1981.
NFL: Dickerson set the single season rushing record with 2,105 yards in just his second season in the league (1984). He was a four-time NFL rushing champion and finished his career with 13,259 yards and 90 touchdowns. He is a member of the 1980s All-Decade Team and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He made six Pro Bowl teams and was first team All-Pro five times.
13. Ronnie Lott, Eisenhower (Rialto, Calif.)
High school: As a quarterback and safety at Eisenhower, Lott earned Parade All-American honors, primarily for his play on defense.
College: A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Lott was a unanimous All-American as a senior in 1980.
NFL: A member of the All-Decade Team for the 1980s and the 1990s, Lott earned 10 trips to the Pro Bowl and was an eight-time first team All-Pro. He ranks among the top 10 in career interceptions and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.
14. Paul Hornung, Flaget (Louisville, Ky.).
High school: A multi-sport athlete in high school at Flaget (closed in 1974), Hornung excelled in football, basketball and baseball. He earned third team All-American honors from the Wigwam Wisemen in 1952.
College: At Notre Dame, Hornung played on a team that went just 2-8, but his all-around play was enough for him to earn the Heisman Trophy. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
NFL: While playing for the Green Bay Packers, Hornung only played in two Pro Bowls and was All-Pro just twice, but he was the NFL MVP in 1961 when he set the league record for points scored in a season. He was a member of the 1960s All-Decade Team and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.
15. John Elway, Granada Hills (Calif.)
High school: In three years at Granada Hills, Elway threw for 5,711 career passing yards and earned Parade Magazine All-American honors despite missing five games of his senior year with a knee injury. Elway was also a Rawlings All-American in baseball.
College: At Stanford, Elway earned consensus All-American honors in 1982. He was the Pac-10 Player of the Year and he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
NFL: The No. 1 pick in the 1983 draft, Elway played his entire career with the Denver Broncos. He played in nine Pro Bowls and was the NFL MVP in 1987. He was three times All-Pro second team and was a member of the 1990s All-Decade Team. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.
16. Thurman Thomas, Fort Bend Willowridge (Houston)
High school: Thomas earned All-American honors from Parade Magazine and USA Today in 1983 after leading Willowridge to a Texas Class 4A state championship. He ran for 1,556 yards as a junior and 1,573 yards as a senior.
College: At Oklahoma State, Thomas twice earned All-American honors, rushing for 4,595 yards in his career. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
NFL: As a member of the Buffalo Bills, Thomas made the Pro Bowl five times and was All-Pro twice. He also earned NFL MVP honors in 1991. A member of the 1990s All-Decade Team, he rushed for 12,074 yards in his career and was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.
17. Marcus Allen, Lincoln (San Diego)
High school: Although he played quarterback in high school at Lincoln, Allen earned Parade Magazine All-American honors as a linebacker.
College: Converted to running back at Southern California, Allen set the single season college rushing record with 2,342 yards in 1981. He was a consensus All-American and earned the Heisman Trophy. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
NFL: A member of the Raiders and Chiefs, Allen made the Pro Bowl six times and was All-Pro first team twice. He was named to the Hall of Fame in 2003.
18. Cris Carter, Middletown (Ohio)
High school: A standout in basketball and football, Carter earned Parade Magazine All-American honors in football in 1983.
College: Carter was a consensus All-American as a junior at Ohio State in 1986, but missed his senior year when he was ruled ineligible after signing with an agent.
NFL: Carter spent most of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, earning eight trips to the Pro Bowl and first team All-Pro twice. He was a member of the 1990s All-Decade Team and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013. He finished his career with 1,101 receptions for 13,899 yards and 130 touchdowns.
19. Leroy Selmon, Eufaula (Okla.)
High school: Along with his brother Dewey, Leroy earned All-American honors from Scholastic Coach Magazine in 1971.
College: Considered one of the greatest defensive linemen in NCAA history, Selmon was consensus All-American as a junior and senior in 1974 and 1975. He also won the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Trophy.
NFL: The No. 1 overall pick in the 1976 draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Selmon made the Pro Bowl six times and was first team All-Pro three times. A member of the 1980s All-Decade Team, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995.
20. Charles Woodson, Ross (Fremont, Ohio)
High school: A Parade Magazine and USA Today All-American, Woodson was named Mr. Ohio after rushing for 2,028 yards as a senior in 1994.
College: At Michigan, Woodson won the Heisman Trophy, becoming the only primarily defensive player to ever win the award. He was also a two-time consensus All-American.
NFL: In a career that has spanned nearly 18 seasons, Woodson has made the Pro Bowl eight times and has been a first team All-Pro four times. He was also the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in 2009. He is a member of the 2000's All-Decade Team and ranks among the top 10 in NFL history for career interceptions with 65.
21. Orlando Pace, Sandusky (Ohio)
High school: Pace earned All-American honors from Parade Magazine and USA Today in 1994.
College: A two-time consensus All-American at Ohio State, Pace also won the Lombardi Award twice and won the Outland Trophy in 1996.
NFL: In a 13-year career spent mostly with the St. Louis Rams, Pace made the Pro Bowl seven times and was a three-time first team All-Pro. He is a member of the 2000's All-Decade Team.
22. Lynn Swann, Serra (San Mateo, Calif.)
High school: A quarterback at Serra, Swann earned All-American honors from the Wigwam Wisemen and Scholastic Coach Magazine.
College: Switched to wide receiver at Southern California, Swann was a consensus All-American in 1973 and he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993.
NFL: Although he played just nine seasons, Swann made the Pro Bowl three times and was first team All-Pro in 1978. He is a member of the 1970s All-Decade Team and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001.
23. Tony Dorsett, Hopewell (Aliquippa, Pa.)
High school: Dorsett earned All-American honors from Scholastic Coach Magazine in 1972 after rushing for 1,238 yards.
College: Dorsett became the NCAA's all-time leading rusher with 6,082 yards. He was a three-time All-American and was the Heisman Trophy winner in 1976. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994.
NFL: A member of the Dallas Cowboys for most of his career, Dorsett made the Pro Bowl four times and was first team All-Pro in 1981. He had 12,739 rushing yards in his career and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994.
24. Randy Moss, DuPont (Belle, W. Va.)High school: Moss twice earned state MVP honors in basketball and was the state MVP in football his senior year while earning All-American honors from Parade Magazine and USA Today. He was also a state champion in track and field at DuPont (which consolidated into Riverside High School).
College: At Marshall, Moss twice earned consensus All-American honors, catching 174 passes for 3,529 yards and 54 touchdowns in two seasons.
NFL: As a member of five different teams in the NFL, Moss made the Pro Bowl seven times and was first team All-Pro four times. He is a member of the 2000's All-Decade Team and he caught 982 passes for 15,292 yards and 156 touchdowns.
25. Julius Peppers, Southern Nash (Bailey, N.C.)
High school: A running back and defensive lineman in high school, Peppers earned All-American honors on defense from Parade Magazine.
College: At North Carolina, Peppers was consensus All-American in 2001 and won the Lombardi Award and the Chuck Bednarik Trophy.
NFL: As a member of three different teams, primarily the Carolina Panthers, Peppers has made the Pro Bowl eight times and is a three-time first team All-Pro. He is also a member of the 2000's All-Decade Team. He ranks as one of the NFL's all-time leaders in sacks with 131.
