Compiled By Dave Krider and MaxPreps.com Staff Writers
MaxPreps National Offensive Player of the Year
Terrelle Pryor
Quarterback
6-6/220/Senior
Jeannette (Jeannette, Pa.)
Next Stop: Undecided
The nation's top-ranked college prospect lived up to that lofty billing this fall - and then some. Terrelle Pryor not only led Jeannette High School to its first state football title, but cemented his status as a Pennsylvania legend - alongside names like Bednarik, Ditka, Dorsett, Marino, Montana and Unitas - in the process.
Pryor's Jayhawks were as dominant as any team in the country in 2007, averaging nearly 55 points per game while limiting opponents to fewer than 10. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound phenom was the catalyst for that success from the quarterback position. For the second-straight year, Pryor topped the 1,500-yard mark through the air and on the ground, rushing for 1,796 yards and 36 touchdowns and passing for 1,807 yards (83 of 124) and 21 touchdowns.
With 4,250 career rushing yards and 4,249 career passing yards, Pryor is the only player in state history to have over 4,000 yards in both categories. He is expected to choose between Florida, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State in the coming weeks.
MaxPreps National Defensive Player of the Year
Nick Perry
Defensive Lineman
6-4/230/Senior
Martin Luther King (Detroit, Mich.)
Next Stop: Undecided
When Detroit shut the doors for good on 33 public schools last June, thousands of students were sent scrambling for a new home this fall. Perhaps nobody benefited more from the forced change of scenery than former Mackenzie High student Nick Perry, who found himself at Martin Luther King High in August.
Perry wound up being the biggest surprise in the country this year. He set a Michigan state record with an amazing 36 sacks. The versatile defender, who also lined up at linebacker, tallied 147 tackles - 68 for losses - as King posted a 14-0 record and won its first Class A state title. In fact, the Crusaders were the first Detroit public school ever to win a state title in Michigan.
Despite entering the 2007 campaign as a relative unknown, coaches at the next level are on Perry's trail now. Michigan, Michigan State, USC and West Virginia have come calling.
Coming Friday: 2007 MaxPreps All-American Team