The
Class of 2020 has the chance to be a special class in high
school football history. It's loaded with marquee players at
every position, which made choosing the Junior All-American team difficult.
It was a super tight race for the National Junior Player of the Year, so we gave it to two players —
Bryce Young and
Zachary Evans.
Young was one of four players from Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) to make the Junior All-American team and Evans was one of two North Shore (Houston) players selected.
St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), St. John's (Washington, D.C.), St. Frances Academy (Baltimore), Duncanville (Texas), Marietta (Ga.) and Central (Miami) were the six other schools with multiple selections to the All-American team.
In
total, 22 different states were represented with Texas leading the way with
12 players selected. California had 11, Florida had eight and Georgia ,
along with the DMV area, each had six representatives.
MaxPreps 2018 Football Junior All-American Team
First Team Offense
The
MaxPreps Co-Junior National Football Player of the Year had huge shoes to fill when he
enrolled at Mater Dei. He had to replace the 2017 MaxPreps National
Football Player of the Year — J.T. Daniels. The 2020 USC commit proved
all the doubters wrong and had a big-time season throwing for nearly
4,000 yards and 39 touchdowns while completing 70 percent of his passes. He
also rushed for another 300 yards and four more scores, and played a
major role in leading the Monarchs to their second consecutive CIF Open
Division state championship.
Named the California Gatorade Football Player of the Year, the top-rated pro style quarterback threw for nearly 3,500 yards
and 48 touchdowns while completing 70 percent of his passes. He also rushed
for 300-plus yards and six more scores while leading Braves to a 13-1
record and a spot at No. 3 in our final Top 25 rankings.
One of the most dynamic players in high school football, he
proved to everyone he can play the quarterback position at a high level. Jackson threw for over 1,500 yards and also rushed for 1,500 yards to go
with 38 total touchdowns and the bigger the moment, the bigger he played.
Against Allen in the 6A Division I state semifinals, he rushed for
nearly 200 yards and had four total touchdowns snapping the Eagles
30-game winning streak. In the state championship game he rushed for 226
yards and scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:02 left in the fourth
quarter before North Shore scored on a Hail Mary to win the title. Expect the Panthers to be back in the mix and
compete for the state title in Texas' largest classification in 2019.
The
MaxPreps Co-Junior National Football Player of the Year helped lead North Shore to a
dominant run in 2018 and No. 1 finish in the MaxPreps Top 25 rankings. The Mustangs won 15 of their 16 games by double digits, as Evans rushed for nearly 2,000 yards and 29
touchdowns. He averaged more than 10 yards per carry leading North Shore to
its first state title since 2015.
While leading the Bearcats to their eighth state title and a 16-0 mark, the 2020 Oklahoma commit rushed for 2,000-plus yards and 47
touchdowns. McClellan saved his best for the playoffs too rushing for 1,034
yards and 18 touchdowns.
In leading the Dreadnaughts to their first state title since
2006, the 5-star rushed for nearly 2,500 yards and 36 touchdowns. In the 7A title game win over St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) Bowman rushed for 211 yards and a score. He played a major role
for Lakeland's 15-0 season and a spot at
No. 18 in our final Top 25 rankings.
Named the Pennsylvania Gatorade Football Player of the Year after hauling in 80 receptions for 1,526 yards and 22 touchdowns. The
5-star wide receiver also had four interceptions and returned three for scores. A big-time playmaker on special teams, too, Fleming helped lead the Tigers to their second consecutive 2A state championship where they'll enter the 2019 season winners of 32 straight.
A big-time playmaker who balled out against the best
competition in high school football in 2018. The 5-star wide receiver played a major role in the Cadets finishing the
season 9-1 and being ranked No. 13 in our final Top 25.
Earlier this season, the 5-star wide receiver had a game where he
had five catches for five touchdowns and had nearly 350 total yards. The 2020 Texas A&M commit finished the year with 49 receptions for 1,574 yards and
12 touchdowns and also took two kickoffs back to the house. He ended the
year averaging 32 yards per catch.
The 2020 Notre Dame commit was a big-time playmaker for the 14-1 Colonels on both sides of the ball.
Will have a chance to finish his high school
career as the top rated player in his class. The 5-star Ohio State commit is one of the most
dominant offensive linemen in the country and is the No. 1 offensive
tackle among all juniors.
You know you are among the best when IMG Academy DE
Nolan Smith, the No. 1 player from the Class of 2019, says you were the toughest guy he has ever lined up against. The 4-star offensive tackle suffered a serious leg injury
late in the season, but expect him to be back better than ever during his
senior year.
Uiagalelei, the Braves' quarterback, rarely got sacked this year and one Metcalf is a big reason why. One of the most physical
and versatile offensive lineman in the game, he can play any
of the five positions and is great in pass and run blocking.
At 6-foot, 6-inches and 310 pounds, the
5-star offensive tackle has some of the best
footwork from the Class of 2020. Michigan is trending big-time
because his older brother, Chris Hinton, a 4-star defensive tackle is a
2019 Wolverine signee.
The top-rated offensive guard from the Class of 2020 help pave the way for one of the top rushing attacks in the state. He
also was an impact player on defense, recording 22 tackles for loss,
seven sacks and forced four fumbles.
Similar to the top-rated athlete from the Class of 2019,
Bru McCoy, the top-rated athlete in the Class of 202 is an absolute beast on both sides of the ball. His combination
of size and speed makes him nearly impossible to cover or block. The
5-star playmaker had 88 receptions for 1,210 yards and 14 touchdowns on
offense and on the other side of the ball he 64 tackles and forced two
fumbles.
One of the most dynamic playmakers in high school
football, Adams had over 1,000 yards rushing to go with 18 touchdowns, had
over 200 yards receiving and three more scores, had six interceptions,
and was one of the most dangerous return specialists in the country. Helped the Crusaders to a 13-1 record in 2018 as they won the
3A state title and dominated Centennial (Peoria, Ariz.) in the GEICO
State Champions Bowl Series to close out the year.
One of six juniors who appeared on the All-American team after tying for the national lead with 22 field goals in 2018. He also set a new Illinois state record connecting on eight field goals in one game.
First Team Defense
The Maryland Gatorade Football Player of the Year had 36
tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks despite seeing a ton of double- and
triple-teams all season long.
A leader for one of the best defenses in
the country, the 2020 Alabama commit helped the Panthers to a 10-0 mark in which they
allowed less than four points per game. The 5-star defensive end had 12
sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, forced three fumbles, and took a fumble
back for a score.
He made everyone's job easier by taking
on double- and triple-teams and dominating in the trenches. The 4-star defensive tackle helped lead the way
for one of the top defenses in high school football.
Had a big-time junior season finishing the year
with 91 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and forced three
fumbles. The top rated defensive tackle in the Class of 2020 has already landed a boatload of
offers led by Alabama, LSU and Clemson.
The
5-star linebacker was one of five juniors to
make the All-American team after piling up 145 tackles, 17 tackles for
loss, five sacks and forcing two fumbles. Flowe is the No. 3-rated
player overall among all juniors and he will have a good chance to end
next season as the top rated player in the country.
The top rated player from Hawaii in the Class of 2020 was one of the most
exciting players to watch this past season. He helped lead the Crusaders to their third consecutive state title, finishing the year 11-0 and No. 7 in our final Top 25. Botelho ended the season with
10.5 tackles for loss, had 9.5 sacks and scored four defensive
touchdowns.
One of the best ball hawking linebackers in the country, The 4-star playmaker
finished his junior campaign with 106 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, five
sacks, had one interception and blocked a field goal.
Seconds from winning the Georgia 3A state championship, the
2020 Clemson commit led Peach County to a 12-3 record in 2018. The
4-star junior linebacker had 129 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, six sacks
and forced three fumbles.
Showed why he is the No. 1 rated corner from the Class of 2020. The LSU commit was the only junior defensive back to make the All-American
team after finishing the season with nine interceptions. He
showed how dangerous he was when he gets his hands on the ball returning
four interceptions for scores and had three pick sixes in one half in
the CIF Southern Section Division I semifinals against No. 14 Centennial
(Corona, Calif.).
The
top-rated defensive back from Florida is one of the most dominant
cornerbacks from the Class of 2020. Quarterbacks rarely looked his way
this past season and he's one of the most well-rounded defensive
players in high school football. The 5-star corner had 51 tackles, three
interceptions and 14 pass break-ups in 2018.
Shuts down an entire side of the field when he steps
inside the lines as there were only five balls thrown his direction in nine games. The 5-star ended the season with 31 tackles and had one interception.
Saguaro finished the season 13-1 and won its sixth consecutive state
title.
There
might not be a harder hitting safety in high school football than the 4-star defensive back. He was the leader on one of the best
defenses in the country as the Panthers allowed less than 10 points per
game and posted six shutouts in 2018. With Thompson and Jackson
both returning in 2019, expect Duncanville to be one of the top teams in
the country next year.
His 2018 was one of the most impressive things we
saw. His team needed some more offensive firepower, so he stepped up
and played wide receiver this past season. All he did was haul in 54
receptions for 1,210 yards and had 19 touchdowns. He scored in every
game. Quarterbacks rarely looked the 4-star corner's way and when
they did he usually picked them off. He ended with two
interceptions and 18 tackles while eliminating one side of the field
during the majority of his junior campaign.
Named to the Alabama 7A All-State team after averaging better than
45 yards per punt and his ability to flip the field was as good as any
punter in high school football.
Tre Williams, St. John's
Photo by Bob Powers
The
2020 Alabama commit helped lead the Mustangs to their first state title
as the 4-star quarterback threw for 330 yards and
five touchdowns leading them to a 37-35 win over Columbus (Miami) in the Florida 8A state championship. Beck finished the year throwing
for 3,546 yards and 39 touchdowns.
Named the Colorado Gatorade Football Player of the Year after having a record-breaking
season. He set the state mark for most
touchdown passes in a single season with 55. His 687 yards passing
and nine touchdowns set a single-game state record in 11-man football. The 2020 Northwestern commit ended the year with 3,952
yards passing and would've had more if it not for a season-ending
thumb injury.
The
5-star running back rushed for nearly 1,500 yards and 27 touchdowns while averaging nearly 10
yards a carry. Milton has already landed 40 offers, but is holding off to commit until his senior season.
One of the most productive players in high school football this
past season, the 4-star running back rushed for 2,400 yards and 35
touchdowns. He averaged 14 yards per carry while leading the Lancers to a
13-1 record in 2018 and an appearance in the 4A Arizona state
championship. He added nearly 200 yards receiving and one more score.
One of the best single seasons we have ever seen as he broke the
Indiana state record scoring 70 touchdowns this season (68 rushing and
two receiving). It was the third most all-time falling two short of
tying
Kazmeir Allen's record he set in 2017.
He finished the season with 3,356 yards rushing and helped lead New
Palestine to a 14-0 record and capped it off by rushing for 226
yards and two touchdowns in the 5A state championship game against
Decatur Central (Indianapolis).
The
2020 Ohio State commit finished sixth in the nation with 1,819 yards
receiving and added 20 touchdowns. He also rushed for 195 yards and six
more scores. The 4-star wide receiver averaged 165 yards receiving per
game and scored at least two touchdowns in all but two games.
Some
of the best football players have come from St. Thomas Aquinas and it
sure looks like he'll add his name to that list. The 5-star wide
receiver is one of the top playmakers in the country and had nearly
1,000 yards receiving and eight touchdowns in a run-heavy offense.
One of the top duos from the Class of 2020 with quarterback Uiagalelei, the 4-star wide receiver had 46 receptions for
nearly 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns averaging nearly 20 yards a catch.
Expect the combination to be even more dynamic
during their senior seasons.
One of the best blocking tight ends in the country paved the way for
a run-heavy offense as the Knights went 15-0 and won their fourth consecutive state title. The 2020 Alabama also can stretch the field and made some
big-time catches for the No. 16 team in our final Top 25 rankings.
The 4-star offensive tackle played a
major role in the Mustangs finishing the year at No. 1 and helped open up
huge holes for Evans and give
Dematrius Davis plenty of time in the pocket. The Mustangs ended 2018 averaging 53.3 points per game.
A 4-star offensive tackle, he is one of the most well-rounded lineman in high
school football. He can line up at multiple positions, is strong,
athletic, has great footwork and is great in both pass and run
blocking.
Led St. Joseph Regional to Non-Public
Group IV title. The top-rated center among all juniors can line up
everywhere and mostly lined up at tackle and guard in 2018. The 2020 Ohio State commit is the
top-rated player overall in New Jersey from the Class of 2020 and the
Buckeyes are building something special with Wypler and Paris Johnson
Jr., both committed already.
A big part of the best season in Broken
Arrow football history. The Tigers finished unbeaten and won a state title for the first time and the 4-star offensive lineman
helped an offense with
over 3,000 yards rushing and 54 touchdowns on the ground.
Alabama's top-rated offensive lineman had a huge junior season and
he's quickly trending upwards in the recruiting trail. The 6-7, 310-pounder is one of the most physical tackles in the country and his
footwork is off the charts.
A big-time playmaker for one of the most
explosive offenses in high school football, the 4-star rushed for nearly
1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. He averaged nearly 10 yards a carry and also
had 36 receptions for 666 yards and 10 more scores, and added two
kickoff return touchdowns. Folsom ended the year riding a 14-game
winning streak and repeated as CIF Division 1-AA state champs beating
Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 21-14 in overtime.
One of the most dangerous playmakers with his arm and legs in 2018.
He led the Panthers to a 10-2 record throwing for nearly 2,500 yards and 40
touchdowns and rushed for over 1,200 yards to go with 16 more scores.
One of the most accurate kickers, he connected on
18-of-19 field goals and made at least one kick in all but one game in
2018. Sixty of his 67 kickoffs resulted in touchbacks and he ended the
year averaging better than 42 yards per punt.
Kendall Milton, Buchanan
Photo by Bobby Medellin
The 4-star defensive end helped lead the Eagles to 15-0 record and repeat as 3A Division II Texas state champs. He finished with 99 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, eight sacks, two interceptions, forced two fumbles and blocked a punt.
An impact player on both sides of the ball during his junior season, the 5-star finished the year with 62 tackles and 10 sacks to go with 680 yards rushing and 21 touchdowns.
The top-rated player from North Carolina in the Class of 2020 for a reason. The 5-star defensive end was an absolute nightmare for opposing offenses during his junior season. He had 69 tackles, 25 tackles for loss and 12 sacks for an 11-1 Lee County squad.
One of the best players on a very talented Marietta squad in 2018, the 4-star had 104 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, five sacks and forced two fumbles during his junior campaign. The Blue Devils played one of the toughest schedules in the country this year and expect that to go along way as they return a lot of talent on next year's team.
The 5-star linebacker missed half the season because of an injury. Despite playing in five games he still put up big-time numbers with 21 tackles for loss and seven sacks to go with nearly 700 yards receiving on offense and seven touchdowns.
One of the best ball hawking linebackers in high school football, the 5-star defensive playmaker had another legit year. The top rated player from Virginia in the Class of 2020 checks in as the No. 2 inside linebacker on 247sports player composite rankings.
Played a huge role in leading the Longhorns all the way to the 6A Georgia state semifinals. The 4-star linebacker posted 86 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, had 10.5 sacks, forced four fumbles and blocked three punts in 2018.
In his first season at the Florida power, the 4-star linebacker had 50 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, nine sacks and forced three fumbles. The Rockets finished the year ranked in the Top 25 and expect them to be in the thick of things again in 2019 especially with the news that
Amari Daniels is transferring back to Miami Central.
Injuries limited the talented corner but the 2020 Oklahoma commit still had a monster year and helped form one of the best secondaries in the nation with Ricks. The 4-star DB ended the year with three interceptions and is one of the most complete corners in high school football.
Gray's selection on the second team shows how talented the Class of 2020 is in the secondary. The Rocket is one of the most complete corners in the country and the 4-star defensive back balled out against some of the best competition during his junior season.
One of the best two way players in all of Texas, the 4-star led Southlake Carroll with 43 receptions for 643 yards and three scores and on defense he had two interceptions, 57 tackles and one sack. The Dragons finished the year 13-1 in Riley Dodge's first season as head coach and expect them to be back contending for a state title in 2019.
Toles was a big reason the Panthers had one of the best defenses in the country this year and they cruised to a 10-0 record and a spot at No. 6 in our final Top 25 rankings. They outscored the opposition 477-32 and allowed less than four points per game. Toles was huge for the Baltimore power in the back end of the defense and expect him and Braswell to both be leaders of the defense in 2019.
One of the best playmakers not just from Texas but in the entire country during his junior season, the 5-star led Trinity Christian in receiving with 752 yards and eight touchdowns averaging nearly 30 yards per catch. He picked off three passes on the other side of the ball as the Tigers finished the year 14-0 and won the TAPPS Division II state title for the second consecutive season.
P — Albert Jang, Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee, Ga.)