Alabama high school football rankings: Central No. 1 in 2024 Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

Red Devils begin the season ranked No. 22 in the nation after capturing 7A state title in 2023.

Sophomore season highlights of St. Paul's Episcopal (Mobile, AL) 5-star Edge Anthony Jones.

4-star Anthony Jones | 2023 Highlights 5,384 views 1:29

The high school football season in Alabama kicks off this week and MaxPreps has your look at the state's top teams. Defending Class 7A state champion Central (Phenix City) owns the No. 1 spot in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25.

The Red Devils begin the season ranked No. 22 nationally and look to repeat as state champions in the highest classification. Central claimed its first state crown since 2018 last season by knocking off four-time defending state champion Thompson (Alabaster) 21-19 in the title game.

Seniors Andrew Alford (6-1, 185, QB), Daylyn Upshaw (5-11, 175, WR, Miami commitment), Mal Waldrep (6-5, 320, OL, Alabama) and Tristan Williams (5-10, 185, RB) along with junior Tristan Lyles (6-1, 220, DE) lead the charge for Central.

The best player in the state, however, may be St. Paul's Episcopal (Mobile) linebacker Anthony Jones (6-3, 240), who recorded over 100 tackles and 10 sacks to earn first team MaxPreps Sophomore All-America honors last season.

In addition to Central, defending state champions include Clay-Chalkville (Pinson) in Class 6A, Gulf Shores in Class 5A, Montgomery Catholic (Montgomery) in Class 4A, Mobile Christian (Mobile) in Class 3A, Fyffe in Class 2A and Leroy in Class 1A.

The Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 is a composite of the Preseason Top 100 and computer rankings factoring in past results with adjustments such as returners and statistical data when available.