Micah Alejado, D.J. Lagway and Isaac Wilson among seven quarterbacks featured on initial watch list for prep football's highest honor.
The biggest stars and impact performers from the 2023 high school football season have been identified as candidates for the game's biggest honor — MaxPreps National Player of the Year.
Past winners include Derrick Henry, Kyler Murray, DJ Uiagalelei, Bryce Young, Jaxson Dart, Cade Klubnik and Caleb Downs. Today, we look at 10 players who are in position to be next.
Factors in the selection process include team success and individual performance and production. A deep playoff run and outstanding play on the biggest stage also make for a strong resume. The last seven winners of the award led their team to a state title and a MaxPreps Top 25 finish.
There is still a long way to go and it should be noted that the eventual winner is not required to come from the following list of 10 players, this is merely a check-in on those who have stood out above the rest as we enter the second half of October. The winner will be named on Dec. 20 along with the MaxPreps All-America Team.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 180
Status: Committed to Hawaii | Class: Senior (2024)
Last year's MaxPreps National Junior of the Year is having a monster senior campaign. The three-star quarterback has thrown for 2,066 yards and has 26 touchdowns without an interception. He is completing 77.5 percent of his passes while adding 187 yards rushing and two more scores for the new No. 1 team in the MaxPreps Top 25.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 205
Status: Committed to Stanford | Class: Senior (2024)
Has thrown for 1,755 yards and 25 touchdowns playing against the best competition in the country. Brown and the Monarchs just suffered their first loss against St. John Bosco (Bellflower) last week but will still have a lot of big games left to close out the season.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 230
Status: Committed to Clemson | Class: Senior (2024)
Last year's MaxPreps National Male Athlete of the Year is having another big-time season on both sides of the ball. He has led Jefferson to a 7-0 record rushing for 1,025 yards and 15 touchdowns to go with 67 tackles on defense.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 225
Status: Committed to Florida | Class: Senior (2024)
The five-star quarterback has put up huge numbers through his first eight games. He has thrown for 2,835 yards and 41 touchdowns while completing 77 percent of his passes for an offense averaging 58.7 points per game. Lagway has added 389 yards on the ground and six more scores. This is the first 8-0 start for Willis in over 50 years.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to USC | Class: Sophomore (2026)
Last year's MaxPreps Freshman of the Year has the Trojans in contention to make it back to the AAAAAAA state championship game. He has led Carrollton to a 7-1 record and a spot at No. 18 in the MaxPreps Top 25. Lewis has thrown for 1,920 yards and has 29 touchdowns against one interception. He has thrown for 800 yards and 11 touchdowns in his last two outings alone.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 225
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2024)
Waited his turn to be the starting quarterback for one of the premier programs in the country and is having a huge season for the No. 3 team in the MaxPreps Top 25. He is fresh off leading the Braves to a 28-0 win over Mater Dei (Santa Ana) and has thrown for 1,968 yards and 18 touchdowns on the year.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 225
Status: Committed to Texas | Class: Senior (2024)
The leader for one of the best defenses in the country. The five-star defensive lineman opens up everything on that side of the ball by demanding double teams on almost every snap. Duncanville is currently the No. 6 team in the MaxPreps Top 25 and the defense has posted four shutouts in six games. Simmons and the Panthers are allowing 3.8 points per game.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 195
Status: Committed to Ohio State | Class: Senior (2024)
247Sports recently named the five-star wideout the No. 1 player in the Class of 2024. Smith is having a monster senior season for the No. 2 team in the MaxPreps Top 25. He has 52 receptions for 781 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 205
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2025)
Has led the back-to-back Division 1 state champs to an 8-0 start and the Tigers are riding a 33-game win streak. The top-rated quarterback in the Class of 2025 has been named the MaxPreps Freshman and Sophomore of the Year in back-to-back seasons.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to Utah | Class: Senior (2024)
The four-star quarterback just finished the regular season with 3,359 yards passing and 37 touchdowns. He is also a threat with his feet and has 92 carries for 703 yards and nine more scores. He currently ranks third in the country in passing yards and second in total offense. He has led the Chargers to a 9-1 record and a spot at No. 19 in the MaxPreps Top 25.
Past MaxPreps National Players of the Year
2006 — Riley Dodge, QB, Southlake Carroll (Southlake, Texas)
2007 — Terrelle Pryor, QB, Jeannette (Pa.)
2008 — Garrett Gilbert, QB, Lake Travis (Austin, Texas)
2009 — Dillon Baxter, ATH, Mission Bay (San Diego)
2010 — Dano Graves, QB, Folsom (Calif.)
2011 — Johnathan Gray, RB, Aledo (Texas)
2012 — Derrick Henry, RB, Yulee (Fla.)
2013 — Kyler Murray, QB, Allen (Texas)
2014 — Kyler Murray, QB, Allen
2015 — Derrick Brown, DL, Lanier (Sugar Hill, Ga.)
2016 — Tate Martell, QB, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
2017 — JT Daniels, QB, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
2018 — Bru McCoy, ATH, Mater Dei
2019 — DJ Uiagalelei, QB, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) / Bryce Young, QB, Mater Dei
2020 — Jaxson Dart, QB, Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah)
2021 — Cade Klubnik, QB, Westlake (Austin, Texas)
2022 — Caleb Downs, DB, Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.)
