2017 MaxPreps Sophomore All-American Football Team

Video: 2017 MaxPreps Sophomore All-Americans
Emmitt Smith's son leads a star-studded list of players on the Sophomore All-American team.

The sophomore class — the Class of 2020 — features some of the most talented players in the country.

The quarterback position is loaded with future stars. St. John Bosco's DJ Uiagalelei showed he is ready for the limelight. In only eight starts, he threw for more than 3,000 yards and 38 touchdowns against some of the toughest competition in the country.

In late September — on the road in Washington, D.C., against nationally ranked St. John's — he rallied the Braves to a 21-17 win erasing a double-digit, fourth-quarter deficit in his only two drives of the game. At that moment, you knew the 6-foot-4, 220-pound quarterback was ready to ball with the best.



The race was tight with Uiagalelei and Cathedral's Bryce Young for National Sophomore of the Year, but St. John Bosco's starting quarterback edged him out as he led the Braves all the way to the CIF Southern Section championship game.

First Team Offense
QB — DJ Uiagalelei, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)
There is a good chance Uiagalelei is the next great quarterback to come out of Southern California. He threw for over 3,000 yards and 38 touchdowns in eight starts and the only team to beat the Braves in 2017 when he was under center was Mater Dei, the No. 1 team in the country.

QB — Bryce Young, Cathedral (Los Angeles)
Young is in the same category as Uiagalelei — on the right path to be the next big quarterback from California. The sophomore gunslinger is the top rated dual-threat quarterback from the Class of 2020 and had nearly 4,000 yards of total offense to go with 49 touchdowns.

QB — Demeatric Crenshaw, Pickerington Central (Ohio)
Winning the Ohio Division 1 state championship is one of the hardest things to do in the nation and the sophomore quarterback led Pickerington Central to its first ever state title. He set the Division 1 state title game record with six rushing touchdowns in the 56-28 win over Mentor (Ohio).

RB — Kendall Milton, Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.)
There might not be a more talented running back from the Class of 2020 than Kendall Milton. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder is one of the best players in California regardless of class.

RB — Jase McClellan, Aledo (Texas)
The reigning Freshman of the Year had a monster sophomore campaign despite missing time with a wrist injury. He rushed for nearly 1,600 yards and 26 touchdowns in 10 games. In six playoff games, he ran for 1,169 yards and 18 scores.



RB — Don Chaney Jr., Belen Jesuit (Miami)
Chaney Jr. is one of the most gifted running backs from the Class of 2020. He has a good chance to join the likes of Dalvin Cook, James Cook, Devonta Freeman and Wills McGahee as the next great South Florida running back.

WR — Julian Fleming, Southern Columbia Area (Catawissa, Pa.)
The No. 1 rated wide receiver from the Class of 2020 had a big sophomore campaign with 69 catches for nearly 1,500 yards and 20 touchdowns.

WR — Gary Bryant, Centennial (Corona, Calif.)
Tanner McKee's favorite target this past season was standout sophomore wide receiver Bryant. The 4-star talent played a major role in leading the Corona power to a spot in our final Xcellent 25 rankings presented by the Army National Guard.

WR — Johnny Wilson, Calabasas (Calif.)
The 5-star wide receiver from Calabasas is one of the best in the Class of 2020. He hauled in 52 receptions for nearly 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns for a 10-2 team.

TE — Arik Gilbert, Marietta (Ga.)
The talented playmaker from Georgia might end up being the No. 1 rated player overall from the Class of 2020 when all is said and done.

OL — Myles Murao, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
The 6-foot-3 270-pound lineman played a major role the No. 1 team in the country this past season. He helped form arguably the best offensive line in high school football.

OL — Myles Hinton, Greater Atlanta Christian (Norcross, Ga.)
The 5-star offensive lineman from Georgia checks in as the top rated tackle from the Class of 2020 and he has already landed 11 Division I offers.

OL — Andrew Raym, Broken Arrow (Okla.)
The 2020 Oklahoma commit is the top rated player from Oklahoma in the Class of 2020 and the 5-star is the 16th rated player overall.



OL — Bryn Tucker, Knoxville Catholic (Knoxville, Tenn.)
Cade Mays was one of the best offensive lineman to come out of Tennessee. Tucker, Mays' teammate, can add his name to that list. The 6-foot-4 300-pounder is the fourth-rated offensive tackle from the Class of 2020.

OL — Justin Rogers, Oak Park (Mich.)
The nation's No. 1 rated offensive guard from the Class of 2020 is one of the most well-rounded offensive lineman in the country regardless of class.

AP — Kristian Story, Lanett (Ala.)
The 4-star playmaker had one of the best sophomore seasons in the country. He led Lanett to a 13-0 record and a Class 2A state title. He threw for more than 3,000 yards and rushed for 765 yards to go with 42 total touchdowns.

K — Saul Garcia, Raymondville (Texas)
No sophomore kicker made more field goals than Raymondville's Saul Garcia. He connected on 13-of-15 field goals including three from at least 50 yards out.

First Team Defense

DL — Bryan Bresee, Damascus (Md.)
The 6-foot-4, 260-pound defensive end is the top rated player overall from the Class of 2020. He has already landed 28 Division I offers.

DL — Jesus Machado, Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah, Fla.)
Machado is one of the best pass rushers in the country regardless of class. The Florida star had 19 sacks and 31 tackles for loss during his sophomore season.



DL — BJ Ojulari, Marietta (Ga.)
The 5-star defensive end is one of three players from Marietta to make the Sophomore All-American team. He finished the year with over 100 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and nine sacks.

DL — Jacolbe Cowan, Providence Day (Charlotte, N.C.)
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound defensive end from North Carolina was nearly impossible to block during his sophomore season. He finished the year with 11 sacks and has already landed 23 Division I offers.

LB — Justin Flowe, Upland (Calif.)
The 5-star linebacker from Southern California has a great knack for finding the football. He finished his sophomore campaign with 119 tackles, nine tackles for loss, six sacks, one interceptions and three forced fumbles.

LB — Sav'ell Smalls, Garfield (Seattle)
The 6-foot-4, 235-pound outside linebacker might end up being the best player overall from the Class of 2020. The 5-star linebacker is an absolute nightmare for opposing offenses.

LB — Mekhail Sherman, St. John's (Washington, D.C.)
St. John's had to replace Shane Lee, who transferred to St. Frances Academy (Baltimore), and they didn't miss a beat on defense because of its 4-star sophomore linebacker. Sherman played a vital role in leading St. John's to a spot in our Top 25 and winning the school's first conference championship since 1989.

LB — Kevin Swint, Carrollton (Ga.)
The 4-star linebacker from Georgia was constantly in the opposing backfield all season long. He had 35.5 tackles for loss and 18 sacks during his sophomore campaign. He also had over 100 tackles and four forced fumbles.

DB — Darion Green-Warren, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Most people said the secondary would be a weakness for Mater Dei before the season started, but it ended up being one of its biggest strengths thanks to a couple of very talented sophomore defensive backs. Green-Warren has already landed six D-I offers and expect them to keep piling up as he enters his junior campaign.

DB — Elias Ricks, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
The 4-star defensive back from the No. 1 team in the country is one of the most versatile players in high school football. He can play safety, cornerback and could be a 4-star wide receiver if needed. He could end up being the next Richard Sherman because of his size, toughness and quick feet.



DB — RJ Mickens, Carroll (Southlake, Texas)
Southlake Carroll's 4-star corner is one of the most talented defensive backs in the country. He's already landed 20 Division I offers and is the son of 11-year NFL veteran Ray Mickens.

DB — Sheridan Jones, Bishop Sullivan Catholic (Virginia Beach, Va.)
The 5-star defensive back from Virginia is the top-rated corner from the Class of 2020. He is the complete package and is one of the most physical corners in the game.

AP — Chris Tyree, Dale (Chester, Va.)
The 5-star playmaker is the top rated running back from the Class of 2020. He did it all during his sophomore season, rushing for 1,100-plus yards and 10 scores to go with 55 tackles and four interceptions on defense.

P — Austin McCready, John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, La.)
The star punter from John Curtis Christian averaged nearly 40 yards per punt and landed nearly a third of his punts inside the opponents 20 yard line.

Second Team Offense
QB — Sofian Massoud, Cardinal Hayes (Bronx, N.Y.)
Massoud had a monster sophomore season throwing for more than 3,000 yards and 32 touchdowns. He is one of the top up-and-coming players from the Class of 2020 and could go down as one of the best high school football players to come out of New York.

QB — Harrison Bailey, Marietta (Ga.)
If it wasn't for an injury that cost him part of his season, he would have been a first-team selection. The second-rated pro style quarterback from the Class of 2020 threw for nearly 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in only six games playing in Georgia's largest classification.

QB — Jaden Casey, Calabasas (Calif.)
The 6-foot-1 quarterback from Southern California had a monster sophomore season in his first year starting for Calabasas. He finished third among all sophomores with 3,394 yards passing and he also threw for 32 touchdowns.
 
RB — E.J. Smith, Dallas Jesuit (Dallas)
Smith was one of the most talented running backs in all of Texas this past season. He had nearly 1,300 yards rushing and another 600-plus receiving to go with 33 total touchdowns.

RB — Bijan Robinson, Salpointe Catholic (Tucson, Ariz.)
The 4-star running back from Arizona had a monster season, rushing for more than 2,000 yards and 26 touchdowns while leading Salpointe Catholic to the Class 4A Arizona state championship game.

RB — Zachary Evans, North Shore (Houston)
The running backs from Texas in the Class of 2020 features some of the best in the country and you can add North Shore's 4-star beast Evans to that list. He is one of the most complete backs in the nation.

WR — Porter Rooks, Providence Day (Charlotte, N.C.)
Providence Day's 5-star wide receiver had over 800 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns during his sophomore campaign. The 6-foot-1 180-pound wideout has already landed 21 Division I offers.

WR — Dazalin Worsham, Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville, Ala.)
The 4-star wide receiver hauled in 70 receptions for nearly 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns in 2017. He is the top-rated prospect in Alabama from the Class of 2020.

WR — Leonard Manuel, Vanguard (Ocala, Fla.)
The 2020 Miami commit is the top-rated recruit overall from Florida in the Class of 2020. He had nearly 700 yards and nine touchdown receptions during his sophomore season.

OL — Altrique Barlow, Bishop Sullivan (Virginia Beach, Va.)
Bishop Sullivan Catholic's 4-star offensive tackle is one of the top lineman from the Class of 2020. The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder checks in as a Top 100 recruit overall.

OL — Miller Merriweather-Lewis, Vanguard (Ocala, Fla.)
The 4-star offensive lineman from Vanguard is one of the top overall recruits overall from Florida in the Class of 2020. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound offensive tackle has already landed 15 Division I offers.

OL — Tate Ratledge, Darlington (Rome, Ga.)
The 5-star offensive tackle is one of the best players overall from Georgia in a very talented Class of 2020.

OL — Trent Pullen, Connally (Waco, Texas)
The 4-star offensive tackle adds to an already loaded Class of 2020 prospects from the Lone Star State.

OL — Jalen Rivers, Oakleaf (Orange Park, Fla.)
The 4-star offensive tackle keeps landing some big-time Division I offers after an impressive sophomore season. The 6-foot-5, 325-pound lineman now has 14 offers after Clemson offered him back in December.

AP — Blake Corum, Pallotti (Laurel, Md.)
Corum answered a strong freshman campaign with a big-time sophomore season. The 4-star running back has already landed 17 D-I offers and is a Top 100 recruit overall from the Class of 2020.

AP — Keyvone Lee, Superior Collegiate (Clearwater, Fla.)
Lee is one of the top athletes from the Class of 2020. The 4-star prospect rushed for 1,000-plus yards during his sophomore season to go with 12 touchdowns.

AP — Jayson Jones, Fultondale (Birmingham, Ala.)
The 4-star athlete had a monster sophomore season accounting for nearly 3,00 total yards of offense and 35 touchdowns while leading Fultondale to a 11-1 record.

Second Team Defense

DL — Johnnie Brown, Middleton (Tampa, Fla.)
The 5-star defensive lineman finished off his sophomore season with nine sacks and is one of the top rated players overall from the Sunshine State.

DL — Damian Sellers, Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
Despite missing multiple games in 2017, the sophomore from Arizona was huge for Saguaro winnings its fifth consecutive state title. He finished the year with 11.5 sacks and 27 tackles for loss in nine games.

DL — Desmond Evans, Lee County (Sanford, N.C.)
The 6-foot-6 edge rusher from North Carolina was an absolute nightmare for opposing quarterbacks in 2017. The 5-star defensive end finished his sophomore year with 14 sacks.



DL — Samuel Anaele, Norland (Miami)
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound defensive end from Norland is one of the most talented players overall in Florida. The 4-star prospect has already landed nine Division I offers and is the fifth-rated strong side defensive end from the Class of 2020.

LB — Sergio Allen, Peach County (Fort Valley, Ga.)
The 4-star defensive playmaker is one of the most versatile players in Georgia. He lines up on the defensive line, at linebacker and has no problem dropping back in coverage. He finished his sophomore season with over 100 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, two sacks and had one interception.

LB — Antoine Sampah, Woodbridge (Va.)
Woodbridge's 5-star linebacker checks in as a Top 30 recruit overall from the Class of 2020 and is the top-rated inside linebacker.

LB — Jaylen Harrell, Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Fla.)
The 5-star linebacker from Florida is a Top 5 recruit from the Sunshine State from the Class of 2020 and is the third-rated outside linebacker.

LB — Jacobah Fuamatu, La Habra (La Habra, Calif.)
Fuamatu is one of the top up-and-coming linebackers from Southern California. He finished his sophomore season with 99 tackles and eight sacks.

DB — Clark Phillips, La Habra (La Habra, Calif.)
Southern California is loaded with some of the best defensive backs in the country and La Habra's talented defensive back finished 2017 with seven interceptions.

DB — Brandon Jones, Grace Brethren (Simi Valley, Calif.)
The 4-star defensive back from Southern California is one of the best all-around corners in the Class of 2020. He finished his sophomore season with 50 tackles and three interceptions while leading Grace Brethren to the CIF Division 2-A state championship game.

DB — JaQuan Copeland, Hazlehurst (Miss.)
No sophomore in the country had more interceptions (12) than Copeland. He finished the year tied for fifth-most in the nation.

DB — Lorando Johnson, Lancaster (Texas)
The 4-star defensive back from the Lone Star State is one of the top overall prospects in all of Texas from the Class of 2020.



AP — Cartavious "Tank" Bigsby, Callaway (Hogansville, Ga.)
The 5-star athlete from Georgia is one of the most feared players in the country. He checks in as a top 30 recruit overall from the Class of 2020 and is the fifth-rated prospect from the Peach State.

AP — Dwight McGlothern, New Caney (Texas)
The 4-star corner is one of the best all-around players in Texas. He finished his sophomore season with nearly 50 tackles and four interceptions to go with almost 500 yards receiving and eight touchdowns.