U.S. Air Force 2010 Sophomore All-American Team

Last year's National Freshman of the Year was a powerful running back from the Sunshine State, so it's no surprise that this year's National Sophomore of the Year fits the exact same description.

However, this year's National Sophomore of the Year is a completely different player.

With no famous last name but a wealth of skill, athleticism, and size, Yulee (Fla.) running back Derrick Henry is the 2010 MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year.

Henry beat out fellow Florida running back Kelvin Taylor, who was last year's freshman award winner, as well as Washington quarterback Max Browne and Georgia defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche.



An absolute workhorse for the Hornets, Henry carried the ball 303 times, gaining 2,689 yards and finding the end zone 38 times. He only lost one fumble the entire season.

Since his arrival at Yulee, Henry has helped turn around the 5-year-old program. In 2008, the team won five games, then improved to 7-4 in Henry's freshman season.

In 2010, the Hornets went 9-3, losing in the 2B playoffs to eventual state champion Trinity Catholic.

Yulee head coach Bobby Ramsay compared his 6-foot-2, 215 pound phenom to former NFL running back Natrone Means. He also said that Henry has drawn comparisons to Eric Dickerson, because of his ability to both pound the ball as well as break big plays.

"He's really powerful," Ramsay said. "Once he gets his shoulder pads downhill, he's opening up and trying to get to the end zone."

Video of Derrick Henry



Colleges have begun to take notice, as Ramsay said every school that has seen his film as offered. Though he's very comfortable with the Florida State coaching staff, Henry has expressed a desire to play in the SEC, said Ramsay.

Henry becomes the third winner of the National Sophomore of the Year, joining Tennessee commit Justin Worley and Aledo running back Johnathan Gray. He highlights this year's 2010 U.S. Air Force All-American Team presented by MaxPreps.

First Team Offense
Jake Oliver, WR, 6-4, 180, Dallas Jesuit (Texas)
A rare 5A all-state selection as a sophomore, Oliver caught 85 passes for 1,302 yards and 13 touchdowns in the regular season and was the district 9-5A offensive newcomer of the year.

James Quick, WR, 6-1, 175, Trinity (Louisville, Ky.)
Quick was a Courier-Journal first team all-state selection following an 88-catch season in which he compiled 1,114 yards and 15 touchdowns. He added four more touchdowns rushing and returning kicks.

Akia Booker, WR, 6-0, 180, Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.)
Following the graduation of several key offensive pieces, Booker stepped up to fill a major void by making 73 receptions for 1,035 yards and 12 scores.

Dalton Keene, TE, 6-3, 215, Jacksonville (Ill.)
The big, athletic tight end is drawing early comparisons to C.J. Fiedorowicz.

Lovell Peterson, OL, 6-3, 280, Wayne (Huber Heights, Ohio)
The third team Division 1 all-state pick helped pave the way for Braxton Miller with both his run blocking and pass blocking.

Jordan Poland, OL, 6-8, 335, Williams Field (Gilbert, Ariz.)
A massive specimen, Poland earned 4A all-state recognition, the only sophomore in Arizona to do so.

Kyle Bosch, OL, 6-4, 260, St. Francis (Wheaton, Ill.)
Bosch is already receiving heavy interest from multiple colleges and could be one of 2013's most heavily recruited players.

Adam Coon, OL, 6-5, 230, Fowlerville (Mich.)
A wrestling state champion as a freshman, Coon continues to show that he's a force on the football field as well, earning Lansing State Journal dream team honors.

Anthony Juarez, OL, 6-5, 280, Centennial (Corona, Calif.)
Juarez started on the line for one of the most impressive offenses in the country. He helped Centennial score a whopping 771 points on the season.

Max Browne, QB, 6-5, 200, Skyline (Sammamish, Wash.)
Filling in for Jake Heaps, Browne thrived as a first-year starter, completing 294 of 432 passes for 4,182 yards and 50 touchdowns.

B.J. Beecher, QB, 6-6, 180, Concord (N.C.)
Beecher came into his own as a sophomore. He was 166 of 315 for 2,606 yards and 32 touchdowns. He was an All-Cabarrus News pick.

Derrick Henry, RB, 6-2, 215, Yulee (Fla.)
The National Sophomore of the Year, Henry was nearly unstoppable. He scored at least three touchdowns in nine of Yulee's 12 games.

Kelvin Taylor, RB, 5-10, 190, Glades Day (Belle Glade, Fla.)
Last year's National Freshman of the Year overcame injuries to rush for 2,517 yards and 35 scores on 288 carries, earning Sun-Sentinel Small School Player of the Year honors.

Thomas Tyner, RB, 6-2, 198, Aloha (Beaverton, Ore.)
Thomas has the makings of one of the best running backs to ever come out of Oregon. He was the 6A offensive player of the year after rushing 197 times for 1,821 yards and 19 scores.

Deion Stitt, ATH, 5-11, 160, Bayside (Virginia Beach, Va.)
Already a two-year starter, Stitt did a little of everything for Bayside and provided solid leadership for a Marlins squad that made the Division 6 final.

Jay Mattox, K, 5-11, 150, Las Vegas (Nev.)
Mattox converted 10 of 13 field goal attempts, with a long of 51 yards.
{PAGEBREAK}First Team Defense

Doug Brenner, DL, 6-2, 250, Jesuit (Portland, Ore.)
Brenner garnered 6A all-state honorable mention after anchoring the Jesuit defensive line as a 10th grader.

D.J. Ward, DL, 6-4, 240, Lawton (Okla.)
With 94 tackles and nine sacks, Ward was a 6A all-state honorable mention selection and led Lawton to one of its best seasons in recent years.

Jonathan Allen, DL, 6-3, 215, Stone Bridge (Ashburn, Va.)
In his first varsity season, Allen was simply outstanding, recording 20 sacks and eight forced fumbles for one of Virginia's top programs.

Robert Nkemdiche, DL, 6-5, 255, Grayson (Loganville, Ga.)
Nkemdiche enjoyed one of the finest sophomore campaigns in the country. He was a AAAAA first team all-state selection following his 18-sack season.

Ben Gedeon, LB, 6-3, 215, Hudson (Ohio)
Nicknamed "The Freak," Gedeon was a third team Division 1 all-state selection and is quickly earning a reputation for his athleticism and tenacity.

Jamie Major, LB, 6-1, 205, Piedmont (Ala.)
Major's 104 tackles and 11 sacks, earning 3A all-state recognition and leading Piedmont to a 13-2 finish.

O.J. Howard, LB, 6-5, 210, Autauga Academy (Prattville, Ala.)
An AISA all-state pick, Howard nearly possesses a college-ready frame right now and has enough quickness to double as a wide receiver for his team.

E.J. Levenberry, LB, 6-3, 210, Annandale (Va.)
Levenberry was once again an impact player for DeMatha, but expects to play at Lake Braddock in 2011. He's currently attending Annandale.

Reuben Foster, LB, 6-2, 205, Troup (LaGrange, Ga.)
Already a coveted prospect, Foster was a difference-maker on varsity for the second straight year.

Zach Guiser, DB, 6-1, 190, Greensburg Central Catholic (Pa.)
One year after leading the WPIAL in interceptions with eight, Guiser was seldom targeted by quarterbacks, but still snagged three interceptions and recovered two fumbles.

Antonio Connor, DB, 6-2, 192, South Panola (Batesville, Miss.)
Connor played a key role in South Panola's run to a mythical national championship. He made 89 tackles and intercepted four passes for the Tigers and was an all-state selection.

DaShon Hunt, DB, 5-8, 160, Westlake (Westlake Village, Calif.)
Hunt scored defensive touchdowns in each of his first three games and finished the season with seven interceptions. The Ventura County Star named him to the all-county team.

William Likley, DB, 5-8, 175, Glades Central (Belle Glade, Fla.)
Likley could be the next major athlete to emerge from Muck City.

Joseph Davidon, P, 6-6, 175, Findlay (Ohio)
Davidson was a third team all-state punter in Ohio's Division 1.
{PAGEBREAK}Second Team Offense

Jordan Cunningham, WR, 6-3, 175, University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Cunningham was one of South Florida's most productive receivers, catching 54 passes for 992 yards and eight touchdowns.

Travis Johnson, WR, 6-4, 200, Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.)
Another outstanding receiver from the Sunshine State, Johnson is also a basketball star. On the gridiron, he tallied 36 receptions for 612 yards and eight scores.

David Coggins, WR, 6-1, 180, Sacred Heart (Waterbury, Conn.)
With 78 catches for 1,417 yards and nine touchdowns, Coggins' 2010 season will be hard to duplicate next year.

Taco Charlton, TE, 6-6, 220, Pickerington Central (Ohio)
A jumbo two-way athlete, Charlton can play offensive at the next level, but may end up as a linebacker or defensive end.

Dariz Hill, OL, 6-2, 270, Dunbar (Baltimore)
Hill, an all-state selection, was a key blocker for one of Maryland's top small-school programs.

Dustin Dennig, OL, 6-5, 285, Washington (South Bend, Ind.)
A 4A all-state honorable mention, Dennig is one interior lineman that colleges are keeping an eye on.

Dorian Miller, OL, 6-5, 270, Metuchen (N.J.)
The brother of Oklahoma receiver Dejuan Miller, Dorian projects to be a highly coveted recruit as well. He starred on two sides of the ball for Metuchen.

Josh Cardiello, OL, 6-3, 280, Buford (Ga.)
Cardiello could be the next coveted recruit from talent-laden Buford, where he was a two-way starter this season.

Christopher Fox, OL, 6-5, 280, Ponderosa (Parker, Colo.)
Fox should be a top recruit at offensive line, but he's also displayed the ability to plug holes on the defensive line.

Jarrett Solomon, QB, 6-0, 200, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
Solomon led one of the state's top offenses, completing 121 of 202 passes for 2,412 yards and 41 touchdowns.

Riley Ferguson, QB, 6-2, 175, Butler (Matthews, N.C.)
With big shoes to fill, Ferguson stepped in admirably and led Butler to another 4AA state title. He was 150 of 272 for 2,624 yards and 21 touchdowns for the Bulldogs.

Ashton Shumpert, RB, 6-1, 195, Tupelo (Miss.)
A 6A all-state selection, Shumpert carried the ball 208 times for 1,328 yards and 15 touchdowns in his first season at Tupelo.

Kamani Thomas, RB, 5-11, 185, East Paulding (Dallas, Ga.)
Thomas was one of the top rushers in the state of Georgia, gaining 1,901 yards and 22 touchdowns on 237 carries, helping him earn AAAA all-state honors.

Laquintas Wallace, RB, 5-11, 205, Lee (Tyler, Texas)
Wallace has always been endowed with outstanding speed and is learning to become a complete back. He struggled with injuries, but managed 905 rushing yards on 156 carries, finding the end zone five times.

Troy Williams, ATH, 6-2, 190, Narbonne (Harbor City, Calif.)
One of the top sophomores in California, Williams connected on 200 of 317 pass attempts for 2,597 yards and 23 scores.

Panayiotis Kargiatlis, K, 5-10, 160, Chesnee (S.C.)
An second team all-area pick by the Spartanburg Herald-Journal, Kargiatlis made 38 of 43 extra-point attempts and was 5-for-6 on field goal attempts, with a long of 44 yards.
{PAGEBREAK}Second Team Defense

Reginald Carter, DL, 6-1, 210, Stephenson (Stone Mountain, Ga.)
Carter made a living in the opposing backfield, registering 10.5 sacks on his way to AAAAA second team all-state honors.

Vita Vea, DL, 6-4, 260, Milpitas (Calif.)
With 92 tackles and five sacks, Vea was the Palo Alto Weekly defensive lineman of the year.

Jelani Hamilton, DL, 6-5, 245, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
A key member of Aquinas' defense, Hamilton has all the tools to be the next major recruit for the Fort Lauderdale powerhouse.

Jaylon Smith, DL, 6-2, 202, Bishop Luers (Fort Wayne, Ind.)
The brother of Ohio State running back Rod Smith, Jaylon is already establishing himself as another Division I athlete from Fort Wayne.

Jarred Alwan, LB, 6-2, 230, Camden Catholic (Cherry Hill, N.J.)
Alwan, who started his career across the river at St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia), has emerged as one of the top recruits in New Jersey for the class of 2013. He posted 104 tackles, three sacks, and five fumble recoveries.

Darrien Howard, LB, 6-2, 245, Chaminade-Julienne (Dayton, Ohio)
A powerful inside linebacker already garnering college interest, Howard earned Division III special mention in the Buckeye State.

Peter Kalambayi, LB, 6-3, 225, Butler (Matthews, N.C.)
A gifted athlete with a high ceiling, Kalambayi made 53 tackles in his second season as a starter for the Bulldogs.

Johnny O'Neal, LB, 6-2, 230, West Laurens (Dublin, Ga.)
O'Neal, a coveted recruit, was a second team All-Middle Georgia pick as well as an all-state honorable mention.

James Hearns, LB, 6-3, 220, Lincoln (Tallahassee, Fla.)
Hearns, a combo linebacker/defensive end, had an excellent playoff run for 4A-champion Lincoln.

Su'a Cravens, DB, 6-1, 200, Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, Calif.)
Cravens has great speed and impressive size, allowing him to roam at outside linebacker or safety. UCLA and Hawaii have already offered.

Nadir Barnwell, DB, 5-10, 170, Piscataway (N.J.)
In his second year as a starter, Barnwell proved that he's already one of the top defensive backs in New Jersey, hailing from the same hometown as NFL DBs Malcolm Jenkins and Kyle Wilkins.

Leon McQuay, DB, 6-2, 175, Armwood (Seffner, Fla.)
It was dangerous to throw against McQuay in 2010, as Alabama-bound Phillip Ely learned. McQuay intercepted the Plant star three times and was a key to Armwood's outstanding defense.

Kendall Fuller, DB, 5-11, 170, Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.)
Fuller made a splash as a tenth grader on a deep, talented roster. He should get even better playing alongside star Stefon Diggs.

Eric Wagner, P, 5-10, 165, Thunderbird (Phoenix, Ariz.)
Wager averaged more than 46 yards per punt, and also kicked a game-winning field goal that gave Thunderbirds a 4A state title.

Kevin Askeland contributed to this story.