Alabama running back/defensive back joins list that includes Nick Bosa, Trevor Lawrence and Arch Manning.
After
Ronnie Royal of
Alexandria (Ala.) rushed for 309 yards and five touchdowns in an October win, his head coach Todd Ginn uttered one of the biggest understatements of the 2020 high school football season.
Less than a month later, Royal outdid himself, rushing for 330 yards and six touchdowns in a 57-20 win over West Point (Ala.).
More like great player.
Or better yet, the MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year.
Royal takes home honors as the nation's top freshman this season after accounting for 2,853 total yards and 35 touchdowns, one season after he gained more than 1,200 yards on the ground as an eighth-grader.
He also starred on defense, registering 57 tackles and a pick-six.
The 5-foot-11, 175-pound phenom was a first team all-state selection in Alabama's Class 5A.
Unsurprisingly, Royal is already a highly-coveted prospect. He's been a top-ranked player in his class by leading collegiate recruiting service
Recruiting Brain and
according to 247Sports, already has offers from Florida State, South Carolina and UAB.
Royal announced Monday he will be playing next season at
Gulf Shores.
Past MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year winners
2012 —
Nick Bosa, DL, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
2013 —
Dylan Moses, LB, University Lab (Baton Rouge, La.)
2015 —
JT Daniels, QB, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
2016 —
Jase McClellan, RB, Aledo (Texas)
2017 —
Sam Huard, QB, Kennedy Catholic (Burien, Wash.)
