High school football: Quinn Ewers, Travis Hunter headline 2021 Preseason MaxPreps All-America Team

By Zack Poff Jul 30, 2021, 10:00am

IMG Academy, Mater Dei, St. John Bosco combine for 10 of the 56 selections.

The highly anticipated 2021 high school football season is around the corner and we finish our look at the country's best players with the Preseason MaxPreps All-America Team. The list features 56 players headlined by Quinn Ewers, Travis Hunter and Lebbeus Overton.

Ewers is reportedly mulling skipping his senior year at Southlake Carroll in order to benefit from NIL endorsements and enroll early at Ohio State. But since no official decision has been reached, the five-star quarterback remains affixed atop the first team.

He's joined by junior Overton, the 2020-21 MaxPreps Male Athlete of the Year as he's not only a fearsome defensive lineman but a standout on the hardwood as well. Hunter of Collins Hill (Suwanee, Ga.) is a generational talent who was named the No. 1 wide receiver and the No. 1 cornerback in our preseason position-by-position look.

The Preseason MaxPreps All-America Team is filled with players from MaxPreps Top 25 schools, including five from No. 2 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.). The reigning national champions placed Tyler Booker, recent Greer (S.C.) transfer Jaleel Skinner and Tyler Booker on the first team, while Clemson-bound safety Keon Sabb joins Francis Mauigoa on the second team.



Preseason No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) lands three on the team, including Oklahoma-bound running back Raleek Brown, David Bailey and 2022 USC commit Domani Jackson.
Graphic by Ryan Escobar
First Team Offense

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 205
Status: Committed to Ohio State | Class: Senior (2022)
The top-rated player in the Class of 2022 on 247Sports composite rankings has thrown for 6,445 yards and 73 touchdowns over the last two seasons.

Height: 5-8 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to Oklahoma | Class: Senior (2022)
Averaged over seven yards per touch last spring and should be primed for a huge senior campaign for the top-ranked Monarchs.

Height: 5-9 | Weight: 175
Status: Committed to Oklahoma State | Class: Senior (2022)
Named the 2020 MaxPreps Oklahoma Football Player of the Year after accounting for 2,471 total yards (1,744 rushing, 727 receiving) and 35 touchdowns for the three-time defending 6A-II champs.

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 185
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
A matchup nightmare for opposing defenses has been putting up numbers against the best competition during his high school career.

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 195
Status: Committed to Oklahoma | Class: Senior (2022)
Finished junior year with over 1,600 yards receiving and 20 touchdowns while playing in both the fall and spring season. He played the fall at Cardinal Ritter College Prep (St. Louis) then transferred to play for the Flyers in the spring.

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 210
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022) 



OL Tyler Booker, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 325
Status: Committed to Alabama | Class: Senior (2022)
Played huge role in the trenches for the 2020 MaxPreps National Champs and will be the leader as they try to repeat.

Height: 6-4.5 | Weight: 330
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Has dominated against top-tier competition during his high school career.

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 295
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
The top-rated offensive tackle checks in as the No. 7 prospect overall in the Class of 2022 on 247Sports composite rankings.

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 310
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
One of the most dominant interior lineman in the country.

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 300
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Helped Columbus (Miami) to an 8-0 record in 2020 and returned to Aquinas to finish his high school career.

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 220
Status: Committed to Georgia | Class: Senior (2022)
During his first three years, he accounted for 12,934 yards of total offense (9,518 passing, 3,416 rushing) and 184 total touchdowns.

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 155
Status: Committed to Auburn | Class: Senior (2022)
The top-rated kicker in the Class of 2022 has a stronger leg than a lot of college kickers. Made 10 field goals as a junior.

First Team Defense

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 265
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2023)
The 2020-21 MaxPreps Male Athlete of the Year and National Sophomore of the Year finished last season with 70 tackles, 38 tackles for loss and 21.5 sacks.

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 235
Status: Committed to Alabama | Class: Senior (2022)
Has racked up over 300 tackles, 72 tackles for loss and 24 sacks during his career.

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 300
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
The third-rated player overall in the Class of 2022 on 247Sports composite rankings is one of the game's most dominant defensive lineman.

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 245
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Finished his junior year with 15.5 sacks and helped Patriots to a 5A state championship.



LB David Bailey, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Against Servite (Anaheim) last spring he had four sacks, including the game-winning sack fumble. Expect a monster senior campaign from the four-star linebacker.

Height: 6-2.5 | Weight: 200
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Dominated on both sides of the ball as a junior and is the top-rated linebacker in the country.

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 220
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
The Las Vegas power begins the year ranked at No. 13 in the MaxPreps Top 25 and Moss will lead the way for a very talented defense.

DB Domani Jackson, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to USC | Class: Senior (2022)
The five-star cornerback can single-handedly shut down one side of the field and will play a major role for the No. 1 team in the country.

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 180
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Has been one of the best shutdown cornerbacks  the past two years and helped the Mustangs to a 6A Division 1 title as a sophomore.

DB Kamari Wilson, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 200
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
The Ascenders are loaded with talent on defense and Wilson is the leader on that side of the ball.

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 190
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Finished his junior season with 41 tackles and six interceptions while scoring 10 touchdowns on offense.

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 175
Status: Committed to Florida State | Class: Senior (2022)
The 2020 MaxPreps National Junior of the Year was named our No. 1 cornerback and wide receiver heading into the 2021 season.

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 200
Status: Committed to Penn State | Class: Senior (2022)
Rated as the No. 1 punter by Kohl's Football Kicking. He also impacts the game kicking field goals and on kickoffs.

Second Team Offense

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to Clemson | Class: Senior (2022)
The Elite 11 MVP winner led the Chaps to their second consecutive state title last season accounting for 4,078 yards total offense (3,495 passing, 583 rushing) and 50 touchdowns.

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 195
Status: Committed to Ohio State | Class: Senior (2022)
The 2020 MaxPreps Tennessee Football Player of the Year rushed for 2,000-plus yards and 24 touchdowns in nine games last season.

Height: 5-9 | Weight: 175
Status: Committed to Northwestern | Class: Senior (2022)
The 2020 MaxPreps Arkansas Football Player of the Year accounted for 2,993 total yards (1,925 rushing, 1,068 receiving) and 32 touchdowns last season for the back-to-back Class 5A champs.

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 170
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Scored 12 touchdowns in five games last year and is one of the most explosive playmakers in the country.

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 170
Status: Committed to Ohio State | Class: Senior (2022)
As polished as any wide receiver in the country. Grayes will play a key role for the Wolves as they go for their sixth consecutive state title.

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 225
Status: Committed to LSU | Class: Senior (2022)
Has racked up nearly 1,700 yards receiving and 24 touchdowns over the last two years while leading the Warriors to back-to-back AAA runner-up finishes.

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 285
Status: Committed to LSU | Class: Senior (2022)
One of the most physical and talented offensive lineman in the nation.



Height: 6-5 | Weight: 275
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
The top-rated prospect in Washington is great in both run and pass blocking.

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 300
Status: Committed to Oregon | Class: Senior (2022)
The five-star prospect checks in as the No. 2 offensive tackle in the Class of 2022 on 247Sports composite rankings.

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 315
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Has dominated this opposition throughout his career. Will announce his college choice on Aug. 2 with the final three narrowed to North Carolina, Ohio State and Tennessee.

OL Francis Mauigoa, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 325
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2023)
One of the rare players who could be a five-star on either side of the ball.

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 315
Status: Committed to Clemson | Class: Senior (2022)
The four-star offensive lineman did not allow a sack during his junior season.

AP Matayo Uiagalelei, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 265
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2023)
One of three players selected from the Class of 2023 will play a key role on both sides of the ball for the No. 3 team in the MaxPreps Top 25.

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 210
Status: Committed to Oklahoma State | Class: Senior (2022)
Rushed for over 2,000 yards and 29 touchdowns last season and will switch over to quarterback this fall.

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to Arizona State | Class: Senior (2022)
Has connected on 22-of-25 field goals over the last two seasons.

Second Team Defense



Height: 6-4 | Weight: 240
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
The talented lineman will make a huge impact on defense for the No. 15 team in the MaxPreps Top 25.

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 250
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Helped Trojans to their first state title since 2015 last season and will have them in position to repeat as 6A champs in 2021.

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 265
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Missed time during his junior season battling through injuries but expect the five-star edge rusher to get back to where he was as a sophomore when he racked up 15 sacks.

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 265
Status: Committed to USC | Class: Senior (2022)
The recent USC commit piled up 17 sacks and 19 tackles for loss in 2020.

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 210
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Has some of the best tape out of any linebacker in the country and had 140 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five sacks and three interceptions for the ninth-ranked team in last season's MaxPreps Top 25.

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220
Status: Committed to Ohio State | Class: Senior (2022)
Lines up everywhere on defense and is one of the most well-rounded players in high school football.

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 200
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Helped Rockets to their second straight 6A title last season. Does it all from the linebacker position.

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 230
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
The Baltimore power has produced a lot of big-time players and Barham is up next.

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 190
Status: Committed to USC | Class: Senior (2022)
Gould is the leader on a very talented defense which starts at No. 12 in the MaxPreps Top 25.

DB Zion Branch, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 195
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
The Gaels were limited to two games last spring but Branch recorded five interceptions as a sophomore and will make a huge impact on defense for one of the best programs in the country.

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 220
Status: Committed to Indiana | Class: Senior (2022)
Plays everywhere on defense and was named the 2020 MaxPreps Kansas Player of the Year after racking up 75 tackles, four interceptions and four forced fumbles. Transferred after his father, Deland McCullough, took a job as the associate head coach and running backs coach at Indiana University.

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 170
Status: Committed to Ohio State | Class: Senior (2022)
Makes an impact on both sides of the ball at a high level and is one of the best shutdown corners in the country.

AP Keon Sabb, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 205
Status: Committed to Clemson | Class: Senior (2022)
Transferred to IMG for his senior year and will be a major piece for the No. 2 team in the MaxPreps Top 25.

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 180
Status: Committed to Florida State | Class: Senior (2022)
Finished his junior season with nearly 1,000 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns while recording four interceptions on defense.



Height: 6-1 | Weight: 220
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Averaged better than 40 yards per punt and helped lead the Trojans to a Class 3A title in 2020.