MaxPreps National Football Player of the Year Watch

National Player of the Year Watch candidates Jake Browning of Folsom (Calif.) and Shuler Bentley of Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.) are both approaching regional and state marks as they continue their impressive seasons.

Meanwhile the Texas duo of Kyler Murray of Allen and Desmon White of DeSoto led their teams to big wins by both passing and running the ball last week.


Will Grier, Davidson Day (Davidson, N.C.) Grier threw six touchdown passes for the sixth time this season in Davidson Day's 61-21 win over Metrolina Christian Academy. He completed 21 of 30 passes in the game for 329 yards. For the season, Grier has completed 194 of 276 passes for 2,830 yards and a national-best 48 touchdowns. His 166 career touchdown passes are a tie for No. 7 all-time in national history.

Jake Browning, Folsom (Calif.) The Bulldogs had another impressive win over a previously unbeaten team, defeating Jesuit (Carmichael) 56-14 behind Browning's 443 yards (29 of 36) and five touchdowns. He has completed 194 of 253 passes for 2,791 yards and 38 touchdowns on the season. Browning also went over 8,000 career passing yards (8,039) and his heading toward the Northern California career passing yardage mark of 8,802 yards, held by current Boise State quarterback and San Ramon Valley alum Joe Southwick.

Shuler Bentley, Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.) Byrnes had little trouble with defending state champion Gaffney, winning 61-20. Bentley was a big reason why as he 19 of 29 passes for 357 yards and five touchdowns. Bentley has completed 169 of 245 passes for 2,916 yards and 42 touchdowns. With 148 career touchdown passes, Bentley is just nine touchdowns away from tying the all-time South Carolina mark of 157 by Northwestern's Justin Worley.



Grant Sherman, Kenton (Ohio)


Sherman took over the reported national passing yardage lead last week after throwing for 524 yards in a 62-6 win over Lima (Ohio). Sherman has thrown for 3,246 yards on the season, completing 235 of 359 passes for 39 touchdowns. He had eight of those touchdowns against Lima, completing 35 of 52 passes. Sherman needs five touchdowns to hit 100 for his career.

Treon Harris, Washington (Miami) Harris sat out his second game of the season due to injury, missing Washington's 41-7 win over Gulliver Prep. For the season, Harris has completed 85 of 125 passes for 1,198 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has rushed 83 times for 538 yards and four scores.

Nick Chubb, Cedartown (Ga.)


Cedartown did not play last week, but Chubb will try to continue his march up the Georgia all-time rushing yardage and touchdown lists this week at Cass. Chubb has 6,159 career rushing yards and ranks 14th on the all-time state list, according to the Georgia High School Football Historians website. He is also in a tie for seventh with 91 career rushing touchdowns.

Deshaun Watson, Gainesville (Ga.)




Aside from a Week 2 hiccup against Buford, the Red Elephants have been essentially unstoppable this season, scoring at least 48 points in every win. Last week against Clarke Central, Watson led a 56-28 win by completing 26 of 35 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran 11 times for 79 yards and two scores. For the season, Watson has completed 188 of 260 passes for 2,358 yards and 29 touchdowns. He has also run 55 times for 413 yards and six scores.

Leonard Fournette, St. Augustine (New Orleans) Fournette led St. Augustine to a 35-21 win over Archbishop Rummel. He ran 30 times for 129 yards and one touchdown and also returned an interception for a score. For the season, Fournette has rushed 124 times for 888 yards and five touchdowns.

Desmon White, DeSoto (Texas) White continues to keep DeSoto at the top of the national rankings with another strong performance in a 62-42 win over Midlothian. He completed 26 of 37 passes for a season-high 370 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran six times for 64 yards and a score. For the season, White has completed 117 of 172 passes for 1,879 yards and 17 touchdowns. He has also rushed 82 times for 847 yards and 12 touchdowns in leading DeSoto to a 7-0 mark.

Kyler Murray, Allen (Texas) Murray accounted for seven touchdowns in a 77-37 win over Plano West last week. He completed 13 of 17 passes for 248 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran just seven times but gained 146 yards with three touchdowns. For the year, Murray has completed 105 of 160 passes for 1,746 yards and 17 touchdowns while rushing 35 times for 520 yards and 11 scores.