Steilacoom's Emeka Egbuka named MaxPreps High School Football Junior Player of the Year

Video: Emeka Egbuka highlights

Emeka Egbuka had over 2,200 all-purpose yards and 35 total touchdowns to go with eight interceptions while leading Steilacoom (Wash.) to its first state title game appearance. The No. 1 rated athlete in the Class of 2021 showed during 2019 why he's one of the top high school football players in the country and the choice for MaxPreps Junior Player of the Year.

While the Sentinels fell short in the 2A title game against Tumwater (Wash.), Egbuka was the best player on the field. He set a 2A title-game record hauling in 18 receptions and finished the night with 163 yards receiving and three touchdowns. He added another score on the ground in the 48-34 loss to go with eight tackles and an interception.

The 5-star playmaker finished with over 1,600 yards receiving and 25 touchdowns and scored five different ways in 2019. He leads a star-studded list of players named to the MaxPreps' Junior All-American Team.

Egbuka has put up big-time numbers during his high school career. He's hauled in 199 receptions for nearly 4,000 yards and 61 touchdowns averaging over 100 yards per game and nearly 20 yards per reception. He has five rushing touchdowns to go with 17 interceptions and is also one of the most dangerous return specialists in the country.

He joins the likes of Bryce Young, Kyler Murray, DeSahun Watson and Trevor Lawrence as past winners of the Junior Player of the Year.

2009 — Christian LeMay, QB, Butler (Matthews, N.C.)

2010 — Johnathan Gray, RB, Aledo (Texas)

2011 — Robert Nkemdiche, DE, Grayson (Loganville, Ga.)

2012 — DeShaun Watson, QB, Gainesville (Ga.)

2013 — Jake Browning, QB, Folsom (Calif.)

2014 — Tren'Davian Dickson, WR, Navasota (Texas)

2015 — Sam Ehlinger, QB, Austin Westlake (Texas)

2016 — Trevor Lawrence, QB, Cartersville (Ga.)

2017 — JT Daniels, QB, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)

2018 — Bryce Young, QB (Mater Dei, Calif.) & Zachary Evans, RB (North Shore)