100 for 100: NFL's best from the last 100 high school classes

In celebration of the National Football League's 100th season, MaxPreps is selecting the top high school player from each of the past 100 graduating classes that have sent a player to the NFL.

Although the NFL began in 1920, we start our timeline at 1916 with Hall of Famer Jimmy Conzelman and we end in 2015 with NFL Rookie of the Year Saquon Barkley.


NFL's 100 best high school players from last 100 graduating classes



1916 — Jimmy Conzelman, McKinley (St. Louis)
An original member of the NFL as a player with the Decatur Staleys, Conzelman is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A coach for 27 years at the college and pro ranks, Conzelman got his start at McKinley where he was quarterback and led the team to a league championship.

1917 — Earl Lambeau, Green Bay East (Green Bay, Wis.)
The namesake of the Green Bay Packers' home stadium, Lambeau played 11 years in the NFL with the Packers and later coached them for 30 years, winning six NFL championships. He was a multi-sport athlete in high school and was captain of the football team.

1918 — Heartley "Hunk" Anderson, Calumet (Mich.)
Although he only played five years in the NFL, Anderson is a member of the NFL 1920s All-Decade Team as a lineman. He attended Calumet where he lettered in three sports. Later attended Notre Dame where he was an All-American.

1919 — Harold "Brick" Muller, Oakland Tech (Oakland, Calif.)
A member of Cal Berkeley's great teams of the early 1920s, Muller was also an All-Pro in the NFL. Won the Silver Medal in the high jump in the 1920 Olympics. Attended school in San Diego, but graduated from Oakland Tech where he excelled in football, track and field and baseball.

1920 — Jim McMillen, Libertyville (Ill.)
A running back as a senior at Libertyville, McMillen led his team to a 6-1 record with the only loss coming when he was unable play. He went on to play at Illinois where he was a lineman blocking for Red Grange. He played five years in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, but he eventually became a professional wrestler and a minority owner of the Bears, according to an article in the Daily Herald.

1921 — Ernie Nevers, Santa Rosa (Calif.)
Although he grew up in Wisconsin, Nevers graduated from Santa Rosa High School where he scored 108 points as a senior. Went on to play at Stanford and in the NFL, where he scored all 40 points in a game for the Chicago Cardinals, which remains an NFL record for most points scored in a single game. Also played professional baseball.

1922 — Red Grange, Wheaton (Ill.)
Grange scored 75 touchdowns and scored 532 points in his career at Wheaton before going on to earn All-American honors at Illinois for three seasons. Made All-Pro twice with the Chicago Bears and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.
1923 — Benny Friedman, Glenville (Cleveland)
One of the first NFL quarterbacks to utilize the forward pass, Friedman was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005. An All-American quarterback at Michigan, Friedman got his start at Glenville, where he led the Tarblooders to the city championship.

1924 — Arthur "Pop" Williams, Killingly (Conn.)
The leading scorer for the Providence Steamrollers in the late 1920s, Williams was a three-sport star at UConn and a three-sport start at Killingly.



1925 — Ken Strong, West Haven (Conn.)
A versatile player, Strong was All-Pro four seasons and a member of the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1930s. He got his start in West Haven as a baseball and football standout. The school's stadium is named after him.

1926 — Earl Dutch Clark, Pueblo Central (Pueblo, Colo.)
Winner of 16 letters while in high school, Clark is a member of the National Federation of High Schools Hall of Fame, the College Football Hall of Fame and the Professional Football Hall of Fame. He was a six-time All-Pro and a three-time league rushing champion.

1927 — Mel Hein, Burlington (Wash.)
A league MVP and an all-state player in high school, Hein was an All-American at Washington State and played center for 15 years 15 year, earning All-Pro honors eight of those seasons. A charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

1928 — Cliff Battles, Kenmore (Akron, Ohio)
Battles got a late start on football, but managed to make team captain and lead Kenmore to a Trolley League championship as a senior. In the NFL, he played six seasons, was All-Pro four times and led the league in rushing twice. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968.

1929 — Charles Goldenberg, West Division (Milwaukee)
An all-city halfback in high school, Goldenberg played 13 seasons with the Green Bay Packers and was named to the NFL's 1930s All-Decade Team as an offensive guard.

1930 — Beattie Feathers, Virginia (Bristol, Va.)
The first 1,000-yard rusher in the NFL with 1,004 yards as a rookie in the NFL, Feathers was a four-sport star in high school. He was all-state as a junior, but missed half of the season as a senior with pneumonia.

1931 — Don Hutson, Pine Bluff (Ark.)
Playing for one of the top high school football programs in the nation, Hutson caught 14 touchdown passes his senior year. He went on to a Hall of Fame career with the Green Bay Packers, earning All-Pro honors eight times and leading the league in receptions eight times.



1932 — Dan Fortmann, Pearl River N.Y.)
A winner of 12 letters in high school, Fortmann graduated at 16 and signed a pro contract with the Bears at 19. Reportedly played professional football to pay for his medical school education. Earned All-Pro six times and is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

1933 — Sammy Baugh, Sweetwater (Texas)
Missed about half of his senior year due to ineligibility (playing summer baseball) and injuries. He went on to attend TCU and played 16 years in the NFL with the Redskins. He held nearly every passing record in the NFL when he retired. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1963 as a charter member.

1934 — Byron "Whizzer" White, Wellington (Colo.)
Although he only played three seasons in the NFL, he was All-Pro all three seasons and led the league in rushing twice. White played at an extremely small school (six in graduating class), but went on to be an All-American at Colorado. He eventually became a Supreme Court Justice.

1935 — Sid Luckman, Erasmus Hall (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Luckman led Erasmus Hall to a pair of city championships before moving on to Columbia University and the NFL. Made All-Pro five times and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1965.

1936 — George McAfee, Ironton (Ohio)
McAfee made all-state second team as a senior and played at Duke in college. He played eight seasons with the Chicago Bears in a career interrupted by World War II. He is a member of the NFL's 1940s All-Decade Team.

1937 — Tony Canadeo, Steinmetz (Chicago)
Although he was not heralded coming out of high school in Illinois, Canadeo became a standout at Gonzaga (Wash.) and went on to an 11-year career with the Green Bay Packers. He still ranks No. 4 on the team's list of all-time leading rushers with 4,197 yards.

1938 — Frankie Albert, Glendale (Calif.)
Although he only played one year of varsity football because he was too small, Albert made the most of it as he was named the CIF Southern Section Player of the Year. After an All-American career at Stanford, Albert was the first standout quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers.



1939 — Otto Graham, Waukegan (Ill.)
An all-state basketball and football player, Graham won seven championships at the professional level — three in the NFL and four in the AAFC. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965.

1940 — Pat Harder, Washington (Milwaukee, Wis.)
Harder set the state scoring record as a senior with 108 points. He went on to lead the league in scoring three straight seasons as a member of the Chicago Cardinals. A member of the 1940s All-Decade Team.

1941 — Elroy Hirsch, Wausau East (Wausau, Wis.)
A three-time all-pro and a member of the 1950s All-Decade Team, Hirsch got his start at Wausau, one Wisconsin's top programs in the 1940s, where he was considered the state's top halfback while scoring 102 points in back-to-back seasons.

1942 — Lou Groza, Martins Ferry (Ohio)
Twice an all-state basketball selection, Groza was an all-state offensive lineman as a senior. At the professional level in the AAFC and the NFL, Groza made the Pro Bowl nine times and was all-pro six times. He was also the NFL MVP in 1954. A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Groza was also one of the game's greatest kickers.

1943 — Chuck Bednarik, Liberty (Bethlehem, Pa.)
The last fulltime two-way player in the NFL as a center and linebacker, Bednarik ranks as one of the NFL's best at both positions. Bednarik was a two-sport star, playing center on the football and basketball teams.

1944 — Bobby Layne, Highland Park (Dallas)
Layne led Highland Park to the state championship game before falling to San Angelo. He was also named to the all-state first team. He won three NFL championships and was a six-time Pro Bowl selection with the Lions and the Steelers. A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.



1945 — Doak Walker, Highland Park (Dallas)
Walker replaced Layne as the signal caller at Highland Park and led the Scotties to the state championship again, only to lose to Port Arthur. Walker was first team all-state and went on to win the Heisman Trophy at SMU. He only played six seasons in the NFL, but was first team All-Pro five times.

1946 — Dan Towler, Donora (Pa.)
Playing on one of the best teams in Pennsylvania history, Towler scored 152 points in nine games as a senior. He played six seasons in the NFL, made the Pro Bowl four times and led the league in rushing in 1952.

1947 — Bill George, Waynesburg Central (Waynesburg, Pa.)
A third team All-WPIAL selection as a senior, George played 15 seasons in the NFL and made eight straight Pro Bowl and was All-Pro eight times while playing for the Chicago Bears. A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

1948 — Frank Gifford, Bakersfield (Calif.)
The outstanding back on the Bakersfield Californian's All-San Joaquin Valley Team, Gifford led the Drillers to the Central Section championship. A multi-threat player as a rusher and receiver in the NFL, Gifford made first team All-Pro six times and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

1949 — Joe Schmidt, Brentwood (Pittsburgh)
Honorable mention All-WPIAL at Brentwood, Schmidt became one of the NFL's top linebackers of the 1950s. He was first team All-Pro eight times and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

1950 — Rick Casares, Jefferson (Tampa, Fla.)
An all-state player in basketball and football, Casares was a Wigwam Wiseman All-American in football and led the team to the city championships two years in a row. Finished his career as one of the NFL's all-time rushing leaders with 5,797 yards and made five Pro Bowls.



1951 — Alan Ameche, Kenosha Bradford (Kenosha, Wis.)
The future Heisman Trophy winner prepped at Kenosha, where he set school records with 114 points as a senior while earning all-state honors. Made the Pro Bowl four times as a member of the Baltimore Colts during six-year career.

1952 — Jim Brown, Manhasset (N.Y.)
Named the County Player of the Year in football, Brown was honorable mention All-Wigwam Wiseman All-American. He also averaged 39.6 points per game in basketball. In the NFL, Brown led the league in rushing eight times and was eight times first team All-Pro. Ended his career as the NFL's all-time leading rusher with 12,312 yards.

1953 — Paul Hornung, Flaget (Louisville, Ky.)
A four-sport star, Hornung quarterbacked Flaget to a state championship in football and was named to the all-state first team. A Heisman Trophy winner at Notre Dame, Hornung was All-Pro twice and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

1954 — Jim Taylor, Baton Rouge (La.)
An all-state athlete in football and basketball in Louisiana, Taylor was a mainstay in the Green Bay Packers. He made the Pro Bowl five times and finished his career as the NFL's second all-time leading rusher with 8,597 yards.

1955 — Dick Bass, Vallejo (Calif.)
Bass was a high school All-American with the Apaches as he rushed for 3,690 yards and 68 touchdowns over his final two seasons. He played 10 seasons in the NFL and made the Pro Bowl three times with the Los Angeles Rams.

1956 — Larry Wilson, Rigby (Idaho)
A standout in football and basketball, Wilson went on to become one of the top safeties in the NFL. He made the Pro Bowl eight times and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

1957 — Bob Lilly, Pendleton (Ore.)
A second-team all-state player, Lilly became one of the most decorated linemen in NFL history, making 11 Pro Bowls and earning All-Pro first team honors seven times. He was named to both the 1970s All-Decade Team and the 1960s All-Decade Team.



1958 — Merlin Olsen, Logan (Utah)
A Wigwam Wiseman All-American at Logan, Olsen was a 14-time Pro Bowl selection in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams and a five time first team All-Pro. Named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

1959 — Bobby Bell, Cleveland (N.C.)
On the AFL All-Time Team as a linebacker, Bell was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Played quarterback in high school at segregated-Cleveland and earned all-state honors.

1960 — Mel Renfro, Jefferson (Portland, Ore.)
Played in a program that won two state championships and reached the state finals in a third year during his time on the varsity, Renfro earned All-American honors as a senior. As a pro, he made 10 Pro Bowls and was All-Pro seven times.

1961 — Dick Butkus, Chicago Vocational (Chicago)
Butkus was unanimous All-American in high school and was the Chicago player of the year by the Chicago Sun Times. A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Butkus was first team All-Pro six times and was twice named Defensive Player of the Year.

1962 — Tommy Nobis, Jefferson (San Antonio)
Played in five Pro Bowls and is a member of the 1960s All-Decade Team. Earned All-American honors at Jefferson before moving on to an All-American career at the University of Texas.

1963 — Alan Page, Canton Central Catholic (Canton, Ohio)
A second team all-state offensive tackle in high school, Page became a terror on the defensive side of the ball as a professional. He made the Pro Bowl nine times and was the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1971. A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.



1964 — Kenny Stabler, Foley (Ala.)
An all-state and All-Southern quarterback in high school, Stabler was the leader of the Oakland Raiders during the 1970s when he made the Pro Bowl four times and won a Super Bowl. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

1965 — Ted Hendricks, Hialeah (Fla.)
An All-American defensive end and one of the All-Century in Florida history, according to the FHSAA, Hendricks became an eight-time Pro Bowl defensive standout for three different teams. A member of the 1970s and 1980s All-Decade Team and a Pro Football Hall of Famer.

1966 — Terry Bradshaw, Woodlawn-Shreveport (Shreveport, La.)
Known for his strong arm, Bradshaw earned All-City second team honors as a quarterback, but he was also known for throwing the javelin and once held the national record while also holding the top four throws all-time. He went on to win four Super Bowls with the Steelers and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

1967 — Jack Youngblood, Jefferson County (Monticello, Fla.)
An all-state player for a state championship team, Youngblood was named to the state's All-Century Team by the FHSAA in 2007. A seven-time Pro Bowl selection, he was first team All-Pro five times.

1968 — Franco Harris, Rancocas Valley (Mt. Holly, N.J.)
A second-team All-State player as a fullback, Harris became one of the NFL's all-time great running backs with nine Pro Bowl appearances and 12,120 career rushing yards. A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

1969 — John Hannah, Albertville (Ala.)
An All-American wrestler in high school and an all-state football player, Hannah earned the distinction as one of the NFL's greatest offensive linemen while making first team All-Pro 10 times. A member of the 1970s and 1980s All-Decade Teams.



1970 — Lynn Swann, Serra (San Mateo, Calif.)
The Northern California player of the year by the San Francisco Chronicle, Swann played quarterback in high school. He moved to wide receiver at USC and became famous for his acrobatic catches in four Super Bowl appearances with the Steelers. MVP of Super Bowl X, Swann is also a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

1971 — Walter Payton, Columbia (Miss.)
Playing in a time when schools were still segregated in Mississippi, Payton received little college recruitment despite earning all-conference honors and leading the conference in scoring as a senior. Payton became the game's all-time leading rusher with 16,726 yards and was first team All-Pro seven times.

1972 — Lee Roy Selmon, Eufaula (Okla.)
The No. 1 overall pick in the 1976 draft, Selmon was an All-American lineman at Oklahoma and a high school All-American at Eufala. He made the Pro Bowl six times and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

1973 — Tony Dorsett, Hopewell (Aliquippa, Pa.)
A Heisman Trophy winner, Dorsett broke the career rushing yardage total at the college level while at Pittsburgh. He went on to gain 12,739 yards in the NFL, mostly with the Dallas Cowboys. He started at Hopewell where he was all-state for two seasons and rushed for 2,272 yards in his high school career.

1974 — Joe Montana, Ringgold (Monongahela, Pa.)
An all-state quarterback in high school, Montana was also all-state in basketball. He won four Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers and is regarded in some circles as the greatest quarterback in NFL history.

1975 — Billy Sims, Hooks (Texas)
One of the nation's all-time leading rushers in high school when he graduated, Sims ran for 7,738 yards in three seasons at Hooks. He was a Heisman Trophy winner at Oklahoma, but he only played five seasons in the NFL due to injury. He still managed to gain 5,106 yards and was All-Pro three times.



1976 — Anthony Munoz, Chaffey (Ontario, Calif.)
A Parade All-American as a defensive lineman in high school, Munoz is regarded as the greatest offensive linemen in NFL history. He was first team All-Pro nine times and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

1977 — Ronnie Lott, Eisenhower (Rialto, Calif.)
An All-American as a quarterback and defensive back, Lott became known as one of the NFL's hardest hitters as a Hall of Fame safety with the 49ers. Named first team All-Pro eight times and a member of the 1980s and 1990s All-Decade Team.

1978 — Marcus Allen, Lincoln (San Diego)
A quarterback and safety in high school, Allen earned All-American honors. He became a running back at USC and won the Heisman Trophy. The Hall of Famer gained 12,243 yards in the NFL and made the Pro Bowl six times.

1979 — John Elway, Granada Hills Charter (Granada Hills, Calif.)
Although he was injured for part of his senior year, Elway still earned Parade All-American honors. The Hall of Fame quarterback made the Pro Bowl nine times and led his team to the Super Bowl five times, winning two.

1980 — Herschel Walker, Johnson County (Wrightsville, Ga.)
A Parade All-American in high school, Walker rushed for 3,167 yards as a senior in leading his team to a state title. He won the Heisman Trophy while at Georgia and then played 15 years in the USFL and NFL with five different teams.

1981 — Bruce Smith, Booker T. Washington (Norfolk, Va.)
A second team all-state defensive lineman in Virginia, Smith became the NFL's all-time sack leader with 200 during 18-year career. He made the Pro Bowl 11 times and was All-Pro first team eight times. He was also the NFL Defensive Player of the Year three times.



1982 — Bo Jackson, McAdory (McCalla, Ala.)
A three-sport standout in football, baseball and track and field in high school, Jackson was an All-Star in Major League Baseball and he made the Pro Bowl in the NFL. A hip injury cut short his professional career, but he was a Heisman Trophy winner in college and was drafted three times by the Major Leagues.

1983 — Rod Woodson, Fort Wayne Snider (Fort Wayne, Ind.)
A state record setter in the hurdles at Snider, Woodson was also an All-American football player. In a Hall of Fame career, Woodson made the Pro Bowl 11 times and was All-Pro six times.

1984 — Thurman Thomas, Willowridge (Texas)
Thomas led his team to a Class 4A state title and rushed for 1,556 and 1,573 yards his junior and senior year. The NFL MVP in 1991, Thomas rushed for 12,074 yards in his Hall of Fame career.

1985 — Deion Sanders, North Fort Myers (Fla.)
A member of the FHSAA All-Century team, Sanders was a three-sport standout and went on to play professional baseball and football. In the NFL, Sanders made eight Pro Bowls and was the NFL Defensive MVP in 1994.

1986 — Barry Sanders, North (Wichita, Kan.)
An all-state selection in high school after rushing for 1,417 yards as a senior, Sanders went on to earn the Heisman Trophy while at Oklahoma and rushing for an NCAA record 2,628 yards. A 10-time Pro Bowl selection, Sanderson rushed for 15,269 yards in the NFL.

1987 — Emmit Smith, Escambia (Pensacola, Fla.)
The NFL's all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards, Smith has 31,087 rushing yards as a prep, college player and professional including 8,80a4 yards at Escambia. The Hall of Famer made the Pro Bowl eight times and was the NFL MVP in 1993.

1988 — Troy Vincent, Pennsbury (Fairless Hills, Pa.)
An All-Southeast Pennsylvania selection, Vincent was an All-American at Wisconsin and played 15 years in the NFL. He made the Pro Bowl five times and was all-pro twice.

1989 — Jessie Armstead, Carter (Dallas)
A three-time All-American in high school, Armstead played on two national championship teams at the University of Miami. In the NFL, Armstead made the Pro Bowl five times and was All-Pro four times in an 11-year career.

1990 — Jerome Bettis, Mackenzie (Detroit)
The Gatorade State Player of the Year as a running back and linebacker, Bettis went on to finish among the NFL's all-time leading rushers with 13,664 yards. He was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and was selected to the Hall of Fame.



1991 — Derrick Brooks, Washington (Pensacola, Fla.)
A member of the FHSA All-Century Team, Brooks was an All-American at Washington. He went on to make 11 Pro Bowls and earn first team All-Pro honors five times in a Hall of Fame career.

1992 — Brian Dawkins, Raines (Jacksonville, Fla.)
A second-team all-state selection, Dawkins ended up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame after going to nine Pro Bowls and making All-Pro first team five times.

1993 — Ray Lewis, Kathleen (Lakeland, Fla.)
An all-state linebacker in high school, Lewis became one of the most decorated linebackers in NFL history. He was All-Pro seven times, made the Pro Bowl 13 times and was twice named NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

1994 — Peyton Manning, Newman (New Orleans)
A Parade All-American in high school, Manning played 18 years in the NFL. He was named NFL MVP five times, made the Pro Bowl 14 times and was first team All-Pro seven times. Still holds at least nine NFL records.

1995 — Randy Moss, DuPont (Rand, W.Va.)
An All-American in football and twice named the state player of the year in basketball, Moss was a six-time Pro Bowl player and finished his career with 982 receptions, 15,292 yards and 156 touchdowns.

1996 — Brian Urlacher, Lovington (N.M.)
An all-state player in basketball and football, Urlacher led Lovington to a 14-0 season as a senior. A consensus All-American at New Mexico, Urlacher spent 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears and was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection.



1997 — Drew Brees, Westlake (Austin, Texas)
Brees was the Class 5A state player of the year in Texas after leading Westlake to an undefeated season and a state title. In 18 NFL seasons, Brees is a 12-time Pro Bowl pick and holds eight NFL records, including most career passing yards (74,437).

1998 — Julius Peppers, Southern Nash (Bailey, N.C.)
A nine-time Pro Bowl player with 159.5 career sacks, Peppers was an All-American in football, all-conference in basketball and a state champion in track and field.

1999 — Anquan Boldin, Pahokee (Fla.)
Florida's Mr. Football as a quarterback while at Pahokee, Boldin finished his NFL career as the No. 9 all-time leader in receptions with 1,076 and No. 14 all-time in yardage with 13,779 yards.

2000 — Terrell Suggs, Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)
A Parade All-American and the Gatorade State Player of the Year in high school, Suggs was the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year while at Arizona State. He's a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2011.

2001 — Frank Gore, Coral Gables (Fla.)
An All-American in high school, Gore suffered threw two ACL injuries in college, but he has gone on to become the No. 4 all-time rushing leader in NFL history with 14,748 yards.

2002 — Haloti Ngata, Highland (Salt Lake City)
A USA Today High School All-American, Ngata was the defensive player of the year in the Pac-10 in 2005. He went on to play 13 seasons in the NFL and was All-Pro five times, twice on the first team.

2003 — Joe Thomas, Brookfield Central (Brookfield, Wis.)
A second team All-American by USA Today, Thomas became a dominant NFL offensive lineman. He earned 10 trips to the Pro Bowl and was All-Pro first team seven times. Played 10,363 consecutive snaps before finally missing a play.



2004 — Adrian Peterson, Palestine (Texas)
The NFL's eighth all-time leading rusher with 13,318 yards, Peterson is a four time first team All-Pro. At Palestine, Peterson rushed for 2,960 yards as a senior and 2,051 yards as a junior while earning All-American honors.

2005 — Ndamukong Suh, Grant (Portland, Ore.)
A three-sport star at Grant, Suh was a Parade All-American in football. A Heisman Trophy finalist in 2009, Suh has been to five Pro Bowls and was first team All-Pro with the Lions.

2006 — Matt Stafford, Highland Park (Dallas)
The third player from Highland Park on the list, Stafford was a Parade All-American while throwing for over 4,000 yards as a senior. The No. 1 pick in the 2009 draft out of Georgia, Stafford has thrown for 38,526 yards in 10 NFL seasons.

2007 — Eric Berry, Creekside (Fairburn, Ga.)
The Gatorade State Player of the Year for Georgia, Berry was a two-time All-American at Tennessee and played in five Pro Bowls as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.

2008 — Julio Jones, Foley (Ala.)
Although he has only played seven full seasons (and five games in 2013), Jones already ranks among the top 40 all-time receiving yardage leaders with 10,731 yards. He was the Gatorade Football Player of the Year and earned MaxPreps All-American honors while at Foley.

2009 — Luke Kuechly, St. Xavier (Cincinnati)
Honorable mention all-state at St. Xavier, Kuechly was a two-time All-American in college at Boston College. In the NFL, Kuechly is a five-time first team All-Pro and was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.



2010 — CJ Mosley, Theodore (Ala.)
An All-American at Theodore with over 500 career tackles, Mosley was a two-time consensus All-American at Alabama. As a first round pick of the Ravens, Mosley earned second team All-Pro honors four times in his first five seasons.

2011 — Jadeveon Clowney, South Pointe (Rock Hill, S.C.)
A MaxPreps All-American in high school when he had 29 sacks as a senior. He was a two-time All-American in college at South Carolina and he has played in three Pro Bowls since being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft.

2012 — Jameis Winston, Hueytown (Ala.)
The Heisman Trophy winner in 2013 at Florida State, Winston was a USA Today All-American in high school. He was the No. 1 pick in the 2015 draft and played in the 2015 Pro Bowl when he was named Rookie of the Year.

2013 — Derrick Henry, Yulee (Fla.)
Henry broke one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious high school football records when he completed his career with 12,124 rushing yards to break Ken Hall's record. He went on to rush for 2,219 yards at Alabama and win the Heisman Trophy. Tied the NFL record for longest run from scrimmage with a 99-yard run.

2014 — Patrick Mahomes, Whitehouse (Texas)
A standout in basketball (all-district), and baseball (MLB draft pick), Mahomes was an All-American in football. He was MVP of the league in his second season, throwing for 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns.

2015 — Saquon Barkley, Whitehall (Pa.)
The NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year last year, Barkley rushed for 1,307 yards. He rushed for 1,851 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior at Whitehall and was named Mr. Football for Class AAA/AAAA by Pa. Football News.