MaxPreps 2012 Freshman All-American Football Team

In a year that lacked an overwhelming offensive performance by a freshman, it appeared time to look to the defensive side of the ball. There, we found a player worthy of the MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year award.

Defensive lineman Nicholas Bosa played a key role for Florida Class 7A state champion St. Thomas Aquinas, posting one of the finest ninth grade seasons in the state of Florida in years.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Bosa had more than 50 tackles and six sacks for one of the nation's top programs. He already has an offer from Ohio State, the school to which older brother Joey made a verbal commitment last spring.

He could develop into one of the best players to emerge from Aquinas, which has been an NFL factory over the years.



Bosa headlines a talented group of young players on the 2012 MaxPreps Freshman All-American Team.

2012 MaxPreps Freshman All-American Football Team

First Team Defense

Nicholas Bosa, DL, 6-2, 215, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
The younger brother of Ohio State commit Joey Bosa recorded 51 tackles (20 TFL) and six sacks for the Class 7A state champion.

Curtis Beamon, DL, 6-2, 275, Huffman (Birmingham, Ala.)
An All-Area pick, Beamon dominated to the tune of 15 sacks playing for Class 6A Huffman.

Michael Carter, DL, 6-3, 280, Jackson (Ga.)
Carter started every game at defensive tackle for Jackson and projects to be the program's next big recruit.



Jared Goldwire, DL, 6-6, 260, Lakes (Lakewood, Wash.)
One of the most physically intimidating freshmen in the country, Goldwire appears further along than either Zach Banner or Benning Potate'o.

Xavier Gaines, LB, 6-3, 210, Frostproof (Fla.)
Gaines accounted for 16 touchdowns on offense but, like Angel, is even more dominant on defense.

Tuf Borland, LB, 6-1, 200, Bolingbrook (Ill.)
Bolingbrook has become a bastion of talent, and Borland could be the next blue-chipper. He started at linebacker for one of the top programs in Illinois.

Gabe Angel, LB, 6-2, 215, Wilson Central (Lebanon, Tenn.)
Angel made waves last spring when he received an offer from Mississippi State as an eighth grader. He had a solid reason at running back, though he likely projects as a linebacker in college.

Shaq Quarterman, LB, 6-2, 215, Oakleaf (Orange Park, Fla.)
When he wasn't playing fullback, Quarterman was busy tallying 80 tackles for Oakleaf.

Devin White, ATH, 6-3, 180, North Webster (Springhill, La.)
White starred at both running back and linebacker. On defense, he made 78 tackles and recorded five sacks. He intercepted two passes and returned them both for touchdowns.



Stephen Davis, DB, 6-3, 180, Dutch Fork (Irmo, S.C.)
The son of the former NFL running back by the same name, Davis was a physical presence in Dutch Fork's secondary, helping him earn multiple scholarship offers.

Khalil Ladler, DB, 5-11, 175, Stephenson (Stone Mountain, Ga.)
Perhaps the top freshman defensive back in the country, Ladler is an excellent cover corner, breaking up seven passes in seven games.

Cooper Clark, DB, 5-10, 170, Jordan (Sandy, Utah)
A teammate of last year's National Freshman of the Year Austin Kafentzis, Clark made 107 tackles and intercepted seven passes for the Class 5A state champs.

Ben Sukut, DB, 6-1, 170, Capistrano Valley Christian (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
Sukut had a game that most players on dream about, returning four interceptions for touchdowns in a single half.


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First Team Offense

Sonny Abramson, QB, 6-2, 180, Pope John XXIII (Sparta, N.J.)
Abramson completed 136 of 245 passes for 2,137 yards and 20 touchdowns, enjoying the best freshman season in the Garden State.

Tyrhee Pratt, QB, 6-2, 170, Capital (Charleston, W. Va.)
An All-State honorable mention pick, Pratt completed 94 of 181 passes for 1,451 yards and 17 touchdowns.



Keith Gavin, WR, 6-4, 211, Wakulla (Crawfordville, Fla.)
One of the most impressive freshman athletes in the country, Gavin made 20 catches for 385 yards and four touchdowns for an 11-1 Wakulla squad.

Tyler Byrd, WR, 5-11, 180, Naples (Fla.)
Byrd was a Pop Warner phenom turned varsity star. He caught 17 passes for 451 yards. As a testament to his explosiveness, nearly half of his catches (eight) went for touchdowns.

Ocatvious Cooley, WR, 6-2, 215, Laurel (Miss.)
Cooley was in consideration for National Freshman of the Year after posting an impressive stat line. He caught 57 passes for 902 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Jordan Woods, TE, 6-5, 200, Trinity Catholic (Ocala, Fla.)
A two-way player for one of Florida's top programs, Woods also excelled on defense, where he registered 42 tackles.

Erik Swenson, OL, 6-7, 280, Downers Grove South (Ill.)
One of the most impressive freshmen linemen in years, Swenson already has an offer from Illinois.

Jotavi Leuta-Ulu, OL, 6-2, 250, Servite (Anaheim, Calif.)
Though Servite struggled this year, it had a young squad. Leuta-Ulu, only a freshman, was a bright spot on the line.



Mike Carney, OL, 6-3, 260, Norfolk Christian (Norfolk, Va.)
Carney started on the offense line and split time on the defensive front, displaying great feet.

Rashan Gary, OL, 6-5, 300, Scotch Plains-Fanwood (Scotch Plains, N.J.)
After receiving an offer from Rutgers before ever playing a down of high school football, Gary backed up the hype with a solid season for Scotch Plains-Fanwood.

Boss Tagaloa, OL, 6-3, 275, De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)
He didn't play much for De La Salle, but the fact that Tagaloa saw any time as a freshman for the mighty Spartans speaks volumes. The younger brother of Cal lineman Freddie Tagaloa, Boss can play both sides of the ball but may see a future at defensive tackle.

Antonio Williams, RB, 5-11, 180, North Stanly (New London, N.C.)
One of the lone bright spots on North Stanly this season, Williams was superb. He carried the ball 261 times for 1,412 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Trevor Speights, RB, 5-10, 165, McAllen Memorial (Texas)
Speights rushed 238 times, gaining 1,751 yards and 11 touchdowns, uncommon stats for a ninth grader in the Lone Star State.

Robert Washington, RB, 5-10, 180, SouthLake Christian Academy (Huntersville, N.C.)
Already committed to Mississippi State, Washington played through injury to amass 1,017 yards and 11 touchdowns.



Trevon Diggs, ATH, 5-11, 155, Wootton (Rockville, Md.)
Diggs is the younger brother of Maryland freshman Stefon Diggs. As a ninth grader, he made 37 catches for 769 yards and seven touchdowns. He's also featured in our Defensive Plays of the Year video below.

Grant McKinniss, K, 6-0, 160, Findlay (Ohio)
McKinniss was a third team All-Ohio Division I selection.


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Second Team Defense

Kemoni Miller, LB, 6-0, 205, Madison Academy (Ala.)
Madison Academy captured a state title this fall, and Miller's play on both sides of the ball was a major factor in the team's success.

Jimarcus Moore, LB, 6-2, 195, O'Bannon (Greenville, Miss.)
Moore wreaked havoc in the backfield, sacking the quarterback eight times and recording 50 total tackles.

Keion Joyner, LB, 6-2, 185, Havelock (N.C.)
Joyner was used only sparingly for state champion Havelock, but displayed significant potential at linebacker. Folks around the Havelock program believe he has NFL potential.

Quinn Seau, LB, 6-1, 200, St. Augustine (San Diego)
St. Augustine is no stranger to talent, and Seau appears to be the next big name to emerge from the San Diego-area school. He made 71 tackles as a ninth grader.



Luke Termin, LB, 6-2, 215, Rockwall (Texas)
With 35 tackles and two sacks, Termin was one of the more impressive freshmen in Texas this season.

Brian Manuel, DL, 6-4, 295, Kinston (N.C.)
One of the premier interior linemen in the Class of 2016 in the early goings, Manuel made 19 tackles in his debut campaign.

Von Darius Freeman, DL, 6-3, 280, Spruce (Dallas)
With three sacks and 50 tackles, Freeman enjoyed a superb debut campaign.

Jordan Ellison, DL, 6-1, 260, Gilman (Baltimore)
Another highly talented freshman from the Baltimore area, Ellison opened eyes on a very good Gilman team.

Rahshaun Smith, DL, 6-3, 225, Calvert Hall (Baltimore)
Smith had an impact on Calvert Hall's defensive line but also saw action at tight end for one of Maryland's top programs.

Jared Stewart, DB, 5-9, 140, Fultondale (Birmingham, Ala.)
Playing alongside big brother Ardarius, Jared followed up an All-State season last year with a fine freshman campaign.



Collin Wilder, DB, 5-11, 175, Katy (Texas)
Playing for one of the country's top teams, Wilder was remarkably productive and made several key plays in Katy's semifinal victory over Steele.

Ronnie Blackmon, DB, 5-10, 160, Sandy Creek (Tyrone, Ga.)
Sandy Creek was one of the top teams in Georgia this season, and Blackmon saw action from day one in a secondary that also featured standout recruit Shaq Wiggins

Javier Craft, DB, 5-10, 170, Nease (Ponte Vedra, Fla.)
Craft stood out in the secondary and is part of a very talented freshman class for Nease.


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Second Team Offense

Cameron Chambers, WR, 6-3, 180, St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia)
A big, athletic target, Chambers caught 28 passes for 347 yards and four touchdowns against a very tough schedule.

Harry Ballard, WR, 6-2, 170, McCluer North (Florissant, Mo.)
Ballard caught 35 passes for 673 yards and a whopping 12 touchdowns, earning second team All-State honors (the only freshman to do so).

Steven Smothers, WR, 5-9, 165, Franklin (Reisterstown, Md.)
A youth league legend, Smothers averaged nearly 30 yards per catch, accumulating 15 catches for 442 yards and six touchdowns.



Keats Calhoun, QB, 6-3, 160, Victory Christian (Tulsa, Okla.)
There's significant buzz around Calhoun, and he backed it up, completing 171 of 263 passes for 18 touchdowns. The southpaw also lines up at safety.

Bowman Sells, QB, 6-3, 185, Lovejoy (Lucas, Texas)
Sells was extremely accurate, completing 113 of 178 passes for 1,878 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Thad Moss, TE, 6-2, 210, Boone County (Florence, Ky.)
Moss, whose father Randy is one of the greatest receivers of all time, was solid playing tight end for Class 6A Boone County. He caught 12 passes for 157 yards and two scores.

Antwuan Jackson Jr., OL, 6-3, 260, Cedar Grove (Ellenwood, Ga.)
The imposing Jackson was a first team All-Region pick at defensive tackle but also saw time on the offensive line.

Eli Johnson, OL, 6-3, 280, Lafayette (Oxford, Miss.)
Another two-way lineman who is already hearing from colleges, Johnson was an All-Region pick for Class 5A Lafayette, which finished 10-3.

Buddy Riggan, OL, 6-4, 295, Benton (Benton, Ark.)
Riggan has the makings of one of the top recruits from Arkansas for the Class of 2016.



Tyler Pritchett, OL, 6-4, 295, Calera (Ala.)
Pritchett was the team's best offensive lineman as an eighth grader and continues to improve.

Jet Leineke, OL, 6-6, 265, Skyline (Salt Lake City)
The towering Leineke has tremendous size and still has three years left at Skyline.

Duke Upshaw, RB, 5-10, 170, Baldwyn (Miss.)
Upshaw backed up a solid eighth grade campaign at both running back and defensive back (four interceptions.)

Romello Harris, RB, 5-9, 180, Tulare Union (Calif.)
Harris burst onto the scene with 947 yards and 14 touchdowns on 175 carries.

Lorenzo Harrison, RB, 5-8, 185, DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.)
A part of the very talented DeMatha freshman class, Harrison carried the ball 74 times for 567 yards and six scores in the rough WCAC schedule.

Dionte Mullins, ATH, 6-0, 165, Gulliver Prep (Miami)
Mullins made 29 catches for 379 yards and five touchdowns, backing up his reputation after a tremendous youth career.



Jorge Arreaga, K, 5-5, 165, Fort Bend Bush (Richmond, Texas)
Arreaga connected on 9 of 10 attempts, including a long of 39 yards.