Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school football. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2022 season by naming the top player in each state. Selections are based on team success and individual excellence in addition to local and state accolades.
Jackson Arnold of
Guyer (Denton) is the 2022 MaxPreps Texas High School Football Player of the Year. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound senior quarterback led the Wildcats to a 14-1 record and the Class 6A Division 2 state semifinals.
Arnold finished the season with 3,476 passing yards and 33 touchdowns against three interceptions. He completed 68.7 percent of his passes while adding 924 yards on the ground and 24 more scores.
In a 45-21 win over Southlake Carroll in the Class 6A Division 2 quarterfinals, Arnold completed 24 of 31 passes for 303 yards and two touchdowns. He added 149 yards on the ground with four more scores.
Two weeks earlier, Arnold completed 19 of 21 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns in a 63-42 win over Highland Park (Dallas) in the second round. He added 16 carries for 110 yards and four scores.
During the regular season, he led the Wildcats to marquee wins over two of the best programs in the state. In a 44-14 victory over Aledo he threw for 353 yards and four touchdowns to go with another score on the ground. Guyer faced Allen on national television in a huge district matchup and Arnold had one of his best games of the season, completing 25 of 28 passes for 334 yards and four touchdowns. He added 84 yards rushing and another score.
Regarded as a top 10 prospect nationally in the Class of 2023 by 247Sports, Arnold committed to Oklahoma in January. He led the Wildcats to a 27-3 record during his junior and senior seasons, totaling 7,397 passing yards and 67 touchdowns while adding 1,583 yards and 36 scores on the ground.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released January 10.
Past MaxPreps Texas Players of the Year
2020 — Dematrius Davis, QB, North Shore (Houston)
2021 — Cade Klubnik, QB, Westlake (Austin)
MaxPreps Texas Player of the Year Jackson Arnold led Guyer to a 27-3 record over the past two seasons. (Photo: Robbie Rakestraw)
