Video: First Team All-Americans A look at all the first team selections.
Winning, team success and impact were the most important attributes for players to be named to the MaxPreps high school football All-American squad.
And for the first time in MaxPreps history there was a co-Player of the Year.
Mater Dei's Bryce Young and St. John Bosco's DJ Uiagalelei both were chosen for their amazing senior seasons playing against the best competition in high school football. They combined for nearly 10,000 total yards of offense and 124 touchdowns in 2019 and the only losses by either were against the other.
Eleven schools have multiple players selected with Marietta, the 7A Georgia state champs, leading the way with four.
St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) and St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) each have three.
St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), North Shore (Houston), Duncanville (Texas), St. John's (Washington, D.C.), Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and Corona del Mar (Newport Beach, Calif.) all have two players.
California, Texas, Florida, the DMV area (Maryland and Washington D.C.), Georgia and Arizona all have at least four players selected and there are 21 states represented.
The Golden State leads the way with 11 while the Lone Star State has the second most with nine and the Sunshine State along with the DMV area both check in at No. 3 with seven players featured.
MaxPreps 2019 high school football All-American Team
First Team Offense
The 2020 Clemson signee led the Braves to their first state title since 2016 and a No. 1 ranking. He threw for 4,225 yards and had 48 touchdowns against two interceptions. The 5-star quarterback also rushed for over 400 yards and eight more scores.
Young put up video-game-type numbers playing against the nation's toughest competition. The future Crimson Tide gunslinger threw for over 4,500 yards and 58 touchdowns while completing over 70 percent of his passes. He added another 10 scores on the ground.
Threw for over 1,500 yards and rushed for over 1,000 yards for the second consecutive season. The 2020 Texas signee was one of the most impactful players in the country and led the Panthers to their second consecutive state title game appearance in Texas' largest classification.
One of the best players in state history capped off his remarkable career rushing for 2,235 yards and 38 touchdowns while averaging 17.7 yards per carry. Headed to Texas, he finished his career with the second most rushing yards in Arizona history (7,036) and is also the state's all-time leader in total touchdowns with 114.
The 2020 Georgia signee could make an immediate impact for the Bulldogs as a true freshman. He had a monster senior season and was the No. 1 rated running back in California for a reason.
Kendall Milton, Buchanan running back
Photo by Bobby Medellin
RB — Demarkcus Bowman, Lakeland (Fla.), 5-10, 191, Sr.Bowman led the Dreadnaughts to their first state title since 2006 during his junior year and answered that with a huge senior season. The future Clemson Tiger rushed for 1,500 plus yards and 23 touchdowns.
The wide receiver position is absolutely stacked for the Class of 2020. Mims stood out with a record-breaking year setting the single-season record for most receiving yards (2,629). He also broke the state record for career receiving yards (5,485).
Headed to Ohio State, he will go down as one of the best high school football players in state history, going 63-1 and leading the Tigers to three state titles. Fleming is Pennsylvania's all-time leader in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns and finished his senior year with 72 receptions for 1,572 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Smith-Njigba joins Fleming headed to Columbus and helped lead Rockwall to its first state quarterfinal appearance since 1987. He ended 2019 with nearly 2,200 receiving yards and 35 touchdowns while adding four more scores on the ground.
The Gatorade Football Player of the Year after hauling in 105 receptions for 1,860 yards and 15 touchdowns. The future LSU Tiger led the Blue Devils to the first state title since 1967 and a No. 7 spot in the final Top 25 rankings.
Arik Gilbert, Marietta tight end
Photo by Jann Hendry
OL — Myles Murao, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), 6-2, 312, Sr. Murao was the leader on one of the best offensive lines in the country. The 2020 Washington signee came back from a serious leg injury and didn't miss a game during his senior season.
The 2020 Ohio State signee is the top rated offensive tackle in the country for a reason. One of the most dominant players in the trenches, he's great in both pass and run blocking.
OL — Drake Metcalf, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), 6-2, 276, Sr.
The future Stanford Cardinal was the leader for one of the most talented teams in the country and was a big factor in the Braves' success.
The 2020 LSU signee was a huge piece for the Raiders winning the 7A state championship.
Helped pave the way for an offense that ran for over 3,500 yards and 51 touchdowns. The 2020 Virginia signee won the Gold Helmet Award which is given to the top Colorado high school football player for on and off field achievements.
The Alabama Gatorade Football Player of the Year threw for over 2,500 yards and 31 touchdowns while adding another 1,000-plus yards on the ground. He broke Bo Nix's state record for career offense (13,219 yards) and total touchdowns (175) during his senior year.
Has one of the strongest legs high school football has ever seen. Made all five of his field goal attempts and 87 percent of his kickoffs were touchbacks. He also averaged 49.9 yards per punt.
Parker Lewis, Saguaro kicker
Photo by Jann Hendry
First Team Defense
The No. 1 Class of 2020 recruit led the Hornets to the 3A state championship and the future Clemson Tiger was impossible to block during his high school career. He had 13 sacks and 29 tackles for loss in 2019.
The 2020 Alabama signee ended his senior year with 13 sacks and forced three fumbles. He has one of the best motors and expect him to make an early impact for Nick Saban at the next level.
Burch did it all for the 3A state champs. The 5-star defensive end made a huge impact on both sides of the ball.
Was an absolute nightmare for opposing offenses in 2019. The 2020 LSU signee racked up 130 tackles, 41 tackles for loss and 19 sacks for the 7A Georgia state champs.
Flowe checks in as the No. 1 rated linebacker in the Class of 2020 for a reason. The future Oregon Duck ended the year with 123 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, forced five fumbles, recorded one interception and was an impact player on offense, too.
LB — Derek Wingo, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 6-2, 210, Sr.
The 2020 Florida signee led the way for one of the best defenses in high school football. He was named the Florida Gatorade Player of the Year after racking up 18 sacks.
Derek Wingo, St. Thomas Aquinas linebacker
Photo by Samuel Stringer
LB — Trenton Simpson, Mallard Creek (Charlotte, N.C.), 6-3, 224, Sr.Showed why he got his fifth star before his senior season. The 2020 Clemson signee had over 20 sacks and was the Mavericks second leading rusher.
Played a huge roll for the Non-Public Group 4 champs. The future Ohio State Buckeye racked up over 100 tackles and had a team high four interceptions.
One of the most physical defensive backs in the country who always covers the No. 1 wide receiver, though quarterbacks rarely look his direction. Should pair with Derek Stingley Jr. to be one of the best duos at cornerback for the next few years at LSU.
DB — Kelee Ringo, Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.), 6-2, 205, Sr.
The 5-star cornerback was an impact player on both sides of the ball for the Open Division runner up. He shut down one side of the field on defense and rushed for over 700 yards and 14 touchdowns.
The 2020 Utah signee had four interceptions during his senior season despite opposing offenses rarely looking his direction. Expect him to be an impact player as a true freshman next year.
DB — Luke Hill, St. Frances Academy (Baltimore), 5-11, 180, Sr.
Was a huge contributor to one of the best teams in the country during his senior season. The future Oregon Duck had a team high seven interceptions.
It is scary to think of Sewell and Justin Flowe playing linebacker for the same team and that is exactly what Oregon is getting for the next three to four years. He finished 2019 with 103 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, two interceptions and was the leading rusher with nearly 800 yards and 14 touchdowns for the three-time defending state champs.
Noah Sewell, Orem
Photo by Dave Argyle
P — Hunter Renner, Mishawaka Marian (Mishawaka, Ind.), 6-1, 195, Sr.Was one of the most effective punters in the country. Nearly 70 percent of his punts were downed inside the opponent's 20.
Second Team Offense
The 2020 Tennessee signee led the way for one of the most explosive offenses in the country. He threw for 4,674 yards and 50 touchdowns and ended his high school career on ESPN against Eastside Catholic (Sammamish, Wash.) throwing for 410 yards and six touchdowns without playing a snap in the second half.
Put up video-game numbers throwing for 5,035 yards and 71 touchdowns. The 2020 Washington signee led the Sea Kings to their first state title since 2013.
Was named the Hawaii Gatorade Player of the Year after throwing for nearly 3,500 yards and 29 touchdowns while leading Crusaders to fourth consecutive state title.
Would've been a first team pick but missed some action during his senior year. Still made a huge impact for North Shore in winning its second consecutive 6A Division 1 state championship.
RB — Blake Corum, St. Frances Academy (Baltimore), 5-8, 193, Sr.
The third and final Panther to make the All-American team rushed for nearly 1,500 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Helped the Bearcats to their third state title in four years. The 2020 Alabama signee rushed for 1,485 yards and 29 touchdowns in nine games.
Jase McClellan, Aledo running back
Photo by Robbie Rakestraw
RB — Jahmyr Gibbs, Dalton (Ga.), 5-11, 194, Sr.Rushed for over 2,500 yards and 40 touchdowns during his senior season. Averaged 11 yards per carry and nearly 250 yards rushing per game.
Faced the best teams and top defensive backs every week and still balled out. Don't be surprised when he makes an impact for Maryland as a true freshman.
WR — Kody Epps, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), 5-10, 170, Sr.
Set the single-season school record for most receptions (93), receiving yards (1,735) and receiving touchdowns (28) for one of the best programs in high school football.
The third wide receiver signed to Ohio State to make the All-American team. One of the most physical and gifted playmakers in the country led Crusaders to their second consecutive 3A state title with nearly 1,500 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns.
WR — John Humphreys, Corona del Mar (Newport Beach, Calif.), 6-5, 205, Sr.
One of four wide receivers to have over 2,000 yards receiving in 2019. The future Stanford Cardinal was Garber's favorite target and ended his senior campaign with 111 receptions for 2,001 yards and 32 touchdowns.
The 2020 Notre Dame signee was named the Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year after being a big-time playmaker on both sides of the ball. He had over 900 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns while racking up 90 tackles and four interceptions for the 5A state champs and No. 25 team in the country.
Is the No. 3 rated offensive tackle on 247sports composite rankings for a reason. One of the most dominant lineman in the country and will be a huge addition for Kirby Smart and the 2020 Georgia class.
Helped pave the way for one of the best offenses in high school football. Played a huge role for the back-to-back 6A Division 1 state champs.
The 2020 Clemson signee was one of the most dominant players in the trenches during his senior season. Helped Broncos to a 14-1 record and state runner-up finish.
Paved the way for one of the best offenses in Louisiana. The 2020 Georgia commit is one of the most versatile and physical lineman in the nation.
Sedrick Van Pran, Easton offensive lineman
Photo by Kenneth Steib
OL — Luke Petitbon, Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.), 6-3, 285, Sr.Will be a huge addition for Wake Forest and should make an immediate impact. One of the most polished offensive lineman in the Class of 2020.
They call him the Zion Williamson of high school football for a reason. One of the most imposing players in the country and announced he is signing with Georgia during the Under Armour All-American game.
Second Team Defense
The
2020 Florida signee recorded 125
tackles, 35 tackles for loss, 18 sacks and forced seven fumbles.
Helped Yellow Jackets to a 15-1 record and state 3AA runner-up finish. The future Tar Heel had 11 sacks and 35 tackles for loss in 2019.
A big-time player for the best team in Utah, helped the Chargers to their second consecutive state title and the one in 2019 came in the largest classification. The 2020 Utah signee racked up 88 tackles, 24 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks for the No. 17 team in the final rankings.
The 2020 Texas A&M signee was one of the most prolific pass rushers in Florida. Finished his senior season with 19 sacks and 24 tackles for loss.
LB — MJ Sherman, St. John's (Washington, D.C.), 6-3, 234, Sr. Sherman was the leader on defense for one of the top teams in the DMV. They had the toughest schedule in the country this year and the future Georgia Bulldog showed out each week against the best competition.
MJ Sherman, St. John's linebacker
Photo by John Jones
LB — Kourt Williams II, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), 6-1, 216, Sr.
A huge contributor for the No. 1 team in the country, the 2020 Ohio State signee lined up everywhere on defense and made a big-time impact.
The 2020 LSU signee had 132 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks during his senior season.
Played a huge roll for one of the most improved defenses in the state. Helped the Lancers to an 11-1 record and leads a legit Class of 2020 signees for the Washington Huskies.
The 2020 Auburn signee is one of the hardest hitting safeties in the country. Can makes plays at the line of scrimmage and in the secondary.
The 5-star corner is one of the best technicians in the game. The 2020 Clemson signee played a major role on both sides of the ball for the Conquerors.
The fourth and final selection from the 7A state champs does it all from the safety position. He finished second on the team with 118 tackles and the 2020 Florida signee was also big-time in pass coverage.
The 2020 Northwestern signee was the leader on defense for the No. 10 team in the country and the Open Division state champs. He racked up 50 tackles and had a team high seven interceptions.
The 2020 Alabama signee was one of the most well-rounded players in high school football. He made a huge impact on both sides of the ball for the runner-ups in 5A Division 1.