The 2022 high school football season is four months from kicking off and we will be releasing our preseason MaxPreps Top 25 rankings in June. However, it's never too early to look at what next season might look like and zone in on the best high school football player in each state heading into the fall.
Some notable selections include Arch Manning of Newman (New Orleans), the top-rated player on every recruiting site for the Class of 2023. He's been starting under center since his freshman season and needs 1,083 passing yards as a senior to break his uncle Eli Manning's school record for career passing yards (7,389).
The top-rated player in the Class of 2024 is also featured as Dylan Raiola of Chandler represents Arizona. He threw for over 3,000 yards and 32 touchdowns. during his sophomore season at Burleson (Texas).
The selections for the four high school football hotbeds — California, Florida, Georgia and Texas — feature Malachi Nelson of Los Alamitos (Calif.), Cormani McClain of Lake Gibson (Fla.), Caleb Downs of Mill Creek (Ga.) and Rueben Owens II of El Campo (Texas).
Forty-six of these selections will be seniors next fall while the remaining five are rising juniors.
AlabamaHeight: 6-3 | Weight: 260
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
The five-star defensive lineman finished his junior season with 92 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and a pick-six for the three-time defending 7A state champs.
Alaska
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 180
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Arizona
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 225
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2024)
There's not a throw the five-star quarterback can not make. He finished his sophomore season at Burleson (Texas) with 3,341 yards and had 32 touchdowns against five interceptions while completing over 65 percent of his passes.
Arkansas
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 225
Status: Committed to Arkansas | Class: Senior (2023)
The state's top-rated player is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
California
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 180
Status: Committed to USC | Class: Senior (2023)
Selected to the
MaxPreps Junior All-America team last season after throwing for nearly 2,700 yards and 39 touchdowns for one of the best teams in Southern California.
Colorado
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 210
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Helped the Bruins win their third consecutive 5A state title, finishing his junior year with 83 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 12 sacks and two interceptions.
Connecticut
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 315
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
The Finland native has landed over 40 FBS offers and the four-star offensive tackle recently dropped his top four that features Alabama, Georgia, Miami and Ohio State.
Delaware
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 180
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Finished his junior season with nearly 1,000 yards receiving and had one of his best games against nationally-ranked Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.). The Crusaders secondary was loaded with FBS prospects and Knight had seven receptions for 135 yards.
District of Columbia
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 225
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
The five-star prospect recently went viral posting a 10.32 100-meter yard dash and finished his junior campaign with 31 tackles for loss, 17 sacks and five touchdowns on offense.
Florida
Height: 6-1.5 | Weight: 165
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
The top-ranked defensive player in the Class of 2023 has recorded 15 interceptions over the last two years and 11 touchdowns on offense.
Georgia
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 185
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Has been selected to the MaxPreps Sophomore and Junior All-America first team in back-to-back years and has racked up 186 tackles and 14 interceptions during his career.
Hawaii
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 210
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Led the Red Raiders to their first state title since 2015 as they finished last year 10-0.
Idaho
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 210
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
The state's top-ranked prospect had 78 receptions for 1,162 yards and 19 touchdowns last season.
Illinois
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 310
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
The two-way standout is the top-ranked player in the state and checks all the boxes when looking for an elite offensive tackle.
Indiana
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 225
Status: Committed to Notre Dame | Class: Senior (2023)
One of the most versatile players in the country finished last season with 105 tackles, three interceptions, 1,000-plus total yards and 20 touchdowns for the 2A state champs.
Iowa
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 330
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Helped the Rams win their first state title in school history last season and the MaxPreps Junior All-America first team selection is the top-rated offensive lineman in the Class of 2023.
Kansas
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 165
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Rushed for over 2,600 yards and 38 touchdowns in 2021.
Kentucky
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 315
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Makes an impact in the trenches on both sides of the ball for one of the Bluegrass State's best programs.
Louisiana
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 215
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
The top-ranked player in the country has racked up over 6,700 yards of total offense and 101 touchdowns through his first three years.
Maine
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 180
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Made an impact on all three phases for the top-ranked team in Maine. He led the team in receiving yards (836), finished second in rushing (553), first in tackles (80) and had 28 total touchdowns.
Maryland
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 255
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
The DMV power has produced a lot of big-time players including Chase Young, Anthony McFarland Jr., DeMarcco Hellams, Nick Cross and Brian Westbrook. Moore is next up.
Massachusetts
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 295
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Has all the tools you want in an offensive tackle and the five-star recruit should make an immediate impact when he gets to the next level.
Michigan
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 195
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Minnesota
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 245
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Checks in as a top 100 prospect overall on 247Sports composite rankings and is a big-time playmaker on both sides of the ball.
Mississippi
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 200
Status: Committed to Mississippi | Class: Senior (2023)
One of the best all-around players in the country makes a huge impact on both sides of the ball. He accounted for 1,664 total yards (1,350 rushing, 314 receiving) and 18 touchdowns to go with 74 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions.
Missouri
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 200
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2024)
The five-star wideout is the fifth-rated player overall in the Class of 2024 on 247Sports composite rankings.
Montana
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 180
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Rushed for over 900 yards and 16 touchdowns while hauling in 24 receptions for 245 yards and three scores. Also had three interceptions on defense for the state's top-ranked team.
Nebraska
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 180
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Recently received an invitation to play in the All-American Bowl. The four-star prospect has landed offers from Georgia, Iowa, Oregon, Texas Tech and Washington over the last month.
Nevada
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 175
Status: Committed to USC | Class: Senior (2023)
New Hampshire
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 170
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
New Jersey
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 235
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
New Mexico
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2024)
New York
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 230
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Named the
MaxPreps New York Player of the Year after becoming the first player in Westchester County history to throw for 2,000-plus yards and rush for over 1,000 yards in the same season. He added 38 total touchdowns and led the Gaels to their first Catholic state championship.
North Carolina
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 185
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2024)
The former Catawba Ridge (Fort Mill, S.C.) standout transferred back to Providence Day in December and is the No. 2 overall player in 247Sports composite rankings.
North Dakota
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 175
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Led the Vikings to their first state title and was named the
MaxPreps North Dakota Player of the Year. He accounted for 1,707 total yards (1,347 rushing, 360 receiving) and 28 touchdowns to go with 72 tackles and seven interceptions.
Ohio
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 270
Status: Committed to Ohio State | Class: Senior (2023)
The top-ranked player in Ohio dominates in the trenches on both sides of the ball.
Oklahoma
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220
Status: Committed to Arkansas | Class: Senior (2023)
Has played a huge role in the Spartans recent success. They've won four consecutive state titles and head into 2022 with the second longest active win streak in high school football at 49.
Oregon
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 230
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Checks in as a top 100 prospect overall on 247Sports composite rankings and had 36 receptions for 889 yards and 14 touchdowns for the top-ranked team in Oregon.
Pennsylvania
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 170
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2024)
One of the best defensive backs in the country regardless of class finished his sophomore season with 35 tackles, three interceptions, 15 passes defended and a forced fumble.
Rhode Island
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 185
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Threw for over 2,100 yards and 27 touchdowns for one of the best programs in the state.
South Carolina
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 190
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Finished his junior season with 1,726 yards rushing and 35 touchdowns for the 5A runner-up. Added 33 receptions for 448 yards and four scores.
South Dakota
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 185
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Led the Governors to their fifth consecutive state title throwing for 3,359 yards and 37 touchdowns. He added 1,165 yards rushing and 12 scores.
Tennessee
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 195
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Was one of the most productive running backs in the country last season, rushing for 3,179 yards and 34 touchdowns. He finished fourth in the nation in rushing yards and rushed for at least 200 yards in 11 of 12 games.
Texas
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 190
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Named the
MaxPreps Junior of the Year after leading the state of Texas in rushing with 2,989 yards. He is the top-rated running back in the Class of 2023 and finished his junior campaign with 48 total touchdowns.
Utah
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 225
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
The third-ranked edge rusher on 247Sports posted 78 tackles, 28 tackles for loss and 13 sacks in 2021.
Vermont
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 165
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
A first-team selection at wide receiver and defensive back on the
Division 1 all-state team for one of the state's best teams.
Virginia
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 275
Status: Committed to Penn State | Class: Senior (2023)
The top-ranked interior offensive lineman in the Class of 2023 is also a standout wrestler.
Washington
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 245
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
The five-star defensive lineman has landed over 40 FBS offers. He's a matchup nightmare at wide receiver/tight end.
West Virginia
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 195
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Selected on the
AAA all-state first team after accounting for 3,377 yards of total offense (2,214 passing, 1,163 rushing) and 44 touchdowns for the AAA runner-up.
Wisconsin
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 175
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Has one of the most entertaining
highlight tapes of any running back in the country. He checks in as the top-ranked player in Wisconsin and rushed for nearly 1,200 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior.
Wyoming
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 180
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
