JT Daniels took home the award in 2017.
Bru McCoy made sure Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) kept the honor as the Monarchs' 5-star playmaker earned the 2018 MaxPreps National Player of the Year honors after a big-time senior season.
The Class of 2019's top-rated athlete showed why he's arguably the best player in the country after putting up monster numbers against Mater Dei's imposing schedule.
The 5-star playmaker ended the year with 78 receptions for 1,428 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging nearly 20 yards per reception. He also added five sacks and two forced fumbles on defense and played a major role in leading the Monarchs to their second consecutive CIF Open Division state title. McCoy scored at least one touchdown in 12-of-14 games in 2018 and had at least 100 yards receiving in eight games this season.
McCoy is set to announce his college decision Saturday during the All-American Bowl and most recruiting experts think it'll come down to USC or Texas.
According to 247sports, the Trojans appear to have the upper hand.
When you see his highlight tape from his senior season it's easy to see why college coaches are excited about McCoy. The 6-foot-2 athlete is a dynamic playmaker on both sides of the ball. There were a handful of guys in the mix for Player of the Year honors, but the way McCoy played against the top competition in high school football set him above the rest.
Past MaxPreps National Players of the Year2006 – Riley Dodge, QB, Southlake Carroll (Southlake, Texas)
2007 – Terrelle Pryor, QB, Jeannette (Pa.)
2008 – Garrett Gilbert, QB, Lake Travis (Austin, Texas)
2009 – Dillon Baxter, QB, Mission Bay (San Diego, Calif.)
2010 – Dano Graves, QB, Folsom (Calif.)
2011 – Johnathan Gray, RB, Aledo (Texas)
2012 – Derrick Henry, RB, Yulee (Fla.)
2013 – Kyler Murray, QB, Allen (Texas)
2014 – Kyler Murray, QB, Allen (Texas)
2015 – Derrick Brown, DL, Lanier (Sugar Hill, Ga.)
2016 – Tate Martell, QB, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)
2017 – JT Daniels, QB, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)