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 2024 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.
Smith McClure of
Star Valley (Afton) is the 2024 MaxPreps Wyoming High School Football Player of the Year. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound senior quarterback helped the Braves go 12-0 and claim the 3A state championship.
McClure threw for 2,726 yards and 30 touchdowns
while completing 67.9 percent of his passes. He added 82 carries for 571
yards and 10 more scores.
In a 20-7 win over Cody in the title game, McClure completed 9 of 14 passes for 97 yards while rushing for 72 yards and two scores.
That win capped the program's first undefeated season since 2019. Star Valley is 33-3 with three state titles over the last three years. This 2024 campaign was a dominant one as McClure led the way for an offense that averaged 44.8 points per game and helped the Braves win by an average margin of 35.1 points per game.
In the first round of the state playoffs, McClure led the Braves to a 52-0 win over Lander Valley (Lander), completing 19 of 27 passes for 273 yards and five touchdowns. A week later in the semifinals, he threw for 211 yards and two touchdowns to go with 52 yards on the ground in a 40-0 win over Riverton.
McClure threw for a season-high 384 yards with four touchdowns in a 42-7 win over Powell in October.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team.
Past MaxPreps Wyoming Players of the Year
2020 — Graedyn Buell, QB, East (Cheyenne)
2021 — Colson Coon, RB/LB, Sheridan
2022 — Colson Coon, RB/LB, Sheridan
2023 — Dane Steel, ATH, Sheridan
