MaxPreps 2020 preseason Top 100 high school football teams

Texas, California, Florida, Georgia comprise more than half the teams.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Zack Poff
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Jun 17, 2020, 1:00pm
Video: Preseason Top 25 high school football rankings
IMG Academy begins the season ranked No. 1.

We've released our Preseason Top 25 and now it's time to dig even deeper into high school football, taking a look at the 100 best teams in the country.

The four major states — Texas, California, Florida and Georgia — represent over half the field with 54 teams selected.

Seventeen come from the Lone Star State followed by the Golden State (15), Sunshine State (14) and Peach State (8).

Alabama, Arizona, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Washington and Washington D.C. all have multiple schools featured.

In total, 24 different states are represented, along with the District of Columbia.

However, a lot can still change from now until when the season starts with the uncertainty surrounding high school football because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We've already seen several high-profile games canceled over travel concerns.

On top of that, there's a good chance we see more transfers over the next month if some states or counties do not play in the fall.
Graphic by Ryan Escobar
1. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
The Ascender's are loaded at every position and recently added 2021 Michigan commit J.J. McCarthy at quarterback. They have seven players rated in the Top 300 overall in the Class of 2021 and eight from the Class of 2022.

Bruce Rollinson has led the Southern California power to two state titles over the last three years and the Monarchs have finished ranked Nos. 1 or 2 in the country during that span.

Last year's national champs have to replace DJ Uiagalelei but return a lot of talent led by Beaux Collins, Ma'a Gaoteote, Nate Burrell, Earnest Greene III, Maximus Gibbs and Rayshon Luke.

The Panthers have gone 34-1 over the last three seasons and are loaded once again. More than 20 players have received at least one Power 5 offer.

Dematrius Davis Jr. became the first quarterback since Kyler Murray to win back-to-back state titles in the Lone Star State's largest classification. He will have them in position to three-peat in 2020 — just as Murray did from 2012-14 for Allen.

The defending 7A state champs return a lot of talent and added a few big-time transfers in Dallas Turner, Jaydon Hood and Bralon Brown.

The back-to-back 6A state champs are loaded and it all starts with the trio of Kyle McCord, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jeremiah Trotter Jr.

Replacing Ja'Quinden Jackson and Chris Thompson Jr. will be near impossible but the Panthers still have one of the most complete teams in the country. Sophomore quarterback Chris Parson will be one of the breakout players of 2020 and 4-star linebacker Kendrick Blackshire is back after missing his junior season with an injury.

Adam Carter led the Rams to an 11-2 season in his first year as head coach and will have them in position to win their first state title since 2016.

The Wolves won their fourth consecutive state championship last season and are currently riding a 26-game winning streak.

Gary Joseph has the Texas power in the hunt every season. The Tigers have won at least 10 games every year since he took over as head coach in 2004 and are 213-21 during his tenure.

After finishing as the runners-up in Georgia's largest classification last season expect them to be in contention again with 4-star Jacurri Brown back under center.

Robert Steeples has turned the Spartans into a powerhouse program and led them to an undefeated season and their first state title since 2005 last year.

Even with question marks surrounding the coaching staff, the three-time defending state champs have one of the most talented rosters in the game.

The SoCal power hopes this is the year they can get over the Mater Dei and St. John Bosco hurdle and with Bryce Young and Uiagalelei both in college now this could be the Huskies best chance.

The Dragons have had some great quarterbacks come through its program and the reigning Sophomore Player of the Year Quinn Ewers could end up being the best of all of them.

They enter the season winners of 28 consecutive North Coast Section titles and have represented Northern California every year since the CIF bowl games started in 2006.

Won their first WCAC championship since 2012 last season and return a good core led by 2021 Penn State commit Landon Tengwall.

The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference is one of the toughest leagues in the nation and the Cadets have won the regular season crown three consecutive years.

Bill McGregor returned as head coach last season and will have the Stags in the mix again to compete for the WCAC title.

The defending 6A state champs return some key players, led by Amari Daniels, Laurence Seymore, Yulkeith Brown and Wesley Bissainthe.
Central running back Amari Daniels
Central running back Amari Daniels
File photo by Annette Wilkerson
22. Trinity (Louisville, Ky.)
Bob Beatty led the Louisville power to its 14th state title during his tenure last season and the 26th in school history.

Troy Thomas has the Friars competing at a high level with one of the most dynamic duos in the country with Noah Fifita under center and Tetairoa McMillan at wide receiver.

One of the top programs in Texas the last two years. The Sharks have gone 31-1 during that span and won the 5A Division 1 state title last season.

Ran the table last season and won its first state championship since 2016. Tyler Macon is back at quarterback and he accounted for 5,050 yards of total offense (4,245 passing, 805 rushing) and 57 total touchdowns (39 passing, 17 rushing) as a junior.

The Diablos only loss last season came against Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 semifinals. They return a lot of talent led by Peter Costelli, Mavin Anderson and Easton Mascarenas.

Winners of 26 consecutive games and back-to-back state titles, they're the lone Utah team ranked in the Top 100.

Last season was the first time since 2008 the Gaels did not win a state championship, but expect them to be back in the mix in 2020 with a loaded roster that includes Cyrus Moss, Zion Branch, Cam Barfield, Fabian Ross and Jaydn Ott.

The defending Non-Public Group 4 champs return a lot of talent including Tahj Bullock, KJ Miles and George Rooks.

Won a fourth consecutive 5A state title last season and have gone 55-1-1 over the last four years.

The fourth and final WCAC team in the Top 100 has the top-rated quarterback in the country in 5-star Caleb Williams.

The Eagles have won at least 10 games every season since 2006. Terry Gambill enters his fifth season as head coach and he has led the Texas power to a 55-3 record in his tenure.

Won its first state title in 37 years last season and 2022 Alabama commit Jeremiah Alexander, 2021 South Carolina commit Sam Reynolds, Tre Roberson, Peter Woods and Tony Mitchell are just some of the notable players back.

Gerald Cox takes over as head coach for the defending 4A state champs and inherits a talented team featuring 2021 Alabama commit Jacorey Brooks, 2021 LSU commit Anthony Hundley, 2021 Louisville commit Rance Conner and Torey Morrison under center.

Finished last year at No. 19 after going 13-0 and winning the Division 1 state title. Starting quarterback Kyle Wickersham is back and expect a huge season from 3-star running back Logan Diggs.

Replacing Demeatric Crenshaw at quarterback is going to be difficult but the defending Division 1 state champs have some big-time players returning led by 2021 Notre Dame commit Lorenzo Styles Jr., Nick Mosley and Garner Wallace.

Expect the New Jersey power to bounce back in a big way after going 5-4 in 2019. They have the state's top-rated player in 4-star defensive tackle Tywone Malone and 4-star cornerback Jaeden Gould returns after missing his sophomore season with an injury. Steve Angeli is another name to keep tabs on, too.

The Crusaders enter the season winners of four consecutive state titles, going 44-2 during that span. Ron Lee takes over as head coach but the legendary Cal Lee will still be on the staff as the defensive coordinator.

Patrick Surtain has his most talented team since the Patriots went back-to-back in 2016 and 2017. 5-star safety James Williams transferred back after spending his junior year at Western (Davie, Fla.) and he joins Earl Little Jr., Marvin Jones Jr., Mark Fletcher and David Vadala.

After an 11-2 record last season, they return a lot of key players and added some big-time transfers that include 2021 Notre Dame commit Tyler Buchner, 2021 UCLA commit DJ Justice and 3-star wide receiver Clay Petry.

Matt Gray was promoted to head coach after Steve Trivisonno retired after 23 years and having Ian Kipp and Brenan Vernon back makes his job easier.
Mentor quarterback Ian Kipp
Mentor quarterback Ian Kipp
File photo by Jeff Harwell
42. Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
They finished last season as the state's No. 2 team and will be Chandler's biggest threat in the Open Division in 2020.

After nearly beating St. Thomas Aquinas in the 7A state championship game they bring back a lot of key players led by Canaan Mobley, Christian Leary and Tommi Hill.

DJ Harvey, Chayden Peery and Kamari Ramsey lead the way for one of the most talented teams in the Golden State.

A state semifinalist every year since 2016, they finished as the runner-ups in 5A Division 1 last season. Loaded with some of the best players in Texas led by a couple of 2021 Longhorn commits in Billy Bowman and Ja'Tavion Sanders.

Dan Marangi takes over as head coach and should have them in the mix to win a second state title in three years.

Went 12-2 last season and both losses were by one point to Mentor. Tom Lombardo will have the Eagles in position to win their fifth state championship since 2010.

Todd Dodge led the Chaparrals to their first state title since 1996 when Drew Brees was under center. Jaden Greathouse, Cade Klubnik and Zane Minors will have Westlake in position repeat as 6A Division 2 champs.

The team Austin Westlake beat in the state championship game falls one spot under them. 2021 Texas A&M commit Eli Stowers is back under center and will be a huge contributor for first year head coach Rodney Webb who comes over from Rockwall (Texas).

The three-time defending 3A state champs will be the favorites to four-peat with a very talented roster coming back led by 4-star running back Thad Franklin. The 2021 Miami commit rushed for over 2,200 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2019.

Josh Niblett has led the Alabama power to an 148-23 record during his 12-year head coaching career at Hoover and has won six state titles since 2009.

Finished last season 12-1 and its only loss came against Archbishop Rummel (Metairie) in the Division 1 championship. They've made the state title game three years in a row and won it all in 2017.

Made the state semifinals for the first time since 2004 last year and return a lot of talent led by 2021 Tennessee commit Cody Brown.

Have won at least 10 games every year since 2009 and 2021 Stanford commit Ari Patu and 2021 California commit Kaleb Higgins will have Bulldogs in position to extend that streak to 12 consecutive seasons. Sophomore Rico Flores Jr. is another name to keep tabs on.

2021 Minnesota commit Lemeke Brockington and Tajh Sanders are both back to give the Packers one of the most explosive offenses in the state.

The fourth and final team from Maryland in the Top 100 is loaded with talent led by 4-star wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr., 2021 Wake Forest commit DaShawn Jones and Billy Atkins.

Have made it to the state semifinals five consecutive seasons. 2021 Pittsburgh commit Nate Yarnell is the next-man-up at quarterback and looks to join a long list of past great gunslingers that include Baker Mayfield, Garrett Gilbert, Charlie Brewer, Michael Brewer, Matthew Baldwin and Hudson Card.

Expect the Hawks to be in the mix again for the 7A state title after a 12-2 record and semifinal appearance in 2019.

Claude Mathis returned as head coach last season and has one of the most talented teams in the state led by Shemar Turner, Byron Murphy II, Samari Collier, Jaedon Wilson and recent John Paul II (Plano, Texas) transfer Jerand Bradley.

Snapped Bishop Gorman's (Las Vegas) streak of 10 consecutive state titles, beating them in the semifinals and followed that with a 50-7 win over Centennial (Las Vegas) in the 4A championship. They return a lot of key players led by 2021 Oregon commit Moliki Matavao, Germie Bernard and recent San Diego State commit Zyrus Fiaseu.
Liberty linebacker Zyrus Fiaseu
Liberty linebacker Zyrus Fiaseu
File photo by Jann Hendry
61. North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.)
Clemson commits Jordan Hancock and Barrett Carter along with 3-star wide receiver Bobby Ezzard will have the Bulldogs in position to compete for the 7A state title.

Former "Coach Snoop" Netflix star Jaylin Smith along with 2021 USC commit commit Saia Mapakaitolo, 2022 USC commit Niuafe Tuihalamaka, Kevin Green and Ephesians Prysock give them one of the most talented teams in California. Dylan Gebbia and 2021 Arizona State commit Finn Collins will battle it out to replace Miller Moss under center.

Fresh off setting the UIL 11-man record winning its ninth state title. While they have to replace some big-time players, 2021 LSU commit JoJo Earle and 2022 LSU commit Bryan Allen Jr. give them a good opportunity to capture crown No. 10.

Won its first state title last season and return some key pieces led by 2021 North Carolina commit Power Echols and starting quarterback Austin Grier.

Repeated as 3A state champs in 2019 and bring back 5-star defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau, 4-star linebacker Dishawn Misa and starting quarterback Kobe Muasau.

Brought home its fourth state title since 2014 last season beating Massillon Washington 34-17 in the Division 2 championship. A couple of Ohio State commits Devonta Smith and Jaylen Johnson give them one of the top secondaries in the country.

Ran the table last year and cruised to a 5A state title. Multi-sport standout Julian Hammond is back under center and Arden Walker, Gunnar Helm, George Fitzpatrick and 2021 Colorado commit Chase Penry all are back as well.

Legendary head coach Bill Castle has led the Dreadnaughts to a 38-2 record over the last three seasons with a 7A state title in 2018.

Kennedy Tinsley takes over as head coach and inherits a talented Mavericks squad in position to win their first state title since 2015.

Key players return from last year's 11-2 team led by 2021 Texas commit Morice Blackwell, 4-star defensive end Ernest Cooper and starting quarterback Zach Mundell.

The only team from Arkansas in the Top 100 has won back-to-back 7A state titles and 18 consecutive games heading into the season.

Gabe Ervin, Amari Wnsley, Matthew Alexander, Tommy Beuglas and Ashton Daniels are all back for defending 5A state champs.

The most winning program in state history has finished the last two seasons as the Division 2 runner-up and will be back in the mix in 2020 to win it all.

Won the CIF Division 1-AA state championship last season and while some key players graduated 4-star wide receiver Xavier Worthy and 3-star linebacker Jekob Jones are back. D.J. Stevenson also transferred from Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.) to take over at quarterback.

The two losses last year came against North Shore (Houston) and Katy. Landen King, Kam Dewberry, Keith Wheeler and Quincy Thompson will give them one of the top offenses in Texas.

Former Narbonne head coach Manuel Douglas takes over and they've added some big additions that include Larry Turner-Gooden, New Zealand Williams, Phillippe Wesley II, Dylan Flowers, Jaylen Thompson and Siale Suliafu. Expect freshman Terrell Cooks Jr. to make an impact. He is one of the top prospects from the Class of 2024.

The Huskies will be in the mix to win the 7A state title. 2021 Auburn commit Armoni Goodwin is healthy after missing the majority of his junior season. He's joined by Riley Quick, Justice Finkley, Sean Jackson and Trey Washington to give them one of the most talented teams in the state.

They will be one of the favorites to win the 8A state title in 2020. 2021 Auburn commit Phillip O'Brien Jr., Jaziun Patterson, Fred Eaford, Jamarion McDougle and recent American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) transfer Richard Thomas give Jevon Glenn one of the most loaded squads in the Sunshine State.

The four-time defending state champs have to replace some key players, but bring back Destyn Pazon, Tygee Hill, Aaron Anderson and 2021 Louisiana Tech commit Kenneth Bannister.
Edna Karr receiver Aaron Anderson
Edna Karr receiver Aaron Anderson
File photo by Parker Waters
80. Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)
Brady Shough, Zachary Lewis and Cole Martin are all back and transfers Nicco Marchiol, Jack Howell and Noah Schmidt give them a great opportunity at winning the Open Division state title.

Came close to snapping Dutch Fork's (Irmo) 38-game winning streak against in-state opponents but lost 34-31 in overtime in the 5A championship game. They will be one of the biggest threats to the Silver Foxes winning a fifth straight state title.

The runners-up in 3A return key players led by Owen Prentice, Milton Hopkins, Hayden McDonald, Styles Siva-Tu'u, Quinn Carolan, Kiko Vaimauga, Mark Nabou and add Garfield (Seattle) transfer Antwan Brown Jr.

Came close to winning the 8A state title but lost 21-20 against Columbus (Miami) after giving up 14 unanswered points in the final five minutes. Jaquan Lowman will have them in contention again this season.

They will be one of the best and most exciting teams to watch in the Lone Star State with 2021 Texas commit Jalen Milroe under center.

The Lancers bring back a lot of talent from a 12-2 finish in 2019 led by starting quarterback Mikey Zele, Julien Stokes and 2021 USC commit Jay Toia.

Have won at least 10 games three consecutive years and with 2021 Clemson commit Troy Stellato, Brody Palhegyi, Tray Brown, Anthony Earle, and Corde' St. Louis all back they'll be in contention to win its second state title in three years.

87. Cedar Hill (Texas)
With games lined up against Rockwall, Allen, DeSoto and Duncanville, the Longhorns will be playoff ready by November. 2021 Tennessee commit Kaidon Salter will lead the way for one of the most explosive offenses in Texas.

Have made the state championship game three straight years but have gone 0-3. With key player back, led by starting quarterback Jalen Addie, they'll have a great opportunity to win a first state title since 2004.

The Rockets return a lot of talent from last year's 12-2 squad led by De'Anthony Lewis, Kamron Scott, Donnie Moody  and Nathaniel Pryor. They also added Jordan Battles from Brandeis (San Antonio) to take over at quarterback. Over the last two years he has accounted for over 6,600 yards of total offense and 77 touchdowns.

Only two losses last season came against Trinity League opponents and expect them to be one of the top teams in Southern California with recent 2021 Washington commit Dyson McCutcheon leading the way.

One of the most talented teams in Florida has three Top 100 players from the Class of 2021 — Leonard Taylor, Jason Marshall and Corey Collier.

Nearly beat St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia) in the 6A state semifinals last year and will be one of the biggest threats to the Hawks in 2020. Aaron Donald's 4-star nephew Elliot Donald will lead the way for one of the top defenses in Pennsylvania.

Adoree' Jackson, Robert Woods, Khalil Tate, Marqise Lee, George Farmer and Merlin Robertson are just some of the notable alumni and expect Class of 2022 quarterback Maalik Murphy to be the next great one.

Rush Propst takes over as head coach and he will make an instant impact for the most winning program in high school football history.

Winners of 25 consecutive games and back-to-back 6A-II state titles bring back a lot of key pieces led by starting quarterback Mason Williams and 4-star running back Braylin Presley.

The runners-up in 6A were very young last season and with Caden Curry, 2021 Minnesota commit Austin Booker, Carson Steele, Tayven Jackson, Jackson Schott, Connor Delp and Daniel Weems all back they will have a good chance to win its first state title since 2015.

Went 14-0 and won the 4A state title in 2019 and bring back Jake Blair under center along with two-way standout Jacques Badolato-Birdsell.

Only two losses last season came against St. Louis (Honolulu) and both were winnable games. They will be the biggest threat to ending the Crusaders streak of four consecutive state titles.

Emaud Triplett, Brenden Dye and Derrick Overstreet are some of the notable players returning for the defending 6A-I state champs and a name to keep tabs on is Knox Dyson. He will be one of the top quarterbacks from the Class of 2024 when it's all over.

The defending 6A state champs got hot at the right time last season and while they have to replace some key players the Greyhounds will be one of the favorites to win it all again.

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