National Football Player of the Year watch likely down to three

Video: National Player of the Year watch
The list appears narrowed to seven, but three are clear favorites.

It's Thanksgiving week and we all know what that means. Turkey dinner. All the fixings. And a meatier look at the national football Player of the Year finalists.

Worthy candidates throughout the country range into the dozens, but we've identified the top trio. Not surprisingly, all are quarterbacks and all are leading undefeated teams to potential national championships.

The combined records of the teams they play for is 36-0.

They've combined for a remarkable 10,737 total yards and 140 touchdowns, including 8,631 passing yards, 117 passing TDs and — get this — only seven interceptions. In 771 attempts.

That is some efficiency. And accuracy? They've combined to complete 518 of 771 for 67 percent.

Without further ado, the trio in alphabetical order is Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) sophomore J.T. Daniels, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) senior Tate Martell and DeSoto (De Soto, Texas) senior Shawn Robinson.

Here's a thumbnail look at each player, what they've done, what they need to do to win the award and a quote from MaxPreps football expert and host Zack Poff who will have a big voice in picking the Player of the Year.

J.T. Daniels Measurements: 6-foot-2, 200 pounds.

College commitment: Has seven offers, including Notre Dame, USC, UCLA and Michigan.

Recruiting ranking: No. 1 pro-style QB in 2019 Class (No. 7 recruit overall) by 247Sports.

Numbers: 269 of 355, 4,272 yards, 63 touchdowns, 2 interceptions; 19 rushes, 15 yards, 2 TDs.

Team appeal: 12-0, No. 3 in MaxPreps Xcellent 25, No. 3 in MaxPreps Composite.

Personal appeal: If this was based on sheer passing numbers, Daniels would have this already locked up. With remarkable 96 TD passes, he's already the career leader in Orange County history over such names as Matt Leinart, Matt Barkley, Carson Palmer, Mark Sanchez and Todd Marinovich.

Signature performance: Hard to pick, but his opening 19 of 22, 360-yard, six-touchdown, no-interception performance over eventual playoff squad Bishop Amat set in motion amazing season.

Key stat: The 63 touchdowns against two interceptions and 76 percent completion rate are simply off the charts. He's thrown for at least 300 yards and five touchdowns in 11 of 12 games.

What needs to happen: If that kind of ratio continues against what promises to be three national-type like opponents — all victories — it will be hard to keep the award away from Daniels. Even as a sophomore.

Poff's perspective: "Keep in mind that he plays in one of the toughest leagues (Trinity) in all of the country. When it comes to numbers and playing for a top team in the country, no one matches what J.T. Daniels has done."

Tate Martell Measurements: 5-11, 190

College commitment: Ohio State

Recruiting ranking: No. 2 dual threat QB in the country, No. 54 recruit overall by 247Sports.

Numbers: 117 of 184, 1,969 yards, 34 touchdowns, 0 interceptions; 128 rushing attempts, 1,098 yards, 18 TDs.

Team appeal: Consensus No. 1 team in the land at 13-0.

Personal appeal: Sheer perfection. This season. Last season. His sophomore season, Martell has never lost a game at Gorman, which has the nation's No. 2 win streak at 52 games. Martell has won 41 straight as a starter (43 overall).

Signature performance: In a 46-10 win over a current 10-1 Cocoa (Fla.) squad, Martell threw for 273 yards and four scores and rushed for 92 yards and another score. His 1,366 total yards and 20 touchdowns against five out-of-state foes is also very impressive.

Key stat: Considered a mad scrambler who can extend any play, Martell's combination of on-the-run accuracy and decision-making is reflected in his amazing 34-0 TD to interception ratio. His career 106-8 ratio isn't too shabby either.

What needs to happen: Frankly, two more wins — the nation's No. 44 team, Liberty (Henderson) — awaits on the other side of the bracket, is all Martell can do. He's been the favorite to win the award since the start of the season. Nothing has changed.

Poff's perspective: "When you look back at the Gaels' non-conference schedule, going undefeated is one of the hardest things we've seen over the last decade. Keep in mind his two main weapons — Biaggio Walsh and Tyjon Lindsey — were missing for most of those games. Martell has been the one constant. Beyond that, well beyond the stat sheet, is Martell's ability to lead. He's one of the best in all of high school sport at that."

Shawn Robinson Measurements: 6-1, 200

College commitment: TCU.

Recruiting ranking: No. 5 dual threat QB (No. 115 recruit overall) in country by 247Sports.

Numbers: 132 of 232, 2,400 yards, 20 touchdowns, 5 interceptions; 91 rushing attempts, 923 yards, 13 scores.

Team appeal: 12-0, ranked No. 4 nationally MaxPreps Xcellent 25; No. 8 MaxPreps composite.

Personal appeal: A highly touted transfer from Guyer (Denton), was under a piping hot spotlight and somehow even exceeded expectation by making every big play in every clutch situation for the Eagles. All while learning an entirely new system. Very impressive.

Signature performance: With 259 yards passing, 216 rushing (475 total yards) and four scores in a 48-35 playoff win over Southlake Carroll, Robinson vaulted himself toward the top of the POY heap.

Key stat: Robinson is averaging better 10 yards per carry. Considering sacks count against rushing totals — and they fact he's thrown just five interceptions — Robinson has accounted for precious few negative plays.

What needs to happen: The Eagles play in the state 6A-D2 Region 1 semifinals Friday against Abeliene. Robinson needs to make all the big plays in four straight wins to take the school's first state crown.

Poff perspective: "He's been the best player in Texas all year and that goes a long way. Winning a state title in high school football in Texas is one of the hardest things to do in all of high school sports." Here are four more not to count out.

Cam Akers: The nation's No. 5 overall recruit and second-ranked running back for Clinton (Miss.) has moved to quarterback and put up massive numbers for the state's No. 1 team: 2,507 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, 4 interceptions; 1,519 rushing yards, 24 touchdowns. Clinton (12-1) is two wins away from a state 6A title.

Kellen Mond: The IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) quarterback has made all the big plays in the clutch for the nation's No. 2 team. Through 10 games, he has passed for 1,803 yards and 19 touchdowns and rushed for 757 yards and 17 scores. He's committed to Texas A&M.

Tim Tawa: The West Linn (Ore.) senior quarterback has completed 232 of 338 for 3,392 yards, 50 touchdowns and one interception for a team that is 12-0 and two wins away from an Oregon 6A title. He's also rushed for 374 yards and seven scores.

Jaylen Warren: The East (Salt Lake City, Utah) running back became the first player in Utah to rush for more than 3,000 yards in a season (3,009) and also set the state single-season record for rushing touchdowns (39), leading the nation's No. 22 team to a second straight 4A state title.