JT Daniels named 2017 MaxPreps National Football Player of the Year

Video: JT Daniels Ultimate Highlights
Highlights of the 2017 MaxPreps National Football Player of the Year.

This 2017 National Champion Mater Dei football team was one of the best in recent history and a lot of that success came because of the quarterback under center — JT Daniels. He is a first-team All-American and the MaxPreps National Football Player of the Year.

Matt Leinart and Matt Barkley are two of the notable quarterbacks to play for legendary coach Bruce Rollinson at Mater Dei, but Daniels could end up being the best out of the group.

He finished his three-year high school career as the school's all-time leading passer and is No. 1 all-time from the Orange County area with 12,014 passing yards and 152 touchdowns. He ranks second all-time in CIF Southern Section history.

The future USC Trojan had a monster 2017 campaign, throwing for 4,123 yards and 52 touchdowns to only four interceptions. He added another 556 yards rushing and nine more scores. Under Daniels' leadership, the Monarchs finished 15-0 and never trailed at any point this season despite one of the toughest schedules in high school football. They started the year at No. 1 and finished the season at the same spot.

Daniels is the first junior to be named the MaxPreps Player of the Year since 2013 when former Allen (Texas) star Kyler Murray won the award.