Compiled By Jason Hickman
MaxPreps.com
2006 MaxPreps National Player of the Year
Riley Dodge, Southlake Carroll, Texas
2006 MaxPreps National Coach of the Year
Chad DeGrenier, Cactus Shadows, Ariz.
2006 MaxPreps All-American Offense
First Team Offense
QB Riley Dodge
6-0/180/Junior
Southlake Carroll (Southlake, Texas)
Next Stop: N/A
MaxPreps' 2006 National Player of the Year threw for 4,184 yards and 54 touchdowns, and added another 1,119 on the ground with 13 more trips to the end zone. A first-year starter, Dodge led the Dragons to their third-straight 5A title in Texas.
RB Darren Evans
6-1/210/Senior
Warren Central (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Next Stop: Virginia Tech
Evans, Indiana's Player of the Year, was the workhorse for MaxPreps' No. 6 team nationally, Warren Central. The future Virginia Tech Hokie accumulated 2,731 yards on the ground and a state record 61 touchdowns.
RB Darrell Scott
6-1/205/Junior
Moorpark (Moorpark, Calif.)
Next Stop: N/A
Arguably the nation's top junior, Scott churned out 3,194 yards and 45 touchdowns while leading his Musketeers to an 11-3 record. After a 1,988-yard, 19-touchdown sophomore campaign, Scott's two-year totals stand at 5,182 yards and 64 touchdowns.
WR Devin Aguilar
6-2/185/Senior
Mullen (Denver, Colo.)
Next Stop: Washington
Aguilar has served as the big-play threat for one of Colorado's top programs over the past two seasons. The Washington-bound receiver caught 53 passes for 1,339 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2006, earning state Offensive Player of the Year honors.
WR Cody Bruns
5-11/155/Junior
Prosser (Prosser, Wash.)
Next Stop: N/A
Bruns could go down as one of the most productive wide receivers to play high school football. The undersized junior hauled in 109 passes for 1,891 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2006, pushing him over 3,500 yards and 50 touchdowns for his career. Bruns may not be adding to his gaudy stats in 2007, with a possible switch to quarterback in the works.
TE Aaron Hernandez
6-4/245/Senior
Bristol Central (Bristol, Conn.)
Next Stop: Florida
For the second year in a row, Hernandez compiled out-of-this-world numbers for a tight end. The Florida verbal caught 62 passes for 1,346 yards and 16 touchdowns, also finding time to play a little running back, punt, return kicks, and record three sacks at defensive end.
OL Tray Allen
6-4/305/Senior
South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie, Texas)
Next Stop: Texas
Allen earned first team 5A honors in Texas and will be a mainstay on everybody's All-American team after helping the Warrior offense crank out over 350 yards per game and 32 points in 2006. Allen also serves as a "power" forward for a loaded SGP hoops team.
OL Eric Brunner
6-3/265/Senior
Greendale (Greendale, Wis.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Brunner was the only Wisconsin player to earn first team All-State honors on both sides of the ball in 2006 from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. He did the same as a junior and has helped Greendale compile a 22-4 record over the past two seasons.
OL Ryan Miller
6-7/285/Senior
Columbine (Littleton, Colo.)
Next Stop: Colorado
Miller helped lead Columbine to a 14-1 record and Colorado's 5A state title. A back-to-back first team All-State selection, Miller earned Gatorade Player of the Year honors and also started at defensive end for the Rebels.
OL James Wilson
6-5/310/Senior
Nease (Ponte Vedra, Fla.)
Next Stop: USC
Florida, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and USC all wanted Wilson, so there is really no question where he belongs on our team. Wilson helped clear the way for the 14-1 Panthers, who produced over 5,500 yards offensively in 2006.
OL Lee Ziemba
6-7/305/Senior
Rogers (Rogers, Ark.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Ziemba became the first lineman in nearly 10 years to earn Arkansas' Gatorade Player of the Year honor. The towering tackle registered 43 knockdown blocks and 31 pancakes while helping his Mounties to a 12-1 record and the state 7A title game.
All-Purpose Will Hill
6-3/190/Junior
St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City, N.J.)
Next Stop: N/A
"The Thrill" did it all for St. Peter's Prep, playing quarterback, wide receiver, and safety, and fielding punts and kicks. On offense, Hill threw, ran, and passed for 1,571 yards, accounting for 24 touchdowns. Defensively, the rangy junior made 61 tackles, two sacks, and picked off three passes. The 2008 super recruit added another 427 yards in the return game.
All-Purpose Joe McKnight
6-1/200/Senior
John Curtis (River Ridge, La.)
Next Stop: Undecided
McKnight was the most dangerous offensive threat in the country this season, and that's not up for debate. The John Curtis star accumulated 1,444 yards and 27 touchdowns as a running back and receiver, and did so on just 69 touches. That's not a misprint - McKnight averaged 20 yards every time he touched the ball. He picked up 438 more yards in the return game for a total of 1,882 all-purpose yards and 30 scores on just 86 touches.
All-Purpose Marc Tyler
6-1/215/Senior
Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.)
Next Stop: USC
Tyler's season was cut short due to injury, but he was around long enough to establish himself as one of the country's better two-way players. At running back, the future Trojan averaged 12.9 yards per carry en route to 1,700 yards and 25 scores. He also caught 12 passes for 265 yards and four touchdowns. At linebacker, Tyler totaled 45 tackles, two sacks, and a pair of interceptions.
Second Team Offense
QB Kellen Moore
6-1/180/Senior
Prosser (Prosser, Wash.)
Next Stop: Boise State
Washington's Player of the Year tossed for 4,269 yards and 67 touchdowns in 2006, bringing his career totals to 11,367 yards and 173 touchdown passes. Moore completed over 70 percent of his attempts, leading the Mustangs to a 12-1 record and the 2A semifinals.
RB Antwain Easterling
6-0/200/Senior
Northwestern (Miami, Fla.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Easterling emerged as the star of stars on one of the nation's most talent-rich teams. Florida's 6A Player of the Year, Easterling rushed for 2,503 yards and 33 touchdowns as his Bulls ran the table with a 15-0 record and a state title.
RB Paul Weatheroy
6-0/193/Senior
Jesuit (Portland, Ore.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Weatheroy might not be a hot name on the recruiting circuit, but not many backs in the country were more productive - especially when it counted. Possibly headed for a service academy, Weatheroy racked up 2,608 yards and 38 touchdowns for MaxPreps' No. 2-ranked team nationally, including over 1,000 yards in the postseason alone.
WR A.J. Green
6-4/190/Junior
Summerville (Summerville, S.C.)
Next Stop: Georgia
Just a junior and already committed to Georgia, Green built on an already-incredible career in 2006, catching 60 balls for 1,203 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also scored twice on the ground and returned a pick for a touchdown. After three years of varsity football, Green has 3,842 receiving yards and 38 scores.
WR Vincent Hill
5-10/175/Senior
Friendly (Fort Washington, Md.)
Next Stop: Akron
Friendly finished 14-0, won Maryland's 3A title, and was No. 22 in the final MaxPreps National Top 25. Hill was a big part of that success, snagging 67 passes for 1,390 yards and 22 touchdowns.
TE Anthony Middleton
6-5/210/Senior
Monarch (Coconut Creek, Fla.)
Next Stop: Undecided
With so many great players in South Florida, Middleton's efforts this season were a bit overshadowed, but at 6-5, 210 pounds, he was a tough matchup for defenders all year. Middleton caught 49 passes for 930 yards and 14 touchdowns.
OL Anthony Davis
6-6/340/Senior
Piscataway (Piscataway, N.J.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Davis earned first team All-State honors by The Star-Ledger after plowing the way for Piscataway backs all season en route to a 7-3 record. The massive tackle has narrowed his choices to Ohio State and Rutgers.
OL Stephen Good
6-5/290/Junior
Paris (Paris, Texas)
Next Stop: N/A
One of two juniors to earn Associated Press first team All-State honors in Texas' 4A classification. Good pancaked opponents 87 times in 2006 and didn't allow a sack in 10 games for the Wildcats.
OL Ryan Pugh
6-3/270/Senior
Hoover (Hoover, Ala.)
Next Stop: Auburn
Pugh earned Alabama 6A Lineman of the Year honors after helping juggernaut Hoover to a 13-2 record and a trip to the state championship game. The Buccaneers averaged 34.8 points per game and had seven 40-point outputs.
OL Mark Spinney
6-4/277/Senior
Bishop Guertin (Nashua, N.H.)
Next Stop: Syracuse
New Hampshire's Gatorade Player of the Year was a dominant two-way performer for the Division II champion Cardinals. Spinney pancaked opponents 19 times on offense, and made 91 tackles and four sacks at nose guard.
OL Manaaki Vaitai
6-3/299/Senior
Euless Trinity (Euless, Texas)
Next Stop: Brigham Young
A 5A Associated Press first team selection, Vaitai paved the way for two 1,000-yard rushers on one of Texas' best teams. Take this stat or leave it - the Brigham Young-bound behemoth reportedly had 264 pancake blocks in 2006.
All-Purpose J.J. DiLuigi
5-9/188/Senior
Canyon (Canyon Country, Calif.)
Next Stop: Brigham Young
DiLuigi was one of California's most productive and successful players during his final two years at Canyon, compiling over 5,700 all-purpose yards and 81 touchdowns. The Brigham Young commitment helped the Cowboys achieve a 25-3 record in 2005 and 2006, winning the state's Division I title this season.
All-Purpose Gerald Jones
6-0/195/Senior
Millwood (Oklahoma City, Okla.)
Next Stop: Tennessee
Jones led Millwood to a 14-1 record and Oklahoma's 2A state title at the quarterback position. The future Volunteer put up over 3,000 yards with his arm and legs, earning Sooner State Offensive Player of the Year honors.
All-Purpose Chris Rainey
5-10/170/Senior
Lakeland (Lakeland, Fla.)
Next Stop: Florida
Urban Meyer can't wait to install Rainey's talent in his spread offense at Florida. The state's 5A Player of the Year, Rainey ran for 2,439 yards and 29 touchdowns, getting nearly 1,100 of those in Lakeland's five postseason games.
Honorable Mention
QB Jimmy Clausen
6-3/208/Senior
Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.)
Next Stop: Notre Dame
Key Stats: Threw for 49 touchdowns and just six interceptions in 2006 - never lost a high school game as starter.
QB Joe Haden
5-11/190/Senior
Friendly (Fort Washington, Md.)
Next Stop: Florida
Key Stats: Passed for over 2,700 yards and 38 touchdowns, running for nearly 1,000 more.
QB Stefan Loucks
6-2/185/Senior
Pulaski Academy (Little Rock, Ark.)
Next Stop: Texas Tech
Key Stats: Should fit in well at Texas Tech after throwing for 5,074 yards and 60 touchdowns in 2006.
QB Ryan Mallett
6-6/246/Senior
Texarkana Texas (Texarkana, Texas)
Next Stop: Michigan
Key Stats: Texas Gatorade Player of the Year after throwing for more than 3,300 yards and 31 touchdowns.
QB Robert Marve
6-2/200/Senior
Tampa Plant (Tampa, Fla.)
Next Stop: Alabama
Key Stats: Florida's 4A Player of the Year threw for 4,380 yards and 48 touchdowns, ran for 832 yards and eight more, and led Panthers to state title.
QB Terrelle Pryor
6-6/220/Junior
Jeannette (Jeannette, Pa.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Key Stats: Being touted as one of Pennsylvania's best-ever athletes, led Jayhawks to PIAA Class AA championship by passing for 1,720 yards and 15 touchdowns, and running for 1,703 and 27 scores.
QB Larry Smith
6-2/195/Senior
Prattville (Prattville, Ala.)
Next Stop: Vanderbilt
Key Stats: Alabama's Mr. Football after leading Prattville to 15-0 record and 6A title.
RB Prince Amukamara
6-2/183/Senior
Apollo (Glendale, Ariz.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Key Stats: Stock has soared as a senior after piling up 3,026 all-purpose yards, 34 touchdowns.
RB Jacquizz Rodgers
5-7/185/Junior
Lamar Consolidated (Rosenberg, Texas)
Next Stop: N/A
Key Stats: Monster junior year included 2,516 yards and 50 touchdowns on the ground.
RB Brandon Saine
6-1/218/Senior
Piqua (Piqua, Ohio)
Next Stop: Ohio State
Key Stats: Ohio's Mr. Football after running for 1,895 yards and 27 touchdowns.
RB Quan Warley
6-0/185/Senior
Thomasville (Thomasville, N.C.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Key Stats: Rushed for 2,784 yards and 39 touchdowns this year, 8,072 yards and 106 touchdowns in career.
RB Jonathan Williams
6-1/195/Senior
Rose (Greenville, N.C.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Key Stats: Helped Rose win its fourth-straight 4-A title with 2,782 yards, 39 touchdowns in 2006 - nearly identical numbers to fellow North Carolina All-American Warley.
RB Marcus Wright
5-7/175/Junior
San Antonio Reagan (San Antonio, Texas)
Next Stop: N/A
Key Stats: Rushed for 1,115 yards and 18 touchdowns in four postseason games alone.
WR Aldarius Johnson
6-3/200/Junior
Northwestern (Miami, Fla.)
Next Stop: N/A
Key Stats: Caught 72 passes for 1,361 yards and 19 touchdowns.
OL P.J. Lonergan
6-3/280/Junior
Archbishop Rummel (Metairie, La.)
Next Stop: N/A
Key: Made room for three 1,000-yard rushers on an 11-3 team that reached Louisiana's 5A semifinals.
OL Rashad McGill
6-4/305/Senior
Heidelberg (Heidelberg, Miss.)
Next Stop: Houston
Key Stats: First team All-State selection by The Clarion-Ledger cooked up 68 pancakes.
OL Emeka Nwankwo
6-4/290/Senior
Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)
Next Stop: Notre Dame
Key Stats: Didn't allow a sack all season for South Florida power.
OL Trevor Robinson
6-5/280/Junior
Elkhorn (Elkhorn, Neb.)
Next Stop: N/A
Key Stats: Recruiters will be wearing out the path to Elkhorn (Population: 7,635) next year. Robinson was a road-grader on offense for the 11-1 Antlers, and made 103 tackles and six sacks on defense.
All-Purpose Ryan Mathews
6-0/200/Senior
West (Bakersfield, Calif.)
Next Stop: Undecided
Key Stats: Ran for 3,396 yards and 44 touchdowns - playing quarterback. Also threw for 851 yards and 11 touchdowns and was a productive kickoff returner.
