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 2021 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.
Zach Rice of
Liberty Christian (Lynchburg, Va.) is the 2021 MaxPreps Virginia High School Football Player of the Year. The 6-foot-6, 315-pound offensive tackle helped the Bulldogs go 13-1 and play in the Class 3 state championship contest before falling to Phoebus 22-14.
The five-star Rice, who signed with Mack Brown and the University of North Carolina, was ranked as the No. 11 player nationally in the Class of 2022 and as the top offensive tackle by 247Sports Composite rankings.
Virginia's top prospect did not allow a sack over his final two seasons and was credited with a staggering 219 pancake blocks as a senior. The four-year starter, who also played defensive tackle, was chosen to play in the Under Armour All-American Football Game in early January.
As part of the Bulldog wrecking crew up front, Rice and the rest of Liberty Christian's offensive line can take credit for some rather large numbers their offense put out during their five-game postseason run.
During a 56-7 triumph over Wilson Memorial in opening round action, Liberty Christian ran the football for 270 yards on 25 carries and produced 429 yards of total offense. In the quarterfinals, the Bulldogs went off for 328 yards of offense in the first half alone as Liberty Christian barreled over Brookville 42-6. The Bulldogs finished the contest with 507 yards of offense which included 320 rushing yards.
Before ultimately picking North Carolina as his next football destination, Rice seriously considered offers from Alabama, Notre Dame, Virginia and Ohio State.
Since the Virginia High School League opted to move football to the spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a 2020 MaxPreps Virginia Football Player of the Year was not selected last fall.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion on the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released in early January.
