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 2022 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.
Athletes from all 50 states along with Washington, D.C. were selected. Some notable selections include Caleb Downs of Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.), who helped the Hawks to the school's first state title; Roderick Robinson of Lincoln (San Diego) who led the Hornets to their first state championship and rushed for nearly 2,400 yards and 37 touchdowns; Jackson Arnold of Guyer (Denton, Texas) who accounted for 4,400 yards of total offense and 57 scores for one of the best teams in the Lone Star State; and Rueben Bain of Miami Central (Miami) who racked up 29 sacks while leading the Rockets to a fourth consecutive state title.
For an in-depth look at every selection each player's story is linked that includes their bio and list of accomplishments.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released Jan. 10.
MaxPreps High School Football Player of the Year in each state
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 270
Status: Committed to Clemson | Class: Senior (2023)
Dominated in the trenches, led the Warriors to their fourth consecutive 7A state title.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 180
Status: Uncommitted |
Class: Junior (2024)
Versatile two-way standout led Knights to first state title in school history.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 190
Status: Committed to New Mexico |
Class: Senior (2023)
Accounted for 3,700-plus yards of total offense and 33 touchdowns for Open Division state runner-up.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 205
Status: Uncommitted |
Class: Junior (2024)
Rushed for more than 2,800 yards and 41 touchdowns for Class 4A state champs.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 230
Status: Committed to Georgia |
Class: Senior (2023)
Rushed for 2,378 yards and 37 touchdowns for CIF Division 1-AA state champs.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 240
Status: Committed to Oregon |
Class: Senior (2023)
Talented edge rusher finished last season of high school leading Bruins to fourth consecutive Class 5A state title.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 205
Status: Uncommitted |
Class: Senior (2023)
Made an impact on both sides of the ball, leading Chargers to undefeated season and Class S state title.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 180
Status: Committed to James Madison |
Class: Senior (2023)
Versatile playmaker helped Eagles to Class 3A state title racking up over 1,600 total yards and 29 touchdowns.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 235
Status: Committed to Clemson |
Class: Senior (2023)
Led Cadets to second straight WCAC title and dominated against the best competition.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 245
Status: Committed to Miami |
Class: Senior (2023)
Piled up 29 sacks to cap off great high school career as Rockets win fourth straight state title with first undefeated season.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 195
Status: Committed to Alabama |
Class: Senior (2023)
Impacted the game at a high level on all three phases while leading Hawks to first state title in school history.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 215
Status: Committed to Texas |
Class: Senior (2023)
Led Red Raiders to second consecutive Open Division state title.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220
Status: Committed to Oregon |
Class: Senior (2023)
Hauled in 62 receptions for 1,303 yards and 18 touchdowns for Class 4A state champs.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 200
Status: Committed to Eastern Illinois |
Class: Senior (2023)
Led the Caravan to a 14-0 record and Class 7A state championship throwing for a school-record 2,960 yards, 43 touchdowns.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 230
Status: Committed to Notre Dame |
Class: Senior (2023)
Put up video-game numbers, posting 144 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, five sacks and two interceptions on defense to go with over 2,000 total yards and 29 touchdowns on offense.
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 330
Status: Committed to Alabama |
Class: Senior (2023)
Dominated in the trenches while leading the Rams to second straight Class 5A state title.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 170
Status: Committed to Kansas State |
Class: Senior (2023)
Threw for 2,750 yards, 29 touchdowns to go with 800-plus yards rushing and 15 scores for Class 5A state runner-up.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 200
Status: Uncommitted |
Class: Senior (2023)
Led Chargers to first state title racking up nearly 4,000 yards of total offense and 52 touchdowns.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 220
Status: Committed to USC |
Class: Senior (2023)
Two-way standout led Tigers to undefeated season and Division III Non-Select state championship.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 205
Status: Uncommitted |
Class: Senior (2023)
Accounted for over 2,000 yards of total offense, 30 touchdowns for Class A state champs.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 240
Status: Committed to LSU |
Class: Senior (2023)
Dominated against the best competition in the country racking up 15 sacks and 26 tackles for loss.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 195
Status: Committed to Georgia |
Class: Senior (2023)
Made a huge impact on all three phases for Division 1 Super Bowl champs.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 200
Status: Uncommitted |
Class: Sophomore (2025)
One of two sophomores selected as state player of the year, Underwood led Tigers to undefeated season and second consecutive Division 1 state title.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 200
Status: Uncommitted |
Class: Senior (2023)
Dual-threat quarterback accounted for 2,600-plus yards of total offense and 33 touchdowns for Class AAAAAA state champs.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 200
Status: Committed to Mississippi |
Class: Senior (2023)
Rushed for over 2,000 yards and 32 touchdowns to go with 92 tackles, five sacks and four interceptions on defense while leading Lions to first state title.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 190
Status: Committed to Notre Dame |
Class: Senior (2023)
Had his best game in a 35-28 overtime win over Lee's Summit North in Class 6 state championship piling up 317 total yards and accounting for all five touchdowns.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 205
Status: Committed to Montana State |
Class: Senior (2023)
Led Falcons to Class B state title racking up over 4,000 yards of total offense and 56 touchdowns.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 190
Status: Committed to Oklahoma State |
Class: Senior (2023)
Finished his high school career as the state's all-time passing leader and threw for 3,100-plus yards, 31 touchdowns during senior season.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 170
Status: Uncommitted |
Class: Junior (2024)
Finished his junior season with 54 touchdown passes against two interceptions while leading the Gaels to a spot at No. 4 in the final MaxPreps Top 25.
Height: 5-8 | Weight: 190
Status: Committed to Springfield |
Class: Senior (2023)
Racked up nearly 2,000 yards of total offense and 24 touchdowns for Division 1 state runner-up.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 210
Status: Uncommitted |
Class: Junior (2024)
Two-way standout led Mariners to 14-0 record, Group 5 state title racking up 3,500-plus yards of total offense and 50 touchdowns to go with 77 tackles and four interceptions on defense.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 165
Status: Committed to New Mexico |
Class: Senior (2023)
Led Storm to another Class 6 state title accounting for nearly 3,300 yards of total offense and 42 touchdowns.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 190
Status: Committed to Fordham |
Class: Senior (2023)
Threw for 3,300-plus yards and 35 touchdowns for top-ranked team in New York.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 185
Status: Uncommitted |
Class: Junior (2024)
Talented junior QB threw for nearly 3,500 yards and 43 touchdowns for Division 1 state champs.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 205
Status: Committed to St. Thomas |
Class: Senior (2023)
Led Deacons to first state title since 2018 throwing for nearly 3,000 yards and 34 scores.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 190
Status: Committed to Buffalo |
Class: Senior (2023)
Posted one of the best single-season's in state history, rushing for 3,867 yards and a state-record 58 touchdowns.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 225
Status: Uncommitted |
Class: Junior (2024)
Rushed for nearly 2,600 yards and 39 touchdowns while leading Titans to Class 5A state title.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 200
Status: Committed to Michigan State |
Class: Senior (2023)
Accounted for over 3,700 yards of total offense and 39 touchdowns for Class 6A state champs.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 200
Status: Uncommitted |
Class: Sophomore (2025)
The second sophomore selected as state player of the year threw for 3,583 yards and 54 touchdowns while leading the Crusaders to first state title since 1995.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185
Status: Uncommitted |
Class: Senior (2023)
Threw for over 2,000 yards and 28 touchdowns for Division 1 state champs.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to Clemson |
Class: Senior (2023)
Rushed for nearly 2,300 yards and 33 touchdowns for Class AAAAA state champs.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 190
Status: Committed to Ohio State |
Class: Senior (2023)
Capped off record-breaking high school career throwing for nearly 3,500 yards and 46 touchdowns to go with 1,400-plus yards rushing and 24 more scores.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 180
Status: Committed to Vanderbilt |
Class: Senior (2023)
Led Mustangs to 13-0 record, Division II-AA state title and spot at No. 13 in final MaxPreps Top 25.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 205
Status: Committed to Oklahoma |
Class: Senior (2023)
Five-star quarterback finished senior year with 4,400 yards of total offense and 57 touchdowns.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 175
Status: Committed to Utah |
Class: Senior (2023)
Talented defensive back led Falcons to first state title racking up 30 tackles and six interceptions.
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 180
Status: Uncommitted |
Class: Junior (2024)
Versatile playmaker led Redhawks to first state title and accounted for nearly 1,300 total yards and 23 touchdowns.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 170
Status: Uncommitted |
Class: Junior (2024)
Finished junior season throwing for 3,653 yards and a state-record 61 touchdowns while leading the Eagles to 15-0 record and Class 6 state title. Added 873 yards rushing and 13 scores.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 230
Status: Uncommitted |
Class: Junior (2024)
Two-way standout led Yelm to undefeated season and first state title.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 195
Status: Committed to Dayton |
Class: Senior (2023)
Accounted for over 3,300 yards of total offense and 51 touchdowns while leading Highlanders to first state title.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 195
Status: Uncommitted |
Class: Senior (2023)
Rushed for 2,762 yards and 42 touchdowns for Division 1 state runner-up.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 180
Status: Uncommitted |
Class: Senior (2023)
Rushed for nearly 2,200 yards and 34 touchdowns while leading Broncs to second straight Class 4A state title.
