Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized the nation's top high school football players at the conclusion of the season. Past MaxPreps Sophomore All-America Team selections include Caleb Downs (2020), Tetairoa McMillan (2019), Colin Simmons (2021), Caleb Williams (2018), Ryan Williams (2022) and Bryce Young (2017).
Haven earned MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year honors after throwing for 3,093 yards and 37 touchdowns. He added 925 yards on the ground and 19 more scores, leading the Tigers to a 14-1 record and Division III Select state championship game appearance.
Williams-Callis put together a remarkable sophomore campaign in Texas, leading a school in its third year of existence to a 16-0 record and Class 5A Division 2 state title. He has rushed for 4,052 yards and 66 touchdowns through his first two seasons.
St. John Bosco has produced a lot of talented defensive backs and Wily-Ava is the next star in the secondary. He led the No. 5 team in the MaxPreps Top 25 in tackles and interceptions.
Read on for a complete look at the best sophomores in high school football from the 2024 season.
First team offense
MAXPREPS NATIONAL SOPHOMORE OF THE YEAR
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 210
The top-rated player in the Class of 2027 accounted for 4,018 yards of total offense and 56 touchdowns for Division III Select runner-up.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 215
Future Ohio State Buckeye threw for 3,222 yards and 36 touchdowns while adding 312 yards on the ground and nine more scores.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 190
Reigning MaxPreps Freshman of the Year led Warriors to 7A state title after throwing for 2,675 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Height: 5-8 | Weight: 190
Rushed for 2,108 yards and 43 touchdowns for Class 5A Division 2 state champs.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 215
Led Aggies to 4A state title after rushing for 1,964 yards and 31 touchdowns.
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 185
All-around running back rushed for 1,937 yards and 21 touchdowns to go with 32 receptions for 525 yards and five more scores. He also had two punt return touchdowns.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 170
Had 63 catches for 1,035 yards and 15 touchdowns for Division I quarterfinalist.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 215
Hauled in 63 passes for 1,340 yards and 20 touchdowns for Class A Division II runner-up.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 175
Finished sophomore season with 57 receptions for 802 yards and a team-high 14 touchdowns.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 225
Was the only sophomore to be selected on the MaxPreps All-America team.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 265
Showed why he is the top-rated offensive lineman in the Class of 2027 with a dominant sophomore season.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 340
Had a standout season for the 2024 MaxPreps National Champs.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 275
Made a big impact on the offensive line for 5A state champs and No. 24 team in final MaxPreps Top 25.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 285
Played a huge role on the offensive line for Open Division runner-up.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 295
Helped Bears make it to Class 5A Division 2 state championship game and will be next big-time offensive lineman to come from Texas.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185
All-around playmaker accounted for 1,600 all-purpose yards and 23 touchdowns to go with 17 tackles and two interceptions on defense.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 175
Second-rated kicker in the Class of 2027 according to Kohl's made 12 of 13 field goals.
First team defense
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 225
Led a talented team in tackles (116), tackles for loss (31) and sacks (11).
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 215
High-motor edge rusher racked up 104 tackles, 56 tackles for loss and 21.5 sacks.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 250
Piled up 44 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, nine sacks and three forced fumbles playing against elite competition.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 230
Finished sophomore campaign with 75 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and nine sacks.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220
Racked up 95 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 17 sacks and forced three fumbles.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 215
Made big-time plays all season for Division II runner-up.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 220
Recorded at least 14 tackles in every game and finished with 174 tackles, 41 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and forced 11 fumbles.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 195
Next big-time defensive back to come from St. John Bosco led team with 72 tackles and seven interceptions.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 175
Shutdown cornerback had a monster season for 6A Open Division state champs.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 170
Lined up against the best wide receivers in Southern California and posted 37 tackles and four interceptions.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 185
Was rarely tested during his sophomore season for the No. 4 team in the MaxPreps Top 25.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185
Impacted the game at a high level in all three phases for undefeated Group 1 state champs finishing with 26 tackles and seven interceptions to go with 48 receptions for 843 yards and 12 touchdowns on offense.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 175
Second-rated punter in the Class of 2027 according to Kohl's averaged 44.2 yards per punt while landing 62.7 percent of his punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line.
Second team offense
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 195
Put up big-time numbers throwing for 4,480 yards and 38 touchdowns to go with 690 yards on the ground and seven more scores.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 175
Threw for 3,947 yards and 36 touchdowns while leading Cardinals to 12-2 record.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 185
Threw for 2,481 yards and 30 touchdowns for the best team in Pennsylvania.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 180
All-state running back rushed for 2,527 yards and 37 touchdowns.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 230
Rushed for over 2,100 yards and 26 touchdowns to go with 20 receptions for 300-plus yards and three more scores.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 200
Rushed for 1,062 yards and broke the school record accounting for 24 total touchdowns.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 160
Had 68 catches for 1,165 yards and seven touchdowns while leading Bulldogs to first state title since 1985.
Height: 5-11 |
Weight: 160
Led No. 24 team in MaxPreps Top 25 with 51 receptions for 750 yards.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 170
Posted 55 grabs for 657 yards and 10 touchdowns for No. 10 team in MaxPreps Top 25.
Height: 6-8 | Weight: 230
Had a breakout season posting 39 receptions for 754 yards and six touchdowns.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 270
Five-star offensive tackle put together a dominant sophomore campaign.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 300
Top-rated prospect in Class of 2027 from Pennsylvania had another outstanding year.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 305
Versatile lineman played all over the offensive line and had another impressive season.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 280
Helped Patriots win 4A state title leading the way in the trenches.
Height: 6-5 |
Weight: 285
Made a huge impact on the offensive line for 12-1 team.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 180
Led Green Wave to first state championship game appearance since 2007, posting 82 receptions for 1,208 yards and 14 touchdowns to go with 212 yards on the ground and four more scores.
K — Reese Beasley, Opelika (Ala.)Height: 6-2 | Weight: 180
Connected on 11 of 12 field goals and made all 41 point after attempts.
Second team defense
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 225
Helped Thundering Herd win first state title in program history, recording 56 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and 18 sacks.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 275
Disruptive defensive lineman finished with 59 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks for 3A state champs.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 235
Was a force on defense for Division 1-AA state champs racking up 90 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 13 sacks.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 230
The second-rated prospect in the Class of 2027 has some of the best tape in the country. Recently transferred to
Benedictine (Savannah, Ga.).
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 200
Two-way
standout had 174 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five sacks and two
interceptions to go with 767 yards rushing and seven touchdowns for Division 2-AA runner-up.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 210
Sideline-to-sideline linebacker racked up a team-high 152 tackles and 14 tackles for loss for AAA runner-up.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 210
Led Bulldogs to best season since Barrett Carter and Josh Downs were there racking up 129 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, six sacks, two interceptions and five forced fumbles.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185
Lined up against the best wide receivers in South Florida and did not allow a touchdown this season.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 185
Hard-hitting
safety did it all for 4A runner-up posting 85 tackles, six tackles for
loss, one sack, two interceptions, 15 pass break-ups and three forced
fumbles.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 205
Led
Warriors to 12-1 record and second straight state
title after accounting for 45 tackles and five interceptions. He added
15 receptions for 263 yards and seven touchdowns on offense.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 200
All-state safety made a ton of big plays for Division II Class AA semifinalist.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 230
Two-way standout helped Knights to a 12-3 record and Division II semifinal appearance.
P — Evan Wozniak, Arrowhead (Hartland, Wis.)
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 195
Averaged 42.5 yards per punt with nearly 40 percent of them landing inside the opponent's 10-yard line.
