MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year Watch List

As the regular season draws to a close, MaxPreps takes a look at the nation's top sophomores.

Whoever takes home the hardware this year will join very impressive company. Previous winners of the National Sophomore of the Year award include:

Justin Worley (2008)
Johnathan Gray (2009)
Derrick Henry (2010)
Jabrill Peppers (2011)

MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year Watch List

Favorite
Austin Kafentzis, Jordan (Sandy, Utah)
The reigning National Freshman of the Year remains the frontrunner to earn top sophomore honors, though the race is much closer this year. He's rushed and passed for a combined 40 touchdowns and 3,400 yards in nine games leading Jordan to a nearly-perfect season so far. Jordan is the favorite to capture the Class 5A state title in Utah. Doing so would greatly elevate Kafentzis' stock.

Top Contenders
Jake Browning, Folsom (Calif.)
Playing in Folsom's pass-happy offense, Browning has thrived in his debut varsity season. He's completed 200 of 290 passes for 31 touchdowns versus only seven interceptions. Ten of those touchdowns came in Folsom's season-opener, Browning's first ever varsity game. Unlike previous Folsom quarterbacks, running is not a part of Browning repertoire. He's only rushed for one score this season.

Damien Harris, Madison Southern (Berea, Ky.)
Harris burst onto the scene as a freshman and garnered eight Division I offers before his sophomore season. This fall, he hasn't lived up to the hype — he's exceeded it. In seven games, he's rushed for 1,605 yards and 32 touchdowns in addition to registering two receiving scores. He's one of the best running backs in the country right now, regardless of class.

Ty Storey, Charleston (Ark.)
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Storey has been dominant so far this season. Through seven games, he's amassed 2,774 passing yards and 31 touchdowns while only being picked off six times. He may be the most well-rounded candidate as well; not only has he rushed for three touchdowns, but he's also made 32 tackles, two interceptions and handles punting duties for Charleston.

Keep an Eye On
Darian Roseboro, Lincolnton (N.C.)
Lincolnton lost many key pieces from last year's Class 2A runner-up team, but Roseboro has been a major bright spot. According to Mike Gebelein of the Lincoln Times, Roseboro has registered 70 tackles (19 for loss), seven sacks, four forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. At defensive end, Roseboro is already a coveted recruit with offers from Duke and North Carolina.

Kahlil McKenzie, Southwest (Green Bay, Wis.)
Defensive players rarely win awards like this, but McKenzie is another player with a legitimate shot. The son of the GM of the Raiders, McKenzie has been nearly unstoppable this season. According to Andrew Pekarek of the Green Bay Press Gazette, in addition to his 33 tackles (13 for loss), six sacks and two fumble recoveries, McKenzie has gotten to the quarterback an additional 15 or 20 times. Southwest sits at 8-0, and a deep playoff run will bolster McKenzie's chances.

Sleepers
De'Andre Johnson, First Coast (Jacksonville, Fla.)
John Reid, St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia)
Chico McClatcher, Federal Way (Federal Way, Wash.)
Jordan Scarlett, University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)