Elijah Haven of
Dunham (Baton Rouge, La.) is the 2024 MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound quarterback joins the likes of Derrick Henry (2010), Quinn Ewers (2019), Bryce Underwood (2022) and Julian Lewis (2023) as past winners.
Haven led Dunham to a 14-1 record and an appearance in the Division III Select state championship game. He completed 193 of 321 passes for 3,093 yards and 37 touchdowns (against seven interceptions) to go with 925 yards on the ground and 19 more scores.
In a 31-28 loss against Catholic (New Iberia) in the title game, Haven threw for 300 yards and two touchdowns to go with 154 yards rushing and two more scores.
Haven threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns in a 46-22 win over Bunkie in the semifinals, adding 22 carries for 179 yards and three more scores.
A week earlier, Haven led an epic comeback erasing a 30-13 fourth quarter deficit to beat Lafayette Christian Academy (Lafayette) 34-30 in the quarterfinals. He threw for three fourth-quarter touchdowns and finished with 276 yards passing. He added 93 yards rushing and two more scores.
Haven led the Tigers to a perfect regular season capped by a 56-16 win over Slaughter Community Charter (Slaughter) where he completed all 12 pass attempts for 239 yards and four touchdowns to go with another score on the ground.
According to 247Sports, Haven is the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2027. He has landed 10 offers led by Florida, LSU, Miami, Michigan and Ole Miss.
Haven is the first player from Louisiana to be named the MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year. He is the fourth straight quarterback and 11th signal caller since the inaugural award in 2009.
Past MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year
2009 — Johnathan Gray, RB, Aledo (Texas)
2010 — Derrick Henry, RB, Yulee (Fla.)
2011 — Jabrill Peppers, ATH, Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.)
2012 — Austin Kafentzis, QB, Jordan (Sandy, Utah)
2013 — Cameron Chambers, WR, Timber Creek (Erial, N.J.)
2014 — Tate Martell, QB, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
2015 — Dakereon Joyner, QB, Fort Dorchester (North Charleston, S.C.)
2016 — J.T. Daniels, QB, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
2017 — D.J. Uiagalelei, QB, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)
2018 — Dematrius Davis, QB, North Shore (Houston)
2019 — Quinn Ewers, QB, Southlake Carroll (Southlake, Texas)
2020 — L.T. Overton, DL, Milton (Ga.)
2021 — Elijah Brown, QB, Mater Dei
2022 — Bryce Underwood, QB, Belleville (Mich.)
2023 — Julian Lewis, QB, Carrollton (Ga.)
