Video: Tate Martell Ultimate HighlightsGorman QB will have a chance to shine on big stage at Ohio State.
MaxPreps High School Football Countdown
Today — Future Heisman Trophy candidates
Aug. 11 — Best stadiums to see a high school game
Aug. 12 — Coaches to follow on Twitter
Aug. 13 — Teams logging frequent flyer miles this season
Aug. 14 — Players to follow on Twitter
Aug. 15 — Coaches nearing landmark wins
Aug. 16 — Best highlight tapes
Aug. 17 — Big time players flying under the recruiting radar
Aug. 18 — High-octane offenses
Every football player grows up dreaming about winning the Heisman Trophy
These five senior playmakers actually may have a chance to do it. They are game-changers, winners and leaders.
It's high praise, but there's just something special about these five guys.
Tate Martell, QB, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)Arguably the most exciting playmaker in high school football, Martell is the nation's No. 2-ranked dual-threat quarterback. He has a strong and accurate arm, electric feet and is a magician with the football. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Martell has compiled 5,145 passing yards, 1,037 rushing yards and 86 total touchdowns the past two seasons along with a 28-0 mark as Bishop Gorman's starting QB. A future Ohio State Buckeye, Martell and Gorman are in the hunt for their eighth consecutive state title in Nevada.
Najee Harris, RB Antioch (Calif.)There's a little bit of last year's Heisman winner Derrick Henry in Harris, so it made plenty of sense when he committed to Alabama early in the process. The 6-foot-3, 226-pound manchild has the rare combination of size, power and athletic ability. Regarded as the nation's top prospect by 247Sports, Harris racked up 2,744 rushing yards, 129 receiving yards and 39 touchdowns in leading the Panthers to an 11-1 record last season.
Najee Harris, Antioch
Photo By Ernie Abrea
McCaffrey might have the highest upside of any recruit in the country. Considered to be the No. 3 pro-style quarterback in the senior class by 247Sports, he simply has all the tools and is as smooth as they come. He also owns great athletic genes with his dad, Ed McCaffrey, being a three-time Super Bowl champion and brother Christian McCaffrey being a Heisman runner-up in 2015. The Colorado signal caller has posted 5,227 passing yards, 1,156 rushing yards and 75 total touchdowns and while leading Valor Christian to a pair of Class 5A state titles in his three-year varsity career.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB St. Louis (Honolulu, Hawaii)Tagovailoa had arguably the best offseason of any prospect in America, claiming MVP honors at both the Elite 11 quarterback competition and The Opening's 7-on-7 tournament. The nation's top-rated dual-threat quarterback recorded 2,932 passing yards, 481 rushing yards and 35 total touchdowns in leading St. Louis to a Division I state title appearance last year. The 6-foot-1, 212-pound senior attends the same high school as his idol and 2014 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota. Could the Alabama pledge follow in Mariota's footsteps and become just the second Hawaiian-born athlete to ever hoist the Heisman?
Sam Ehlinger, QB Westlake (Austin, Texas)Ehlinger put up video game numbers last season in the largest classification in Texas, piling up 3,833 passing yards, 1,419 rushing yards and 71 total touchdowns. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Texas commitment also helped snap Allen's 57-game winning streak in the state semifinals – proving he's the ultimate gamer. His storybook season secured him the MaxPreps National Junior of the Year honors.
