Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school football. America's resource for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2021 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.
Braden Davis of
Middletown (Del.) is the 2021 MaxPreps Delaware High School Football Player of the Year. The 6-foot-5, 195-pound senior helped the Cavaliers go 11-1 and claim their first Class 3 state championship since 2012.
In a 28-22 win over Smyrna in the title game, Davis completed 15-of-25 passes for 216 yards and a touchdown. The South Carolina signee also ran for a 14-yard score. Davis threw for four postseason touchdowns in three games and finished the year with 23 scoring strikes through the air.
Delaware's No. 1 prospect for the Class of 2022 by 247Sports completed 114-of-156 passes for 1,872 yards and 20 touchdowns through the first nine games of the season. Davis threw for a score in a 27-0 quarterfinal win over Appoquinimink before completing 17-of-26 passes for 164 yards and two scores in Middletown's 33-15 semifinal triumph over Salesianum.
Before moving on to the University of South Carolina where he will play for Gamecock coach Shane Beamer, Davis has one more high school football game to tend to. The four-star QB has been invited to play in the Under Armour All-America Football Game on Jan. 2, 2022 in Orlando.
Zach Blum's star player chose South Carolina over plenty of other college football suitors including Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Oregon and Penn State.
Davis' teammate Kevin Ignudo was named the 2020 MaxPreps Delaware High School Football Player of the Year. Ignudo earned the honor while playing for Howard last fall.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion on the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released in early January.
