Julian Lewis of
Carrollton (Ga.) is the 2023 MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year, joining past high school football stars like Derrick Henry (2010), Jabrill Peppers (2011), DJ Uiagalelei (2017), Quinn Ewers (2019), Lebbeus Overton (2020), Elijah Brown (2021) and Bryce Underwood (2022) as winners of the award.
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound quarterback led the Trojans to an 11-2 record and Class AAAAAAA quarterfinals. He threw for 3,094 yards and 48 touchdown against two interceptions, completing 66.4 percent of his attempts.
Lewis, last year's MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year, has led Carrollton to a 25-3 record over the last two seasons. He threw for 4,118 yards and 48 touchdowns in 2022.
Lewis is the top-rated player in the Class of 2026 and checks all the boxes at the quarterback position.
In the opening round of the playoffs, Lewis broke the school record throwing for seven touchdowns in a 54-14 win over Harrison (Kennesaw), completing 15 of 19 passes for 435 yards.
Lewis threw for a season-high 455 yards to go along with six touchdowns in a 56-24 win over East Coweta (Sharpsburg) in October.
Committed to USC, Lewis joins Lebbeus Overton of Milton as the only other player from Georgia to be named the MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year. Overton took home that honor in 2020. Lewis is the 10th quarterback and third in a row joining Bryce Underwood of Belleville (Mich.) and Elijah Brown of Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.).
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 — JT 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 — Lebbeus Overton, DL, Milton (Ga.)
2021 — Elijah Brown, QB, Mater Dei
2022 — Bryce Underwood, QB, Belleville (Mich.)
