Only a junior, Deshaun Watson has already set the Georgia record for passing yards. He also earned the title of MaxPreps National Junior of the Year
Photo by Dennis Carter
DeShaun Watson is the all-time leading passer in the state of Georgia. And he hasn't even begun his senior season yet.
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound junior completed 305 of 435 passes for 4,024 yards and 50 touchdowns while rushing 221 times for 1,441 yards and 24 scores. In three seasons, Watson has throw for 9,363 yards and 108 touchdowns.
Watson's performance cannot be completely understood looking only at his numbers. His most important achievement was helping lead Gainesville to the program's first state title in a 49-13 victory over Ware County.
Committed to Clemson, he narrowly edged New Jersey sensation Jabrill Peppers and North Carolina quarterback Will Grier for National Junior of the Year honors.
MaxPreps 2012 Junior All-American Team
First Team OffenseDeShaun Watson, QB, 6-3, 195, Gainesville (Ga.)Watson
led Gainesville to its first state title by completing 305 of 404
passes for 4,021 yards. The Clemson commit rushed for 1,420 yards and 24 scores.
Will Grier, QB, 6-3, 185, Davidson Day (N.C.)Grier's season was highlighted by a
10-touchdown performance, but the Florida commit was outstanding all season long. He completed 324 of 414 passes for 5,785 yards and 69 touchdowns.
Mark Andrews, Desert Mountain
File photo by Doug James
Drake Harris, WR, 6-2, 175, Christian (Grand Rapids, Mich.)In guiding Grand Rapids Christian to a state title, Harris had a monster season. The Michigan State commit hauled in 91 passes for 2,016 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Mark Andrews, WR, 6-6, 225, Desert Mountain (Scottsdale, Ariz.)Andrews towered over defensive backs all season to the tune of 81 catches for 1,491 yards and 21 touchdowns en route to Player of the Year honors from the Arizona Republic.
Trey Quinn, WR, 6-1, 190, Barbe (Lake Charles, La.)If there were a fantasy football draft for high school players, Quinn might be the No. 1 overall pick. He caught 111 passes for 2,094 yards and 26 scores.
Nic Weishar, TE, 6-5, 215, Marist (Chicago)Weishar is a huge target, and in 2012, he caught most things thrown his way. He made 89 catches for 1,034 yards and five scores.
Damian Prince, OL, 6-7, 305, Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.)Prince was the only junior to earn All-Met honors on the offensive line, according to the Washington Post.
KC McDermott, OL, 6-6, 290, Palm Beach Central (Wellington, Fla.)An All-Area pick, McDermott graded out at 94 percent and was perhaps the top lineman in Palm Beach County.
Jimmy Byrne, OL, 6-4, 285, St. Ignatius (Cleveland)Byrne, a Notre Dame commit, powered a St. Ignatius offensive line that dominated many of its opponents on the way to an 11-2 record.
Braden Smith, OL, 6-6, 282, South (Olathe, Kan.)A member of the VarsityKansas Top 11 Team, Smith was dominant on both sides of the ball for Olathe South, which ran behind him on offense 62 percent of the time.
Demetrius Knox, OL, 6-5, 300, All Saints (Fort Worth, Texas)A member of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram Super Team, Knox is a physical specimen on the All Saints offensive line and a Texas commit.
Jabrill Peppers, Paramus Catholic
Photo by Daniel Coppola
Jalen Hurd, RB, 6-3, 208, Beech (Hendersonville, Tenn.)Despite being slowed by injuries, Hurd still managed to rush 317 times for 3,357 yards and 43 touchdowns.
Elijah Hood, RB, 6-0, 200, Charlotte Catholic (N.C.)Hood was nearly unstoppable, rushing 278 times for 3,309 yards and 47 touchdowns and was the All-Observer Offensive Player of the Year.
Leonard Fournette, RB, 6-2, 230, St. Augustine (New Orleans)The all-New Orleans large school Player of the Year, Fournette rushed for 31 touchdowns and over 2,100 yards.
Jabrill Peppers, ATH, 6-1, 210, Paramus Catholic (N.J.)Peppers guided Paramus Catholic to a state title and was named MSGVarsity's Player of the Year. He rushed for 1,552 yards and 18 touchdowns and caught five touchdown passes.
Reid Budrovich, K, 6-0, 180, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)Budrovich recorded an eye-popping 55 touchbacks to go along with 61 PATs.