Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized the nation's top high school football players at the conclusion of the season. The 2022 MaxPreps All-America team will be announced Jan. 10 along with the National Football Player of the Year.
The winner joins Derrick Henry, Kyler Murray, Bryce Young and Cade Klubnik as past winners of the MaxPreps National Player of the Year award.
The criteria for selecting the MaxPreps All-America team, along with the five finalists, is based off the individual impact that player made, team success, and local, regional and state honors from the recently completed season.
Bishop Gorman junior quarterback Micah Alejado is one of five finalists for the 2022 MaxPreps National Player of the Year. The Player of the Year as well as the MaxPreps All-America Team will be announced at 7 p.m. ET on Jan. 10 on CBS HQ. (Photo: Jules Karney)
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 170
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2024)
The only non-senior among the five finalists had a monster junior campaign for the No. 4 team in the final MaxPreps Top 25. Alejado threw for 3,575 yards and had 54 touchdowns compared to only two interceptions while completing 75.8 percent of his passes. He added 353 yards rushing and three more scores. He led the Gaels to a 14-1 record and the Las Vegas power outscored the opposition 857-92. He was the 2022 MaxPreps Nevada Player of the Year.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 205
Status: Signed with Oklahoma | Class: Senior (2023)
Put up big-time numbers after a strong junior campaign. The five-star quarterback threw for 3,476 yards and had 33 touchdowns compared to three interceptions while completing 68.7 percent of his passes. He added 161 carries for 924 yards and 24 scores. He led the Wildcats to a 14-1 record and to the UIL 6A Division 2 state semifinals. Over his final two seasons, he accounted for 8,980 yards of total offense (7,397 passing, 1,583 rushing) and 103 touchdowns. He was named the 2022 MaxPreps Texas Player of the Year.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 245
Status: Signed with Miami | Class: Senior (2023)
Led Rockets to first undefeated season in school history and a fourth consecutive state title. The four-star defensive lineman racked up 29 sacks and 32.5 tackles for loss for the No. 2 team in the final MaxPreps Top 25. Bain finished his senior season with at least two sacks in nine games, including a three-sack performance in a 20-14 win at No. 5 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.). He was named the 2022 MaxPreps Florida Player of the Year.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 195
Status: Signed with Alabama | Class: Senior (2023)
No one impacted the game on both sides of the ball as much as Downs. The five-star safety led the Hawks to a 14-1 record and AAAAAAA state championship, the school's first state title. He finished his senior season with 83 tackles and five interception (two pick-6's) to go with 1,064 all-purpose yards and 23 touchdowns. The No. 11 finish was Mill Creek's highest ever rank in the MaxPreps Top 25. He was named the 2022 MaxPreps Georgia Player of the Year.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 230
Status: Signed with Georgia | Class: Senior (2023)
Led the Hornets to their first football state title, rushing for 218 yards and four touchdowns in a 33-28 win over De La Salle (Concord) in the CIF Division 1-AA championship. He finished his senior campaign with 217 carries for 2,378 yards and 37 touchdowns. Earlier in the season, the four-star running back tied the San Diego Section record with eight rushing touchdowns in a 56-20 win over Mater Dei Catholic (Chula Vista, Calif.). In that contest, he ran 32 times for 476 yards. He was named the 2022 MaxPreps California Player of the Year.
