Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school football. America's source 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.
Athletes from all 50 states along with Washington, D.C. were selected. Some notable selections include Travis Hunter of Collins Hill (Suwanee, Ga.), who helped the Eagles to the school's first state title; Cade Klubnik of Westlake (Austin, Texas), who led the Chaparrals to their third consecutive state championship and accounted for over 3,700 yards of total offense and 55 touchdowns; and Tetairoa McMillan of Servite (Anaheim, Calif.), who put up big-time numbers on both sides of the ball playing against the best competition. The future Arizona Wildcat had over 1,300 yards receiving, 18 touchdowns, 35 tackles and eight interceptions.
For an in-depth look at every selection each player's story is linked that includes their bio and list of accomplishments.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released Jan. 4.
MaxPreps High School Football Player of the Year in each state
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 235
Status: Signed with Alabama | Class: Senior (2022)
The five-star edge rusher helped the Warriors to their third consecutive 7A state title racking up 93 tackles, 29 tackles for loss and 10 sacks.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 175
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Led Thunderbirds to Division 1 state title and accounted for 2,521 yards of total offense (2,103 passing, 418 rushing) and 36 touchdowns.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 215
Status: Signed with West Virginia | Class: Senior (2022)
Helped the Huskies to a MaxPreps Top 25 finish, accounting for 3,059 yards of total offense (2,690 passing, 369 rushing) and 43 touchdowns.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 175
Status: Signed with Northwestern | Class: Senior (2022)
Repeated as the state Player of the Year after racking up over 2,500 total yards and 40 touchdowns for the three-time defending 5A state champs.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 185
Status: Signed with Arizona | Class: Senior (2022)
Made an impact on both sides of the ball for the No. 5 team in the MaxPreps Top 25 rankings. Had 88 receptions for 1,302 yards and 18 touchdowns while racking up 35 tackles and eight interceptions on defense.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 185
Status: Signed with Oklahoma | Class: Senior (2022)
Rushed for 2,000-plus yards and 28 touchdowns for the runner-up in 5A.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 195
Status: Signed with Connecticut | Class: Senior (2022)
Accounted for 3,577 yards of total offense (849 passing, 2,728 rushing) and 49 touchdowns while racking up 50 tackles on defense.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 195
Status: Signed with South Carolina | Class: Senior (2022)
Helped the Cavaliers to their first state title since 2012 with their only loss coming against Pennsylvania power St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia).
Height: 5-8 | Weight: 165
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Led
the Cadets to an undefeated season and WCAC title. The talented running
back rushed for 1,000-plus yards and helped lead the DMV power to a
spot at No. 19 in the final MaxPreps Top 25 rankings.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 235
Status: Signed with Ohio State | Class: Senior (2022)
The four-star edge rusher led the way for one of the best defenses in Florida. He finished his senior season with over 75 tackles and 18 sacks for the 3A state champs.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 175
Status: Signed with Jackson State | Class: Senior (2022)
Dominated on both sides of the ball for the best team in Georgia. Had 89 receptions for over 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns while racking up 27 tackles, four interceptions and a forced fumble on defense.
Height: 5-7 | Weight: 160
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2023)
Led Red Raiders to 10-0 season and Open Division state championship. Had over 1,000 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns to go with five return scores.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 195
Status: Signed with Weber State | Class: Senior (2022)
Led the Trojans to the 5A state title and finished the year as the top-ranked team in Idaho. He accounted for over 3,200 yards of total offense.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 200
Status: Signed with Missouri | Class: Senior (2022)
The top-ranked wide receiver in the Class of 2022 on 247Sports composite rankings is one of the most dynamic playmakers in the country. He racked up over 2,100 all-purpose yards and 35 touchdowns.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 210
Status: Signed with Purdue | Class: Senior (2022)
Helped the Titans to their first state title and finished his senior season with over 4,200 yards passing and 58 touchdowns.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 190
Status: Signed with Iowa | Class: Senior (2022)
Impacted the game on all three phases and helped the Rams to their first state title.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 200
Status: Committed to Nebraska (baseball) | Class: Senior (2022)
The standout catcher is expected to play both sports when he gets to Nebraska and had a huge senior season accounting for 3,159 yards of total offense (1,945 passing, 1,214 rushing) and 45 touchdowns for the 6A state champs.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 190
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Made big-time plays with his arm and legs all season for the 6A state champs. Accounted for 3,596 yards of total offense (2,319 passing, 1,277 rushing) and 51 touchdowns.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 225
Status: Committed to Texas A&M | Class: Junior (2023)
Threw for over 3,200 yards and 30 touchdowns while leading the Broncos to an undefeated season and 5A state title.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 215
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Helped the Capers to their first state title in school history and accounted for seven touchdowns in the 53-8 win over Winslow in the Class C championship game.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 250
Status: Signed with Michigan | Class: Senior (2022)
One of the best edge rushers in the country finished his senior season with 55 tackles, 24 tackles for loss and 12 sacks for the No. 4 team in the final MaxPreps Top 25 rankings.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 170
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2023)
Accounted for nearly 3,000 yards of total offense and 31 touchdowns for the Division 1 state champs.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 195
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2023)
The five-star quarterback led the Crusaders to the Division III state title and threw for over 3,000 yards and 40 touchdowns.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 185
Status: Signed with Nebraska | Class: Senior (2022)
Put up big-time numbers on both sides of the ball rushing for 2,500-plus yards and 42 touchdowns while posting 85 tackles and 13 tackles for loss on defense.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 215
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2023)
Rushed for 2,500-plus yards and 28 touchdowns for the 5A state champs.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 170
Status: Committed to Jackson State | Class: Senior (2022)
The five-star wide receiver helped the Dragons to a Class 3 state title and finished the postseason with over 1,000 all-purpose yards and 16 touchdowns.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 200
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Led the Broncs to an undefeated season and Class A state title. Accounted for over 3,000 yards of total offense and 45 touchdowns.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 195
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Set the single-season state record rushing of 3,090 yards and scored 44 touchdowns for the Class B state champs.
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 175
Status: Committed to USC | Class: Junior (2023)
The five-star receiver had over 1,000 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns while averaging 22.8 yards per reception for the No. 15 team in the final MaxPreps Top 25 rankings.
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 175
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Rushed for over 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns for the runner-up in Division 1.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 190
Status: Signed with Nebraska | Class: Senior (2022)
The four-star cornerback played his senior season at safety and led the way for one of the best defenses in the country. He had 27 tackles and four interceptions for the No. 3 team in the final MaxPreps Top 25 rankings.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 160
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2023)
Accounted for 2,774 yards of total offense (1,787 passing, 987 rushing) and 34 touchdowns for the best team in the state.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 225
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2023)
Became the first player in Westchester County history to throw for 2,000-plus yards and rush for over 1,000 yards in the same season.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 205
Status: Signed with North Carolina | Class: Senior (2022)
The four-star edge rusher led the Golden Lions to the 2A state title and finished his senior year with 135 tackles, 41 tackles for loss and 20 sacks.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 170
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2023)
Led the Vikings to their first football state title and made a huge impact on both sides of the ball. Accounted for 1,707 total yards and 28 touchdowns while racking up 72 tackles and seven interceptions on defense.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 230
Status: Signed with Penn State | Class: Senior (2022)
Threw for over 4,400 yards and 48 touchdowns while leading the Battlng Bees to a 13-1 record.
Height: 5-8 | Weight: 170
Status: Signed with Oklahoma State | Class: Senior (2022)
Will go down as one of the best high school football players in Oklahoma history. Led the Spartans to four consecutive 6A-II state titles and finished his senior season with nearly 1,800 total yards and 24 touchdowns for the No. 18 team in the final MaxPreps Top 25 rankings.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 190
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Helped lad the Pirates to their first state title since 1992 and threw for over 3,600 yards and 50 touchdowns.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 210
Status: Signed with Penn State | Class: Senior (2022)
Rushed for 2,000-plus yards and 41 touchdowns while averaging 12.7 yards per carry.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 230
Status: Signed with Kentucky (baseball) | Class: Senior (2022)
Was the heart-and-soul for the top-ranked team in the state. Made a huge impact on both sides of the ball and was named MVP in the Hawks 49-40 win over La Salle Academy (Providence) in the state championship.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 180
Status: Signed with Clemson | Class: Senior (2022)
Finished his senior season with 85 receptions for over 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 205
Status: Signed with Minnesota | Class: Senior (2022)
Accounted for over 2,900 yards of total offense and 41 touchdowns while leading the Tigers to their first state title since 1999.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 325
Status: Signed with Texas A&M | Class: Senior (2022)
The five-star defensive tackle helped the Panthers to their first state title and finished the year with 83 tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, 27 quarterback hurries and six forced fumbles.
Height: 6-2.5 | Weight: 185
Status: Signed with Clemson | Class: Senior (2022)
Drew Brees, Nick Foles and Sam Ehlinger are some of the notable quarterbacks to play for Westlake and none threw for more yards or touchdowns than Klubnik. He finished his senior season with 3,722 yards of total offense (3,251 passing, 471 rushing) and 55 touchdowns.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 190
Status: Signed with Ohio State | Class: Senior (2022)
Broke the single-season state record throwing for 4,881 yards for the runner-up in 6A. Added 430 yards rushing and accounted for 65 total touchdowns.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 205
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Helped the Hornets to the Division 1 state title while rushing for nearly 1,400 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 285
Status: Signed with North Carolina | Class: Senior (2022)
The only offensive lineman to be named a state player of the year racked up over 200 pancake blocks and did not allow a sack over his final two seasons.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to Eastern Washington | Class: Senior (2022)
Helped the Eagles to their first state title in school history then capped off his senior year with a 40-36 win over Collins Hill (Suwanee) in the GEICO State Champion Bowl Series. He completed 15-of-24 passes for 273 yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winning 32-yard touchdown pass to Stephen Mars Jr. with one second remaining.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
Capped off his remarkable season with one of the best state title games in West Virginia history. In a 62-21 win over Huntington in the 3A championship game he had eight receptions for 175 yards and four touchdowns to go with four rushing scores and an interception.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 190
Status: Signed with Wisconsin | Class: Senior (2022)
Led the Sabers to the Division 1 state title and threw for over 3,400 yards and 36 touchdowns while completing 71 percent of his passes.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 180
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2023)
Rushed for 1,600-plus yards and 22 touchdowns for the 4A state champs.
