Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized the nation's top high school football players at the conclusion of the season. Past members of the MaxPreps High School Football Freshman All-America Team include Leonard Fournette (2010), Christian Kirk (2011), Nick Bosa (2012), Dylan Moses (2013), Trevor Lawrence (2014), JT Daniels (2015), Harrison Bailey (2016), Sam Huard (2017), Gunner Stockton (2018) and Arch Manning (2019).
National Freshman of the Year selection Ronnie Royal of Alexandria
(Ala.) headlines the 2020 MaxPreps Freshman
All-America Team. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound two-way standout announced Monday he will play for Gulf Shores next year but his one season at Alexandria will be fondly remembered. He piled up 2,853 all-purpose yards and 35 touchdowns while tallying 57 tackles and an interception defensively, helping the Valley Cubs go 12-2.
Selections are based on team success, individual production and local, regional state honors from the recently completed season. Potential at the college and professional level is not a primary consideration.
First Team Offense
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 180
Despite injury, high-ceiling signal caller flashed potential in six games in his second varsity season.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 180
All-region pick was one of the nation's most productive ninth grade running backs, with 1,704 yards and 21 touchdowns in 10 games.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 210
Bruising man-child averaged nearly 10 yards per carry for the runner-up in Class 3A.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 180
Flashed the speed to be a downfield threat and the physicality to thrive across the middle.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 140
Silky smooth route runner with DeVonta Smith-like build has elite agility.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 215
Physical blocker and sure-handed receiver earned all-region honorable mention for South Georgia powerhouse.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 285
Powerful interior linemen with great bloodlines stood out in shortened season.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 275
Started at center for No. 2 team in the country.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 275
"Big Cat" toyed with opposing defenders all season long.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 310
Athletic big man played all over for the Class 5A finalist.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 330
Has drawn comparisons to Michael Oher of "Blindside" fame.
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 175
Tough-running quarterback rumbled for 1,457 yards and 11 touchdowns on 141 carries.
First Team Defense
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 250
Perhaps the most gifted player athletically, regardless of position.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 215
Made 64 tackles and 11 sacks for Miami-Dade power.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 190
Explosive defensive end was Class 4A all-state selection.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 210
The Class of 2024 in the Tampa area is deep, and Hayes is among the best.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 180
Highly versatile athlete who also lined up at tight end, receiver and safety.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 200
Sideline-to-sideline backer amassed 17 tackles in single game.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 215
Could be the top recruit to emerge from Western Pennsylvania powerhouse in a long time.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 175
National Freshman of the Year starred on both sides of the ball.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 160
Shutdown corner helped the Hawks to an undefeated season and spot at No. 4 in final Top 25 rankings.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 180
Basketball standout only turned 14 in August and flourished all over the field.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 180
Rangy athlete saw reps on varsity for AAAAAA state champions.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 160
Made 33 tackles, 18 pass breakups and four interceptions.
Second Team Offense
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 180
Tossed for nearly 1,400 yards for 6A Hughes, earning all-region honorable mention.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 205
Also a star linebacker, Brown is a high-upside physical specimen.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 190
Precocious phenom has thrived at every level, drawing lofty comparisons.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 190
Could be the next great receiver to emerge from South Florida.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 180
Proved he was the real deal after much youth football hype.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220
Old school tight end is punishing blocker and capable receiver, catching five touchdowns.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 275
Showed great promise in the trenches for unbeaten Cherry Creek.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 275
Freshman starter up front for Class 2A state champion.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 275
First ninth-grader to play varsity for White Hall in more than two decades.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 270
Mammoth tackle also played defense for the undefeated champs.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 275
Fires off the ball from center and plays angry.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 190
Second Team Defense
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 225
Hybrid defender can stand up or play with his hand on the ground.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 200
Son of Miami linebacker of the same name registered eight sacks along with five tackles-for-loss.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 240
Made a living in the opposing backfield with nine sacks and eight tackles-for-loss.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 215
Averaged 1.5 sacks per game en route to earning an offer from Ole Miss.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 195
Made an instant impact after getting called up to varsity for Class 5A South Oak Cliff.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 230
Imposed his will to the tune of 79 total tackles.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 210
Powerful backer showed great promise in limited reps for perennial Texas talent factor.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 170
Ball-hawking defensive back has good size and speed.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 160
Son of former Bears great made 43 tackles and two interceptions.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 160
Boasts blazing speed and earned second team all-district honors.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 150
Shutdown corner helped lead Bearcats to 5A Division 2 state title.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 180
With 53 tackles and three pass breakups, earned all-region honors.
Stephen Spiewak is national football editor emeritus at MaxPreps and has selected the MaxPreps Freshman All-America Team since 2010. He now works for leading independent ticket marketplace Vivid Seats.
