Graham Simpson of
Westview (Martin, Tenn.) is the 2024 MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year. The 6-foot-3, 175-pound quarterback joins the likes of Nick Bosa (2012), Trevor Lawrence (2014), Gunner Stockton (2018), Arch Manning (2019), Bryce Underwood (2021) and Julian Lewis (2022) as recipients of the honor.
Simpson led Westview to a 14-1 record and Division I Class 3A state championship game appearance, throwing for 4,135 yards and 57 touchdowns against just one interception. He completed 75.6
percent of his attempts.
Westview averaged 52.9 points per game behind the play of Simpson. The Chargers scored 60 or more in four games and topped 70 twice.
In a 59-54 win over Covington to close out the regular season in early
November, Simpson threw for a state record 620 yards to go along with
eight touchdown passes.
Maty Mauk of Ohio is the national record holder for career passing yards with
18,932, including 3,309 as a freshman. Having surpassed Mauk's yardage total this fall, Simpson could be in line to chase history at the prep level.
Simpson, whose brother Ty is a sophomore quarterback at Alabama, is the first player from Tennessee to be named MaxPreps National
Freshman of the Year and ninth quarterback to be selected. Six of the
last seven winners are signal callers.
Past MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year
2010 — Jabrill Peppers, ATH, Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.)
2011 — Austin Kafentzis, QB, Jordan (Sandy, Utah)
2012 — Nick Bosa, DL, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
2013 — Dylan Moses, LB, University Lab (Baton Rouge, La.)
2014 — Trevor Lawrence, QB, Cartersville (Ga.)
2015 — J.T. Daniels, QB, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
2016 — Jase McClellan, RB, Aledo (Texas)
2017 — Sam Huard, QB, Kennedy Catholic (Burien, Wash.)
2018 — Gunner Stockton, QB, Rabun County (Tiger, Ga.)
2019 — Arch Manning, QB, Newman (New Orleans, La.)
2020 — Ronnie Royal, ATH, Alexandria (Ala.)
2021 — Bryce Underwood, QB, Belleville (Mich.)
2022 — Julian Lewis, QB, Carrollton (Ga.)
2023 — Trent Seaborn, QB, Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.)
