High school football: Arch Manning, Quinn Ewers among Top 5 players to watch in 2021

The 2021 high school football season is less than 100 days away and is expected to kick off as normal across all 50 states. MaxPreps will release our preseason content starting June 23 when we drop our preseason MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings.

A look at the nation's elite programs will be followed by breakdowns of the top team in every state, biggest games, toughest schedules and top players at every position. Our 2021 preview will conclude in late July with the release of our preseason MaxPreps All-America Teams.

First up, however, is a look at the five most anticipated players heading into the 2021 season. This list is based off expectations heading into the fall and what kind of impact they will make for their respective teams.

Top 5 players to watch in 2021

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 265

Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2023)

Selected to the California MaxPreps All-State first team after dominating on both sides of the ball during his sophomore season. He also was named the Los Angeles Times Football Player of the Year and the 15th-rated prospect overall on 247Sports should dominate during his junior season.

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 200

Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2023)

There might not be a bigger name in high school sports and Manning has exceeded expectations through his first two seasons. He was named the MaxPreps Freshman Player of the Year in 2019 and followed that up with a selection on the Sophomore MaxPreps All-America team in 2020. Manning is the top-rated quarterback on 247Sports for the Class of 2023 and fourth-rated prospect overall. 

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 265

Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2023)

The top-rated prospect in the Class of 2023 was the MaxPreps Sophomore Player of the Year in 2020 after leading the state of Georgia with 21.5 sacks. Overton helped lead the Eagles to an 11-1 record last season on the gridiron and also helped Milton to a AAAAAAA state championship on the basketball court. Ohio State, North Carolina and Stanford are among the schools who have offered him a scholarship for both sports.

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 205

Status: Committed to Ohio State | Class: Senior (2022)

The top-rated player in the country became the sixth player in 247Sports composite history to receive a perfect 1.0000 rating last December — joining Rashan Gary (2016), Robert Nkemdiche (2013), Jadeveon Clowney (2011), Ernie Sims (2003) and Vince Young (2002). The five-star quarterback helped lead the Dragons to a runner-up finish in Texas' largest classification last season and was named the MaxPreps Sophomore Player of the Year in 2019.

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 165

Status: Committed to Florida State | Class: Senior (2022)

The top-rated cornerback in the Class of 2022 dominated on both sides of the ball during his junior season. He helped the Eagles to their first state title game appearance in 2020 and was named the MaxPreps Junior Player of the Year after hauling in 137 receptions for 1,746 yards and 24 touchdowns while recording 51 tackles and eight interceptions on defense.