Video: Emeka Egbuka highlights The Junior Football Player of the Year had a monster year for Steilacoom.
Emeka Egbuka of Steilacoom (Wash.) had a monster junior campaign on both sides of the ball for the 2A state runner-ups and is this year's MaxPreps Junior High School Football Player of the Year.
He had 83 receptions for 1,607 yards and 25 touchdowns to go with eight interceptions on defense. The 5-star athlete also had five scores on the ground.
Egbuka is one of five first- or second-team players selected from the Evergreen State.
Florida, Texas and California are the only states with more players.
The Sunshine State has the most players featured with 12 selections. The Lone Star State has the second most with nine and the Golden State checks in with the third most at eight.
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), North Shore (Houston), IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia), Northwestern (Miami), East St. Louis (Ill.) and Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.) are the only schools with more than one player featured.
MaxPreps 2019 Football Junior All-American Team
First Team Offense
The 2021 Virginia Tech commit led the Mustangs to their second consecutive 6A Division 1 state championship. He was the best player in Texas during the postseason.
His tape is as good as any player in the country and he did it against the best competition. The 5-star playmaker checks in as the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback for the Class of 2021.
Despite missing some time during his junior season he was still one of the top gunslingers for a Top 25 team. During a seven week stretch, the 2021 Ohio State commit threw for 1,600 yards and had 25 touchdowns against one interception.
The Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year rushed for over 2,400 yards and 45 touchdowns while leading the Blue Devils to an undefeated season and Class 3 state championship. Henderson also had nearly 300 yards receiving and five more scores.
Showed why he's the No. 1 rated all purpose back in the Class of 2021. The 5-star playmaker rushed for over 2,000 yards and 30 touchdowns while hauling in 34 receptions for 582 yards and eight more scores. The North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year also threw for two touchdowns.
All three first team running backs led their teams to state titles. Franklin broke Travis Henry's 24-year old state championship game record rushing for 328 yards while his 47 carries were also the most in state title game history eclipsing Kelvin Taylor's record of 44. He finished 2019 with nearly 2,300 yards rushing and 28 touchdowns for the 3A state champs.
Played a major role for the 6A state champs and No. 16 team in the country. When McCord went down with an injury the 2021 Ohio State commit put the team on his back and helped them close out the season on an 11-game winning streak.
Helped the Miami power to its first state title since 2015. Hauled in 13 receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns in the Tornadoes 25-21 win over Bolles (Jacksonville) in the 4A championship. One of the toughest covers in the game, he had 86 receptions for 1,187 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2019.
Helped the Braves to a CIF Open Division state championship and a No. 1 spot in the final Top 25. Had over 1,000 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns while averaging nearly 25 yards per reception.
Beaux Collins, St. John Bosco receiver
Photo by Louis Lopez
The 4-star tight end helped lead Patriots to first state title in school history. He hauled in 46 receptions for over 700 yards and seven touchdowns for the 4A champs.
Played against the best competition in 2019 and dominated in the trenches. The 5-star offensive lineman helped lead Good Counsel to its first Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship in eight years.
The No. 1 rated player from Utah in the Class of 2021 helped lead the Tigers to their third consecutive state title.
Showed his dominance even before the season started being named the offensive line MVP at The Opening this past summer and answered that with a huge junior season. The 4-star lineman led the Knights to a state title.
Helped O'Dea to a 12-1 record and paved the way for an offense that averaged nearly 300 yards rushing per game.
Went against the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2020 (Bryan Bresee) every day in practice and held his own. The 2021 Clemson commit was a big-time contributor in the Hornets 3A state title.
The 2021 Notre Dame commit was in the mix to be named Junior of the Year. He threw for 4,474 yards and 53 touchdowns while rushing for 1,610 yards and 28 more scores.
Joins his teammate Franklin on the first team. The 2021 Miami commit connected on 12-of-15 field goals and averaged more than 40 yards per punt.
First Team Defense
The 2021 Ohio State commit had 16.5 sacks during his junior season and also played quarterback in 2019. He accounted for 15 touchdowns on offense.
DL — Korey Foreman, Centennial (Corona, Calif.), 6-4, 245Despite missing some time he still displayed why he's the No. 1 rated player in the Class of 2021.
Helped
the Crusaders to their second consecutive 3A state title. Had 64
tackles and 11 sacks while also making an impact on offense.
J.T. Tumoloau, Eastside Catholic defensive lineman
Photo by Paul Caldwell
Played a monster role for the 4A Division 2 state champs. Had over 100 tackles and 16 sacks.
The recent LSU commit is one of the most versatile defensive players in high school football. Flies around the edge putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks and is also one of the best coverage linebackers in the country.
Helped the Bulls to their second consecutive state title. Racked up 105 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, nine sacks and had three interceptions for the 5A champs.
The Cougars defense was on full display during their 4AA state championship run. In five postseason games they allowed 24 points and held Leesville Road (Raleigh) to 80 total yards. Echols was named the MVP of the 4AA championship and showed why he's one of the top players in the Class of 2021 during his junior campaign.
Was a key factor for one of the top defenses in the country. St. Frances Academy had notable wins over IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), Miami Central (Fla.), St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.) and Simeon (Chicago) and Willis played a major role in the Panthers finishing the year ranked in the Top 5.
The 5-star defensive back had 62 tackles and six interceptions in 2019.
The top rated cornerback in the Class of 2021 already has over 30 FBS offers and is one of the best shut down corners in the country.
Lined up against the best wide receivers week in, week out during his junior season and held his own. Joins his teammate Davis as first team selections on the defense.
Just like Davies, Burton Jr. lined up against the best talent every week and balled out. The 2021 Florida commit showed why he's one of the top rated defensive backs in the country.
The MaxPreps' Junior of the Year made a big-time impact on all three phases.
Led all punters in the nation who had at least 30 punts averaging 47.1 yards per punt. Also pinned 30-of-50 punts inside the opponent's 20 yard line and made 6-of-7 field goals during his junior season.
Second Team Offense
The 2021 SMU commit put up huge numbers while leading the Panthers to a state title. He threw for over 3,200 yards and 37 touchdowns while rushing for nearly 1,000 yards and 11 more scores.
Preston Stone, Parish Episcopal quarterback
Photo by Kyle Dantzler
Huard threw for nearly 4,200 yards and 56 touchdowns in 2019. The 2021 Washington commit is on pace to shatter the state record for career passing yards. He is 1,303 yards away from passing Brett Rypien for the all-time mark.
The 2021 Alabama commit threw for over 3,500 yards and 50 touchdowns while leading Myers Park to a 12-1 record.
The shifty back had another monster season rushing for nearly 2,300 yards and 36 touchdowns. He added over 400 yards receiving and four more scores.
Johnson neared the 2,000 yard mark on the ground for an 11-1 Cy-Fair squad. The 4-star running back accounted for 38 touchdowns.
Played a huge role for one of the top teams in Georgia. Helped lead the Panthers to the 7A state semifinals and rushed for over 1,600 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2019.
The No. 2 rated running back in the Class of 2021 was one of the most versatile players in the country. Rushed for nearly 1,500 yards and had 500 yards receiving to go with 25 total touchdowns.
One of the biggest playmakers in all of Texas. Hauled in 84 receptions for 1,601 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also rushed for over 400 yards and 11 more scores for the 5A Division 2 state champs.
One
of the most explosive players in high school football. Helped Armwood to 7A state semifinals and recently announced he will be playing
his senior season at IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.).
Had 74 receptions for over 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns for the 6A state champs.
One of the most dominant offensive linemen in the country.
Paved
huge holes for Zach Evans and the rushing attack along with giving his
quarterback, Davis, time to throw in the pocket. One of the most
imposing players in the Lone Star State and made an impact in the
Mustangs winning the 6A Division 1 state title.
The 2021 Notre Dame commit led the way for one of the best offensive lines in the country during his junior season.
Greg Crippen, IMG Academy offensive lineman
Photo by Mike Janes
Helped lead the Rockets to their first state title since 2015. They rushed for a state title game record 498 yards in their 62-27 win over Escambia (Pensacola) in the 6A championship and the 2021 Miami commit created a lot of those holes.
Has been starting on Mater Dei's offensive line since his freshman season and made a huge impact for the No. 2 team in the country.
Threw for over 4,200 yard and 39 touchdowns while adding nearly 1,000 yards on the ground and 18 more scores. He helped lead the Flyers to an undefeated season and 5A state championship.
Is one of the top rated cornerbacks in the country but is a big-time threat on all three phases. Had 700 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns in 2019 and added an interception. Quarterbacks rarely look his direction because of his size, speed and instincts.
Second Team Defense
Will be the next great player to come out of the national power. He had 9.5 sacks and helped lead the way for one of the best defenses in the country.
Played a major role for the Arizona Open Division state champs and No. 10 team in the country. Racked up 16 sacks and 24 tackles for loss during his junior season.
One of the most dominant players on both sides of the ball. Posted eight sacks, 22 tackles for loss and didn't allow a sack on offense.
Adeleye just released his Top 6 a couple weeks ago and it featured Ohio State, Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Florida. He's one of the most explosive and physical defensive lineman in the country.
Tunmise Adeleye, Tompkins defensive lineman
Photo by Ralph Parrott
Played a huge role in leading the Marauders to their first Non-Public Group 4 championship since 2014. Finished his junior year with 71 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and had a team high 9.5 sacks.
Does it all from the linebacker position. Creates havoc in the backfield, has great instincts and is good in coverage. Racked up 84 tackles and forced three fumbles playing against the toughest competition in the country.
LB — Ma'a Gaoteote, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), 6-2, 220 Made the biggest play of the year for the No. 1 team in high school football. With the Braves up 39-34 in the final two minutes and Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) inside the Braves red zone he sacked Bryce Young and forced a fumble to clinch the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship. The 2021 USC commit made a huge impact on defense for St. John Bosco.
Had 15 sacks and 18 tackles for loss during his junior campaign. Has already landed 18 FBS offers and expect that number to keep rising.
Has one of the best motors in the country. The 4-star linebacker had 164 tackles, 24 tackles for loss and nine sacks in 2019.
The 4-star linebacker racked up nearly 100 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss and 15 sacks.
Led a very talented IMG Academy secondary with nine interceptions.
Was a ballhawk for one of the top defenses in Florida. The 4-star safety had nine interceptions and helped lead the Bulls to the 5A state title.
Johnson had seven interceptions in 2019 for the Class 6 state champs. They finished the year undefeated and were the top ranked team in Missouri.
Was a big-time playmaker on both sides of the ball. Had four interceptions to go with nearly 1,500 yards receiving and seven touchdowns.
He did it all during his junior season. Had over 1,000 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns to go with four interceptions.
The 2021 Texas commit was a big-time playmaker on both sides of the ball. Led the runner-ups in 5A Division 1 with over 800 yards receiving and 17 touchdowns and was one of the top cornerbacks in all of Texas.
