MaxPreps National Football Player of the Year Watch: Juniors

Video: Tate Martell junior highlights
The Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) quarterback is a Player of the Year candidate.

This week's National Player of the Watch takes a look at 10 juniors who are having outstanding seasons, including the quarterback from the No. 1 team in the nation and a running back who is headed to Alabama.


Najee Harris, Antioch (Antioch, Calif.)
Committed to play for Crimson Tide, Harris has had a number of big games for undefeated Antioch (9-0) including a 363-yard, 6-touchdown performance in a win over Liberty and a 396-yard performance in a victory over Milpitas. Harris has 1,949 yards rushing on just 154 carries with 25 rushing touchdowns.

Tate Martell, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
Martell hasn't put up huge numbers for the Gaels this year, but he hasn't needed to. Bishop Gorman has rarely been tested so Martell has only had to throw 157 times (with 87 completions) for 1,752 yards and 21 touchdowns. He's still ranked as one of the top junior quarterbacks in the country by most recruiting services.

Timothy Tawa, West Linn (Ore.)
One of the top junior baseball players in the country, Tawa has already committed to play the sport at Stanford. However, he is also the reigning Gatorade State Player of the Year for football. In leading West Linn to an 8-1 record, Tawa has thrown for 2,782 yards and 34 touchdowns (with just two interceptions).

Tristan Gebbia, Calabasas (Calif.) Calabasas has two of the top juniors in the nation in defensive back Darnay Holmes and Gebbia. In leading Calabasas to an 8-1 record, Gebbia has thrown for 2,474 yards (141 for 219) and 26 touchdowns. He has also run for three scores.

J.K. Dobbins, La Grange (Texas)
Dobbins is one of the top-ranked running back prospects in the nation and he's one of the leading rushers in Texas. He completed the regular season with 2,291 yards rushing and 29 touchdowns in leading La Grange to a 7-3 record.

Tuaniga Tagovailoa, St. Louis (Honolulu)
The state of Hawaii could have the next Marcus Mariota in current St. Louis quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Like Mariota, who was also at St. Louis quarterback, Tagovailoa can beat you with the pass or the run. He has thrown for 2,349 yards and 21 touchdowns this year while also rushing for 391 yards and eight scores.

Chase Brice, Grayson (Loganville, Ga.)
Brice has completed 124 of 186 passes on the season for 2,059 yards and 23 touchdowns in leading Grayson to a perfect 10-0 regular season. The Rams are currently ranked No. 10 in the nation in the Xcellent 25.

Tykevius Chandler, Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville, Tenn.)
Montgomery Bell finished 9-1 in the regular season thanks to the running of Chandler, who has 1,761 yards on 242 carries with 20 touchdowns. He came up big last week in a 23-21 win over Ensworth, rushing for 221 yards and two touchdowns.

Jake Fromm, Houston County (Warner Robins, Ga.)
One of the leading passers in the state as a sophomore, Fromm is having another big year in leading Houston County to an 8-1 record. He has completed 142 of 248 passes for 2,498 yards and 22 touchdowns on the season.

Dylan Moses, University Lab (Baton Rouge, La.)
The No. 1 recruit among all juniors according to most recruiting services, Moses has helped lead University Lab to an 8-1 overall record and a No. 14 ranking in the state of Louisiana. He is currently battling a broken finger injury, but has still managed to get onto the field and wreak havoc on defense.