High school football: Jayden Wade, Brysen Wright headline Preseason MaxPreps Junior All-Americans

IMG Academy quarterback, Mandarin wide receiver regarded as two of the top prospects in the Class of 2028.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Zack Poff
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Aug 18, 2026, 11:30am
Jayden Wade of IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), Brysen Wright of Mandarin (Jacksonville, Fla.) and Casey Barner of McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) headline the 60 high school football players selected to the 2026 Preseason MaxPreps Junior All-America Team. 

Wade took over as the full-time starter at IMG Academy as a sophomore and did not disappoint in leading the Ascenders to a 9-0 campaign. 

Wright was the second-rated player overall in our top 10 list and is the next big time wide receiver to come from the Sunshine State. 

Barner joined Wright as one of five non-seniors on our preseason All-America squad. 

No. 1 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) and No. 5 IMG Academy tied for the most selections with three apiece. No. 20 Carrollton (Ga.), Bolles (Jacksonville, Fla.) and Cass Tech (Detroit, Mich.) were the only other schools to have multiple players chosen. 

Florida had the most selections with 11 followed by California (10), Texas (6) and Georgia (5). In total, 22 different states had at least one player selected.
First team offense

QB Jayden Wade, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 180
Wade committed to Georgia last November. Expect a huge junior campaign for the five-star quarterback.

QB Neimann Lawrence, American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 195
Recent Texas pledge should make a huge impact for No. 16 team in MaxPreps Top 25 after leading Northwestern (Miami) to Class 3A state runner-up finish. 
Took over as QB1 for Braves during freshman year. Expect his best season yet in 2026. 

RB Kevin Hartsfield, Newton (Covington, Ga.)
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 210
Lone ballcarrier from Class of 2028 featured in our top 10 running backs list. Headlines a talented squad. 

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 205
Four-star running back has eclipsed 1,300 yards on the ground and 20 touchdowns in each of the last two years. 

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 190
After rushing for over 1,600 yards as a freshman, he went over the 2,000-yard mark as a sophomore. 

WR Brysen Wright, Mandarin (Jacksonville, Fla.)
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 215
Matchup nightmare for opposing secondaries is the top-rated player in Class of 2028 according to 247Sports. 

WR Jett Harrison, St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 175
Future Ohio State Buckeye posted 50 receptions for 849 yards and 20 touchdowns playing against elite competition last season.

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 180
Expect a big jump for the four-star wideout after hauling in 22 catches for 577 yards and 14 touchdowns as a sophomore. 

TE Tytan McNeal, Eastside Catholic (Sammamish, Wash.)
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 220
Top-rated tight end in the Class of 2028 is also an elite edge rusher on defense. 

OL Elisha Mueller, St. John Bosco
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 310
Former Servite (Anaheim) standout will be a difference maker for top-ranked Braves. 

OL Kendrick Harris, Duncanville (Texas)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 305
Will be a key piece for No. 10 team in MaxPreps Top 25 and top-ranked squad in Texas. 

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 310
Has helped Trojans reach state title game in largest classification in each of the last two years.

Height: 6-7 | Weight: 280
Five-star offensive tackle has already landed over 40 offers that include the likes of Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, LSU, Miami, Ohio State and Oregon.

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 315
Mauling offensive lineman is No. 16 prospect overall according to 247Sports. 

Height: 5-8 | Weight: 170
Helped Panthers make first state title game appearance after accounting for nearly 1,800 all-purpose yards and 17 touchdowns for Conference 6A Division 2 state runner-up. 

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 180
Connected on 8 of 10 field goals as a sophomore for one of the top programs in the country. 

First team defense

DL Tyzon Swann, Lackey (Indian Head, Md.)
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 250
Racked up 135 tackles, 50 tackles for loss and 16 sacks in 2025. 

DL Asher Ghioto, Bolles (Jacksonville, Fla.)
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 245
One of the most productive edge rushers in Florida has posted 150 tackles, 56 tackles for loss and 30 sacks over last two years. 

DL Kameron McGee, Brother Rice (Chicago, Ill.)
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 235
Helped Crusaders win first state title since 1981 after a dominant sophomore campaign for Class 7A state champs. 

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 305
Five-star defensive lineman will make a huge impact in the trenches for defending Class AAAAA state champs. 

LB Tahj Gray, St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 225
Led Green Knights to first state title since 2018 after posting 100-plus tackles as a sophomore. 

LB Gabriel Player, Eau Gallie (Melbourne, Fla.)
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 195
Four-star linebacker lines up everywhere on defense and has one of the best motors in the country. 

LB Nehemiah McCary, Maplesville (Ala.)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 235
Two-way standout had a huge sophomore campaign for a team that went 15-0 and outscored opponents 711-67.

DB Casey Barner, McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.)
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 195
Five-star safety impacts the game at a high level on offense, defense and special teams for one of the top teams in the Peach State. 

DB Keaton Fields, Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 190
Lockdown corner will play a big role for No. 19 team in MaxPreps Top 25 after standout sophomore campaign. 

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 170
Has been playing at a high level since freshman year. Helped Eagles win Open Division state title in 2025. 

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 165
Five-star cornerback is also a big-time playmaker on offense. 

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 175
Enters junior year with 191 career tackles and three interceptions to go with 4,653 yards of total offense (3,339 passing, 1,314 rushing) and 50 touchdowns. 

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 195
Strikes the ball as well as any punter in high school football regardless of class. 

Second team offense

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 185
Put up video game numbers as sophomore accounting for 5,806 yards of total offense (4,042 passing, 1,764 rushing) and 54 touchdowns. 

QB Donald Tabron II, Cass Tech
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 180
Has led Technicians to back-to-back Division I state title game appearances and has a 23-1 record entering junior year. 

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 185
Closed out his sophomore year breaking the state title game record throwing for 566 yards in a 62-21 win over Pittman (Gatlinburg) in Division 1 Class AAA championship. 

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 205
Recent Ohio State pledge checks all the boxes when it comes to playing the quarterback position. 

RB Xander Edwards, Bolles
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 220
Had a breakout sophomore campaign rushing for 2,629 yards and 44 touchdowns for Class 2A state runner-up. 

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 180
Four-star running back rushed for 1,307 yards and 21 touchdowns as a sophomore. 

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 215
Expect an even bigger year after leading nationally-ranked Huskies with 907 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns last season. 

WR D.J. Tubbs, St. John Bosco
Height: 5-10.5 | Weight: 175
Three-star wideout will have even bigger role in 2026 with the departures of Madden Williams, Daniel Odom and Carson Clark. 

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 170
Hauled in 84 receptions for 1,429 yards and 12 touchdowns playing against elite competition last season. 

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 180
Put together a special sophomore campaign posting 57 catches for 1,404 yards and 20 touchdowns. 

TE Braxton Rein, Baylor (Chattanooga, Tenn.)
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 230
Made an impact on both sides of the ball as a sophomore helping Red Raiders to first undefeated season since 1973. 

OL Nation Farmer, IMG Academy
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 305
Ascenders graduated a talented group on the offensive line and Farmer will be relied on to fill the void. 

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 300
Four-star offensive tackle has already landed over 35 offers. 

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 280
Four-star offensive lineman didn't allow a sack during his sophomore year. 

Height: 6-7 | Weight: 305
Expect the former Cajon (San Bernardino) standout to fit right in Southern California's Trinity League after making the move to Orange Lutheran. 

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 305
Paved the way for the 2025 MaxPreps Iowa Player of the Year Ian Middleton en route to winning a Class 5A state title. 

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 190
Recent Notre Dame pledge will be a secret weapon for No. 14 team in MaxPreps Top 25. 

Second team defense

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 240
Two-way standout finished sophomore year with 54 tackles, 25 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks to go with 927 yards rushing and 15 scores. 

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 265
Five-star defensive lineman has helped Centurions to 22 consecutive wins entering 2026 season. 

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 220
Recent Alabama pledge has made a huge impact for back-to-back Class 3A state champs. 

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 240
Has been making plays on varsity since the seventh grade and is coming off his best year yet racking up 95 tackles, 36 tackles for loss and 15 sacks. 
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 210
Latest De La Salle star has been making plays at a high level since freshman season. 

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 220
Flew around on defense for Class 7A semifinalist racking up 141 tackles and 27 tackles for loss. 

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 195
Four-star recruit is one of the best all-around linebackers in high school football regardless of class. 

DB Phoenix Evans, IMG Academy
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 170
Former Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) standout should fit right in for one of the best secondaries in the country. 

DB Tyler Boyd, Carrollton
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 185
Lockdown corner had a stellar sophomore campaign for Class AAAAAA state runner-up. 

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 180
Posted 62 tackles and five interceptions for one of the top teams in Southern California as a sophomore. 

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 175
Former Stone Bridge (Ashburn, Va.) standout will be a difference maker for back-to-back WCAC champs. 

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 175
As a sophomore rushed for 1,502 yards and 25 touchdowns to go with 45 receptions for 727 yards and 10 more scores. He added 85 tackles and nine interceptions on defense while leading Coosa Christian (Gadsden) to a Class 2A state title. 

One of the best at flipping the field is also a standout kicker, connecting on 10 of 13 field goals in 2025. 

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