National Player of the Year Candidates
Deshaun Watson is the frontrunner for MaxPreps National Player of the Year honors.
Photo by Dennis Carter
Favorite: Deshaun Watson, QB,
Gainesville (Ga.)With 9,363 passing yards, Watson is already Georgia's career leader. The Clemson commit took home National Junior of the Year honors after leading Gainesville to a state title and generating more than 5,000 yards from scrimmage.
Contender: Jabrill Peppers, ATH,
Paramus Catholic (Paramus, N.J.)Peppers won Freshman and Sophomore of the Year honors, and was no slouch as a junior, leading Paramus Catholic to a state title in a come-from-behind victory over Bergen Catholic.
Contender: Will Grier, QB,
Davidson Day (N.C.)As a senior, there's no telling what kind of eye-popping statistics that Grier, committed to Florida, will post. He will likely lead the nation in passing this fall.
Contender: Jalen Hurd, RB,
Beech (Hendersonville, Tenn.)Hurd was simply dominant as a junior, rushing for 3,357 yards and 43 touchdowns. If he approaches those numbers again and Beech has a successful season, he'll have a strong argument for Player of the Year honors.
Contender: Austin Kafentzis, QB,
Jordan (Sandy, Utah)The reigning MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year is on pace to challenge for the all-time total yardage mark. He should be even better as a junior.
Sleepers:Lorenzo Carter, DE,
Norcross (Ga.)Leonard Fournette, RB,
St. Augustine (New Orleans)Devante Noil, ATH,
Karr (New Orleans)Drake Harris, WR,
Christian (Grand Rapids, Mich.)Elijah Hood, RB,
Charlotte Catholic (N.C.)10 Juniors to WatchAustin Kafentzis, QB, JordanAs mentioned above, Kafentzis has been superb in his two seasons at Jordan. Also a talented javelin thrower, Kafentzis ended his recruitment early when he committed to Wisconsin this summer.
Canton Kaumatule, DL, Punahou (Honolulu)The nation's No. 1 junior according to 247Sports, Kaumatule is the next blue-chip Hawaiian recruit. He will have Punahou, the alma mater of Barack Obama and Manti Te'o, back in the title hunt.
Damien Harris, RB, Madison Southern (Berea, Ky.)A Michigan commit, Harris found the end zone a whopping 37 times as a sophomore and is one of the top running backs in his class.
Josh Rosen, QB, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)St. John Bosco head coach Jason Negro will entrust Rosen with the keys to the team's offense again. St. John Bosco just happens to be loaded on defense. If the offense clicks, it could spell a national title for Rosen and the Braves.
Kyler Murray, QB, Allen (Texas)One of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in his class, Murray will attempt to lead Allen to its second consecutive Class 5A-I title.
Iman Marshall, DB, Long Beach Poly (Calif.)Marshall is the next in a long line of blue-chip recruits at Long Beach Poly. He'll roam the secondary alongside talented 2014 recruit John "JuJu" Smith.
Mekhi Brown, LB/DL, Carver (Columbus, Ga.)The Sophomore All-American and all-state honorable mention pick was one of Alabama's first commits in the Class of 2015.
Kahlil McKenzie, DL, De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)One of the offseason's more high-profile transfers, McKenzie will be thrust into the spotlight as a junior, playing for the nation's No. 1-ranked team.
Mitch Hyatt, OL, North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.)Hyatt rose to prominence last season with an impressive performance against No. 1 recruit Robert Nkemdiche. He's the No. 1 recruit in the 247 Composite Rankings.
Da'vante Phillips, WR, Central (Miami)Phillips is an extremely exciting receiver and a key cog in Central's offense. He'll be counted on as the Rockets make a push for a state and national title.
