MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year watch list

Video: Freshman Player of the Year watch list

Freshmen contributing in meaningful ways on the varsity level is a trend that is not just continuing, but accelerating.

More players are beginning ninth grade ready to contribute to their high school football teams — in some cases they even dominate.

With the regular season nearing a close in many states, here are the names to watch in the race for MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year honors.


Favorite

J.T. Daniels, Quarterback, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
A ballyhooed youth football player, Daniels has not missed a beat transitioning to the varsity team for one of the country's top programs in one of the nation's most fiercely competitive leagues. Playing at the quarterback factory that has produced the likes of Matt Leinart and Matt Barkley, Daniels has thrived, throwing for 1,464 yards and 18 touchdowns versus just one interception through five games. As a point of comparison, Barkley threw for 1,685 yards and 10 touchdowns in his entire freshman season. Daniels is quickly becoming a SoCal legend.

Contenders

Nay'quan Wright, Running back, Carol City (Miami)
Like Daniels, Wright entered high school with great expectations. He's already been billed as the next great Miami running back. After a season-opening loss to Coral Gables, Wright has powered Carol City to six consecutive victories, including an 8-7 win over Miami Central. In that game, Wright's 80-yard touchdown run against the vaunted Central defense made the difference. He has 765 yards and five scores through seven games.

Sam Johnson III, Quarterback, Southfield (Mich.)
The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Johnson already boasts a half-dozen scholarship offers, including Cincinnati and Temple. It will only be a matter of time before even bigger names come calling, as Johnson has guided Southfield to a 5-2 record. Most recently he threw three touchdowns in a victory over Rochester; he's thrown for multiple scores in several of Southfield's games. A deep playoff run by the Bluejays could make Johnson tough to top.

Sam Howell, Quarterback, Sun Valley (Monroe, N.C.)
Howell has been posting some ridiculous numbers at the helm of Sun Valley. Not only has he throw for nearly 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns in just seven games, but Howell has also rushed for five scores. He has not yet proven to be extremely efficient, however, currently completing just over 54 percent of his passes. He's also been intercepted 10 times.

Jerrion Ealy, Running back, Jackson Prep (Miss.)
Ealy was unofficially timed under 11 seconds in the 100-meter dash as an eighth-grader. Simply put, Ealy is fast. Really fast. That's translated into 620 yards and eight touchdowns on just 80 carries. He's also scored catching passes out of the backfield, as well as on special teams. Thanks in large part to Ealy, Jackson Prep is 8-0.

Jason Bargy, Defensive lineman, Momence (Ill.)
Bargy is 6-5, 230 pounds, and clearly possesses tremendous length. He's been the real deal as a freshman, racking up 63 tackles and 9.5 sacks. It seems that Bargy has limitless potential.

Other names to know

Dominick Blaylock, Walton (Marietta, Ga.)

Blake Hinson, Deltona (Fla.)

Michael Johnson Jr., King's Academy (Sunnyvale, Calif.)

Darren Jones, Upland (Calif.)

Jonathan Kingsley, Eastern Alamance (Mebane, N.C.)

Josh McKenzie, Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.)

Spencer Rattler, Pinnacle (Phoenix, Ariz.)

Nolan Rumler, Archbishop Hoban (Akron, Ohio)