With the kickoff to the 2021 high school football season just weeks away, MaxPreps has released its Top 25 rankings as well as chronicled the top player at each position.
We continue to dissect the preseason a look with the top 10 overall players entering the 2021 football season before wrapping up with our Preseason MaxPreps All-America Team.
While the offense often gets the headlines, it's the defense that dominates this list with seven of the 10 players, Milton's (Ga.) five-star recruit Lebbeus Overton, the No. 1 rated prospect from the Class of 2023. He's joined by another underclassmen in St. John Bosco's (Bellflower, Calif.) Matayo Uiagalelei.
Another defensive standout is actually two-way star Travis Hunter, who topped both the cornerback and wide receiver list. The Collins Hill (Suwanne, Ga.) five-star and Florida State commit was the MaxPreps National Junior Player of the Year.
The offensive side of the list is highlighted by a pair of Lone Star State quarterbacks — Cade Klubnik of Austin Westlake (Austin) and Quinn Ewers of Southlake
Carroll (Southlake) — who both shined at the Elite 11 competition over the summer.
Cade Klubnik, Austin Westlake
File photo by Robbie Rakestraw
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 235
Status: Committed to Alabama | Class: Senior (2022)
The leader for one of the best defenses in the country and No. 5 team in the MaxPreps Top 25 has piled up more than 300 tackles, 72 tackles for loss and 24 sacks during his career.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 185
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
The first of three players selected from Southern California's Trinity League is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 200
Status: Uncommitted |
Class: Senior (2022)
The defensive leader for the defending MaxPreps National Champions was named our No. 1 safety heading into the 2021 season.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 265
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2023)
One of the best all-around players in the country promises to make a huge impact on both sides of the ball for the third-ranked Braves.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to USC |
Class: Senior (2022)
The top-rated prospect in California from the Class of 2022 single-handedly shuts down one side of the field.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 300
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2022)
The third-rated player overall on 247Sports composite rankings is one of the most dominant defensive lineman in the game.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to Clemson | Class: Senior (2022)
The Elite 11 MVP was a first team MaxPreps Junior All-America selection last year after accounting for 4,078 yards of total offense (3,495 passing, 583 rushing) and 50 touchdowns and leading the Austin power to a 14-0 record. The back-to-back state champs begin at No. 4 in the MaxPreps Top 25.
Height: 6-4.5 | Weight: 265
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2023)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 205
Status: Committed to Ohio State | Class: Senior (2022)
The MaxPreps Sophomore Player of the Year in 2019 has thrown for 6,445 yards and 73 touchdowns over the last two seasons while completing 70 percent of his passes. Ewers has added 700-plus yards rushing and 12 scores as the Dragons start at No. 7 in the MaxPreps Top 25.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 175
Status: Committed to Florida State | Class: Senior (2022)
The MaxPreps National Junior Player of the Year was selected as our No. 1 cornerback and No. 1 wide receiver heading into the 2021 season. He finished last year with 137 receptions for 1,746 yards and 24 touchdowns while racking up 51 tackles and eight interceptions on defense.
