Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school football. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2021 season by naming the top player in each state. Selections are based on team success and individual excellence, in addition to local and state accolades.
Dante Dowdell of
Picayune (Miss.) is the 2021 MaxPreps Mississippi High School Football Player of the Year. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound junior running back/defensive end ran for 2,554 yards on 329 carries and scored 28 touchdowns for the 14-1 Maroon Tide on the way to the state 5A title. He was named MVP of the championship game.
He has an offer from Southern Miss, but you can bet more should be coming after his season that included a 148-yard rushing night with two TDs in the state title victory. Dowdell averaged nearly eight yards per carry and 170 rushing yards per game, scoring in all by three games for Picayune.
Dowdell topped the century mark in 13 of 15 games played and topped 200 yards five times.
Marquis Crosby of Presbyterian Christian was the 2020 MaxPreps Mississippi High School Football Player of the Year. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound senior running back set a state record by rushing for 3,678 yards while scoring 34 touchdowns.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released in early January.
