MaxPreps 2011 U.S. Air Force Sophomore All-American Football Teams

It’s not easy to improve after being named the country’s top freshman, but Don Bosco Prep’s Jabrill Peppers did just that.

The 6-foot, 190-pound Peppers, a shutdown corner a year ago, took on an additional role as the team’s starting running back and did not disappoint. He rushed for 921 yards and 19 touchdowns, helping to lead Don Bosco Prep to the No. 1 spot in the final Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.

For his efforts on both sides of the football, Peppers is the U.S. Air Force National Sophomore of the Year, edging out Gainesville (Ga.) quarterback DaShaun Watson, Central (Miami) running back Joseph Yearby and South (Olathe, Kan.) two-way lineman Braden Smith.

Peppers has the athleticism and playmaking ability that make him a special player.

“I just think he’s as talented as anyone who has ever played here,” said Don Bosco Prep offensive coordinator Anthony Campanile. “The sky is the limit for him.”

Peppers headlines the 2011 U.S. Air Force Sophomore All-American Team.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

Drake Harris, WR, 6-4, 175, Christian (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
Harris could be the best wide receiver recruit from Michigan since Charles Rogers. He was a first team all-state selection after recording 1,011 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

Trey Quinn, WR, 6-1, 170, Barbe (Lake Charles, La.)
Quinn continues to be one of the more productive receivers in Louisiana regardless of class. He was responsible for 67 catches for 1,220 yards and 12 touchdowns as well as 11 rushing scores.

Artavis Scott, WR, 5-11, 160, East Lake (Tarpon Springs, Fla.)
Scott is lethal in the slot. He caught 54 passes for 1,158 yards and 12 touchdowns, including three that were greater than 80 yards.

Dionte Allen , TE, 6-4, 193, Jeffersonville (Ind.)
Allen was an all-state selection in Indiana’s Class 5A, the only sophomore to earn that honor.

Andy Bauer, OL, 6-5, 300, DeSmet Jesuit (St. Louis)
Bauer was one of the area’s top offensive linemen this season.

Shane Evans, OL, 6-4, 252, Prairie Ridge (Crystal Lake, Ill.)
In his second season starting on the varsity line, Evans helped Prairie Ridge capture a Class 6A state title.

K.C. McDermott, OL, 6-6, 270, Palm Beach Central (Wellington, Fla.)
McDermott continues to be one of the most touted sophomores in Florida. With his size and pedigree, he should be a blue-chip recruit as a senior. He earned all-area honors by the Palm Beach Post.

Braden Smith, OL, 6-6, 265, South (Olathe, Kan.)
Smith is quickly becoming a Kansas football legend. He earned all-conference honors on both offense and defense and helped lead South to a state title in Class 6A, the highest classification in Kansas.

Ross Pierschbacher, OL, 6-4, 270, Cedar Falls (Iowa)
Kirk Ferentz has a knack for identifying and molding top offensive linemen at the University of Iowa. The Hawkeyes have already offered Pierschbacher, who has two years of varsity football under his belt.

Deshaun Watson, QB, 6-2, 225, Gainesville (Ga.)
The Gainesville Times Player of the Year, Watson threw for 3,251 yards and rushed for 1,073 yards, accounting for a total of 57 touchdowns.

Cole Ousley, QB, 6-3, 160, Lone Oak (Paducah, Ky.)
In 13 games, Ousley compiled 3,517 yards and 51 touchdowns, completing 247 of 356 passes.

Jamauri Bogan, RB, 5-9, 165, Union (N.J.)
After a solid freshman year, Bogan exploded as a sophomore. He carried the ball 258 times for 2,260 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Joe Yearby, RB, 5-9, 180, Central (Miami)
Central shifted to a run-heavy offense this season, and Yearby led the charge. He rushed for 2,160 yards on 283 carries with 24 touchdowns.

Arkeel Newsome, RB, 5-7, 173, Ansonia (Conn.)
Newsome enjoyed a season for the ages. He carried the ball 313 times for 3,763 yards and 58 touchdowns as Ansonia finished 14-0.

Jabrill Peppers, ATH, 6-0, 190, Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.)
Peppers is the National Sophomore of the Year because of 912 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns.

Cole Hedlund, K, 5-9, 150, Argyle (Texas)
Hedlund set a national record by kicking 25 field goals. He finished 25 of 30 and made 73 of 75 PATs.