Of the top 100 rated senior football players in California according to 247Sports, 68 play in the Southern Section.
The rate is even higher among the Class of 2022 players, with a startling 81 of the top 100 flashing their skills in the Southern Section.
The 2020-21 season is, of course, quite different than any other football season in California. For one, it's starting in the middle of March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Many elite players left early for college or opted out to stay healthy for their collegiate freshman season. Some have already enrolled.
Nevertheless, the Southern Section is always a hotbed for football talent, not only in the state but nationally. Here are 25 of the top players to keep an eye on, though we could have easily made a list of 100.
The season begins Friday and will last less than two months.
Ceyair Wright, Loyola
File photo by Joe Duncan
Senior | LB | 6-1, 215 | USC
Third-year starter for the state's top-ranked team. Davis is ranked the nation's No. 4 outside linebacker by 247Sports.
Senior | CB | 6-1, 175 | USC
Ranked the sixth best CB in the country, Wright also is a sprinter — timed 10.84 seconds in the 100 meters as a freshman. He's racked up 38 college offers.
3. Kyron Ware-Hudson, Mater Dei (Santa Ana)Senior | WR | 6-1, 200 | USC
Had 59 catches for 853 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior. Compared to Anquan Boldin for his strength and physicality.
Junior | RB | 5-8, 185 | Oklahoma
Transfer from Edison (Stockton) has been described as "explosive, twitchy and a game breaker." In 10 games as a sophomore, he rushed for 996 yards and 16 touchdowns and caught 34 passes for 667 yards and nine more scores.
Junior | WR | 6-3, 185 | Undecided
Had 65 catches for 851 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore. A three-sport standout who excels also in basketball and volleyball, McMillan has 23 college offers, but is leaning toward LSU, Notre Dame, Stanford, USC and Oregon.
6. Mason Murphy, JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano)Senior | OL | 6-5, 290 | USC
Dominates opposing defensive linemen and is rated one of the best all-around tackles in the country.
7. Earnest Greene, St. John Bosco (Bellflower)Junior | OL | 6-5, 330 | Undecided
The No. 2-rated offensive guard in the Class of 2022 helped the Braves to a 2019 MaxPreps National Championship.
8. Domani Jackson, Mater Dei (Santa Ana)Junior | CB | 6-1, 185 | USC
Rated the No. 1 cornerback in the country for the Class of 2022, Jackson has been compared to New Orleans Saints' cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
9. Niuafe Tuihalamaka, Alemany (Mission Hills)Junior | LB | 6-2, 240 | Undecided
The top-rated inside linebacker in the state from the Class of 2022 is a Top 70 prospect overall. Known for his high motor and relentless passion on the field. A natural leader.
10. Kamari Ramsey, Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth)Junior | ATH | 6-1, 195 | Undecided
Had 80 tackles and four interceptions as a sophomore. Already has 16 offers including Stanford, Ohio State, USC, UCLA and Arizona State.
Sophomore | S | 6-1, 1845 | Undecided
Washington, Oregon and USC are among the sophomore's 13 college offers.
12. DJ Harvey, Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth)Senior | ATH | 5-11, 170 | Virginia Tech
Had 84 catches for 1,425 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior, plus 35 tackles and four interceptions on defense.
13. Larry Turner-Gooden, St. Bernard (Playa del Rey)Junior | ATH | 6-0, 180 | Arizona State
Already 34 college offers, Turner-Gooden is an explosive two-way athlete, either a safety or a receiver.
14. Noah Fifita, Servite (Anaheim)Junior | QB | 5-10, 170 | Undecided
Threw for 2,892 yards and 37 touchdowns as a sophomores.
15. Maalik Murphy, Serra (Gardena,)Junior | QB | 6-4, 225 | Texas
Has 34 college offers, but already chose the Longhorns. According to 247Sports recruiting expert Greg Biggins, Murphy "Possesses a ton of raw upside and as high a ceiling as any quarterback in the region, regardless of class."
16. Rayshon Luke, St. John Bosco (Bellflower)Junior | RB | 5-8, 170 | Undecided
Considered the nation's top rated all-purpose back from the Class of 2022, Luke has 11 offers, including Duke, Florida, Arizona State and Georgia.
Rayshon Luke, St. John Bosco
File photo by Louis Lopez
Junior | TE | 6-5, 215 | USC
The former JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano) standout is a match-up nightmare.
18. CJ Williams, Mater Dei (Santa Ana)Junior | WR | 6-2, 195 | Undecided
Had nearly 700 yards receiving as a sophomore for the Monarchs. Great combination of speed and size.
19. Derek Wilkins, Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita)Senior | DL | 6-4, 250 | Cal
The three-star defensive end finished his junior season with 54 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
20. Easton Mascarenas, Mission ViejoSenior | LB | 6-0, 215 | Oregon State
Extremely active, the Diablo finished with 91 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and three interceptions in 2019.
Junior | CB | 6-0, 175 | Undecided
Highly productive leader in the secondary had six interceptions as a sophomore.
Senior | S | 6-2, 175 | San Diego State
Williams picked the Aztecs over such schools as Arizona State, Arizona, Colorado and Georgia.
23. Justyn Martin, InglewoodJunior | QB | 6-4, 210 | Cal
Ranked the 12th best pro-style quarterback in the country for the Class of 2022, Martin picked Cal over such schools as Michigan State, Arizona State and Colorado.
24. Zevi Eckhaus, Culver City
Senior | QB | 6-1, 210 | UndecidedThrew for 4,456 yards and 59 touchdowns against just seven interceptions in 2019. Also rushed for six touchdowns.
25. Victory Vaka, Westlake (Westlake Village)Senior | DL | 6-2, 350 | Undecided
Has 126 career tackles with three sacks, which has attracted 20 college offers, including Colorado, Texas A&M, Arizona and Arizona State.
