Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized the nation's top high school football players. Past members of the MaxPreps Junior All-America Team include DeAndre Hopkins (2008), Jadeveon Clowney (2009), Derrick Henry (2011), Mark Andrews (2012), Kyler Murray (2013), Nick Bosa (2014), Trevor Lawrence (2016), Kayvon Thibodeaux (2017), Bryce Young (2018) and Caleb Williams (2019).
National Junior of the Year selection Rueben Owens II of El Campo (Texas) headlines the 2021 MaxPreps High School Football Junior All-America Team. He led the state of Texas in rushing with 2,989 yards and finished with the sixth-most nationally. He also tied for the fourth-most rushing touchdowns with 46, and added 15 receptions for 252 yards and two scores to go with a 39-yard touchdown pass.
He helped the Ricebirds to an 11-2 record as they reached third round of the UIL 4A Division 1 playoffs.
Francis Mauigoa of IMG Academy (Bradenton), Rueben Bain of Central (Miami) and Cormani McClain of Lake Gibson (Lakeland) head the 10-pick Florida contingent on the All-America squad. The Sunshine State had the most selections followed by Texas (9), California (6) and Georgia (6).
IMG Academy leads the way with three overall selections while Austin Westlake (Texas), Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.), Los Alamitos (Calif.) and Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.) each had two players selected.
Selections are based on team success, individual production and local, regional and state honors from the recently-completed season. Potential at the college and professional level is not a primary consideration.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 195
The MaxPreps Michigan Player of the Year threw for over 3,000 yards and 40 touchdowns for the Division III state champs.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 190
Named the MaxPreps National Junior of the Year after rushing for 2,989 yards and 46 touchdowns averaging over 12 yards per carry.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 195
Rushed for nearly 2,400 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 205
Finished with 66 receptions for nearly 1,300 yards and 20 touchdowns and set the UIL 6A state championship record with 236 yards receiving in a 40-21 win over Guyer (Denton).
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 175
The
MaxPreps Nevada Player of the Year had over 1,000 yards receiving and
14 touchdowns for the No. 15 team in the final MaxPreps Top 25 rankings.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 225
The top-rated tight end on 247Sports composite rankings in the Class of 2023 hauled in 60 receptions for nearly 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 300
Made a huge impact in the trenches during his first season with the Chaparrals and helped them to a spot at No. 2 in the final MaxPreps Top 25 rankings.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 290
Dominated opposing defensive lineman and helped the Ironmen to a runner-up finish in New Jersey's toughest postseason bracket.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 315
Had an outstanding junior year in his first season with the Ascenders and showed why he's the seventh-rated player overall on 247Sports composite rankings in the Class of 2023.
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 330
The top-rated offensive tackle in the Class of 2023 helped the Rams to their first state title.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 290
Has been starting on the offensive line for the Monarchs since his freshman year and was the leader in the trenches for the No. 1 team in the country.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 265
Impacted the game at a high level on both sides of the ball for the No. 6 team in the country.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 175
Made 14-of-19 field goal attempts and broke the school record connecting from 56 yards. Also had 66 of his 76 kickoffs go for touchbacks.
First Team Defense
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 260
Helped the Warriors to their third consecutive 7A state title and had 92 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and a pick-six.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 245
Led the nation with 29 sacks and helped lead the Rockets to their third straight state championship.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 240
Broke the school record for career sacks during his junior year and helped the Crusaders to a Non-Public Group A championship and a spot at No. 3 in the final MaxPreps Top 25 rankings.
Height: 6-4.5 | Weight: 265
After missing the first few games of the season with a foot injury, he returned and helped lead the Eagles to a runner-up finish in AAAAAAA posting 54 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and 31 quarterback hurries.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 225
Finished with 131 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, eight sacks and two interceptions while rushing for seven touchdowns on offense.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 215
Had a monster junior season and reclassified to the Class of 2022 on Dec. 12 and signed with Ohio State during the Early Signing Day period.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 220
Helped the Eagles to their first state title in school history and racked up 86 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 185
The top-rated safety in the Class of 2023 had a huge season for one of the best teams in Georgia finishing the year with 77 tackles and five interceptions.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 180
One of the most versatile defensive backs in the country lined up everywhere in the secondary and had 55 tackles and two interceptions for the No. 16 team.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 195
The recent Notre Dame commit lead the Wildcats to a 6A Division 2 runner-up finish and impacts the game in all three phases.
Height: 6-1.5 | Weight: 165
Finished his junior season with 29 tackles and six interceptions while leading the Braves to the 7A state semifinals.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 180
The 2023 USC commit had over 1,000 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns to go with 28 tackles and four interceptions on defense for one of the top teams in Southern California.
Second Team Offense
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 180
Led the Griffins to the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs and threw for nearly 2,700 yards and 39 touchdowns.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 200
The five-star running back rushed for nearly 1,800 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Height: 5-8 | Weight: 190
Helped the Tigers to their first state title in 53 years. Rushed for 1,990 yards and 30 touchdowns averaging 8.6 yards per carry for the No. 8 team in the final MaxPreps Top 25 rankings.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 170
The five-star wide receiver had over 1,000 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns for one of the best teams in Florida.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 210
A matchup nightmare for opposing defenses hauled in 78 receptions for over 1,300 yards and 19 touchdowns to go with four interceptions on defense.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 225
One of the most complete tight ends in the country regardless of class helped the Spartans to their fourth straight 6A-II state title.
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 290
Led the Panthers to a runner-up finish in AAAAAA and made a huge impact in the trenches for an offense that averaged nearly 400 yards of total offense per game.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 305
Helped pave the way for one of the best offensive lines in high school football.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 330
Had another dominant season during his junior year and has landed over 45 FBS offers.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 295
One of the most physical and athletic offensive lineman in the country regardless of class.
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 330
Dominated in both run and pass blocking playing against the top-tier competition in 2021.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 185
Impacts the game on all three phases and helped the Comanches to a UIL 2A Division 1 state title. In a 55-14 quarterfinal win over Refugio, he rushed for 384 yards and six touchdowns.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 185
Was an all-state selection after connecting on 11-of-14 field goal attempts.
Second Team Defense
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 270
During his first season with the Eagles he racked up 96 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and 13 sacks.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 245
Dominated in the trenches playing in one of the toughest conferences in the country and led the Cadets to an undefeated season and spot at No. 19 in the final MaxPreps Top 25 rankings.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 245
The top-ranked player in Washington from the Class of 2023 finished with 16 tackles for loss and nine sacks in eight games while also scoring five touchdowns on offense.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 245
Finished with 104 tackles and 16.5 sacks while leading the Eagles to a Division 1 state title.
Height: 6-1 |
Weight: 205
Racked up 105 tackles, six sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 235
Was a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks and recently announced he will be transferring back to Jones (Orlando) to finish his high school career.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 225
Racked up 114 tackles, nine tackles for loss and two forced fumbles while scoring three touchdowns for the 6A runner-up.
Height: 6-0 |
Weight: 185
The 2023 Georgia commit finished with seven interceptions with two coming in a 56-26 win over Carver (Atlanta) in the AAA state championship.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 170
Joined Thompson's Tony Mitchell as the only non-seniors to be selected on the Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State 7A first team as a defensive back.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 170
Played a major role in the secondary for the UIL 6A Division 1 state champs.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 200
One of the top shutdown cornerbacks in the Class of 2023 rarely had quarterbacks test his side of the field.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 215
Finished his junior season with 105 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks and three interceptions to go with over 1,000 total yards and 20 touchdowns for the 2A state champs.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 200
Averaged better than 42 yards per punt while making 10-of-12 field goal attempts for one of the top programs in Texas.
