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 2024 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.
Jaeden Hill of
Tupelo is the 2024 MaxPreps Mississippi High School Football Player of the Year. The 6-foot, 220-pound junior running back helped the Golden Wave to a 14-0 record and Class 7A state title – the school's first since 1992.
Hill rushed for 2,262 yards and 34
touchdowns on the season. He was also a dangerous receiver out of the
backfield hauling in 16 receptions for 257 yards and three more scores.
Mississippi Player of the Year Jaeden Hill ran for 200 yards or more in three straight postseason games to close the season, including the Class 7A state championship game. (Photo: Bill Richardson)
In four playoff games, Hill accounted for 858 total yards
and nine touchdowns. He finished the postseason with three consecutive games rushing for at
least 200 yards.
In a 28-16 win over Brandon in the championship game, Hill ran 34 times for 224 yards and two scores. He added a 37-yard touchdown reception.
Hill rushed for a season-high 277 yards and two scores in October against Madison Central, helping erase a 20-0 first-half deficit and
getting Tupelo on the board with an 80-yard touchdown reception to make it
20-7 at halftime.
Another big night came in a 35-13 win over Houston (Germantown, Tenn.) when he rushed for 273 yards and a season-high five touchdowns.
Hill committed to Mississippi State in June after fielding nearly 20 FBS offers. He is No. 19 junior prospect in the state according to
247Sports.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team.
Past MaxPreps Mississippi Players of the Year
2020 — Marquis Crosby, RB, Seminary
2021 — Dante Dowdell, RB, Picayune
2022 — Suntarine Perkins, ATH, Raleigh
2023 — P.J. Woodland, ATH, Oak Grove (Hattiesburg)
