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 2022 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.
Tristan Evans of
Freedom (Woodbridge) is the 2022 MaxPreps Virginia High School Football Player of the Year. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound junior quarterback led the Eagles to a 15-0 record and the Class 6 state championship.
Evans was at the center of Virginia's most explosive offense as Freedom averaged 63.4 points per game. The dual-threat signal caller threw for 3,653 yards and a state record 61 touchdowns (against just six interceptions) while running for another 873 yards and 13 scores.
In a 69-14 win over Western Branch in the semifinals, Evans completed all 13 pass attempts for 338 yards and five TDs while running for 113 yards with another score. With a 48-14 win over James Madison in the final, Freedom became the first team from Prince William County to win a state title in over a decade.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released January 10.
Past MaxPreps Virginia Players of the Year2021 – Zach Rice, OL, Liberty Christian (Lynchburg)
Virginia MaxPreps Player of the Year Tristan Evans was at the center of a Freedom offense that averaged 63.4 points per game. (Photo: Pierre Cannon)
