Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized the nation's top high school football players. Past members of the MaxPreps Freshman All-America Team include Leonard Fournette (2010), Christian Kirk (2011), Nick Bosa (2012), De'Andre Swift (2013), Micah Parsons (2014), Sam Howell (2015), Jase McClellan (2016), Ja'Corey Brooks (2017), Raleek Brown (2018) and Arch Manning (2019).
National Freshman of the Year selection Bryce Underwood of Belleville (Mich.) headlines the 2021 MaxPreps High School Football Freshman All-America Team. Underwood led the Tigers to a 13-1 record and Division 1 state title throwing for 2,888 yards and 39 touchdowns against four interceptions. He added six more scores on the ground and helped Belleville win its first state championship in school history.
In total, 20 different states along with Washington, D.C. were represented with California and Florida leading the way with seven selections each followed by Georgia (6), Pennsylvania (4), Alabama (3) and Texas (3).
Selections are based on team success, individual production and local, regional state honors from the recently-completed season. Potential at the college and professional level is not a primary consideration.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 190
National Freshman of the Year enjoyed a dream season for Division 1 state champs.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 180
Rushed for 1,139 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 185
Rushed for 1,746 yards and scored 23 touchdowns for 4A state champs.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 185
Towering three-sport athlete hauled in 57 passes for 1,197 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 165
After impressive eighth-grade varsity campaign, cousin of Sammy Watkins earned varsity minutes for national power.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 210
Flashed as both a tight end and defensive end.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 270
Michigan State legacy is gifted multi-sport athlete.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 270
Giant tackle could be next great lineman from Las Vegas power.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 300
Named second team all-WCAC as ninth-grader.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 275
Helped Panthers to a Class 5A state title.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 270
Versatile, athletic lineman will be dominant in the trenches as he grows into body.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185
Accomplished ultra-rare feat of capturing Texas large school state title as ninth-grade quarterback.
First Team Defense
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220
Tallied 13 sacks, earning all-county honors from the Sun-Sentinel.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 225
Younger brother of Buffalo Bills' first-round pick A.J. has a bright future ahead.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 280
Extremely disruptive end made eight tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 280
Made 44 tackles and 7.5 sacks in his second varsity season.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 220
Started alongside fellow freshman phenom Alec Haynes for Louisiana state champion.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220
Two-way standout did a little bit of everything for Wildcats.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 210
All-area pick by Los Angeles Times after recording a whopping 91 tackles and 12 sacks.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 185
USC commit made 35 tackles and three interceptions.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 170
For Class 7A state champs, tallied 50 tackles and two interceptions.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 180
Rangy safety already has his pick of college offers.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 175
Was a threat to score whenever he touched the ball for state runner-up.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 190
Manchild looks like he already could be playing on Saturdays.
Second Team Offense
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 175
Torched opposing defenses to the tune of 3,037 yards and 46 touchdowns.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 205
Flashed for MaxPreps National Champs by finding the end zone four times and seeing work on defense.
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 165
Rushed for 1,498 yards and 16 touchdowns in nine games.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 175
Led all freshman in rushing yards and touchdowns with 2,088 yards and 35 scores.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 175
Dynamic athlete hauled in 12 touchdowns to go along with 809 yards against stiff competition.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 175
Averaged more than 13 yards per catch and played a huge role in the return game.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 210
In limited reps, hauled in three touchdowns.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 290
All-region pick more than held his own against stiff competition for the AAAAAA runner-up.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 300
Giant tackle was instant difference maker on varsity.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 320
Started at left guard for MaxPreps National Champion.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 260
LSU commit kept Arch Manning's jersey clean this season.
Height: 6-8 | Weight: 320
Mountain of a freshman was first team all district selection.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 205
Tossed for 3,330 yards and 26 touchdowns to help Lions earn a berth in state finals.
Second Team Defense
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 210
Used his exceptional length to record four sacks in a single game.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 210
All-region pick amassed 61 tackles and 5.5 sacks.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 230
In deep class of Pennsylvania talent, Mathis could prove to be the best.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 270
Responsible for 47 tackles and seven sacks.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 205
L.A. Daily News Freshman of the Year made 115 tackles.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 200
Son of Orlando Pace also lines up at tight end.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 210
First team all-state pick can play a number of positions.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 205
Rangy athlete made 67 tackles and two interceptions.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 160
Helped lead Lions to 3A state title and MaxPreps Top 25 finish.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 170
Shutdown corner will be one of nation's best in Class of 2025.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 160
Explosive athlete had four touchdowns on defense and special teams.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 170
Speedster starred on offense, defense and special teams.
Stephen Spiewak is national football emeritus at MaxPreps and has selected the MaxPreps Freshman All-America Team since 2010. He now works for leading ticket marketplace Vivid Seats.
