Over the past 17 years, quarterbacks have earned the nation's highest honor 11 times, including Riley Dodge of
Southlake Carroll (Southlake, Texas) in 2006, Kyler Murray of
Allen (Texas) in 2013 and 2014, co-winners D.J. Uiagalelei of
St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) and Bryce Young of
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) in 2019, Jaxson Dart of
Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah) in 2020 and Cade Klubnik of
Westlake (Austin, Texas) in 2021.
The 10 players included on the watch list have led their teams to a combined record of 52-2 this season. Team success is the criteria weighed most heavily when it comes time to crowning the MaxPreps National Player of the Year. Performances in big games, statistics and local, state and regional honors are also factored in.
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 165
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2025)
Has been a touchdown machine through the first five games. He has 29 receptions for 692 yards and 15 touchdowns to go with two more rushing scores. In a 57-51 win over
DeSoto (Texas), he hauled in eight catches for 180 yards and four touchdowns. North Crowley is currently ranked No. 11 in the MaxPreps Top 25.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 200
Status: Committed to Auburn | Class: Senior (2025)
The four-star running back has put up video game numbers this season. He broke the AHSAA record for most rushing yards (3,523) and touchdowns (61) in a single-season as a junior. He is on pace to break those records as a senior. Through six games he leads the nation with 1,958 yards and 33 touchdowns. He has rushed for at least 300 yards in five games. In an 80-78 loss against
McKenzie (Ala.), he had 41 carries for 446 yards and nine touchdowns.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to USC | Class: Senior (2025)
Has been the leader for the No. 7 team in the MaxPreps Top 25. The five-star quarterback has thrown for 1,377 yards and 21 touchdowns. He has only thrown three interceptions while completing 76.5 percent of his attempts. In a 44-22 win over
Rome (Ga.), he completed 30 of 35 passes for 352 yards and five touchdowns to go with a rushing score.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 205
Status: Committed to Miami | Class: Senior (2025)
Led the Eagles to a AAAAAAA state title as a junior and has the Eagles back in contention this year to bring home another state crown. Milton is currently ranked at No. 3 in the MaxPreps Top 25. Nickel has thrown for 1,338 yards and 12 touchdowns while adding another score on the ground.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 175
Status: Committed to West Virginia | Class: Senior (2025)
There might not be a player more valuable to any team than Quisenberry. The three-star wide receiver lines up everywhere on the field and makes a huge impact for the No. 14 team in the MaxPreps Top 25. Through six games he has 22 receptions for 401 yards and five touchdowns to go with 43 carries for 439 yards and eight more scores. He has 19 tackles and two interceptions on defense to go with a 60-yard punt return touchdown. In a 38-21 win at
St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio), he had 25 carries for 141 yards and three scores to go with a 69-yard touchdown pass and three catches for 35 yards. He also had an interception in the fourth quarter that iced the game.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 175
Status: Committed to Alabama | Class: Senior (2025)
Through four games the Elite 11 MVP has thrown for 1,437 yards and 20 touchdowns while completing 75 percent of his passes for the No. 4 team in the MaxPreps Top 25. Russell has added 19 carries for 101 yards and another score. The back-to-back Class 6A Division 1 state champs have gone 33-1 with Russell as the starting quarterback. In the biggest game of the year so far against
St. Frances Academy (Baltimore), he completed 20 of 26 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns while adding nine carries for 40 yards and another score in a 28-24 win.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 320
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2026)
The film tells the story on the impact the four-star defensive lineman makes. He makes everyone's job easier on defense for the No. 1 team in the MaxPreps Top 25, demanding a double team just about every play. Topui is the only non-senior featured on the list. He has 18 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He also has a 50-yard pick-six, a rushing score and special teams touchdown on a blocked punt.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 205
Status: Committed to LSU | Class: Senior (2025)
The top-rated player in the Class of 2025 broke two state records earlier this season in a 65-0 win over
Churchill (Livonia, Mich.), surpassing Mason Gee-Montgomery's mark of 124 career touchdown passes and Kevin Grady Jr.'s record of 151 total touchdowns. Through five games he has thrown for 1,034 yards and 17 touchdowns to go with 311 yards on the ground and five more scores. Underwood is nearing the all-time state record for career passing yards. He is 603 yards away from breaking Jason Fracassa's record he set in 2009.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 200
Status: Committed to Maryland | Class: Senior (2025)
Has led the Cavaliers to a 6-0 start and spot at No. 12 in the MaxPreps Top 25. He has thrown for 1,061 yards and nine touchdowns to go with 224 yards rushing and five more scores. Washington and Spalding started the year off with impressive wins over
Archbishop Hoban (Akron, Ohio) and
DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.). Those are the only losses those two teams have suffered. He accounted for 475 yards of total offense and six touchdowns in those wins. The Cavs have outscored their last four opponents 176-0.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 250
Status: Committed to San Diego State | Class: Senior (2025)
Past MaxPreps National Players of the Year
2006 — Riley Dodge, QB, Southlake Carroll (Southlake, Texas)
2007 — Terrelle Pryor, QB, Jeannette (Pa.)
2008 — Garrett Gilbert, QB, Lake Travis (Austin, Texas)
2009 — Dillon Baxter, ATH, Mission Bay (San Diego)
2010 — Dano Graves, QB, Folsom (Calif.)
2011 — Johnathan Gray, RB, Aledo (Texas)
2012 — Derrick Henry, RB, Yulee (Fla.)
2013 — Kyler Murray, QB, Allen (Texas)
2014 — Kyler Murray, QB, Allen
2015 — Derrick Brown, DL, Lanier (Sugar Hill, Ga.)
2016 — Tate Martell, QB, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
2017 — JT Daniels, QB, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
2018 — Bru McCoy, ATH, Mater Dei
2019 — DJ Uiagalelei, QB, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) / Bryce Young, QB, Mater Dei
2020 — Jaxson Dart, QB, Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah)
2021 — Cade Klubnik, QB, Westlake (Austin, Texas)
2022 — Caleb Downs, DB, Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.)
2023 — D.J. Lagway, QB, Willis (Texas)