Arch Manning, Rueben Owens II, Francis Mauigoa, Caleb Downs and Tony Mitchell are a few of the names we've spotlighted during our preseason look at the best position-by-position players. Those playmakers also headline the 54 of the best high school football players selected to the 2022 Preseason MaxPreps All-America Team.
Manning has been under the microscope since his freshman season, partly due to his famous last name and partly due to his promise. The Newman (New Orleans) standout has delivered. He enters his senior season as the top-rated recruit in the Class of 2023 and recently committed to the University of Texas. He looks to deliver the Greenies a Louisiana state title before heading to Austin.
Mauigoa is one of three IMG Academy players to land on the MaxPreps All-Ameirca Team. The five-star offensive tackle is headed to play for Mario Cristobal at The U, but leads the Ascenders into battle as the No. 4 team in the preseason
MaxPreps Top 25.
The other team with three All-America selections is No. 7 Austin Westlake, which has first-teamers Jaden Greathouse and T.J. Shanahan along with second-team pick and recent Oklahoma pledge Colton Vasek. The Chaparrals are seeking their fourth straight UIL title.
Los Alamitos (Calif.) and Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.) were the only other schools to have multiple players featured.
The MaxPreps All-America Team has talent spread across the country as 16 states have at least one player represented while Texas (9), California (6), Georgia (6), Alabama (4) and Louisiana (4) all lead the way with multiple selections.
The Junior and Sophomore All-America teams will be released on Wednesday and Friday, respectively.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 215
Status: Committed to Texas | Class: Senior (2023)
The top-rated recruit in the Class of 2023 on 247Sports composite rankings has thrown for over 6,300 career yards and 81 touchdowns.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 190
Status: Committed to Louisville | Class: Senior (2023)
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 200
Status: Committed to Alabama | Class: Senior (2023)
On pace to become the sixth player in Georgia history to rush for at least 7,000 yards.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 175
Status: Committed to USC | Class: Senior (2023)
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 215
Status: Committed to Notre Dame | Class: Senior (2023)
Has been a vital piece on all three state title teams and has posted 182 receptions for 3,134 yards and 43 touchdowns during his career.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 225
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
The top-ranked tight end in the Class of 2023 is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 330
Status: Committed to Iowa | Class: Senior (2023)
Helped the Rams win their first state title in school history as a junior and was named the
best player in Iowa heading into his senior season.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 330
Status: Committed to Miami | Class: Senior (2023)
Great in both run and pass blocking. The five-star offensive tackle will make a huge impact in the trenches for the fourth-ranked team in the country.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 310
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Had a great junior season in his first year at Westlake and will be one of the leaders for the three-time defending state champs in 2022.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 305
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
As talented as any other offensive lineman in high school football and was selected as our best player in Massachusetts.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 290
Status: Committed to Texas A&M | Class: Senior (2023)
Will have the Ironmen back in contention to win their first state title since 2015 after a runner-up finish last season.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 180
Status: Committed to USC | Class: Senior (2023)
Finished his junior season with 65 receptions for 1,065 yards and 15 touchdowns to go with four interceptions on defense. Also, averaged nearly 30 yards per kick return.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 180
Status: Committed to Georgia | Class: Senior (2023)
Made 14-of-19 field goals as a junior and broke the school record connecting from 56 yards.
First team defense
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 270
Status: Committed to Clemson | Class: Senior (2023)
Helped the Warriors win their third consecutive 7A state title racking up 92 tackles, 26 tackles for loss and 11 sacks.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 270
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
During his junior season at Allen he posted 96 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and 13 sacks.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 250
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Recorded 29 sacks for one of the premier programs in high school football as a junior.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 240
Status: Committed to Maryland | Class: Senior (2023)
Broke Brian Cushing's school record for career sacks as a junior and will widen the gap even with one season to go.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 225
Status: Committed to Texas A&M | Class: Senior (2023)
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 205
Status: Committed to Georgia | Class: Senior (2023)
Racked up over 100 tackles and led the Tigers to their first state championship since 1968 last season.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 215
Status: Committed to Georgia | Class: Senior (2023)
Flies around on defense and is one of the best sideline-to-sideline linebackers in the country. Had 139 tackles as a junior.
Height: 6-1.5 | Weight: 165
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
The top-ranked cornerback has intercepted 15 passes over the last two years.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to Alabama | Class: Senior (2023)
Has been playing at a high level since his freshman year and enters his senior campaign with 186 career tackles and 14 interceptions.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 180
Status: Committed to Alabama | Class: Senior (2023)
One of the most versatile defensive backs in the country lines up everywhere on defense and will be a big-time playmaker for the No. 14 team in the MaxPreps Top 25.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to Notre Dame | Class: Senior (2023)
Finished his junior season with 67 tackles and seven interceptions. Added four return touchdowns on special teams.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 260
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Will be an impact player on both sides of the ball for the No. 1 team in the MaxPreps Top 25.
Height: 6-1.5 | Weight: 190
Status: Committed to Stanford |
Class: Senior (2023)
Averaged better than 40 yards per punt in 2021 and connected on 13-of-16 field goals.
Second team offense
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to USC | Class: Senior (2023)
Threw for nearly 2,700 yards and 39 touchdowns as a junior while leading the Griffins to a spot in the toughest postseason bracket in high school football.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 195
Status: Committed to Oregon | Class: Senior (2023)
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 215
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Does it all from the running back position after rushing for 1,700-plus yards and 26 touchdowns last season.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 200
Status: Committed to Alabama | Class: Senior (2023)
The recent Alabama pledge rushed for nearly 1,800 yards and 19 scores in 2021.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 210
Status: Committed to Oregon | Class: Senior (2023)
Has left Valley Christian but hasn't announced where he's headed. One of the most physically imposing wideouts in the country. Hauled in 78 receptions for 1,304 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 190
Status: Committed to Ohio State | Class: Senior (2023)
Expect a monster senior campaign from the five-star receiver after playing the majority of his junior season at quarterback because of team injuries.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 220
Status: Committed to Tennessee | Class: Senior (2023)
Had a very productive junior campaign hauling in 61 receptions for 755 yards and eight touchdowns for the AAAAAAA state champs.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 310
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Has been starting on the offensive line for the Monarchs since his freshman season and has made a huge impact for the most successful program over the last few years.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 315
Status: Committed to Oklahoma | Class: Senior (2023)
Dominates in both run and pass blocking while being able to play multiple positions on the offensive line.
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 290
Status: Committed to Georgia | Class: Senior (2023)
The four-star offensive lineman will play a major role for last year's AAAAAA state runner-up during his senior season.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 285
Status: Committed to Penn State | Class: Senior (2023)
Selected as the best player in Virginia heading into the 2022 season.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 280
Status: Committed to Ohio State | Class: Senior (2023)
Just like Birchmeier, Montgomery was named the best player in his respected state.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 335
Status: Committed to Florida | Class: Senior (2023)
Will play a major role on the offensive line for the No. 4 team in the MaxPreps Top 25.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to Texas A&M | Class: Senior (2023)
Rushed for 2,600-plus yards and 39 touchdowns for the 2A Division 1 state champs.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 180
Status: Committed to Missouri | Class: Senior (2023)
Connected on 13-of-17 field goals and was a first team selection on the all-state squad as a junior.
Second team defense
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 245
Status: Committed to Notre Dame | Class: Senior (2023)
The five-star edge rusher racked up 34 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks in 2021.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 230
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Finished his junior season with 31 tackles for loss and 17 sacks.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 245
Status: Committed to Miami | Class: Senior (2023)
Was selected as the best player in Washington before announcing his transfer to play for the Ascenders.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 225
Status: Committed to Oklahoma | Class: Senior (2023)
Played a major role for the No. 2 team in the country last season and should make an even bigger impact in 2022.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 235
Status: Committed to Miami | Class: Senior (2023)
Had two tremendous seasons at IMG Academy and will finish his career back at Jones.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 220
Status: Committed to USC | Class: Senior (2023)
Lines up everywhere on defense and finished his junior season with 100-plus tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and one interception.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 225
Status: Committed to Notre Dame | Class: Senior (2023)
The two-way standout led the Fighting 59ers to their first state title since 2013 after racking up 105 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks and three interceptions. The four-star linebacker accounted for over 1,000 total yards and 20 touchdowns on offense.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 180
Status: Committed to Georgia | Class: Senior (2023)
The former Glenwood standout is one of the best lockdown corners in the country.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to Texas | Class: Senior (2023)
The five-star safety is the second-rated player in Louisiana and is as good as any other defensive back in the game.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to Ohio State | Class: Senior (2023)
Intercepted seven passes as a junior for the AAA state champs.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 170
Status: Committed to Alabama | Class: Senior (2023)
The five-star cornerback was one of two non-seniors to be selected on the Alabama Sports Writer Association All-State 7A first team as a defensive back in 2021.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 220
Status: Committed to Georgia | Class: Senior (2023)
Finished his junior season with 91 tackles and three interceptions on defense while rushing for 1,000-plus yards and 16 touchdowns on offense.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 200
Status: Committed to Texas A&M |
Class: Senior (2023)
Averaged better than 42 yards per punt for one of the best programs in Texas. Also, connected on 10-of-12 field goals.
