2017 MaxPreps Football All-American Team

Video: 2017 MaxPreps All-American Football Team
See the marquee names who put up big numbers in 2017.

Picking 62 of the best players in high school football is tough. This year was even more so. There were record-setters, big-time playmakers and soon-to-be household names. And some who just missed the cut.

Fifty-nine of the 62 players selected were seniors with the lone juniors being JT Daniels, Quavaris Crouch and Ryan Fitzgerald. Daniels led the No. 1 team in the country, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), to a perfect 15-0 record and a CIF state championship, he then reclassified and will enroll a year earlier than expected at USC.

Daniels was also named our National Football Player of the Year after a dominant 2017 season.

MaxPreps 2017 Football All-American Team
First Team Offense

QB — JT Daniels, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Finished his final high school season throwing for 4,123 yards and 51 touchdowns to four interceptions. Also rushed for 556 yards and nine scores. Led the No. 1 team in the country to an undefeated season and the Monarchs never trailed in 2017 against one of the toughest schedules in the nation. His 12,014 career passing yards ranks second all time in CIF Southern Section, trailing only former Calabasas star Tristan Gebbia (13,109).

QB — Phil Jurkovec, Pine-Richland (Gibsonia, Pa.)
The 2018 Notre Dame commit led Pine-Richland to its first state title in school history and a perfect 15-0 record. The 4-star quarterback threw for 3,500-plus yards and 36 touchdowns, adding another 1,031 yards rushing and 19 more scores. Jurkovec was named the Pennsylvania Gatorade Football Player of the Year.

QB — Trevor Lawrence, Cartersville (Ga.)
The No. 1 rated player from the Class of 2018 ended his high school career with over 3,000 yards passing and had 41 touchdown passes to only one interception. During his senior season, he broke Deshaun Watson's state records finishing his career with 13,908 yards passing and 161 touchdowns. The future Clemson Tiger was named the Gatorade Football Player of the Year in Georgia.

RB — Zamir White, Scotland (Laurinburg, N.C.)
The No. 1 rated running back had a monster senior campaign despite missing three games because of a knee injury. The future Georgia Bulldog rushed for 2,000-plus yards and 34 touchdowns in 11 games. He averaged nearly 200 yards a game and 14 yards per carry.

RB — Kazmeir Allen, Tulare Union (Tulare, Calif.)
The 2018 UCLA commit had one of the best single-seasons in California history. He broke the national single-season record scoring 72 total touchdowns in 2017 and he rushed for nearly 3,500 yards and had over 800 yards receiving during his senior season.

RB — Keaontay Ingram, Carthage (Texas)
The 2018 Texas pledge played a major role in leading Carthage to its second consecutive Texas state title during his senior year. He rushed for 2,327 yards and 37 touchdowns in 2017, including a 163-yard, three-touchdown performance in their 49-21 win against Kennedale in the 4A Division 1 state championship game.

WR — Amon-Ra St. Brown, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Mater Dei was loaded with playmakers in 2017, but its most explosive may have been St. Brown. The 5-star wide receiver finished his senior year with 72 receptions for 1,320 yards and 20 touchdowns despite missing the team's first three games. He also added two more special team touchdowns. St. Brown had at least two touchdown receptions in eight of his 12 games.

WR — Rondale Moore, Trinity (Louisville, Ky.)
The Kentucky Gatorade Football Player of the Year was one of the top playmakers in the country. He finished his senior season with a school record 104 receptions for 1,461 yards and 16 touchdowns. He added another 505 yards on the ground and seven touchdowns to go with two punt return scores.

WR — Jaivon Heiligh, Venice (Fla.)
The Venice star had a remarkable senior campaign. He broke the state's single-season records in receptions (132), receiving yards (2,139) and receiving touchdowns (32). His 2,139 yards receiving were tops in the nation and helped lead Venice to its first state title since 2000.

TE — Jeremy Ruckert, Lindenhurst (N.Y.)
The future Ohio State Buckeye was named the Gatorade Football Player of the Year in New York after a big-time senior year. He hauled in 13 touchdown receptions and added 13 sacks on the defensive side of the ball.

OL — Tommy Brown, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
The 2018 Alabama pledge was the leader on one of the top offensive lines in high school football.

OL — Cade Mays, Knoxville Catholic (Tenn.)
The 2018 Georgia pledge was one of the most dominant offensive lineman in the country. Mays is rated as the No. 2 offensive tackle on 247sports and is the No. 16 overall recruit.

OL — Jamaree Salyer, Pace Academy (Atlanta)
Salyer and Mays will be teammates soon for the Georgia Bulldogs. That is a scary thought for SEC opponents. Salyer checks in as the No. 1 overall offensive guard in the Class of 2018 and is a Top 10 recruit overall after a dominant senior season.

OL — Jackson Carman, Fairfield (Ohio)
The 2018 Clemson pledge had another impressive year. He is one of the best all-around offensive lineman in the nation and he is rated as the No. 1 offensive tackle from the Class of 2018.

OL — Nicholas Petit-Frere, Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Fla.)
The 5-star offensive tackle is one of the best players overall in the country. He checks in as the No. 3 rated offensive tackle in the 2018 class and is a Top 20 recruit overall.

AP - Derion Kendrick, South Pointe (Rock Hill, S.C.)
The future Clemson Tiger might be playing wide receiver at the next level, but he will go down as one of the best quarterbacks the state has ever seen. He led South Pointe to its fourth consecutive state title and he threw for more than 2,500 yards, rushed for nearly 1,200 more and had 50 total touchdowns.

K — Ryan Fitzgerald, Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.)
Fitzgerald was one of the three juniors selected after having a big year for Colquitt County. He made a bunch of clutch field goals in 2017 and finished the year with 18 makes, including a 60-yarder.

First Team Defense

DL — Xavier Thomas, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
The 2018 Clemson pledge was one of the most dominant defensive lineman in the country this past season. Thomas is one of six finalists up for the American Family Defensive Player of the Year award.

DL — Eyabi Anoma, St. Frances Academy (Baltimore)
The Alabama Crimson Tide pledge had a monster senior campaign with over 100 tackles and 24 sacks. He was the leader on a defense that allowed 65 points in 2017. St. Frances Academy finished at No. 5 in our final Xcellent 25 rankings presented by the Army National Guard.

DL — Micah Parsons, Harrisburg (Pa.)
The 5-star defensive end was one of the most versatile players in high school football in 2017, finishing with 27 rushing touchdowns and 9.5 sacks.

DL — Andrew Chatfield, American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)
Chatfield was one of the leaders on one of the top defenses in the country this past season. He finished the year with 25 tackles for loss and 14 sacks while leading American Heritage to its second consecutive state title and a spot at No. 4 in our Top 25.

LB — Palaie Gaoteote, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
The nation's top rated linebacker had another huge season for the Las Vegas power. He helped lead the Gaels to their ninth consecutive state title and a No. 13 finish in our final Top 25 rankings.

LB — Solomon Tuliaupupu, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Tuliaupupu was the leader on defense for the No. 1 team in the country. The 4-star linebacker was named the Butkus Award winner in 2017.

LB — Teradja Mitchell, Bishop Sullivan Catholic (Virginia Beach, Va.)
The future Ohio State Buckeye is one of the best all around linebackers in the country. There might not be a more physical defensive player in high school football.

LB — Adam Anderson, Rome (Ga.)
Rome finished the year as the No. 1 team in Georgia and Anderson led the way on defense. The 5-star linebacker ended the season with 10 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss.

DB — Brendan Radley-Hiles, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
The 4-star cornerback was one of the leaders on one of the top defenses in high school football. He finished the season with five interceptions and helped lead IMG Academy No. 2 in our final Top 25.

DB — Olaijah Griffin, Mission Viejo (Calif.)
Griffin ranked up there with anyone in California when it came to being the best two-way player in the state. He didn't allow one touchdown reception all season and had nearly 1,000 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns.

DB — Jaiden Woodbey, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)
The future Florida State Seminole was one of the top safeties in the country during his high school career. The 5-star defensive back checks in as the No. 2 safety from the Class of 2018 and is a Top 30 recruit overall.

DB — Joshua Proctor, Owasso (Okla.)
The Ohio State pledge helped lead Owasso to its first state title since 1974. The 4-star safety was one of the best two-way players in the country.

AP — B.J. Foster, Angleton (Texas)
The nation's No. 1 safety and top-rated player from Texas had a big-time senior season for Angleton. He is going to play safety at the next level but during his senior year he was one of the best running backs in Texas and led the Wildcats to a 13-1 record.

P — Ryan Wright, California (San Ramon, Calif.)
The nation's top rated punter averaged over 40 yards per punt and nearly half of his punts landed inside the opponent's 20 yard line.

Second Team Offense
QB — Reese Taylor, Ben Davis (Indianapolis)
Taylor was the leader for arguably the best high school team in Indiana state history. He led Ben Davis to a 14-0 record and a No. 6 spot in our final Top 25. The 2018 Indiana pledge accounted for nearly 4,000 total yards and 55 touchdowns.

QB — Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
Nobody in high school football had bigger shoes to fill than DTR. He had to replace the 2016 MaxPreps Player of the Year, Tate Martell, and he had a phenomenal senior season. DTR threw for more than 3,000 yards and had 38 touchdowns to only three interceptions. He added another 400-plus yards on the ground and seven more scores.

QB — John Stephen Jones, Highland Park (Dallas)
No quarterback has thrown for more yards in a Texas state championship game than John Stephen Jones. He led Highland Park to its second consecutive state title after erasing a 10-point fourth quarter deficit against Manvel (Texas). He finished the night with 564 yards and four touchdowns. In 2017, he threw for 4,911 yards and 61 touchdowns.

RB — Quavaris Crouch, Harding University (Charlotte, N.C.)
Crouch is one of three juniors to make the All-American team. He was named the Gatorade Football Player of the Year from North Carolina after rushing for 3,000-plus yards and 31 scores. He also had 14 sacks on the other side of the ball. He played a major part in Harding University winning its first state title.

RB — Ricky Slade, Hylton (Woodbridge, Va.)
The Gatorade Football Player of the Year from Virginia rushed for nearly 2,000 yards and had 35 total touchdowns during his senior season.

RB — Lorenzo Lingard, University (Orange City, Fla.)
The 2018 Miami Hurricane pledge rushed for nearly 2,000 yards and 26 scores in 2017. He checks in as the No. 2 running back from the Class of 2018 and was named the Gatorade Football Player of the Year in Florida.

WR — Marquis Spiker, Murrieta Valley (Murrieta, Calif.)
Headed to Washington after a monster senior season hauling in 83 grabs for 1,490 yards and 27 touchdowns. He ended his high school career as California's all-time leader in receiving touchdowns (72).

WR — Jaylen Waddle, Episcopal (Bellaire, Texas)
Waddle was one of the best players in Texas in 2017. He checks in as the No. 7 rated wide receiver from the Class of 2018.

WR — Devon Williams, Antelope Valley (Lancaster, Calif.)
Williams finished his high school career with nearly 1,200 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns during his senior year. He was one of the best all-around players in the state and had four interceptions on the other side of the ball.

TE — Brevin Jordan, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
The future Miami Hurricane was one of the best playmakers in the nation this past season. He hauled in 63 receptions for 1,100-plus yards and 13 scores. He added three more touchdowns rushing, too.

OL — Chris Murray, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
The 4-star offensive guard helped form one of the best offensive lines in high school football.

OL — Emil Ekiyor, Cathedral (Indianapolis)
Ekiyor checks in as the top-rated player overall from Indiana in the Class of 2018 and is the No. 2 rated center. The future Alabama player was one of the most dominant offensive lineman in 2017 and helped pave the way for a team that averaged over 200 yards rushing per game. OL — Junior Angilau, East (Salt Lake City)
The 2018 Texas pledge helped anchor one of the best offensive lines in the country.

OL — Curtis Dunlap Jr., IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
The 6-foot-4, 370 pound offensive guard was one of the most dominant players in the trenches for the No. 2 team in high school football.

OL — Justin Dedich, Chaparral (Temecula, Calif.)
The future USC Trojan was one of the most versatile offensive lineman in the country. He can line up at all five positions.

AP — Talanoa Hufanga, Crescent Valley (Corvallis, Ore.)
The 4-star athlete was one of the most well-rounded football players in 2017. He lined up at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and safety. He finished his senior season with over 1,300 total yards, 18 touchdowns and four interceptions.

K — Evan McPherson, Fort Payne (Ala.)
The future Florida Gator is the top-rated kicker from the Class of 2018 and earlier this season he knocked in a 60-yard field goal, the second longest in Alabama high school football history.

Second Team Defense
DL — Nathan Logoleo, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Logoleo was a quarterbacks worst nightmare. His 17 sacks this past season are the most in a single season in Mater Dei history and he also had a team-high 23 tackles for loss for the No. 1 team in the country.

DL — Nesta Silvera, American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)
The 2018 Miami pledge helped anchor one of the best defenses in the nation. He finished his high school career with 107 tackles, 31 tackles for loss and 12 sacks.

DL — Taron Vincent, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
The 5-star defensive tackle was one of the main cogs for one of the most dominant defenses in high school football this past season.

DL — Michael Matus, Katy (Texas)
The 2018 Arizona State pledge was the leader for a defense that only allowed seven points per game in 2017.

LB — Channing Tindall, Spring Valley (Columbia, S.C.)
The future Georgia Bulldog had an impressive senior season posting 132 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and nine sacks.

LB — Dax Hollifield, Shelby (N.C.)
Shelby's 4-star inside linebacker had a big-time senior season with 150 tackles, 32 tackles for loss and seven sacks.

LB — J.J. Peterson, Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.)
Peterson was the defensive leader for one of the best teams in all of Georgia. He ended his high school career with 110 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and five sacks.

LB — Merlin Robertson, Serra (Gardena, Calif.)
Serra has produced some marquee names over the last decade and you can include Robertson on that list. The 4-star linebacker had 126 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, seven sacks and two interceptions in 2017.

DB — Anthony Cook, Lamar (Houston)
The 2018 Texas pledge is one of the best lockdown cornerbacks in high school football. He checks in as the No. 5 corner in the Class of 2018 and is the second-rated player from the Lone Star State.

DB — Isaac Taylor-Stuart, Helix (La Mesa, Calif.)
The 5-star cornerback finished his high school career at Helix and had a big senior season. He had six interceptions and over 600 yards on offense to go with 10 touchdowns.

DB — Caden Sterns, Steele (Cibolo, Texas)
The future Texas Longhorn was one of the most versatile players in all of high school football. He ended his senior year with 100 tackles, four interceptions, two touchdown receptions and he returned two punts for scores.

DB — Patrick Surtain Jr., American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)
The 5-star defensive back is the top rated corner from the Class of 2018. He is one of the best shutdown defensive backs in the country and if he didn't miss a few games because of a knee injury he would have been a first-team selection.

AP — Shayne Simon, St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City, N.J.)
The 2018 Notre Dame pledge had a monster senior campaign finishing the year with 55 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, three sacks, and five interceptions. He also had nearly 1,000 yards receiving and six touchdowns.

P — Daniel Longman, Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)
Longman was one of the best special teams players in the country this past season. He had nearly 50 punts land inside the opponent's 20 yard line and was also 18-of-19 on field goal attempts.