The biggest stars and impact performers from the 2022 high school football season have been identified as candidates for the game's biggest honor – MaxPreps National Player of the Year.
Key factors in the selection process include team success and individual performance and production. A deep playoff run and outstanding play on the biggest stage also make for a strong resume.
There is still a long way to go in some states and it should be noted that the eventual winner is not required to come from the following list of 10 players, this is merely a check-in on those who have stood out above the rest as we enter the second half of October. The winner will be named Jan. 10 along with the MaxPreps All-America Team.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 170
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2024)
When it comes to efficiency, Alejado has been one of the best in the country regardless of class. The junior gunslinger has thrown for 2,164 yards and his most eye-popping stat is 36 touchdown passes against one interception. He's also completing 76.1 percent of his passes. The Gaels played a tough non-league schedule against five out-of-state opponents and Alejado played lights out. The Las Vegas power is currently ranked at No. 5 in the MaxPreps Top 25.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 205
Status: Committed to Oklahoma | Class: Senior (2023)
The Wildcats are 7-0 and No. 16 in the MaxPreps Top 25 as the five-star
quarterback has thrown for 1,542 yards. Arnold has 17 touchdowns with only
three interceptions while completing 62.5 percent of his passes. He's
added 228 yards on the ground and five additional scores. After a stellar junior campaign where he accounted for 4,580 yards of total offense (3,921 passing, 659 rushing) and 46 touchdowns for the 6A Division 2 state runner-up, he's again showing out for one of the best teams in the country.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 245
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Bain has been a big-time problem for opposing quarterbacks since his freshman year and has the Rockets in position to contend for the MaxPreps National Championship along with winning a fourth consecutive state title. He had his best game in a 20-14 win over IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) to open the 2022 season playing against one of the top offensive lines in the country. He racked up three sacks and three tackles for loss. In five games, he has 13 sacks and 15 tackles for loss for the No. 3 team in the MaxPreps Top 25. The Central defense has held five straight opponents to seven points or less.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 215
Status: Committed to Texas | Class: Senior (2023)
The four-star running back has 1,184 yards on 128 carries and 11 touchdowns through his first six games. He's eclipsed the 200-yard mark in four games. Baxter suffered an undisclosed injury in the first quarter of an Oct. 10 win over Wekiva and did not return. He missed the Eagles' following game, a 23-13 win over Ocoee. There's been no official word on his return, but he will be a huge piece for Edgewater down the stretch and in the 3M playoffs.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 180
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2024)
The
2021 MaxPreps Sophomore of the Year is the only quarterback in the country that has led his team to three wins against MaxPreps Top 25 opponents this season. He has thrown for 1,715 yards and 19 touchdowns against three interceptions while completing 67.6 percent of his passes. Brown has added three rushing scores. He became the fourth quarterback in Mater Dei history to start as a freshman and has started his career 25-0. The junior signal caller has eight career victories against MaxPreps Top 25 opponents.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to Alabama | Class: Senior (2023)
Playing at an elite level since his freshman year, Downs has stood out among the elite national playmakers in all three phases. He has 50 touches for 505 total yards and 10 touchdowns on offense. On defense, he has 42 tackles and three interceptions. He already owns the school record with 17 career interceptions.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 200
Status: Committed to Alabama | Class: Senior (2023)
He rushed for 6,058 yards in three seasons at Blessed Trinity (Roswell, Ga.) and has added 1,002 yards and 13 touchdowns in his first season at Buford. Haynes became the sixth running back in Georgia history to rush for more than 7,000 yards after running for 216 yards Friday in a 39-27
win over Mill Creek in a matchup of MaxPreps Top 25
teams. He'll add to his sixth-best total of 7,060 yards with three regular-season games and postseason remaining for the No. 6 Wolves. He's added five receptions for 153 yards and two scores to go with a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 190
Status: Committed to Ohio State | Class: Senior (2023)
South Florida has produced an endless line of dynamic players and Inniss is next up. He has 35 receptions for 655 yards and nine touchdowns for the No. 13 team in the MaxPreps Top 25. The Patriots have played against legit competition and the five-star wideout has showed up big when it mattered most. His impact is also felt on special teams, averaging 33.8 yards per kickoff return and took one to the house from 98 yards. He's played defense at times when needed and had an interception against Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale).
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 175
Status: Committed to Kansas State | Class: Senior (2023)
In the biggest game of the year so far for Johnson and the Eagles he was at his best. In a 52-51 win over Derby, he threw for 379 yards and four touchdowns to go with 152 yards rushing and three scores. Both were season highs. The four-star quarterback has thrown for 1,817 yards and 20 touchdowns compared to one interception while completing 69.2 percent of his passes. He's added 517 yards on he ground and 11 scores to go with a 65-yard touchdown reception.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 240
Status: Committed to LSU | Class: Senior (2023)
The four-star edge rusher has made as big of an impact as any player in the country. He has racked up 29 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and nine sacks while adding a 70-yard fumble return for a score. He's the leader for one of the best defenses in high school football and has the Baltimore power at No. 2 in the MaxPreps Top 25. The Panthers are 5-0 and all five wins have come on the road against teams in our expanded
Top 100 rankings.
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 (Texas)
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 (Santa Ana, Calif.)
2019 — DJ Uiagalelei, QB, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) / Bryce Young, QB, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
2020 — Jaxson Dart, QB, Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah)
2021 — Cade Klubnik, QB, Westlake (Austin, Texas)
