Top high school football players by jersey number

31. Zach Hoffpauir, Centennial (Peoria, Ariz.), Sr., S-WR, 6-0, 210, California
Hoffpaiur has college size and that should translate well in the defensive backfield. He's a hard hitter and has a nose for the end zone on offense. Centennial has gone 19-3 over the past season and a half, with Hoffpauir playing a large role as the nation's No. 24 safety. According to Lemming, he "Works hard at improving his game, he plays every play like it's his last and is as physical as they come."

32. Johnathan Gray, Aledo (Texas), Sr., RB, 5-10, 202, Texas
Gray is the all-time Texas touchdown king and picked up 1,384 yards in the first five games of the season. He's the No. 8 overall recruit, No. 1 tailback and an honorable mention big back, plus he was a MaxPreps Junior All-American last season. He might even have a shot at the national rushing touchdown record of 204. Lemming says "Explosive" should be Gray's middle name, and that he keeps his feet moving and stays low to the ground. Look for big things in college. (Feature story)

33. Malin Jones, Joliet Catholic Academy (Ill.), Sr., RB, 6-2, 210, Northwestern
Jones is No. 99 overall and the No. 3 big back. He brings the whole package, Lemming says, and that includes smarts, as he is headed to Northwestern and its high academia. He "Has a great second effort, he almost never goes down on first contact and it's his burst, vision, and balance that makes him a special ball player."

34. Warren Ball, St. Francis de Sales (Columbus, Ohio), Sr., RB, 6-2, 200, Ohio State
Ball comes in at No. 9 among big backs, and that's in all likelihood due to Lemming's assertion that Ball is a "Powerful, thick-framed runner with good vision and balance. ... He prefers to run over defenders rather than around them but certainly has the ability to do both. He surprises you with his speed, agility, and hands."

35. Ron Geohaghan, Allendale-Fairfax (Fairfax, S.C.), Sr., S, 6-0, 182, Clemson
Geohagan has helped his team get off to a 7-2 start. According to Lemming, the No. 23 safety in the nation "Shows very good speed and an aggressive style of play to go with a nose for the ball. He studies film, is able to recognize offenses, and is an attacking, hard hitting DB. His film shows him playing OLB, FS, and CB, but is best suited to play FS in college. A terrifically gifted football player who has long snapped and played FB."

36. Tom Strobel, Mentor (Ohio), Sr., DE, 6-6, 250, Michigan
Strobel is a big boy, and he's helped Mentor crash into the Xcellent 25 this week. Lemming says "His motor is always running and plays the game aggressively and with a take no prisoners attitude." Strobel is the No. 20 defensive end in the Class of 2012.

37. Zack Sweet, Goodrich (Mich.), Sr., DE, 6-3, 227, Uncommitted
Sweet is an honorable mention choice at the defensive end position. Goodrich has gone 14-5 in the past season and a half.

38. Mike Scherer, MICDS (St. Louis), Sr., ILB, 6-3, 235, Missouri
Scherer is the No. 22 inside linebacker in the Class of 2012 and has helped the Rams get to 8-0 this season. He was a second-team All-State choice last season as well.

39. Peter Douds, Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.), Sr., K, 5-10, 188, Uncommitted
Douds leads the nation in converted extra points with 64, according to stats supplied to MaxPreps. The next-closest player has 56. Last year, he made 82 extra points and a field goal.

40. Donavin Newsom, Parkway North (St. Louis), Sr., LB, 6-2, 225, Missouri
Newsom is the No. 9 inside linebacker in the Class of 2012 and according to Lemming, "Makes tackles from sideline to sideline, is a very productive run defender within the box, and is able to beat blockers with tremendous quickness and leverage, and just seems to be in on every play. He's even better when free to run and make plays."