The 2022 high school football season kicks off this week on the left coast, and after zoning in on the
preseason MaxPreps Top 25 state rankings, we take a look at the best players in the Golden State with the Preseason MaxPreps California All-State Team.
St. John Bosco (Bellflower) begins the year as the
No. 1 team in the country and leads the preseason all-state team with eight selections. Matayo Uiagalelei, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Marcelles Williams were first-team choices while DeAndre Moore, Sean Na'a, Deven Bryant, Peyton Woodyard and Aaron Williams were second-team selections.
Mater Dei (Santa Ana) is one spot below the Braves in the MaxPreps Top 25 and are well-represented on the all-state team with the second most selections at six. Elijah Brown, DeAndre Carter, BJ Tolo, Levitcus Su'a and Zabien Brown were first-team selections while Brandon Baker was selected on the second team.
In total, 35 different schools had at least one player selected on the Preseason MaxPreps California All-State Team. Forty-two of the sixty players chosen are seniors while 16 are entering their junior season. Jett White of Orange and Weston Port of San Juan Hills (San Juan Capistrano) were the only sophomores selected.
Matayo Uiagalelei, St. John Bosco
Photo: Heston Quan
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to USC | Class: Senior (2023)
Second-rated player overall on 247Sports composite rankings threw for nearly 2,700 yards and 39 touchdowns in 2021.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 180
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2024)
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 230
Status: Committed to UCLA | Class: Senior (2023)
Rushed for 1,200-plus yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior.
Height: 5-8 | Weight: 175
Status: Committed to Utah | Class: Junior (2024)
All-around running back rushed for 1,150 yards and 15 scores to go with 38 receptions for 674 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 210
Status: Committed to Oregon | Class: Senior (2023)
Announced earlier this week he will play his senior season for the Bears and is coming off a strong junior campaign hauling in 78 receptions for 1,300-plus yards and 19 touchdowns.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 185
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Does it all from the wide receiver position and leads the way for one of the deepest receiving corps in the state.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 190
Status: Committed to Notre Dame | Class: Senior (2023)
Hauled in 81 receptions for nearly 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns for NorCal Division 1-AA champs.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 240
Status: Committed to Stanford | Class: Senior (2023)
Grabbed 42 receptions for nearly 700 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Also, a very good blocking tight end.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 340
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2024)
Has been dominating in the trenches playing against the best competition during his career.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 290
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Leader of the offensive line has been making a difference since his freshman season.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 280
Status: Committed to TCU | Class: Senior (2023)
Great run-blocker in a run-heavy offense.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 305
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Nasty offensive lineman dominates in the trenches.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 320
Status: Committed to Stanford | Class: Senior (2023)
The
four-star recruit will play for the Cardinal and is
the top-rated offensive lineman in California on 247Sports for the Class
of 2023.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 180
Status: Committed to USC | Class: Senior (2023)
Had over 1,000 yards receiving, 15 touchdowns and four interceptions last season. Also, very dangerous in the return game.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 160
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2024)
Has one of the strongest legs in the state and connected on 6-of-7 field goals last season, including one from 57.
First team defense
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 265
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Big-time playmaker on both sides of the ball.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 265
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2024)
Top-rated defensive lineman in the Class of 2024 on 247Sports composite rankings will be a huge force in the trenches for one of the best teams in SoCal.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 260
Status: Committed to Arizona | Class: Senior (2023)
One of the most disruptive defensive lineman in the state.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 230
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Put up video-game numbers during his junior season racking up 155 tackles, 30 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks. Also, posted 60 receptions for 975 yards and 13 scores. He is announcing his college decision
live on CBS HQ on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. ET. His final four features Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 225
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2024)
Showed flashes during his freshman year before a knee injury forced him to miss his sophomore season. Expect a monster junior campaign from the four-star linebacker.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 225
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Flies around on defense and will be the leader on that side of the ball for second-ranked Monarchs.
Height: 6-2.5 | Weight: 200
Status: Committed to USC | Class: Junior (2024)
Poly has had a lot of great players come through its program and Williams is next up.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 180
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
The fastest player in the state is one of the top lockdown corners in high school football.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 170
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2024)
Lined up against the best receiver every Friday night as a sophomore and isn't afraid to cover anyone on an island.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 180
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2024)
Stepped up as a sophomore when Domani Jackson went down with an injury after one game and was a key piece in the secondary for the 2021 MaxPreps National Champions.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 180
Status: Committed to LSU | Class: Senior (2023)
All-around cornerback is also one of the best return specialists in California.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 200
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Rushed for 2,200-plus yards and 36 touchdowns while piling up 49 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks last season.
Height: 6-1.5 | Weight: 190
Status: Committed to Stanford | Class: Senior (2023)
Selected as the first-team punter on the 2022 preseason MaxPreps All-America squad.
Second team offense
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 195
Status: Committed to Tennessee | Class: Senior (2023)
Five-star QB threw for over 2,200 yards and had an incredible 33-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to Miami | Class: Senior (2023)
Has all the tools you are looking for in a quarterback and expect a huge senior campaign from the future Hurricane.
Height: 5-7 | Weight: 190
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Rushed for 1,500-plus yards and 20 touchdowns in 2021.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 225
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2024)
Four-star recruit rushed for over 2,100 yards and 23 scores as a sophomore.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to Louisville | Class: Senior (2023)
Will be a huge playmaker for quarterback Pierce Clarkson this fall.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to Washington | Class: Senior (2023)
Matchup nightmare for opposing defenses and will be Rashada's top target again in 2022.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 170
Status: Committed to USC | Class: Junior (2024)
Selected to the 2022 preseason Junior MaxPreps All-America first team.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 230
Status: Committed to Notre Dame | Class: Senior (2023)
Great run blocker who can also makes plays in the receiving game.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 290
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2024)
Second-rated offensive tackle on 247Sports for Class of 2024 will play a huge role in the trenches for defending MaxPreps National Champs.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 275
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Former Westlake (Westlake Village) standout will be a key piece on the offensive line for the No. 1 team in the MaxPreps Top 25.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 345
Status: Committed to Alabama | Class: Senior (2023)
Committed to the Crimson Tide last week and is the second-rated offensive tackle in California among seniors, according to 247Sports composite rankings.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 330
Status: Committed to USC | Class: Senior (2023)
Dominates in both run and pass blocking.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 320
Status: Committed to USC | Class: Senior (2023)
One of the most physical offensive lineman in the Golden State.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 170
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2024)
Has already landed over 40 FBS offers and was named the Moore League Player of the Year in 2021.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 180
Status: Committed to Stanford | Class: Senior (2023)
Hauled in 80 receptions for 1,400-plus yards and 16 touchdowns last season.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 165
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Great in all three phases of the kicking game.
Second team defense
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 260
Status: Committed to Stanford | Class: Senior (2023)
Has all the tools and can play multiple positions on the defensive line at a high level.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 265
Status: Committed to USC | Class: Senior (2023)
Finished his junior season with 50-plus tackles, 15 tackles for loss, seven sacks and forced three fumbles.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 265
Status: Committed to California | Class: Senior (2023)
Gets off blocks extremely well and is one of the most physical defensive lineman in the state.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 220
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Sophomore (2025)
The talented edge rusher/outside linebacker finished his freshman season with 91 tackles, 25 tackles for loss and 12
sacks.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 210
Status: Committed to Washington | Class: Senior (2023)
Led the Braves in tackles (86) last season and will play a major role for one of the best defenses in the country.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 220
Status: Committed to UCLA | Class: Senior (2023)
Racked up 96 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and six sacks for CIF Division 2-AA state champs.
Height: 6-2.5 | Weight: 220
Status: Committed to Oregon | Class: Senior (2023)
Two-way standout finished his junior season with 147 tackles, 14 sacks and three interceptions to go with over 1,800 all-purpose yards.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 180
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2024)
Helped Padres get to CIF Open Division championship game for the first time in school history last season and is also a playmaker on offense.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 190
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2024)
Second-rated safety in the Class of 2024 on 247Sports composite rankings will make a huge impact in the secondary for top-ranked Braves.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 205
Status: Committed to Utah | Class: Senior (2023)
One of the most versatile players in the state plays multiple positions on defense at a high level.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to Louisville | Class: Senior (2023)
Former Centennial (Corona) standout adds to an already loaded secondary.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 170
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2024)
One of the hardest-hitting safeties in the state played a major role for the CIF Open Division runner-up as a sophomore.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 160
Status: Committed to USC | Class: Sophomore (2025)
Two-way standout joins Port as the only sophomores selected on the preseason all-state team.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 175
Status: Committed to Washington | Class: Senior (2023)
Stevie Johnson, Jason Verrett and James-Michael Johnson are a few of the notable players to come from Rodriguez and Bryant could end up being the most talented of them all.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 165
Status: Committed to Utah | Class: Senior (2023)
Missed last season with a knee injury but expect a huge bounce back senior campaign for the talented two-way player.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 160
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2023)
Averaged better than 42 yards per punt as a junior.
