The highly anticipated 2021 high school football season is around the
corner and we continue our look at the country's best player with the
Preseason MaxPreps Junior All-America Team. The talented crop of 2023 graduates features 56 players headlined by Arch Manning, Lebbeus Overton, and Matayo Uiagalelei.
Manning of Newman (New Orleans) has the name recognition — he's the nephew of Eli and Peyton Manning — but also has shown he's got game. The MaxPreps Freshman of the Year in 2019, Manning is the top-rated quarterback in his class and led the Greenies to the Division III semifinals last season.
Overton (Milton, Ga.) was last year's MaxPreps Sophomore of the Year after a monster campaign where he logged 70 tackles, 38 tackles for loss and 21.5 sacks. The uncommitted five-star is the No. 1 defensive lineman on the 247Sports composite rankings.
Uiagalelei, the younger brother of Clemson quarterback DJ, is, like Manning, making his own name. One of the best two-way players in the game, the St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) standout dominates as a tight end as well as from the defensive end spot.
No. 2 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) leads the way with eight players selected, including first-teamers Francis Mauigoa and Knijeah Harris on the offensive line and Malik Bryant at linebacker.
First Team Offense
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 210
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 190
Rushed for more than 1,500 yards and 22 touchdowns as a sophomore.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 190
Checks in as the No. 1 running back in the Class of 2023 and averaged over 100 yards rushing per game during his first two seasons.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 190
One of the best players in the country regardless of class will make a huge impact during his first season at American Heritage.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 205
In 2019, became the first freshman to start for the Chaparrals and has played a major role on offense in each of the last two years for the back-to-back state champs.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220
Finished his sophomore season with over 700 yards receiving and nine touchdowns for the three-time defending 6A-II state champs.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 325
A rare player who could be a five-star prospect on either side of the ball.
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 300
The second-rated tackle in the Class of 2023 on 247Sports composite rankings excels in both run and pass blocking.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 300
Checks all the boxes for what you want in an offensive lineman.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 305
Played a crucial role in the trenches for the 2020 MaxPreps National Champions.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 290
Plays in one of the toughest leagues in high school football and dominated on both sides of the ball as a sophomore.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 180
Helped lead the Griffins to a 6-0 spring season accounting for nearly 800 yards receiving, nine touchdowns, and four interceptions.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 190
Selected to the MaxPreps Sophomore All-America first team last season after connecting on 7-of-9 field goals.
First Team Defense
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 265
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 265
Will help give the No. 5 team in the MaxPreps Top 25 one of the best defenses in high school football.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 250
Finished his sophomore campaign with 25 tackles for loss and 13 sacks for the 6A state champs.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 265
Helped lead the Demons to a AAAAA state title in 2020 and racked up 59 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and 11 sacks.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 225
Made a huge impact on defense for last year's MaxPreps National Champions.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 225
Helped lead the Raiders to their first state title since 2002 last year and is one of the major reasons why they begin this season ranked at No. 25 in the MaxPreps Top 25.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 240
Racked up 15 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks in six games as a sophomore.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 180
The five-star cornerback has played a huge role in the secondary for the back-to-back 7A state champs in each of the last two seasons.
Height: 6-1.5 | Weight: 165
Finished his sophomore campaign with nine interceptions to go with nearly 500 yards receiving and seven touchdowns on offense.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 215
Checks in as the top-rated safety in the Class of 2023 and was one of the most dominant players in Ohio as a sophomore.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 185
Has racked up over 100 tackles and nine interceptions during his first two years.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 265
One of the best all-around high school football players regardless of class.
Height: 6-1.5 | Weight: 190
Rated as the No. 1 punter in the Class of 2023 by Chris Sailer Kicking and recently landed an offer from Harvard.
Second Team Offense
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 180
The recent Oklahoma commit had a fantastic spring throwing for over 1,500 yards and 23 touchdowns in six games while completing 74 percent of his passes.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 195
The five-star quarterback has thrown for more than 4,400 yards and 63 touchdowns in the last two seasons.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 195
Has rushed for 3,700-plus yards and 43 touchdowns during his first two seasons.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 180
Eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark on the ground last season and helped the Dragons to their first state title game appearance since 2011.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 185
Expect a monster junior season from the former Marist (Chicago) standout.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 175
The second-rated wide receiver in the Class of 2023 on 247Sports composite rankings had nearly 700 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns in 2020.
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 170
Will be a big-time playmaker for the No. 13 team in the MaxPreps Top 25.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 225
The multi-sport standout is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 325
Has over 40 FBS offers and is one of the most physical offensive lineman in the game.
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 365
The talented junior will play a crucial role in the trenches for one of the most explosive offenses in the Midwest.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 275
Recently committed to Penn State and is the top-rated interior offensive lineman in the Class of 2023 on 247Sports composite rankings.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 280
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 290
One of the most talented offensive lineman in the country is just reaching his potential and was named to the MaxPreps Sophomore All-America second team in 2020.
Height: 6-4 |
Weight: 230
The Ascenders are loaded with talent and M'Pemba will be a huge playmaker this fall.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 165
Connected on 4-of-5 field goals during the spring and is the top-rated kicker in the Class of 2023 by Chris Sailer Kicking.
Second Team Defense
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 245
The Evergreen State has produced some big-time defensive linemen and Wayne is up next.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 270
The five-star prospect is the No. 3 defensive lineman in the Class of 2023 on 247Sports composite rankings.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 250
The Eagles' transfer racked up 76 tackles, seven sacks and forced five fumbles during his sophomore year at Morton Ranch (Katy).
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 255
A lot of talented edge rushers have come from DeMatha, headlined by Chase Young, and Moore is on track to be the next great one from the DMV.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 265
Posted 85 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks as a sophomore at Newton (Covington, Ga.) and should make an immediate impact on the defensive line for the Ascenders.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 225
Helped the Philadelphia power to a third consecutive 6A title last season and should have an even bigger role in 2021.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 210
Had a dominant sophomore season last spring for the best team in California.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 225
Played a pivotal role in his first season with the Ascenders on a defense that did not allow more than 14 points in any game.
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 175
The former Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.) standout is a great return specialist and an even better cornerback.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 195
The eighth player selected from the Ascenders is the second-rated athlete in the Class of 2023 and helped lead St. John's Prep (Danvers, Mass.) to a Division 1 championship in 2019.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 180
One of the most dynamic playmakers in the country finished his sophomore season with two pick-sixes, two rushing touchdowns, three receiving scores and eight kickoff/punt return touchdowns.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 170
Davis and five-star teammate Denver Harris form one of the best cornerback tandems in high school football.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 180
The Rams begin the season No. 8 in the MaxPreps Top 25 and Daugherty will play a huge role for the defending AAAAAAA state champs.
Height: 6-0 |
Weight: 185
One of the best shutdown corners in the Class of 2023 will take on an even bigger role on offense as a running back this fall.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 200
Has one of the strongest legs in the country and is also a standout baseball player.
