Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized the nation's top high school football players at the conclusion of the season. Past members of the MaxPreps Junior All-America Team include Derrick Henry (2011), Mark Andrews (2012), Minkah Fitzpatrick (2013), Nick Bosa (2014), Tee Higgins (2015), Micah Parsons (2016), Garrett Wilson (2017), Bryce Young (2018), Caleb Williams (2019) and Travis Hunter (2020).
Micah Alejado of Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) headlines the 60 players selected to the 2022 MaxPreps Junior All-America Team. He was one of two juniors to make the All-America Team and is the first player from the Vegas power to be named the National Junior of the Year. He led the Gaels to a 14-1 record and spot at No. 4 in final MaxPreps Top 25 throwing for over 3,500 yards and 54 touchdowns.
Elijah Brown of Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) joins Alejado on the first team at the quarterback position. He was one of four Monarchs selected to the Junior All-America Team, the most by any school. Brandon Baker and DeAndre Carter were first team selections on the offensive line while Zabien Brown was a second team choice at defensive back.
Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.) and St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) tied for the second most selections with three each. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), Buford (Ga.), Carrollton (Ga.), Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.), Duncanville (Texas), IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, Tenn.), Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, Calif.) and St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) all had two selections apiece.
In total, 44 different schools had at least one selection.
Selections are based on team success, individual production and local, regional and state honors from recently-completed season. Potential at the college and professional level is not a primary consideration.
First team offense
QB Micah Alejado, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 170
The MaxPreps National Junior of the Year threw for 3,575 yards and had 54 touchdowns compared to two interceptions while completing 75.8 percent of his passes.
QB Elijah Brown, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 180
Last year's MaxPreps Sophomore of the Year threw for 2,785 yards and had 31 touchdowns compared to four interceptions playing against the best competition in the country.
RB Caden Durham, Duncanville (Texas)
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 190
Had 210 carries for 1,960 yards and 36 touchdowns for the Class 6A Division 1 state champs.
RB Bryce Hicks, Carrollton (Ga.)
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 175
Rushed for 1,623 yards and 22 touchdowns for AAAAAAA state runner-up. Added 60 receptions for 751 yards and 10 scores.
RB Jordan Marshall, Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati)
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 195
Had 244 carries for 1,951 yards and 34 touchdowns for one of the best teams in Ohio.
WR Jeremiah Smith, Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 185
Recent Ohio State commit had over 1,000 yards receiving and 20 touchdowns for No. 10 team in final MaxPreps Top 25.
WR Caleb Odom, Carrollton
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 215
The favorite target of star freshman signal caller Julian Lewis hauled in 64 receptions for 1,121 yards and 13 scores.
WR Dre'lon Miller, Silsbee (Texas)
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 195
Posted 59 receptions for 1,399 yards and 21 touchdowns to go with 361 yards rushing and three more scores.
TE Elija Lofton, Bishop Gorman
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 220
Capped his tremendous junior campaign with a five touchdown performance in a dominant 49-14 win over Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.) to close out the 2022 season.
OL Brandon Baker, Mater Dei
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 285
Dominated the opposition playing against elite competition.
OL Jordan Seaton, St. John's (Washington, D.C.)
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 285
All-WCAC selection led the way in the trenches for back-to-back conference champs.
OL DeAndre Carter, Mater Dei
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 340
Joins Baker and Brown as three Monarchs selected on first team.
OL Waltclaire Flynn Jr., Grayson (Loganville, Ga.)
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 305
Has been one of the most dominant offensive lineman in Georgia the last three seasons.
OL Ben Roebuck, St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio)
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 315
Played a huge role on the offensive line for the back-to-back Division 1 state champs.
AP Terry Bussey, Timpson (Texas)
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 180
First junior to be named Mr. Texas Football High School Player of the Year since Kyler Murray in 2013.
K Nolan Hauser, Hough (Cornelius, N.C.)
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185
Led the nation in field goals made with 20.
First team defense
DL Colin Simmons, Duncanville
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 225
Five-star edge rusher was unblockable for Class 6A Division 1 champs and No. 7 team in final MaxPreps Top 25.
DL Booker Pickett Jr., Wharton (Tampa, Fla.)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 200
Finished third in the country with 30 sacks.
DL David Stone, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 270
Dominated in the trenches for No. 5 team in final MaxPreps Top 25.
DL Sterling Dixon, Mobile Christian (Mobile, Ala.)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 210
Recent Alabama commit put up eye-popping numbers posting 172 tackles, 39 tackles for loss and 18 sacks.
LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 225
Made a huge impact for one of the best defenses in the country leading Braves to their second No. 1 finish since 2019.
LB Brayden Platt, Yelm (Wash.)
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 230
The MaxPreps Washington Player of the Year put up big-time numbers on both sides of the ball while leading Yelm to an undefeated season and first-ever state title.
LB Sammy Brown, Jefferson (Ga.)
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 225
Top-rated linebacker in the Class of 2024 piled up 100-plus tackles to go with over 1,700 total yards and 24 touchdowns on offense.
DB Bryce West, Glenville (Cleveland)
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 180
Shutdown corner did not allow a touchdown reception during his junior season while intercepting four passes. Led Glenville to 15-0 record and the school's first state title.
DB Kaleb Beasley, Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, Tenn.)
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 180
The 2024 Tennessee commit was a quarterback's worst nightmare in 2022. He picked off nine passes for the No. 13 team in the final MaxPreps Top 25.
DB Marcelles Williams, St. John Bosco
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 175
Finished dominant junior season with two interceptions in 45-0 shutout win over Serra (San Mateo) in CIF Open Division state championship.
DB Ify Obidegwu, St. Frances Academy (Baltimore)
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185
Lined up against the best competition all season and made huge plays for the No. 8 team in final MaxPreps Top 25.
AP Mike Matthews, Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 180
Top-rated athlete in the Class of 2024 had over 1,000 yards receiving and nine touchdowns while also being a standout performer on defense.
P Drew Miller, Mediapolis (Iowa)
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 200
The nation's top-rated punter in the Class of 2024 averaged 48 yards per punt.
Second team offense
QB Air Noland, Langston Hughes (Fairburn, Ga.)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 195
Led an offense that broke Georgia's state record for most points (792) in a single-season throwing for 4,095 yards and 55 touchdowns.
QB Jadyn Davis, Providence Day (Charlotte, N.C.)
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 185
The MaxPreps North Carolina Player of the Year threw for 3,425 yards and 43 touchdowns for Division 1 state champs.
RB Dilin Jones, Good Counsel
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 180
The WCAC Player of the Year lit up some of the best defenses in the country.
RB Jason Brown Jr., O'Dea (Seattle)
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 205
Rushed for 1,600-plus yards and 21 touchdowns for one of the best teams in the state.
RB Taylor Tatum, Longview (Texas)
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 200
Had 227 carries for 1,889 yards and 33 touchdowns for Class 5A Division 1 state semifinalist. Added 12 receptions for 160 yards and three scores.
WR Joshisa Trader, Chaminade-Madonna
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 170
Helped form one of the best receiving corps in the country with first team selection Jeremiah Smith, Edwin Joseph, Duane Thomas Jr. and Kyle Washington.
WR Jason Robinson Jr., Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, Calif.)
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 160
Smooth route-runner battled through injuries during his junior campaign but still made big-time plays for one of the best teams in Southern California.
WR Micah Hudson, Lake Belton (Temple, Texas)
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 185
Second-rated wide receiver in Class of 2024 hauled in 65 receptions for 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns.
TE Landen Thomas, Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.)
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 230
Led Packers to 13-1 record and AAAAAAA state semifinals. Had 44 receptions for 753 yards and eight touchdowns to go with five rushing scores.
OL Kyle Altuner, Good Counsel (Olney, Md.)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 295
Had a great junior campaign lining up against the best competition playing in the WCAC and against a tough non-league schedule.
OL Kam Pringle, Woodland (Dorchester, S.C.)
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 330
Top-rated offensive tackle on 247Sports composite rankings for the Class of 2024 led Wolverines to 11-2 record.
OL Donovan Harbour, Catholic Memorial (Waukesha, Wis.)
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 305
Dominated in the trenches for Division 4 state runner-up.
OL Daniel Calhoun, Centennial (Roswell, Ga.)
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 350
As impressive as any other offensive lineman in the Class of 2024.
OL Josiah Thompson, Dillon (S.C.)
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 280
Played a monster role for Wildcats during 13-1 season.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185
Two-way standout made a huge impact for one of the best teams in Georgia.
K Luke Stewart, Oak Grove (Hattiesburg, Miss.)
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 150
Connected on 14 of 15 field goals, including a game-winning 51-yard attempt with no time left on the clock to beat Wayne County (Waynesboro) 26-23.
Second team defense
DL Eddrick Houston, Buford
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 255
Five-star edge rusher racked up 64 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 10 sacks.
DL Justin Scott, Saint Ignatius College Prep (Chicago)
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 315
All-state first team selection led Wolfpack to their first 10-win season since 2017.
DL Williams Nwaneri, Lee's Summit North (Lee's Summit, Mo.)
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 250
Dominated all season and helped clinch a spot in the school's first state championship game with a four-sack performance in a 33-6 win over DeSmet Jesuit (St. Louis) in the Class 6 semifinals.
DL Nigel Smith II, Melissa (Texas)
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 260
Four-star defensive lineman had another big-time season leading Cardinals to 11-3 record.
LB Dylan Williams, Long Beach Poly
Height: 6-2.5 | Weight: 210
Helped get Long Beach Poly back in the national spotlight racking up 79 tackles and 25.5 tackles for loss.
LB Edwin Spillman, Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, Tenn.)
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 215
Led Mustangs to undefeated season and spot at No. 13 in final MaxPreps Top 25 piling up 100-plus tackles.
LB Aaron Chiles, Good Counsel
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 210
One of the most complete linebackers in the country regardless of class had another dominant season in the WCAC.
LB Simeon Coleman, St. Frances Academy
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 210
Hard-hitting linebacker made a huge impact for No. 8 team in the country.
DB Peyton Woodyard, St. John Bosco
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 190
Played a major role for the best secondary in high school football.
DB Kobe Black, Connally (Waco, Texas)
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 190
Shutdown corner also starred on offense racking up 600-plus total yards and 11 touchdowns.
DB Zabien Brown, Mater Dei
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 175
Lined up against the best competition in the country and racked up 32 tackles and three interceptions.
DB Jordon Johnson-Rubell, IMG Academy
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 180
Hard-hitting safety made one of the biggest plays of the year with a 98-yard pick-six in a 27-16 win over St. Frances Academy (Baltimore).
AP Quinton Martin, Belle Vernon (Pa.)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 200
Led the 3A state champs in receptions (28), receiving yards (424), receiving touchdowns (6), rushes (145), rushing yards (1,279), rushing touchdowns (22) and tied for the team lead with four interceptions.
AP Miles Lockhart, Basha (Chandler, Ariz.)
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 185
Finished with 69 tackles and four interceptions while making an impact on offense when needed for the Open Division state champs.
P Coleman Franzone, James Island (Charleston, S.C.)
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 150
Averaged 44.5 yards per punt while landing 36.6 percent of his punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line.
