Ahead of the 2021 high school football season, MaxPreps is breaking down the top senior prospects in the country state-by-state as rated by 247Sports. We begin the series with Alabama, which opens play Aug. 20.
Unlike most states, Alabama's top tier talent is spread out. Four schools claim two top 25 talents on their respective rosters: Thompson, Auburn, Hewitt-Trussville and Pinson Valley. Thompson, the defending 7A champion which is No. 5 nationally in the preseason MaxPreps Top 25, boasts the top prospect in defensive end Jeremiah Alexander, an Alabama commit.
By position,
five defensive lineman led the selections from the top 25 with five,
followed by linebackers and athletes (four each), coernerbacks (three), running backs, quarter, wide receivers and offensive linemen (two each) and safety (one). As of July 22, 14 of the 25 committed to
colleges, headlined by four to Alabama.
Kobe Prentice, Calera
File photo by Brandon Sumrall
6-2 | 235 | DE | Alabama commit Nation's No. 18 overall recruit and top-rated edge pass rusher led Warriors to 14-0 record, 7A title in 2020.
2. Khurtiss Perry| Park Crossing (Montgomery)
6-3 | 267 | DL | UndecidedHad 173 tackles, 58 for losses, while adding 15 sacks in 2020.
3. Emmanuel Henderson | Geneva County (Hartford)
6-1 | 185 | RB | AlabamaThe top-rated running back in the country has rushed for 3,445 yards and 52 touchdowns in two seasons and also caught 35 passes. The three-sport star is also a track and field sprinter.
4. Trequon Fegans | Thompson
6-2 | 181 | CB | UndecidedFour-star recruit and first-team All-American with 27 offers recently transferred to nation's No. 5 team.
5. Shemar James | Faith Academy (Mobile)
6-2 | 212 | LB | FloridaThree-sport standout also can play running back and wide receiver. He scored 12 TDs last season.
6. Robert Woodyard | Williamson (Mobile)
6-1 | 210 | LB | AlabamaHad 124 tackles in 2020 and was very impressive in spring game, showing off running back-type speed.
7. Justice Finkley | Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville)
6-2 | 255 | DL | UndecidedBoasts more than 30 offers with trips to Texas, Michigan, Colorado and Alabama.
8. Caden Story | Lanett
6-4 | 264 | DL | Undecided
Nation's No. 30 DL recruit has 16 offers, including UCF and Auburn. His brother Kristian plays cornerback at Alabama.
9. Theron (TJ) Dudley | Montgomery Catholic (Montgomery)
6-1 | 220 | LB | OregonPicked Ducks over 28 other schools. Logged 131 tackles, 7.5 sacks as sophomore.
10. Zach Pyron | Pinson Valley (Pinson)
6-2 | 215 | QB | BaylorThrew for 2,314 yards, 23 touchdowns last season for 6A champions.
11. Kobe Prentice | Calera
5-10 | 175 | WR | UndecidedState finalist sprinter had 41 catches for 711 yards and nine TDs in 2020. Has 22 offers, including Alabama.
12. JQ Hardaway | Central (Phenix City)
6-3 | 190 | CB | CincinnatiThe Hardaway (Columbus, Ga.) transfer with 28 offers will play both sides of the ball for Red Devils.
13. Eston Harris | Auburn
6-6 | 290 | OT | UndecidedStandout on both sides of the line has 35 offers, including Florida State, Oregon, Auburn and Georgia.
14. Omari Kelly | Hewitt-Trussville
6-2 | 180 | ATH | UndecidedVersatile athlete has averaged better than 35 yards per his 67 catches for the Huskies. Also a returner, cornerback.
15. Antonio Kite | Anniston
6-1 | 180 | ATH | AlabamaNation's No. 7 rated overall athlete plays both sides of the ball as well as basketball.
16. Jarell Stinson | Opelika
5-10 | 160 | CB | UndecidedAbsolutely blur. Track star ran 100 meters in 10.52 seconds and 21.22 in 200. Indoor state champ in 60 (6.94) and 400 (48.85).
17. Tanner Bailey | Gordo
6-1 | 195 | QB | OregonNation's No. 18 rated QB is ultimate field general, led Green Wave to 13-2 record, state runner-up finish.
18. Lucas Taylor | St. Paul's Episcopal (Mobile)
6-5 | 310 | OL | Mississippi StateHad 12 other offers, including LSU, Arkansas and Auburn.
19. Marquarius White | Clay-Chalkville (Pinson)
5-10 | 165 | WR | TennesseeAnother blazer, has been timed 10.68 seconds in 100, 21.58 (200). Had 44 catches, 877 yards, 13 TDs in 2020.
20. Powell Gordon | Auburn
6-3 | 220 | LB | AuburnRecorded 88 tackles and 14 sacks in 2020. He picked Auburn over Duke, Vanderbilt, Southern Miss, among others.
21. Laquan Robinson | Greenville
6-2 | 195 | S | UndecidedVersatile athlete who also plays QB on offense has offers from Auburn, Florida State and Ole Miss.
22. Ja'Kobi Albert | Fairfield
5-11 | 175 | ATH | UndecidedRanked the 23rd best all-around athlete in the country, played WR and DB in 2020. His 22 offers include Auburn, Maryland and Michigan.
23. BJ Diakite | Pinson Valley
6-3 | 210 | ATH | VanderbiltCommitted to Commodores on March 22.
24. Trevon McAlpine | Saraland
6-3 | 280 | DL | TCULogged 88 tackles, 16 for loss and seven sacks. Picked Horned Frogs from among 24 college offers.
25. Quinshon Judkins | Pike Road
5-11 | 200 | RB | UndecidedRushed for 1,482 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2020.
