Way-too-early 2020 preseason high school football rankings watch list

IMG Academy, Mater Dei and St. John Bosco among contenders to begin next season at No. 1.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Zack Poff
By
Apr 8, 2020, 1:30pm
Video: 2020 football rankings watch list
Looking ahead to potential Top 25 teams next fall.

With the start of the 2020 high school football season still five months away and the coronavirus pandemic potentially clouding that timeline, it's a bit premature to start nailing down a preseason Top 25.

But there's nothing wrong with getting the conversation started, right? That's our intent today as we highlight 25 teams expected to be in the national rankings mix when teams take the field next season.

Those hoping for a power shift in 2020 might be a bit disappointed. Recent rankings mainstays like IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) and St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) are reloading, not rebuilding.

Read on for a sneak preview at high school football's elite heading into next season.
The First Tier

Last year: No. 1; MaxPreps national champion
Ones to watch: 2023 quarterback Pierce Clarkson. He could one of the best players in Southern California for the next three years.
Did you know?: Braves have finished in the Top 10 nationally every year since 2015.

Ones to watch: 5-star running back Raleek Brown, 3-star athlete Shoes Brinkley and Emmett Brown all transferred to the Trinity League power
Did you know?: The Monarchs' quest for a third consecutive CIF state title came to an end against St. John Bosco in the Southern Section Division 1 championship. Mater Dei has finished ranked in the Top 10 nationally every year since 2016.

Key returners: Top 300 2021 players JC Latham, Tunmise Adeleye, Agiye Hall and Kamar Wilcoxson.
Ones to watch: 247Sports updated its rankings for the Class of 2022 and IMG had more players featured in the Top 247 than any other school with seven.
Did you know?: The Ascenders have finished in the Top 10 nationally in each of the last five years.

Last year: No. 5
Key losses: Chris Braswell and Blake Corum
Key returners: 4-star linebacker Aaron Willis, 2021 Florida commit Clinton Burton Jr., 4-star defensive tackle Katron Evans, and Aaron Wilson.
Ones to watch: Jaishawn Barham and Derrick Moore are ranked in the Top 50 for the Class of 2022.
Did you know?: Biff Poggi and Henry Russell have turned the Panthers into one of the best programs in the country over the last four years. They have gone 44-3 since 2016 and had a marquee 35-7 win over IMG Academy last season.

Last year: No. 3
Key losses: Derek Wingo, Marcus Dumervil and Marcus Rosemy
Ones to watch: Former American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) standout Dallas Turner and former Cardinal Newman (West Palm Beach, Fla.) 4-star linebacker Jaydon Hood.
Did you know?: Raiders won first state championship since 2016 last season.

Last year: No. 4
Key losses: Zach Evans
Ones to watch: 2021 Virginia Tech commit Dematrius Davis Jr. has accounted for 7,589 yards (6,022 passing, 1,567 rushing) and 103 touchdowns over the last two years and will be one of the preseason favorites to win MaxPreps National Player of the Year next season.
Did you know?: The Mustangs are the first team since Kyler Murray's Allen Eagles to win back-to-back state titles in the Lone Star State's largest classification.

Last year: No. 16
Key losses: Kolbe Burrell
Key returner: 2021 Clemson commit Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
Ones to watch: 2021 Ohio State commits Kyle McCord and Marvin Harrison Jr.
Did you know?: The Philly power has won two consecutive 6A state championships.

The Next 10

Last year: No. 6
Key losses: Ja'Quinden Jackson
Key returners: Kendrick Blackshire, Savion Byrd, Roderick Daniels, Omari Abor and Jaylen Early
Ones to watch: 2023 quarterback Chris Parson

Last year: NR
Key returners: 4-star cornerback Marquis Groves-Killebrew, 2021 Clemson commit Phil Mafah, 2021 Georgia Tech commit Jamal Haynes, 2021 Louisville commit Victoine Brown and last year's leading tackler Grady Bryant.
Ones to watch: Florida commits Carlos Del Rio and Daejon Reynolds transferred over along with 2022 standout Terian Williams.

Last year: No. 10
Key returners: Brandon Buckner, Mikey Keene, Eli Sanders, Jalen Richmond, Kyion Grayes, Kyler Orr, Zion Magalei, Jeremiah Tyler and Kentrell Williams.
Did you know?: Wolves have won four consecutive state titles in Arizona's largest classification.

Last year: NR
Key returners: 2021 Oregon commit Seven McGee, Jake Retzlaff, Branden Alvarez, Devin Spencer, Jeremy Naborne and 4-star cornerback Jaden Mickey.
Ones to watch: Country's top-rated player from the Class of 2021 in future Clemson Tiger Korey Foreman.

Last year: No. 20
Key returners: Reigning Sophomore of the Year Quinn Ewers
Did you know?: Riley Dodge has led the Dragons to consecutive 13-1 seasons during his first two years as head coach. Both losses came against Duncanville in the 6A Division 1 quarterfinals.

Last year: No. 13
Key returners: Quarterback Jacurri Brown
Did you know?: The Vikings were one win away from first state title since 2007, losing 17-9 to Marietta in the 7A championship. Former Central (Phenix-City, Ala.) head coach Jamey DuBose takes over as the new coach.

Last year: No. 22
Key returners: 2021 Miami commits Romello Brinson, Kahlil Brantley, Tim Burns and Ja'Corey Hammett
Ones to watch: 4-star safety Kamren Kinchens, 3-star linebacker Amahri McCray, Siddiq Jackson and standout 2023 quarterback Taron Dickens.

Last year: No. 12
Did you know?: The Spartans have won at least 10 games every year since 2005.

Last year: No. 15
Did you know?: Gary Joseph has led Tigers to four state titles since taking over as head coach in 2004. They have won at least 10 games in every season of his tenure.

Last year: No. 18
Key returners: 2021 Penn State commit Landon Tengwall, Miles Cross, Chase Williams, Xavier Ricks and Ronnell McCorn
Did you know?: The defending Washington Catholic Athletic Conference champs won their first WCAC title since 2012.

Five Teams on the Radar

Last year: NR
Ones to watch: JSerra Catholic (Calif.) transfer Keyan Burnett

Last year: NR
Did you know?: In two seasons of varsity competition, Sharks have gone 31-1 and won last year's 5A Division 1 championship.

Last year: NR
Did you know?: Bob Beatty led the Shamrocks to their 14th state title since 2001 last year winning the 6A championship. 

Last year: NR
Key returners: 4-star cornerback Jaeden Gould, Steven Angeli, Esquire Boyce, Ryan Butler and DJ Samuels.
Ones to watch: No. 1 player in the state Tywone Malone

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