Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized the nation's top high school football players. Past members of the MaxPreps Sophomore All-America Team include Derrick Henry (2010), Jabrill Peppers (2011), Damien Harris (2012), Nick Bosa (2013), Tee Higgins (2014), Micah Parsons (2015), David Bell (2016), Bryce Young (2017), Caleb Williams (2018) and Quinn Ewers (2019).
National Sophomore of the Year selection Elijah Brown of Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) headlines the 2021 MaxPreps High School Football Sophomore All-America Team. Brown led the Monarchs to a wire-to-wire finish as the No. 1 team in the MaxPreps Top 25 rankings throwing for 2,581 yards and 30 touchdowns while completing 74 percent of his passes.
Mater Dei went 12-0 and was the only team in the country to have five wins over MaxPreps Top 25 opponents. No other school had more than two. Brown improved to 17-0 during his high school career after a 5-0 shortened spring season as a freshman.
The Monarchs lead the way with five selections as offensive tackle DeAndre Carter joins Brown on the first team. Offensive lineman Brandon Baker, defensive back Zabien Brown and outside linebacker Tanner Williams were second-team selections.
Buford (Ga.), IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) and St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) were the only other schools to have multiple selections with two each.
Selections are based on team success, individual production and local, regional and state honors from the recently-completed season. Potential at the college and professional level is not a primary consideration.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 190
The MaxPreps Sophomore Player of the Year led the Monarchs to a wire-to-wire finish as the No. 1 team in the country throwing for 2,500-plus yards and 30 touchdowns.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 200
Accounted for over 2,000 total yards and 19 touchdowns for the 3A state champs.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 200
Had a tremendous season despite splitting carries with senior Kaytron Allen and showed why he's one of the most sought after running backs in the country.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 175
One of the most dynamic playmakers in the country finished the year with 1,591 total yards (936 receiving, 655 rushing) and 12 touchdowns.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 170
A smooth route runner who had over 1,000 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 210
One of the best all-around tight ends in the country had 500-plus yards receiving and seven touchdowns.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 335
Played a huge role in the trenches for the top-ranked Monarchs.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 290
Has dominated playing against the best competition in Georgia during his first two years.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 295
Led the Cadets to a WCAC title and a MaxPreps Top 25 finish.
Height: 6-3.5 | Weight: 285
Joined Seaton on the WCAC Capitol Conference first team as the only sophomores selected from the offensive line.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 265
Was the only sophomore selected to the Des Moines Register's 2021 All-Iowa Elite Team that features the best 24 players in the state.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 175
Last year's MaxPreps Freshman of the Year had nearly 1,300 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns to go with 39 tackles and two interceptions on defense.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 155
Led the nation with 21 field goals made.
First Team Defense
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 235
Great at getting pressure on the quarterback and stuffing the run. Played a huge role on the defensive line for the AAAAAA state champs.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 195
Finished his sophomore season with 22 sacks.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 260
One of the most disruptive defensive lineman in the country racked up 16 tackles for loss and nine sacks while demanding plenty of double teams during his sophomore year.
Height: 6-4.5 | Weight: 225
The four-star edge rusher had 76 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and 15 sacks.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 215
Stood out all season for one of the best defenses in Texas.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 210
Finished with over 100 tackles and 18 tackles for loss.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 215
Led the 5A state champs and No. 1 team in Colorado in tackles (151) and interceptions (5).
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 175
Was a standout performer on a team filled with four- and five-stars players.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 170
Finished his sophomore season with 47 tackles, 10 interceptions and three pick-6s.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 175
Racked up 29 tackles and eight interceptions while accounting for nearly 700 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns for the Catholic High School Athletic Association state champs.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 170
The Braves played against the best competition in the country and Williams lined up against the top wide receiver each week.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 180
Was a standout performer on both sides of the ball for AAAAAA state champs.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 200
The top-ranked punter by Kohl's for the Class of 2024 averaged better than 44 yards per punt.
Second Team Offense
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 170
Led the Las Vegas power to a spot at No. 15 in the final MaxPreps Top 25 rankings throwing for nearly 2,700 yards and completing over 72 percent of his passes. He threw for 31 touchdowns compared to two interceptions while rushing for five more scores.
Height: 5-8 | Weight: 170
Was a difference maker running the ball and returning kicks for the No. 2 team in the country. Rushed for 1,100-plus yards and 20 touchdowns.
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 190
One of the most talented players in the Class of 2024 will be the next great playmaker from the Evergreen State.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 210
Led the Bears to their first state title and a first for a Dallas ISD school in over 60 years. He led the team with 938 yards receiving and had 10 touchdowns while averaging over 26 yards per reception.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 180
Had 37 receptions for 659 yards and 11 touchdowns averaging nearly 20 yards per reception for the AAAAAAA runner-up.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 195
A matchup nightmare for opposing defenses has been one of the best players in the state regardless of class over the last two years.
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 320
Played a huge role on the offensive line for the Division 1 state champs.
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 330
The Peach State has produced a lot of big-time offensive lineman and Calhoun is next up.
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 280
Had a big-time season in the trenches for one of the best teams in Mississippi.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 285
Helped lead the Seminoles to an 11-3 record that included wins over Grayson (Loganville) and Westlake (Atlanta).
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 290
Started on the offensive line and made an impact for the top-ranked Monarchs.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 165
Named the Moore League Player of the Year after a standout season at wide receiver and as a return specialist.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 195
Threw for over 1,700 yards and 13 touchdowns to go with nearly 1,400 yards rushing and 16 scores.
Second Team Defense
Height: 6-5 |
Weight: 250
Posted 66 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and three forced fumbles.
Height: 6-3 |
Weight: 220
Finished with 74 tackles, 24 tackles for loss and 17 sacks for the 5A state champs.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 290
Eats up space in the trenches and makes everyone's job easier on defense.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 215
Racked up 67 tackles, 39 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks and six forced fumbles in 2021.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 210
Had a tremendous showing in the toughest postseason bracket in the country racking up 23 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and a forced fumble in four postseason games.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220
Finished his sophomore season with 113 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 13 sacks and 31 quarterback pressures for the 6A state champs.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 195
One of the best sideline-to-sideline linebackers in the Class of 2024 helped the Padres make their first CIF Open Division state championship game appearance.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 180
Stepped up for the top-ranked Monarchs once five-star Domani Jackson got hurt after one game and finished the year with 23 tackles and three interceptions.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 170
Has been a standout defensive back over his first two years playing for one of the premier programs in the country.
Height: 5-10 |
Weight: 160
One of the hardest hitting safeties in the country finished his sophomore season with over 60 tackles and an interception.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 190
Started at safety for the sixth-ranked Braves and racked up 62 tackles playing against the best competition in high school football.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 175
One of the top lockdown corners in the Class of 2024 played a big role on defense for the 6A state champs.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 175
Did everything during his sophomore season finishing the year with 37 tackles and seven interceptions to go with over 500 total yards and seven touchdowns on offense.
