Gideon Davidson of Liberty Christian named 2023 MaxPreps National Junior of the Year

Four-star running back rushed for 2,700-plus yards while accounting for 46 total touchdowns for Class 3 state champs.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Zack Poff
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Dec 20, 2023, 10:00am
Gideon Davidson of Liberty Christian (Lynchburg, Va.) is the 2023 MaxPreps National Junior of the Year, joining past winners Deshaun Watson (2012), Jake Browning (2013), Trevor Lawrence (2016), Bryce Young (2018) and Travis Hunter (2020).

Davidson led the Bulldogs to a 14-0 record and the school's first state title. Liberty Christian did not trail at any point during the season. 

In a 28-14 win over Lafayette (Williamsburg) in the Class 3 championship game, Davidson carried 22 times for 302 yards and three touchdowns to go with seven tackles and two interceptions on defense.
The 6-foot, 195-pound running back finished the year with 2,752 yards rushing and 43 touchdowns. He added two receiving scores and a punt return TD. Davidson was named the VHSL Class 3 Offensive Player of the Year and was a first team selection on defense. He was also named the 2023 MaxPreps Virginia Player of the Year.

The Clemson commit put on a show in a 63-14 win over Turner Ashby (Bridgewater) in the quarterfinals, rushing for a season-high 359 yards and six touchdowns on only 16 carries. Davidson rushed for at least 100 yards in 12 of 14 games.

Regarded as the No. 3 running back prospect and top 100 overall in the Class of 2025 by 247Sports, Davidson committed to Clemson in June.

Davidson is the first player from Virginia to be named the MaxPreps National Junior of the Year. He is the fourth running back to take home the honor joining Johnathan Gray of Aledo (Texas), Zach Evans of North Shore (Houston) and Rueben Owens of El Campo (Texas).

Past MaxPreps National Juniors of the Year
2009 — Christian LeMay, QB, Butler (Matthews, N.C.)
2010 — Johnathan Gray, RB, Aledo (Texas)
2011 — Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Grayson (Loganville, Ga.)
2012 — Deshaun Watson, QB, Gainesville (Ga.)
2013 — Jake Browning, QB, Folsom (Calif.)
2014 — Tren'Davian Dickson, WR, Navasota (Texas)
2015 — Sam Ehlinger, QB, Westlake (Austin, Texas)
2016 — Trevor Lawrence, QB, Cartersville (Ga.)
2017 — JT Daniels, QB, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
2018 — Bryce Young, QB, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) / Zach Evans, RB, North Shore (Houston)
2019 — Emeka Egbuka, WR, Steilacoom (Wash.)
2020 — Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Collins Hill (Suwanee, Ga.)
2021 — Rueben Owens, El Campo (Texas)
2022 — Micah Alejado, QB, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)

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