The 2009 MaxPreps All-American Football Team features the nation's top high school players from all across the country.
The MaxPreps 2009 Player of the Year will be released on Monday, Jan. 11.
Da'Rick Rogers, WR, 6-2, 210, Calhoun (Ga.), Senior, Georgia
Rogers set a state record with a whopping 85 receptions and 1,641 receiving yards, but he really made a name for himself in the playoffs, carrying Calhoun to the AA final by catching 37 passes for 707 yards and 10 touchdowns in five games. He finished with 22 receiving TDs.
Kyle Prater, WR, 6-5, 210, Proviso West (Proviso, Ill.), Senior, USC
The 6-5, 210-pound Prater hauled in 64 passes for 1,151 yards and 13 scores, earning him first-team all-state recognition.
Greg Dent, WR, 6-0, 175, Glades Central (Belle Glade, Fla.), Senior, Florida State
One of the most impressive players in the talent-laden area of south Florida, Dent had a monster senior campaign. He finished with 54 catches for 1,387 yards and 14 TDs. He also added two special teams touchdowns.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, 6-7, 250, Gig Harbor (Wash.), Junior
A monstrous target at 6-7, Seferian-Jenkins was remarkably productive, with 60 receptions for 1,050 yards and 10 TDs. He earned all-state honors for his work.
Seantrel Henderson, OL, 6-8, 310, Cretin-Derham Hall (St. Paul, Minn.), Senior, Undecided
Henderson, the nation's top overall recruit and the AP State Player of the Year, helped pave the way to a state title for the Raiders.
Ja'Waun James, OL, 6-6, 285, North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.), Senior, Tennessee
James was the leader on an offensive line that helped the Bulldogs to a 12-1 record. He was also named to the AAAAA all-state team.
Jake Alexander, OL, 6-2, 270, Jenks (Tulsa, Okla.), Senior, Tulsa
Jenks' potent ground game was due in large part to the work of Alexander, a four-year starter and the region co-player of the year.
Tuni Kanuch, OL, 6-1, 285, Bingham (South Jordan, Utah), Senior, BYU
Kanuch was Utah's 5A MVP, after leading Bingham to a state title and opening up holes for star running back Harvey Langi.
Evan Washington, OL, 6-5, 285, DeSoto (Texas), Senior, LSU
A 5A first-team all-state selection, Washington didn't allow a sack all season. The son of former NFL player Marvin Washington.
Dylan Favre, QB, 5-11, 195, St. Stanislaus (Bay St. Louis, Miss.), Senior, Undecided
It was an amazing season for Favre, who broke several state records en route to leading St. Stanislaus to a 4A state title. He amassed 341 completions on 539 attempts for 5,511 yards and 63 touchdowns to power the Rock-a-Chaws.
Christian LeMay, QB, 6-3, 195, Butler (Matthews, N.C.), Junior
LeMay led the nation's No. 3 team to a 15-0 season, including two convincing wins over longtime nemesis Independence. He was 170-of-248 passing for 3,926 yards and 44 touchdowns. He was only intercepted twice.
Malcolm Jones, RB, 6-0, 215, Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.), Senior, UCLA
The Los Angeles Daily News Player of the Year, Jones was the workhorse on a successful Oaks Christian squad that lost only once. He rushed 236 times for 2,470 yards and 40 touchdowns while also making contributions as a linebacker on defense.
K. P. Parks, RB, 5-7, 190, West Rowan (Mount Ulla, N.C.), Senior, Virginia
Parks owns the North Carolina state record for rushing yards in a season and in a career, with 3,794 and 10,895, respectively. He found the end zone 59 times this year on 407 carries, as West Rowan captured its second straight 3A title.
Herschel Sims, RB, 5-10, 185, Abilene (Texas), Junior
Sims was a first-team all-state selection in 5A after rushing for 2,346 yards and 35 scores on 252 carries. He was the catalyst for an Abilene team that captured a 5A-II state title and finished No. 2 in the country.
Dillon Baxter, ATH, 6-0, 205, Mission Bay (Calif.), Senior, USC
Baxter did it all for Mission Bay, accounting for a state-record 76 touchdowns for the 13-0 Buccaneers. Playing primarily at quarterback, he rushed 261 times for 2,974 rushing yards and 50 TDs, setting a section record for yardage. He completed 102 of 166 passes for 1,736 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Zach Hocker, K, 5-11, 170, Russellville (Ark.), Senior, Undecided
Also playing punter for Russellville, Hocker did it all with his leg. He nailed 15 of 23 field goal attempts, with a long of 52. Only five of his kickoffs were returned this season. Named the Defensive Player of the Year by the Arkansas Democrat.
First Team Defense
Jadeveon Clowney, DL, 6-6, 240, South Pointe (Rock Hill, S.C.), Junior
One of the nation's most impressive juniors, Clowney compiled 144 tackles and 23 sacks. The 6-6 defensive end was the Charlotte Observer Defensive Player of the Year as well as the Rock Hill Herald Player of the Year.
Jacques Smith, DL, 6-2, 235, Ooltewah (Tenn.), Senior, Tennessee
An all-state selection, Smith became the first player to win Tennessee's Mr. Football Lineman award twice. Fighting constant double teams, he totaled 57.5 tackles and 8.5 sacks.
Jackson Jeffcoat, DL, 6-5, 233, Plano West (Plano, Texas), Senior, Undecided
Jeffcoat piled up numerous local awards after a fine conclusion to an outstanding career. In 2009, he registered 87 tackles and 8.5 sacks. He also intercepted two passes, blocked two picks and forced three fumbles. He was the 8-5A Defensive Player of the Year.
Sharrif Floyd, DL, 6-3, 310, Washington (Philadelphia), Senior, Undecided
The top player in Philadelphia this season, Floyd was flat-out dominant. More than half of his 60 tackles were for a loss. He also blocked five punts and a field goal.
Matt Elam, LB, 5-10, 190, Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.), Senior, Florida State
A difference-maker on both sides of the ball, Elam recorded 75 tackles on defense to go along with his 27 touchdowns from the running back position. He is expected to play safety in college.
Jordan Hicks, LB, 6-2, 210, Lakota West (West Chester, Ohio), Senior, Undecided
Hicks was the Ohio Division 1 Player of the Year. He finished with 96 tackles and scored a defensive touchdown off an interception.
William Gholston, LB, 6-6, 245, Southeastern (Detroit), Senior, Michigan State
Perhaps no defensive player was more disruptive than the 6-7 Gholston, who pounded opposing quarterbacks with 31 sacks. He also caused 10 fumbles, blocked two punts, and had an interception.
Corey Nelson, LB, 6-1, 200, Skyline (Dallas), Senior, Texas A&M
Nelson took home honors as 5A's Defensive Player of the Year; he was the leader on a Skyline defense that allowed less than 14 points per game.
C.J. Mosley, LB, 6-2, 220, Theodore (Ala.), Senior, Undecided
With 186 tackles, seven sacks, four interceptions and five fumble recoveries, Theodore was the 4A-6A Defensive Player of the Year, in addition to being the 6A Lineman of the Year.
Robert Woods, DB, 6-1, 170, Serra (Gardena, Calif.), Senior, USC
Woods could have made this team as a wide receiver, with 1,115 yards and 15 TDs. However, he was equally dominant on the defensive side of the ball, compiling eight interceptions to go along with 96 tackles.
Nick Perry, DB, 6-2, 190, Prattville (Ala.), Senior, Alabama
The Montgomery Advertiser Player of the Year, Perry made 49 tackles and had six sacks for the 6A runner up Lions. He was also recognized as the 6A back of the year.
Demarco Cobbs, DB, 6-2, 205, Central (Tulsa, Okla.), Senior, Texas
Cobbs starred at defensive back, quarterback and on special teams as he was named the Tulsa World's Player of the Year. Accounted for 28 touchdowns on the season, including six on kickoff returns. Also had 68 tackles on defense although he could play a number of different positions at the next level.
Keenan Allen, DB, 6-3, 195, Northern Guilford (Greensboro, N.C.), Senior, Alabama
Offensively, Allen amassed an astounding 53 total touchdowns, but he was a star on defense. He made 145 tackles and eight interceptions in earning all-state honors.
Matt Darr, P, 6-2, 210, Frontier (Bakersfield, Calif.), Senior, USC
Darr averaged nearly 43 yards per punt, with a long of 71. Also one of the top discus throwers in the country, Darr is a two-time all-area performer.
Second Team Offense
Robert Joseph, WR, 5-9, 170, Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.), Junior
A first-team all-state selection, Joseph set a state record with 150 receptions. He finished with 1,843 receiving yards and 20 TDs.
Tai-ler Jones, WR, 6-0, 180, Gainesville (Ga.), Senior, Notre Dame
A favorite target of quarterback Blake Sims, the speedy Jones made 76 catches for 1,399 yards and 18 scores. Sims was selected as a member of MaxPreps' Georgia all-classification all-state team, joining fellow All-American Da'Rick Rogers.
Tobias Singleton, WR, 6-2, 180, Madison Central (Madison, Miss.), Junior
The Clarion Ledger Metro Player of the Year, Singleton was a threat to score whenever he touched the ball. He caught 55 passes for 890 yards and notched 12 receiving touchdowns.
Xavier Grimble, TE, 6-5, 245, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), Senior, USC
Grimble staked his claim as one of the nation's top tight ends by catching 39 passes for 709 yards in Bishop Gorman's potent offensive attack. He added nine touchdowns, was a 4A all-state selection and the Southwest District Offensive MVP.
James Hurst, OL, 6-5, 285, Plainfield (Ind.), Senior, North Carolina
Indiana's All-West Player of the Year, the 6-5 Hurst was a force to be reckoned with on offense and defense for Plainfield, which finished with an 8-4 record.
Matt James, OL, 6-8, 280, St. Xavier (Cincinnati, Ohio), Senior, Undecided
The 6-4 James was a first-team Division I all-state selection after plowing through defensive lines around Cincinnati all season long.
Tyler Grubbs, OL, 6-6, 277, Highlands (Fort Thomas, Ky.), Senior, Miami (Ohio)
Highlands had an amazing 2009 campaign and Grubbs was a key factor to the Bluebirds' success. He was an all-state selection, as his work in the trenches allowed Highlands to roll up 3,865 yards on the ground.
Christian Lombard, OL, 6-6, 280, Fremd (Palatine, Ill.), Senior, Notre Dame
An all-state selection, Lombard enjoyed an impressive senior season, as Fremd made it to the 8A quarterfinals.
Nick Rowland, OL, 6-4, 295, Centennial (Peoria, Ariz.), Senior, Oregon
Recognized as Arizona's top senior lineman, Rowland was instrumental in the success of Centennial's potent ground attack.
Scotty Young, QB, 6-3, 190, Ryan (Denton, Texas), Senior, Texas Tech
Young's prolific passing numbers were too good to ignore. He was 288-of-453 for 4,470 yards and 64 TDs and was a 4A all-state selection.
Phillip Sims, QB, 6-1, 215, Smith (Chesapeake, Va.), Senior, Alabama
Sims closed a storybook career at Smith by completing 175 of 283 passes for 2,690 yards and 36 touchdowns to power a Tigers squad that was nationally ranked for much of the season. His 10,725 yards passing and 119 touchdowns are both state records.
Tony Jones, RB, 5-8, 180, Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.), Senior, Undecided
The quintessential big-game player, Jones thrived in the spotlight for Don Bosco Prep, the nation's top team. He rushed 174 times for 1,387 yards and 34 TDs, a team record. He was the state's offensive player of the year.
Marcus Lattimore, RB, 6-0, 210, Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.), Senior, Undecided
Playing a brutal schedule that featured games against Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and two against state champion Dorman, Lattimore was still able to manage 1,898 rushing yards on 260 carries and scored 31 touchdowns on the ground. He was South Carolina's Mr. Football award winner.
Matt Perez, RB, 5-11, 200, Maine South (Park Ridge, Ill.), Senior, Indiana
Despite losing quarterback Charlie Goro to Vanderbilt, Maine South was able to repeat as 8A state champions thanks to the superb play of Perez. He rushed 192 times for 2,246 yards and 34 TDs, including five in the state title game.
Gavin Webster, ATH, 5-10, 200, Lutcher (La.), Senior, Undecided
Webster put up video game numbers in his senior season, completing 191 of 279 passes for 2,962 yards and 38 scores. He added 171 rushing attempts for 1,350 yards and 26 scores on the ground, as Lutcher enjoyed a fine season in 2009.
Carey Spear, K, 5-10, 165, Mayfield (Cleveland, Ohio), Senior, Undecided
Spear was a first-team all-state selection and had 13 field goals, including a state-record 61-yarder, to his name.
Second Team Defense
James Wilder Jr., DL, 6-3, 220, Plant (Tampa, Fla.), Junior
Wilder was probably the best all-around player in the Tampa area, excelling at linebacker and running back for state champion Plant. Wilder compiled 19 sacks, six pass deflections and four forced fumbles.
Reggie Wilson, DL, 6-4, 240, Haltom (Haltom City, Texas), Senior, Texas
The 3-5A Defensive MVP, Wilson made a habit of finding his way into the backfield, piling up 60 tackles, 25 of which went for loss. He also had nine sacks and 25 QB pressures.
Shawn Green, DL, 6-1, 273, Grayson (Loganville, Ga.), Senior, Georgia Tech
Green, the Gwinnett County Defensive Player of the Year and an all-state selection, was a key cog in Grayson's stingy defense. He finished with 16 tackles for a loss, four sacks and one interception.
Nduka Onyeali, DL, 6-1, 240, Mullen (Denver, Colo.), Senior, Arizona State
Mullen's defense was nearly impenetrable, and Onyeali was a big reason why. Onyeali totaled 97 tackles and 15 sacks as the Mustangs captured the 5A state title.
Jason Meehan, LB, 6-4, 240, Webster Groves (Mo.), Junior
For 5A state champion Webster Groves, Meehan did it all. Meehan recorded 145 tackles, six sacks and four fumble recoveries and received 5A Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Max Bullough, LB, 6-3, 210, St. Francis (Traverse City, Mich.), Senior, Michigan State
The Division 7-8 Player of the Year, the 6-4 Bullough punished opposing offenses with 137 tackles and four sacks. St. Francis' defense allowed only 82 points in 14 games.
Ronald Powell, LB, 6-4, 240, Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley, Calif.), Senior, Undecided
Powell is one of the nation's most sought-after recruits, and with good reason. The 6-4 specimen averaged over 10 tackles a game and finished with seven sacks, as he was named the Inland Valley League MVP.
D.J. Welter, LB, 6-1, 220, Notre Dame (Crowley, La.), Senior, LSU
Louisiana's 3A all-state player of the year, Welter helped power the Pioneers to a state title. He broke up five passes, recorded four sacks and finished with 143 tackles.
Emmanuel Maxwell, LB, 5-11, 200, Midwest City (Okla.), Senior, Undecided
It was a year of mind-boggling stats for Maxwell, who tallied 179 tackles, 10 sacks and two interceptions. Perhaps most impressively, Maxwell blocked eight punts.
Alec Ogletree, DB, 6-3, 210, Newnan (Ga.), Senior, Georgia
The county and region player of the year, Ogletree was a one-man wrecking crew in the secondary for Newnan, a AAAAA semifinalist. His finest moment was a last-second blocked field goal that preserved a playoff win against Grayson.
Airek Green, DB, 6-1, 200, Thomas Dale (Chester, Va.), Senior, Undecided
Green, a AAA first-team all-state selection, was a key player for the Division 6 state champs. He was the Richmond area player of the year and had 10 sacks to go along with two interceptions.
Keanon Lowe, DB, 5-10, 170, Jesuit (Portland, Ore.), Senior, Washington
Lwoe was selected as Oregon's Defensive Player of the Year for his work at free safety, but he was also a star on offense, where he rushed for 20 touchdowns and added seven more as a receiver.
Cody Riggs, DB, 5-9, 165, Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Senior, Florida
Riggs was named the the 4A-5A-6A Defensive Player of the Year by the Sun-Sentinel, receiving the award over nationally acclaimed teammate and fellow cornerback Lamarcus Joyner. Riggs had four interceptions and blocked four kicks for the Raiders.
Michael Palardy, P, 6-1, 175, Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Senior, Tennessee
In his few opportunities, Palardy did an excellent job of securing field position for Aquinas. He averaged 45 yards per punt, and in his kicking duties, was 10-of-13 on field-goal attempts, with 49 touchbacks.
