BY: Tony LiebertArguing who the greatest high school football player is always quite the popular topic. I struggled to do the same, but I decided to just find the best at each position. Players like Marcus Dupree, Randy Moss, and Dick Butkus would obviously belong on this list, but I decided to rank the best players from the "internet" era, with 2003 being the earliest player on the list. QB: Kyler Murray, Allen High School, Texas Stats (3 Years, 43 Starts): 10,388 Passing Yards, 117 Passing TDs, 21 INTs, 499 Carries, 4,196 Rushing Yards, 67 TDs 49-0 Record 3 State Championships Kyler Murray is not just they greatest high school quarterback of all time, he is the greatest player regardless of position. With a combination of those ridiculous stats, an absurd 49-0 record with three state championships, and lastly unbelievable highlights in Texas of all places... there is nothing else you could want to see a high school QB do. Murray decided to originally to attend Texas A&M. In his freshman season Murray saw the field very inconsistently where he struggled. He then decided to transfer to Oklahoma where last season he obviously had a ridiculous heisman winning season last year, and will be a first round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Honorable Mention: QB: Terrelle Pryor, Jeannette High School, Pennsylvania RB: Derrick Henry, Yulee High School, Florida Stats (4 years, 48 GP): 1,397 Carries, 12,124 Rushing Yards, 153 Touchdowns Similarly to Murray, Derrick Henry's had unrealistic stats combined with an ability to humiliate defenders in high school. Henry obviously put together a ridiculous high school career, and it led into the same in college. In three seasons at Alabama, Henry had a total of 3,876 scrimmage yards to along with 45 total touchdowns, Henry was awarded the 2015 heisman trophy after his junior season. After his junior season Henry was selected with the 45th pick in the 2016 NFL draft. He is coming off his best season of 1,059 yards and 12 touchdowns. Derrick Henry is currently 25 years old and should have a much expanded role next season for the Titans. Honorable Mention: RB: Leonard Fournette, Saint Augustine High School, Louisiana WR: Dorial Green-Beckham, Hillcrest High School, Missouri Stats (3 years, 47 GP): 300 receptions, 6,356 Receiving Yards, 74 Touchdowns Dorial Green-Beckham was clearly in a league of his own. He could take it to the house anytime he touched to ball. His combination of insane speed and size, made him nearly unstoppable. Green-Beckham eventually decided to attend the university of Missouri where he has 1,278 yards and 17 touchdowns in two seasons. He was later picked 40th overall by the Tennessee Titans in the 2013 NFL Draft. He struggled mightily to find a roll in the NFL where he had 941 yards and and 6 touchdowns in a short 2 year career. Dorial is currently unemployed and only 25 years old. Honorable Mentions: WR: Julio Jones, Foley High School, Alabama WR: Percy Harvin, Landstown High School, Virginia OL: La'el Collins, Redemptorist High School, Louisiana Stats: n/a Collins dominated throughout his high school career which led to him being the 8th overall recruit in the class of 2011. After high school, Collins decided to attend Louisiana State University. He dominated, becoming an all-american his senior season. After working out some legal issues Collins was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as a undrafted free agent following the 2015 NFL Draft. The past four seasons Collins has played a big role in the Cowboys o-line. La'el Collins is currently 25 years old and has a lot of football in front of him. Honorable Mention: OL: Kardell Thomas, Southern University Lab School, Louisiana DL: Jadeveon Clowney, South Pointe High School, South Carolina Stats (2 Years, 46 GP): 306 Tackles, 55.5 Sacks Clowney was dominant in high school which led to him being the consensus number one overall prospect in the 2011 draft class. Clowney decided to attend South Carolina where his dominance continued. In three seasons Clowney had 24 sacks and 47 tackles for loss. Clowney then was selected first overall in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. Clowney started out slow, but he has had 18.5 sacks and 79 total tackles the past two seasons. Jadeveon Clowney is currently 26 years old, and will be a hot commodity on the free agent market this offseason. Honorable Mentions: DL: Myles Garrett, James Martin High School, Texas DL: Rashan Gary, DT, Paramus Catholic, New Jersey DL: Da'Quan Bowers, Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School, South Carolina LB: Manti Te'o, Punahou School, Hawaii Stats: n/a Even though Manti Te'o doesn't have unreal stats that are publicized like the rest of these player, he may have the best highlights. Te'o was the consensus number one overall prospect in the 2009 class. He later decided to attend the university of Notre Dame. In his four seasons with the Irish Te'o had 437 total tackles, while finishing second in the heisman voting in his senior season. Te'o was selected 38th overall in the 2013 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. Manti has been a relatively average player in the NFL being a boarderline starter for the majority of his career. Manti Te'o is currently 28 years old and still on the New Orleans Saints roster. Te'o may go down as the greatest football player from the state of Hawaii. Honorable Mentions: LB: Ernie Simms, North Florida Christian School, Florida LB: Jaylon Smith, Bishop Luers High School, Indiana DB: Ted Ginn Jr, Glenville High School, Ohio Stats: n/a Ted Ginn's high school stats are very tough to find but, he was utilized similar to someone further down this list. After Ginn's historic high school career he was the consensus number one overall player in the class of 2004. After high school Ginn decided to attend Ohio State. At Ohio State Ginn was utilized at a wide receiver instead of a defensive back. In his three seasons for the Buckeyes, Ginn had 2,156 yards from scrimmage to go along with 28 total touchdowns. Ginn was then selected 9th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. He has been the classic homerun play receiver in the NFL, bouncing around from the Dolphins, 49ers, Panthers, Cardinals, and Saints. Ted Ginn Jr is currently 33 years old and entering his 13th year with the New Orleans Saints. Honorable Mentions: DB: Eric Berry, Creekside High School, Georgia DB: Derwin James, Haines City High School, Florida ATH: Jabrill Peppers, Paramus Catholic, New Jersey Stats (3 Years, 34 GP): OFFENSE: 373 carries, 3,059 rushing yards, 43 rushing touchdowns, 57 receptions, 842 receiving yards, 17 receiving touchdowns DEFENSE: 90 tackles, 2 sacks, 7 INTs Peppers clearly put up unbelievable stats in high school. He was the second ranked player in the class of 2014, and then committed to the university of Michigan. Where in three seasons he had 119 total tackles, 18.5 for loss, 3 sacks, to go along with 1 interception on defense. On offense he had 239 rushing yards to along with 82 receiving and 5 total touchdowns, to go along with one punt return. Jabrill was then selected 25th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, and has had a successful career in his first two seasons with Browns. Peppers is currently 23 years old and has a lot of football ahead of himself
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May 2020
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