SBLive's 2023 high school football All-America team
After a fall season chock full of thrills, it's All-America time for high school football.
The SBLive Sports staff collaborated to comb the country and assemble the best offense and defense among a deep pool of superstars.
From individual stats to team success to level of competition to overall legacy, a number of factors contributed to our picks.
Without further ado, meet your SBLive All-America team for 2023:
OFFENSE
QB: DJ Lagway, Willis (Texas)
DJ Lagway flips the ball toward an official after scoring a touchdown against nationally ranked DeSoto in the UIL Class 6A Division II playoffs.
Consider this: 64 total touchdowns. A total of 4,604 passing yards. A completion rate of 72%. Nearly 1,000 rushing yards. The Florida signee was not only the nation’s most prolific quarterback statistically, but he also brought Willis back to the UIL Class 6A Division II regional semifinals (third round) for the first time since 1994. The Wildkats went 12-1, with their only loss to national No. 2 DeSoto, to put a bow on the 6-foot-2, 225-pound senior’s high school career, over which he saw Willis go 2-8, 5-7 and 5-5 before helping mount its best season in 29 years.
RB: Jason Brown Jr., O’Dea (Washington)
Jason Brown Jr. led the way for O'Dea and one of the state's most dominant rush attacks for four seasons.
Photo by Vince Miller
Brown grew up wearing an O’Dea jersey gifted to him by his dad and dazzled from the moment he got his first carries as a freshman during the shortened, delayed COVID season for run-heavy Seattle Metro powerhouse O’Dea. Somehow, he’s made bigger strides each year. As a senior, the Arizona State signee took 159 carries for 1,897 yards and 34 touchdowns and led the Fighting Irish (11-1) to the WIAA Class 3A semifinals. He took home SBLive’s Washington State Player of the Year.
RB: Cornell Hatcher, Corona Centennial (California)
Centennial running back Cornell Hatcher evades defenders during a matchup with nationally ranked Bishop Gorman on Sept. 8.
Photo by Jann Hendry
The SBLive California Southern Section Player of the Year rushed for 2,257 yards on 268 carries (8.4 average) and 42 touchdowns in 12 games playing in the lightning-quick Corona Centennial offense. Hatcher, an Oregon State signee, ran for over 100 yards against Mater Dei (105), St. John Bosco (215) and Bishop Gorman (234). He had 44 carries and five touchdowns in the Huskies' final game of the season, a 43-42 loss to St. John Bosco in one of the games of the year.
WR: Jeremiah Smith, Chaminade-Madonna (Florida)
Jeremiah Smith, the nation's No. 1 prospect, catches a touchdown pass in a win over Miami Central on Sept. 21.
Photo by Robson Lopes
The nation’s No. 1 prospect had a stellar senior season. The cousin of Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith turned 90 catches into 1,389 yards and 19 touchdowns to help nationally ranked Chaminade-Madonna to a 14-0 season and FHSAA 1M state championship — a run with a scoring discrepancy of 210-7 in four playoff games. Smith had at least a touchdown in every game, caught 13 passes for 183 yards in the state title win and was the top-billed star at the All-American Bowl in San Antonio.
WR: NiTareon Tuggle, NorthWood (Indiana)
NorthWood's NiTareon Tuggle (3) is brought down during the in the IHSAA Class 4A football state championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Nov. 25.
Photo by Grace Hollars, IndyStar, USA Today Network
The Georgia signee led the state of Indiana in receiving yards (1,456 yards, 19 TDs) and helped NorthWood reach the Class 4A state championship after an offseason departure to and return from national power IMG Academy. He caught a TD pass in every playoff game and set program records for touchdowns (41), receptions (173) and receiving yards (2,866). He was a menace in all phases, returning kicks for touchdowns on special teams and making 25 tackles and three interceptions as a senior on defense.
TE: Keelan Smith, Liberty North (Missouri)
Keelan Smith warms up before Liberty North's 2023 season opener against Lee's Summit North on Aug. 25.
Photo by David Smith
Smith had a dominant senior season, finishing with 74 catches for 1,268 yards and 17 touchdowns. He surpassed 200 receiving yards in a game twice, the latter a 220-yard, three-touchdown dominant Missouri Class 6 state semifinal performance in a 28-27 win over Rockhurst. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound receiver/tight end then caught two touchdown passes in Liberty North’s state title win over Christian Brothers. He early-enrolled at Nebraska after signing in December.
OL: Brandon Baker, Mater Dei (California)
Brandon Baker sizes up a defender at the line of scrimmage during Mater Dei's win over Bingham (Utah) on Aug. 26.
Photo by John Bowers
Quarterback Elijah Brown hasn't spent much of his high school career on his back while going 42-2 as a starter, and future Texas Longhorn Brandon Baker is a big reason for that. A very big reason. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound senior tackle anchored a super-talented Mater Dei line in helping the Monarchs win the Southern Section Division 1 championship over St. John Bosco and CIF Open Division state championship over Serra.
OL: Isaiah "Ike" Garcia, Corner Canyon (Utah)
The top prospect in Utah helped powerhouse Corner Canyon to a 13-1 record and a season that ended in the Utah Class 6A state championship, where it beat Skyridge 41-27. The 6-foot-5, 290-pound Utah signee paved the way for an offense that averaged 310 passing yards and 182 rushing yards per game by not allowing a single sack all season.
OL: Jac’Qawn McRoy, Clay-Chalkville (Alabama)
Clay-Chalkville lineman Jac'Qawn McRoy, one of the nation's top recruits and an Oregon signee, works out with a trainer in Birmingham.
Photo by Gary Cosby Jr., USA Today Network
There’s size, and then there’s Jac’Qawn McRoy. The 6-foot-8, 365-pound force in the trenches anchored Clay-Chalkville’s head-turning Alabama Class 4A state title win over nationally ranked Saraland. He faked out Colorado fans and signed with Oregon in December. He shined in an ESPN-televised win over Alabama power Thompson on Sept. 29, even stepping out as a receiver, catching a pass on the 2-yard line. He side-stepped one defender, stiff-armed another and bulled in to convert a two-point conversion.
OL: David Sanders Jr., Providence Day School (North Carolina)
Sanders was the North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year and the state’s offensive player of the year — backing up well his designation as the nation’s top offensive tackle prospect in the Class of 2025. The multi-sport (basketball, track) standout helped Providence Day School go 12-1 and avenge its only loss of the season in the NCISAA Division I state championship, beating Rabun Gap-Nacoochee by a touchdown, 34-27.
OL: Jordan Seaton, IMG Academy (Florida)
Seaton showcased his NFL-projectable frame and prowess against a national schedule playing for prep talent factory IMG Academy.
Photo by Dennis Maffezzoli/Herald-Tribune/USA Today Network
IMG (10-0) ran the table, finished No. 5 in the country (SBLive/SI), and Seaton was a big reason why. He stands 6-foot-5, 290 pounds and sports a wingspan that stretches 6 feet, 10 inches. Seaton is the nation’s No. 1 offensive tackle and refers to himself as the “nation’s No. 1 trimmest lineman” on his YouTube vlog. The Colorado signee gave Buffs fans a scare when he waited two days to sign his NIL after a last-ditch reported push from Maryland. That was after committing to CU despite not having the school in his self-released final six.
AP: Terry Bussey, Timpson (Texas)
Timpson's Terry Bussey throws a pass during a record-breaking UIL Class 2A state championship showing in December.
Photo by Tommy Hays, SBLive Sports
The nation’s No. 1 athlete finished his prolific high school career by riding off into the East Texas sunset. After losing three straight years in the state semifinals, Bussey, a Texas A&M commit, missed the first six games of the season recovering from knee surgery. He returned for the last 10 and led Timpson, a small-town UIL Class 2A school, to its first state championship in program history. He did it in grand fashion, throwing for 1,875 yards, 24 TDs (opposite four picks), and rushed for 1,165 yards and 17 more TDs. In the state title game, a 49-7 win over Tolar, he broke records for the longest TD pass (97 yards) and run (93 yards) in Texas 2A title history. SBLive’s Texas State Player of the Year.
DEFENSE
EDGE: Kedrick Burley, St. Thomas Aquinas (Florida)
Kedrick Burley (15) attempts a tackle on St. John Bosco (California) running back Chauncey Sylvester (5) in a 20-7 loss in a nationally ranked showdown on Aug. 28.
Burley stuffed the stat sheet (and quarterbacks) for repeat state champion St. Thomas Aquinas, finishing the season with 25 sacks and 30 tackles for loss. He stuffed a play at the goal line in the state championship game against Homestead, which helped secure the Raiders' fifth straight state championship. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound edge rusher remains uncommitted.
EDGE: Colin Simmons, Duncanville (Texas)
Duncanville's Collin Simmons (left) attempts to evade North Shore OL Jakoby Isom in a UIL 6A Division I state title on Dec. 16, in which Simmons was named the game's back-to-back defensive MVP.
Photo by Tommy Hays
The No. 1-ranked edge rusher in the nation, Simmons seemingly went out of his way to back it up on the field. He wreaked havoc on opposing offenses to the tune of 18 tackles for loss, 29 quarterback hurries and two pass deflections on the season, and was named state championship MVP for the second consecutive year after logging three sacks and a forced fumble in the Panthers’ 49-33 repeat state title win over nationally ranked North Shore in Texas’ biggest classification. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Simmons, who is signed with Texas, was named SBLive’s All-Texas Defensive Player of the Year.
DL: Alex January, Duncanville (Texas)
Behemoth defensive tackle Alex January (11) leads Duncanville onto the SMU Stadium turf for its season debut against South Oak Cliff on Aug. 25.
Photo by Michael Horbovetz
The 6-foot-4, 325-pound Texas Longhorns signee led one of the nation’s most dominant defenses, which posted four shutouts, held teams to 12 points per game and helped nationally ranked Duncanville race to a repeat UIL 6A Division I state championship. Logged 45 tackles — seven for loss — and four sacks. January’s stellar season was recognized by coaches. He was named 6A District 11 Defensive MVP in one of the country’s deepest districts. First-team All-Texas selection.
DL: Justin Scott, St. Ignatius (Illinois)
Justin Scott committed to Ohio State in July but ended up signing with Miami.
Photo by Nate Latsch
Scott is a mammoth of a young man (6-foot-5, 310 pounds) who wreaked havoc on the line his senior year. The Miami signee's size and quickness forced constant double-teams and sometimes triple-teams by the offense, allowing some of his teammates to rush free. His speed and quickness still stood out playing against the best in the country in the All-American Bowl in January.
LB: Sammy Brown, Jefferson (Georgia)
Jefferson (Georgia) two-way star Sammy Brown advances the ball in w 48-14 win over Jackson on Nov. 10.
Photo by Joshua L. Jones, USA Today Network
Few can match the kind of two-way statistical season Brown put up as a senior, making 153 tackles on defense and rushing for 2,491 yards and 40 touchdowns on offense. He also blocked three punts and served as Jefferson's punter on special teams. Brown even showed a sense of humor in an early-season win over Oconee County.'Clemson opponents aren't going to find anything funny about seeing the 6-foot-3, 230-pounder lining up at middle linebacker the next few years.
LB: Dorian Pringle, Massillon (Ohio)
Pringle starred on both sides of the ball and played through injury to help Massillon secure a state championship game win over Archbishop Hoban.
Photo by Jeff Harwell
If someone had a more inspirational finish to his high school football career last fall than Pringle, we'd love to hear about it. After missing the previous four playoff games with what was supposed to be a season-ending injury (torn MCL), Pringle made a surprising return for the state championship. He had 14 tackles, three sacks and broke up Archbishop Hoban's final pass in Massillon's 7-2 win to secure the Tigers' first state title since 1970. Pringle finished with 74 tackles (24.5 for loss), eight sacks, three forced fumbles and two blocked kicks.
LB: Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, St. John Bosco (California)
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa celebrates a play during nationally ranked St. John Bosco's Sept. 8 win over St. Frances Academy.
Photo by Heston Quan
Viliamu-Asa epitomizes the linebacker position in every sense: a tackling hound, a physical presence and a leader. He's a stout run defender but used his athleticism to routinely disrupt plays against receivers in the passing game. Playing one of the toughest schedules in the country, the 6-foot-3, 230-pound Notre Dame commit finished with 114 tackles (13 for loss) to earn honors as SBLive California Southern Section Defensive Player of the Year.
DB: Omillio Agard, St. Joseph’s Prep (Pennsylvania)
St. Joseph's Prep senior Omillio Agard celebrates during the PIAA Class 6A football championship win over North Allegheny on Dec. 9.
Photo by Dan Rainville, USA Today Network
Agard suffered hamstring and hip injuries as a junior, but he was back at full strength for his senior year, and it showed. The Wisconsin signee finished with 32 tackles, two interceptions (one for a TD) and an astonishing 20 pass breakups for the best team in Pennsylvania. He helped lead the Hawks to a 45-23 win over North Allegheny in the state championship game to win back-to-back titles.
DB: KJ Bolden, Buford (Georgia)
Buford's KJ Bolden evades a defender in a Nov. 13 loss to Mill Creek.
Photo by Colin Hubbard
Offenses for the most part avoided getting punished by Bolden by not throwing the ball in his direction, but he made a bunch of big plays anyway. The future Georgia Bulldog had 33 tackles, four interceptions (one for a TD) and three pass breakups playing the position he'll hold down in college, but he was all over the field for Buford. Bolden finished his decorated career with 1,088 all-purpose yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior.
DB: Koi Perich, Esko (Minnesota)
Perich played offense, defense and special teams, but defense is his forte, which became clear to a national audience at the All-American Game in January. He earned game MVP honors after making an interception, breaking up two passes, blocking a punt and making several tackles in the West's 31-28 win. The Minnesota commit finished the season with 62 tackles (7 for loss), five interceptions, five defensive touchdowns and two sacks for 10-1 Esko.
DB: PJ Woodland, Oak Grove (Mississippi)
PJ Woodland (right) points in celebration after a big play in the Mississippi vs. Alabama all-star football game on Dec. 16.
Woodland starred on both sides of the ball in leading Oak Grove to the Class 7A state championship as a senior. On defense the 5-foot-11, 155-pound speedster made 52 tackles with five interceptions (two returned for TDs) and eight pass breakups, and he scored 13 touchdowns with 1,441 receiving yards on offense. The LSU signee made five tackles and a crushing pass breakup in the postseason Mississippi-Alabama all-star game.
P/K: Nolan Hauser, Hough (North Carolina)
Hough kicker/punter Nolan Hauser (81), an early enrollee at Clemson, was named offensive MVP of the Shrine Bowl, a North/South Carolina high school all-star game, on Dec. 16.
Photo by Ken Ruinard, USA Today Network
Hauser broke the national high school record for career field goals in September, booting his 57th with a 48-yard drive. The Clemson signee added nine more to leave the record at 66 with a career long of 53, and he did much more than drill 3-pointers as a senior. He also averaged 39.2 yards per punt and had 59 touchbacks on 69 kickoffs in 2023.
Offensive Player of the Year
Terry Bussey, Timpson (Texas)
Quarterback and uber-athlete Terry Bussey led Timpson to historic heights in 2023.
Photo by Tommy Hays
Defensive Player of the Year
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, St. John Bosco (California)
St. John Bosco linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa was a menace to offenses' ground and passing game all season.
Photo by Heston Quan
Coach of the Year
Claude Mathis, DeSoto (Texas)
The dominant storyline behind national No. 2 DeSoto's 2022 state title run was that it was coach Claude Mathis' first. He and the Eagles (15-0) defended that crown in blowout fashion last fall after a season-defining November win over nationally ranked Duncanville.
Photo by Tommy Hays
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-- Mike Swanson | swanson@scorebooklive.com | @sblivesports
-- Andy Buhler | andy@scorebooklive.com | @sblivetx
