MaxPreps 2015 Football Freshman All-American Team

Video: J.T. Daniels' highlights vs. Corona Centennial
See the MaxPreps National Freshman Football Player of the Year in action.

Mater Dei has had a slew of talented signal-callers, but J.T. Daniels is on pace to be the best yet.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound quarterback stepped into the role of starting quarterback and flourished, as the ninth-grade phenom completed 174 of 313 passes for 3,042 yards and 33 touchdowns.

What was most impressive about Daniels' play was how he succeeded against such fierce competition. He threw for three touchdowns against both St. John Bosco and Corona Centennial, two of the nation's top teams.

On the season, Daniels threw just four interceptions, and for all that, he is the 2015 MaxPreps National Freshman Football Player of the Year. He edged out Grayson linebacker Owen Pappoe for the honors.


FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

WR – Jamario Holley, 5-10, 165, Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.)
Holley caught 65 passes for 903 yards and 13 touchdowns for one of the state's top teams.

WR – Dominick Blaylock, 6-0, 175, Walton (Marietta, Ga.)
The son of the former NBA star Mookie Blaylock recorded 41 catches for 795 yards and eight scores.

WR – Jashawn Sheffield, 6-2, 175, Frederica Academy (St. Simons Island, Ga.)
Sheffield lined up at receiver, running back and was a kick returner for Frederica Academy and accounted for over 1,000 all-purpose yards.

TE – Blake Hinson, 6-6, 200, Deltona (Fla.)
After playing as an eighth-grader at Warner Christian, Hinson suited up for Deltona this season and enjoyed a solid ninth-grade campaign. He'll now be suiting up for Deltona's basketball team.

OL – Nolan Rumler, 6-4, 290, Archbishop Hoban (Akron, Ohio)
Rumler helped pave the way for running back Todd Sibley as Hoban captured a state title.

OL – Keiondre Jones, 6-4, 266, Callaway (Hogansville, Ga.)
Jones, who had an offer from Georgia before entering high school, was a mauler at guard for Callaway this fall.

OL – Dontae Lucas, 6-5, 290, Booker T. Washington (Miami)
Lucas was one of two freshman starters for state champion Booker T. Washington.

OL – Kenyon Green, 6-4, 275, Atascocita (Humble, Texas)
Green started for one of the Houston area's top Class 6A teams this season.

OL – Justin Scrempos, 6-7, 300, Milpitas (Calif.)
The massive Scrempos is the younger brother of Washington defensive lineman Jason and will be a fixture in the Milpitas trenches for years to come.

QB – JT Daniels, 6-1, 195, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Daniels shined against a brutal schedule, completing 174 of 313 passes for 3,042 yards and 33 scores for a Pac-5 semifinalist team.

QB – Sam Howell, 6-0, 200, Sun Valley (Monroe, N.C.)
Howell led all ninth-graders with 3,586 passing yards. He completed 202 of 358 passes and tossed 35 touchdown strikes.

RB – Nay'quan Wright, 5-9, 185, Carol City (Miami)
Wright appears to be the next great Miami running back. He carried 122 times for 983 yards and 11 touchdowns against top-notch competition.

RB – James Cook, 5-11, 190, Central (Miami)
Cook, the younger brother of Florida State star Dalvin Cook, rushed for 178 yards and three touchdowns in the Class 6A title game.

RB – Deondrick Glass, 5-10, 165, Katy (Texas)
The latest running back phenom at Katy, Glass was huge down the stretch for the national champion Tigers. He scored four touchdowns in one half and proved to have a knack for the big play. He rushed for 14 scores.

ATH - Devyn Ford, 5-11, 170, North Stafford (Stafford, Va.)
Ford rushed for 1,865 yards and 24 touchdowns for 9-4 North Stafford.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DL – Antione Whitner jr., 6-5, 295, Godwin (Richmond, Va.)
Whitner's huge frame was a big asset in Godwin's run defense.

DL – Charles Moore, 6-4, 240, Louisville (Miss.)
An absolute manchild, Moore registered four sacks as an eighth-grader a year ago.

DL – Tru Thompson, 6-1, 300, Griffin (Ga.)
Thompson is a bowling ball of a defensive tackle and constantly found himself in opposing backfields.

DL – Jonathan Kingsley, 6-5, 220, Eastern Alamance (Mebane, N.C.)
Kingsley ranked among the nation's top freshmen with 104 tackles and four sacks.

LB – Owen Pappoe, 6-1, 195, Grayson (Loganville, Ga.)
Pappoe was a beast. Playing for a team that had one of the best defenses in the country, he registered 91 tackles in the regular season alone.

LB – Keyon Ware-Hudson, 6-2, 235, Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, Calif.)
Ware-Hudson posted 65 tackles and 6.5 sacks for one of the area's top programs.

LB – Ge'mon Eaford, 6-2, 215, Deerfield Beach (Fla.)
Eaford posted 46 tackles, three sacks and an interception for 10-2 Deerfield Beach.

LB – Quack Cohen, 6-2, 220, Greer (S.C.)
Cohen was one of the leading tacklers for Greer, which raced to an 11-0 record before falling to Union County in the playoffs.

LB – Shane Lee, 6-2, 200, Gilman (Baltimore)
Lee was a key defensive piece for a Gilman squad that finished among the top 20 teams in the country. He finished with 40 tackles and four sacks.

DB – Kenny McIntosh, 6-1, 204, University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
In addition to his work in the secondary, McIntosh was a huge weapon at running back for University.

DB – Max Williams, 5-10, 160, Serra (Gardena, Calif.)
Williams stood out on a talent-laden Serra team, making 34 tackles and three interceptions.

DB – Jacardia Wright, 6-0, 180, St. Teresa (Decatur, Ill.)
Wright, a free safety with impressive potential, could have made the team as a running back as well. He rushed 152 times for 1,557 yards and 16 scores.

DB – Tayvion "Tank" land, 5-9, 160, Ocean Lakes (Virginia Beach, Va.)
Could Land be the next great Ocean Lakes defensive back? He made 42 tackles and four interceptions.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

WR – David Bell, 6-1, 165, Warren Central (Indianapolis)
Bell grabbed 35 receptions for 649 yards and five touchdowns for one of Indiana's top programs.

WR – Darren Jones, 6-7, 185, Upland (Calif.)
Jones provided a huge midseason lift to Upland. He caught 19 passes for 437 yards and five touchdowns.

WR – Maurice Goolsby, 6-5, 200, Dunnellon (Fla.)
Goolsby flashed unmatched big play potential in his second varsity season.

OL – Demarcus Gordon, 6-4, 318, Rosa Fort (Tunica, Miss.)
Gordon brought physicality to the Rosa Fort offensive line.

OL – Trevor Keegan, 6-6, 255, Crystal Lake South (Ill.)
Keegan transitioned well to varsity football and was a key piece on Crystal Lake South's offensive line all season long.

OL – Melvin Craddock, OL, 6-3, 315, Hawkins (Los Angeles)
Hawkins looks like the next big-time recruit from Hawkins.

OL – Zach Carpenter, 6-3, 270, Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati)
Carpenter achieved a rare feat: starting on the varsity squad in the Greater Catholic League South as a ninth-grader.

OL – Kardell Thomas, 6-4, 290, Southern Lab (Baton Rouge, La.)
Thomas was a starter on Southern Lab's state title squad.

OL – Clay Webb, 6-4, 295, Oxford (Ala.)
Webb, also a talented wrestler, has a bright future on the offensive line.

QB – Grant Gunnell, 6-5, 185, St. Pius X (Houston)
Gunnell was thrust into the starting role in October and thrived. He completed 95 of 158 pass attempts for 1,440 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also rushed for seven scores.

QB – Xavier Malone, 6-3, 200, Fulton (Knoxville, Tenn.)
Malone completed 106 of 200 passes for 1,821 yards and 17 touchdowns, leading Fulton to a 10-2 record.

RB – Jamal Speaks, 6-0, 185, Ballou (Washington, D.C.)
Speaks was one of the most impressive ninth-graders in the Washington, D.C., area. He rushed for 1,324 yards and 18 touchdowns on 181 carries.

RB – Noah Cain, 5-10, 190, Guyer (Denton, Texas)
Cain exploded onto the scene with 1,083 yards and 10 touchdowns on 111 carries.

RB – Jojo Siofele, 5-10, 190, Union (Vancouver, Wash.)
Siofele is a special specimen with uncanny agility. He rushed for 781 yards and 14 touchdowns on just 135 carries.

ATH – Josh Mckenzie, 5-10, 185, Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.)
McKenzie was nagged by injuries, but showed tremendous promise when healthy. He rushed for 333 yards and five scores.

ATH - Jerrion Ealy, 5-8, 176, Jackson Prep (Miss.)
Ealy provided a spark for Jackson Prep, rushing the ball and catching it out of the backfield. He totaled 1,116 yards and 15 touchdowns.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

DL – Trevis Hopper, 6-3, 265, Memphis Central (Tenn.)
Hopper impressed as a ninth-grader and has a frame that should allow him to get even bigger and stronger.

DL – Jason Bargy, 6-5, 231, Momence (Ill.)
Bargy's long frame helped him register 88 tackles to go along with 11.5 sacks.

DL – Kevon Thibodeaux, 6-6, 245, Dorsey (Los Angeles)
In limited action, Thibodeaux showed the potential to be utterly dominant. He has a massive frame and great explosiveness.

DL – Reese Silofau, 6-2, 275, Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.)
Silofau recorded 55 tackles and six sacks playing for powerhouse Oaks Christian.

LB – Jamir Thomas, 6-0, 212, Washington (Massillon, Ohio)
Thomas posted 54 tackles for Washington, including eight tackles for loss.

LB – Demetrius Mauney, 6-0, 180, East Rutherford (Forest City, N.C.)
Mauney made 56 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He also recovered three fumbles.

LB – Kyi Wright, 6-3, 210, Farrell (Pa.)
Also a gifted basketball player, Wright amassed 83 tackles at outside linebacker.

LB – Diamante Howard, 6-2, 200, Southridge (Miami)
Howard enjoyed a huge game against Homestead, recording three tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

LB – Zacch Pickens, 6-4, 240, Hanna (Anderson, S.C.)
Pickens was a beast coming off the edge. He made 34 tackles and six sacks.

DB – Jonathan McGill, 5-11, 180, Coppell (Texas)
McGill posted 55 tackles and recovered a fumble for the Dallas-area power.

DB – Pha'leak Brown, 5-10, 170, Chester (S.C.)
Like many star freshmen, Brown excelled on both offense and defense.

DB – D'Marcus Ross, 5-11, 200, Capital Christian (Sacramento, Calif.)
Ross can play everywhere: safety, linebacker, receiver and special teams. He made 109 tackles and four interceptions.

DB – Khalid Martin, 6-1, 175, East Forsyth (Kernersville, N.C.)
Martin tallied 64 tackles and four interceptions for 14-1 East Forsyt.