Video: Early Contenders Teams 26-50
Perennial powers like De La Salle, Allen and Don Bosco Prep start season in unfamiliar territory.
TOP 25 PRESEASON EARLY CONTENDERS TEAMS 26-50
26. Westlake (Austin, Texas)
2015: 14-2, UIL 6A-1 finalist (No. 25 in 2015 MaxPreps final computer rankings)
Comment: MaxPreps 2015 National Junior of the Year
Sam Ehlinger, a Texas quarterback commit, linebacker
Levi Jones (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) and tackle
Stephan Zabie (6-5, 290) might be Texas' best at each position.
27. Armwood (Seffner, Fla.)
2015: 14-1, FHSAA 6A finalist (98)
Comment: The state finalist in five of the last six years has eight Division I prospects and perhaps its best offense ever led by quarterback
Darrian McNeal, running back
Brian Snead and wide receiver
Warren Thompson.
28. St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.)
2015: 8-4, NJSIAA Non-Public Group 4 finalist (No. 46)
Comment: The Green Knights return their starting quarterback and leading receiver, tackler, sacker and three-star tackle
Robert Martin and guard
Joshua Fedd Jackson.
29. Archbishop Hoban (Akron, Ohio)2015: 14-1, OHSAA Division III champion (No. 57)
Comment: Quarterback
Danny Clark and running back
Todd Sibley jr., both Ohio State commits, are the headliners for this star-studded bunch.
30. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)2015: 13-1, CIF Open Division champion (No. 1)
Comment: The Spartans return only four starters, including 3-star cornerback
Tre White, but c'mon, it's De La Salle.
Cornerback Tre White missed half of 2015 with an injury but returns to lead De La Salle toward another California state title.
File photo by Dennis Lee
31. Allen (Texas)2015: 14-1, UIL 6A-1 semifinalist (No. 16)
Comment: They have a new coach in Terry Gambill, but the Eagles, winners of three straight state titles starting in 2011, should continue to be dominant with quarterback
Mitchell Jonke, guard
Will Sherman, linebacker
Misi Tupou and fantastic 2018 and 2019 classes, which include RB
Kirby Bennett and future star QB
Grant Tisdale.
32. Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, Calif.)
2015: 12-2, CIF Southern Section WV Division finalist (101)
Comment: Even with a new coach — David Olson — the Broncos should put up big numbers with returning quarterback
Karson Greeley, leading rusher
Cole Dubots and 4-star tackle
Chuck Filiaga (6-6, 315).
33. Chandler (Ariz.)
2015: 11-2, AIA Division I semifinalist (No. 51)
Comment: 3-star wide receiver
Kolby Taylor is nephew of former 49ers' receiver John Taylor and running back
TJ Green is being compared to former UCLA and Chandler running back Paul Perkins.
34. Booker T. Washington (Miami)
2015: 9-5, FHSAA 4A champion (207)
Comment: Though no 4-star recruits, Washington features five 3-star standouts, led by tackle
Kadeem Telfort (6-7, 300), a Florida commit.
35. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.)
2015: 9-3, NJSIAA Non-Public Group 4 champion (No. 22)
Comment: Three-star quarterback
Tommy Devito and guard
Liam Fornadel lead a rock solid program that features impeccable coaching and strong continuity.
36. Archbishop Rummel (Metairie, La.)
2015: 11-2, LHSAA Division I finalist (70)
Comment: Might have the best tandem linebackers in the state,
Shahid Reece and Arkansas commit
Derrick Munson.
37. Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.)
2015: 7-5, (No. 108)
Comment: Legendary coach Bob Milloy (399-118-1) is one win shy of 400 and with starting quarterback
Travis Nannen returning along with 4-star defensive end
Joshua Paschal, Maryland-bound athlete
Ayinde Eley and 3-star running back
Mohamed Ibrahim, he should be well on his way to 500.
38. Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.)
2015: 15-0, GHSA AAAAAA champion (No. 13)
Comment: Behind colorful and successful coach Rush Propst, Colquitt County became just the third team in state history to win back-to-back 6A titles undefeated, but with only guard
Quan Stokes (6-3, 310) as its only 3-star player, the Packers will need to rely on numbers and coaching.
39. Kahuku (Hawaii)
2015: 14-0, HHSAA Division I champion (No. 37)
Comment: The Red Raiders, led by 3-star standouts, running back
Kesi Ah-Hoy and cornerback
Kekaula Kaniho, look for their ninth state title since 2000.
40. Fayetteville (Ark.)
2015: 13-2, 7A state champion (No. 45)
Comment: The Bulldogs might even surpass the 725 points they scored last year with college-bound pro-style quarterback
Taylor Powell and running back
Terrance Rock returning.
Fayetteville third-year starting quarterback Taylor Powell returns to lead the Bulldogs toward another state 7A title.
File photo by Richey Miller
41. Spanish Fort (Ala.)
2015: 15-0, AHSAA 6A champion (No. 54)
Comment: Scoring against the Toros will be tough with linebacker
Thomas Johnston (6-2, 220) and defensive end
Justin Thomas (6-5, 260).
42. Carol City (Miami)
2015: 13-2, FHSAA 6A second round (No. 202)
Comment: The four-time state champions haven't claimed gold since 2003, but with seven seniors among 247Sports Composite top 1,700, including linebacker
Deandre Wilder (276) and Miami-bound wide receiver
Kevaughn Dingle (429), the Chief will make a strong run in a crowded, talented Florida field.
43. Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.)
2015: 13-1, GHSA AAAAAA semifinalist (No. 58)
Comment: The Hawks not only return all their key skill players, including quarterback
Cameron Turley and running back
Joe Thomas, but a pair of 3-star linemen in guard
Jack Franklin (6-4, 315) and Virginia-bound center
Tyler Fannin (6-3, 290).
44. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)
2015: 7-3, (1,479)
Comment: Perhaps the biggest benefactor since the passing of the new HB 7209 law, which allows Florida student-athletes to transfer more freely, the upstart Lions have upwards of 20 players with Division I offers.
45. Carroll (Southlake, Texas)
2015: 9-3, UIL 6A-2 second round (No. 142)
Comment: Quarterback
Mason Holmes, promising new skill players and a big and bullish offensive line, will garner most of the attention, but defense, led by 4-star safety
Robert Barnes (Oklahoma) and defensive end
Luke Jeter (6-3, 235), could lead Dragons to state title.
46. Catholic-B.R. (Baton Rouge, La.)
2015: 10-3, LHSAA Division I champion (No. 79)
Comment: He's only 5-foot-7, but at 191 pounds and speed to burn, LSU-bound running back
Clyde Edwards-Helaire could carry the Bears to another state crown.
47. Jenks (Okla.)
2015: 11-1, OSSAA 6A-1 champion (No. 24)
Comment: The 15-time Oklahoma state champion featured a 153-man roster last year, 135 this season including running back
Jordon Curtis and tight end
Reese Leitao, a pair of 3-star standouts.
48. Bingham (South Jordan, Utah)
2015: 12-2, UHSAA 5A semifinalist (No. 84)
Comment: With a pair of 4-star recruits, defensive tackle
Jay Tufele and Oregon-bound defensive end
Langi Tuifua, defense should be the strength of this nine-time state champion.
49. Center Grove (Greenwood, Ind.)
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015: 14-0, IHSAA 6A champion (No. 20)
Comment: Running back
Titus McCoy (1,912 yards, 28 TDs) and Kentucky-bound receiver
Russ Yeast return to a team that piled up 477 points last year.
50. Mansfield (Texas)
2015: 12-3, UIL 6A-2 semifinalist (No. 61)
Comment: Don't expect 4-star running back
Kennedy Brooks to slow down after rushing last season for 3,522 yards and 42 touchdowns.
There is no greater workhorse in the country than Mansfield senior running back Kennedy Brooks.
File photo by Robbie Rakestraw