Video: Top 5 Plays from The Opening
See Central 4-star wideout Justyn Ross make a spectacular catch.
MaxPreps 2017 Alabama Preseason Football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Hoover2016 record: 12-2
Head coach: Josh Niblett
The defending class 7A state champs will be in the thick of things once again in 2017.
Wide receiver
Shedrick Jackson, offensive tackle
Mike Maye and kicker
Barret Pickering lead the Buccaneers into an ambitious schedule that includes a trip to Grayson (Ga.), a home game against Mississippi's Meridian and a season-ending contest against national powerhouse IMG Academy.
Hoover looks to be one of Alabama's best again in 2017.
Photo by James Nicholas
See the MaxPreps Alabama Football Computer Rankings presented by the Army National Guard2. Central (Phenix City)2016 record: 10-2
Head coach: Jamey DuBose
The Red Devils are led by 4-star wide receiver
Justyn Ross, the No. 1 player from Alabama, and will have one of the most talented teams in the state.
Central must replace quarterback Zion Webb and running back Jaxton Carson, but second team All-State tackle
Jahlil Ryles returns for his senior season.
See the MaxPreps Alabama football stat leaders3. Minor (Adamsville)2016 record: 12-2
Head coach: Curtis Graves
Graves takes over the Tigers' program and must find a way to continue the postseason successes of his predecessor George Bates. Gone are quarterback Jacure Jackson and running back Jaylond Adams, but there is a foundation of talent coming back.
Senior wide receiver
Delonte Evans is back, as is linebacker
Nijiel Broom, defensive end
Jacori Goodwin and running backs
Dequarius Leonard and
Dominic Ellis.
See the MaxPreps Alabama football playoff brackets4. Spain Park (Hoover)2016 record: 8-3
Head coach: Shawn Raney
Rising senior quarterback
Braxton Barker, son of former Alabama QB Jay Barker, is back after the Jaguars fell to James Clemens in the postseason. Barker threw for 331 yards and a score in the loss.
Kicker
Cole Starr also returns for Spain Park, as does rising senior wide receiver Jalen McMillan.
See the MaxPreps Alabama football photo galleries5. Pinson Valley (Pinson)2016 record: 8-4
Head coach: Patrick Nix
The former Auburn quarterback Nix takes over for the Indians, who have reached the postseason in seven of the past eight seasons but have failed to advance past the second round.
Nix's son,
Bo Nix, joins the team and is the No. 1 dual threat quarterback in the state according to 247Sports.