Early Contenders: Top 10 players in high school football

Video: Top 10 players in high school football
We've got the scoop on who to keep an eye this fall.

MaxPreps will release preseason high school football rankings next month. Until then, whet your appetite for prep pigskin with our Early Contenders Top 10 series.

We've already taken a deep dive on the biggest games and storylines of the upcoming season. Now we shift focus to the playmakers and game-changers. Read on for a look at the Top 10 high school football players in the country.
1. Zamir White, Scotland (Laurinburg, N.C.)
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 220 | Position: Running back | Commitment: Undecided

White took his first varsity career carry, as a freshman, for a 62-yard touchdown. The nation's top-rated running back has the rare blend of power, speed and elusiveness. He's clocked a blazing 4.4 seconds 40-yard dash, can lower the boom and reel off a touchdown on any given play. The nation's No. 6 overall recruit rushed for 1,693 yards and 26 TDs last season in spearheading the Scots to the North Carolina Class 4A state semifinals. White, who has more than 5,000 yards rushing and 85 scores in his career, appears to be a near lock for Georgia.

2. Xavier Thomas, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 263 | Position: Strong-side defensive end | Commitment: Clemson

Thomas is an absolute monster. The Clemson commit is nearly unstoppable off the line and practically eliminates all plays in the backfield before they have a chance to begin. He's simply a matchup nightmare. The country's No. 2 overall recruit tallied 131 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and nine sacks at Wilson (Florence, S.C.) last fall. Oh, and the nation's top-rated strong-side defensive end also notched 568 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on offense. He might have the most upside of any player in high school football and makes the Ascenders a legitimate national title contender.

3. J.T. Daniels, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 205 | Position: Quarterback | Commitment: Undecided

Daniels might be the best quarterback in the country — regardless of class. The nation's top-rated pro-style QB in the class of 2019 completed an unheard of 75 percent of his passes (315 of 423) for 4,849 yards and 67 touchdowns last season. He tossed a scant six interceptions as Mater Dei averaged 476 yards and 57 points per game in 2016. Daniels claimed MaxPreps Sophomore Player of the Year honors and piloted the ninth-ranked Monarchs to a 13-0 record before losing to St. John Bosco (Bellflower) in the Southern Section Division I championship game. He possesses a superior football IQ, as well as superb touch and accuracy on all his throws. He's one of the big reasons Mater Dei is in the hunt for a national championship this year. Stanford is in front for his services.

4. Trevor Lawrence, Cartersville (Ga.)
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 196 | Position: Quarterback | Commitment: Clemson

Lawrence is the top rising senior in the country for a reason. The Clemson commit has desired measurables and that "it" factor. The MaxPreps 2016 Junior Player of the Year led the Hurricanes to a 15-0 record and second straight AAAA Georgia state title completing 250-of-406 passes for 3,904 yards and 51 scores last fall. Lawrence is 42-2 as a starter and winner of 30 straight games. The Elite 11 finalist also is 2,477 yards and 40 touchdowns from breaking the state record of 13,077 and 159 held by former Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson of Gainesville.

5. Brendan Radley-Hiles, IMG Academy
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 183 | Position: Cornerback | Commitment: Nebraska

Radley-Hiles, a Nebraska commit, can do it all in an electrifying manner. The top 100 recruit was an important cog for 14-win Calabasas (Calif.) last season and posted 833 all-purpose yards and 12 total TDs on offense. The nation's No. 11 cornerback also logged 54 tackles, four pass deflections and two interceptions on defense. The viral performer has the second-most followers on Twitter of any player in high school football (33.5K) — so expect to be hearing a lot of the man they call ''Bookie" this year.

6. A.J. Lytton, Wise (Upper Marlboro, Md.)
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 173 | Position: Cornerback | Commitment: Florida State

Lytton might be the top corner in the country, and the FSU commit has elite 4.47 speed, exceptional ball-tracking skills and can lay the wood. He's also a dangerous receiver capable of scoring in a variety of ways. The nation's No. 29 overall prospect recorded 1,041 all-purpose yards and 13 TDs in spurring the Pumas to a Maryland Class 4A state championship. The country's No. 4 corner recorded 26 tackles, three interceptions and nine pass deflections on defense. He reminds us a lot of NFL dynamo Tavon Austin, a fellow Maryland native.

7. B.J. Foster, Angleton (Texas)
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 188 | Position: Safety | Commitment: Texas

Foster is the ultimate ball hawk and dishes the pain. The Texas commit blankets the field and can also gash defenses rushing the ball. The nation's top-rated safety logged 666 total yards and nine TDs in leading Angleton to the second round of the Texas Conference 5A D1 state playoffs last season. Foster missed much of last year after suffering an ACL injury, and he's poised for a huge senior campaign.

8. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Mater Dei
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 191 | Position: Wide receiver | Commitment: Undecided

St. Brown is a perfect complement to the Monarchs' quarterback J.T. Daniels. The nation's No. 3 receiver runs crisp routes, has sure hands and can take it the distance after the catch. He was nearly unguardable last season and caught 60 passes for 1,229 yards and 21 touchdowns for No. 9 Mater Dei. He also averaged 30.5 yards per 11 kickoff returns. The lethal tandem of St. Brown and Daniels might give Mater Dei the best duo in high school football. Notre Dame and USC are the main programs vying for his talents.

9. Owen Pappoe, Grayson (Loganville, Ga.)
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 207 | Position: Outside linebacker | Commitment: Undecided

Pappoe is called "The Freak" for a reason. Pappoe, a rising junior, is a breathtaking ball hawk who shuts everything down and has excellent coverage skills. He's that problem you must account for. The country's top-rated outside linebacker ignited the No. 4 Rams to a Georgia Class 7A state title last season. He became the first sophomore-to-be to get invited to The Opening Finals last year, and he's headed back to Oregon once again. Pappoe makes Grayson a national title contender. Clemson and FSU are the main suitors for his services.

10. Kardell Thomas, Southern Lab (Baton Rouge, La.)
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 320 | Position: Offensive guard | Commitment: LSU

They just don't make offensive lineman like Kardell Thomas anymore. The LSU commit steered Southern Lab to its second straight Louisiana Division IV state crown last season. The country's top-rated offensive guard is the ultimate bully and can also make blocks at the second and third levels at an astounding 320 pounds. The man they call "Mr. Pancake" gave his nickname meaning this offseason after producing viral clips of mashing opposing lineman at team camps. He also produced an other-worldy clip of him anchoring the 4x100-meter relay team. Thomas is simply a rare breed.