Elite high school football players have spent years fighting up the depth chart, getting collegiate notice and becoming stars. With the start of the 2026 football season approaching, its time for the upperclassmen in 2027 and 2028 to shine, and the underclassmen to begin making their names known.
USA TODAY Sports is proud to present its preseason All-America team, highlighting 36 players on both sides of the ball who are primed to become household names now and in the future. Champions like David Gabriel-Georges, record-breakers like Roye Oliver III, and showstoppers like Jalen Brewster represent a loaded field that destined for highlight reels and national recognition.
These three teams were dictated based off a variety of factors, including performances in previous seasons, statistics, recruiting rankings and projections for how they will grow in the coming year. It's a profile of who to watch closely — they may be repping your favorite teams on Saturdays and Sundays in the near future.
Without further ado, here is the USA TODAY Sports All-America National Preseason Team.
USA TODAY Sports All-America first-team offense
Quarterback: Elijah Haven, Dunham School (Baton Rouge, LA), Sr.
Running Back: David Gabriel Georges, Baylor School (Chattanooga, TN), Sr.
Running Back: Kemon Spell, McKeesport (PA), Sr.
Wide Receiver: Roye Oliver III, Hamilton (Chandler, AZ), Sr.
Wide Receiver: Easton Royal, Brother Martin (New Orleans, LA), Sr.
Tight End: Ahmad Hudson, Ruston (LA), Sr.
Offensive Lineman:Ismael Camara, Gilmer (TX), Sr.
Offensive Lineman:Maxwell Hiller, Coatesville Area (PA), Sr.
Offensive Lineman:Mark Matthews, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, FL), Sr.
Offensive Lineman:Kaeden Penny, Bixby (OK), Sr.
Flex: Landen Williams-Callis, Randle (Richmond, TX), Sr.
Kicker: Mikey Barth, Basha (Gilbert, AZ), Sr.
USA TODAY Sports All-America first-team defense
Defensive Lineman:DJ Jacobs, Blessed Trinity Catholic (Roswell, GA), Sr.
Defensive Lineman:Asher Ghioto, The Bolles School (Jacksonville, FL), Jr.
Defensive Lineman:KJ Green, Stephenson (Stone Mountain, GA)
Defensive Lineman: Jalen Brewster, Cedar Hill (TX), Sr.
Linebacker:Roman Igwebuike, Mount Carmel (Chicago, IL), Sr.
Linebacker: Kaden Henderson, Jesuit (Tampa, FL), Sr.
Linebacker: Isaac McNeil, Vigor (AL), Sr.
Linebacker: Cooper Witten, Liberty Christian (Argyle, TX), Sr.
Cornerback:Gabriel Osborne Jr., Mustang (OK), Sr.
Safety:JayQuan Snell, Waxahachie (TX), Sr.
Flex: A’mir Sears, Columbus (Miami, FL), Sr.
Punter: Michael Brandin Gallaway, Palmetto (FL), Sr.
USA TODAY Sports All-America second-team offense
Quarterback: Trae Taylor, Millard South (Omaha, NE), Sr.
Running Back: Ty Keys, Poplarville (MS), Sr.
Running Back:SaRod Baker, DeSoto (TX), Sr.
Wide Receiver: Monshun Sales, Lawrence North (Indianapolis, IN), Sr.
Wide Receiver: Brysen Wright, Mandarin (Jacksonville, FL), Jr.
Tight End: Jaxon Dollar, East Lincoln (Denver, NC), Sr.
Offensive Lineman: Kennedy Brown, Kingwood (Humble, TX), Sr.
Offensive Lineman: Jake Hildebrand, Basha (Gilbert, AZ), Sr.
Offensive Lineman: Oluwasemilore Olubobola, St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City, NJ), Sr.
Offensive Lineman:Albert Simien, Sam Houston (Lake Charles, LA), Sr.
Flex: Honor Fa'alave-Johnson, Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, CA), Sr.
Kicker: Andres Von Der Meden, Tomball (TX)
USA TODAY Sports All-America second-team defense
Defensive Lineman:Jaiden Bryant, Irmo (Columbia, SC), Sr.
Defensive Lineman:Wyatt Smith, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, FL), Sr.
Defensive Lineman:Tyzon Swann, Henry E. Lackey (Indian Head, MD), Jr.
Defensive Lineman: Anthony Sweeney, St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, MD), Sr.
Linebacker:Quinton Cypher, Millbrook (Raleigh, NC), Sr.
Linebacker: Brayton Feister, Massillon Washington (OH), Sr.
Linebacker: Tahj Gray, St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, NJ), Jr.
Linebacker: Omarii Sanders, Franklin Road Academy (Nashville, TN), Sr.
Cornerback: Donte Wright, Long Beach Poly (CA), Sr.
Safety: Kamarui Dorsey, Hampton (GA), Sr.
Flex: Hayden Stepp, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV), Sr.
Punter: Gunnar Gillentine, Petal (MS), Sr.
USA TODAY Sports All-America third-team offense
Quarterback: Israel Adams, Montini Catholic (Arlington Heights, IL), Sr.
Running Back: Kingston Allen, Notre Dame Academy (Green Bay, WI), Sr.
Running Back: Myson Johnson-Cook, East St. Louis (IL), Sr.
Wide Receiver: Nick Lennear, Carol City (Miami, FL), Sr.
Wide Receiver: Cedrick Simmons, Southside (Selma, AL), Sr.
Tight End: Seneca Driver, Boyle County (Danville, KY), Sr.
Offensive Lineman:James Halter, Central Catholic (Pittsburgh, PA), Sr.
Offensive Lineman:Caden Moss, Jackson Academy (MS), Sr.
Offensive Lineman:Elisha Mueller, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA), Jr.
Offensive Lineman:Maui Tonata, Orem (UT), Jr.
Flex: Jaylen Addai, Shadow Creek (Pearland, TX), Jr.
Kicker: Noah Ash, Ponte Vedra (FL), Sr.
USA TODAY Sports All-America third-team defense
Defensive Lineman:Zyron Forstall, IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL), Sr.
Defensive Lineman:Jalanie George, Desert Edge (Goodyear, AZ), Jr.
Defensive Lineman:James Pace III, DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, MD), Sr.
Defensive Lineman: Zane Rowe, Guyer (Denton, TX), Sr.
Linebacker: Taven Epps, Tustin (CA), Sr.
Linebacker: Jalaythan Mayfield, Lincolnton (NC), Sr.
Linebacker: Nehemiah McCary, Maplesville (AL), Jr.
Linebacker: Aroson Randle Jr., Garner (NC), Sr.
Cornerback: Danny Lang, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA), Sr.
Safety: Jaden Walk-Green, Centennial (Corona, CA), Sr.
Flex: Nasir Richardson, Malcolm X Shabazz (Newark, NJ), Jr.
Punter: Nolan Balke, Casteel (Queen Creek, AZ), Sr.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USA TODAY Sports preseason All-America High School Football Team revealed