California high school football season is officially underway. With The Sporting News Preseason All-State Football Team already out, it's time to unveil our Preseason All-CIF Southern Section Football Team, consisting of First Team, Second Team, and Third Team.
Primary considerations included players' individual production and team success in 2024 and prior seasons, plus all-state and all-area awards from other sources. Recruiting rankings and college offers were also considered as secondary criteria.
Mater Dei leads the way with a whopping nine preseason all-state selections, followed by eight for St. John Bosco, five for Sierra Canyon, five for Santa Margarita, and four for Mission Viejo.
Preseason All-Southern Section First-Team Offense
QB: Brady Edmunds, Huntington Beach – Jr.
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A high 4-star recruit with 24 offers, Edmunds earned the rare distinction of making OC Register's First Team All-County as a sophomore quarterback. After a strong freshman season, he took a leap as a sophomore with 3,222 yards and 36 touchdowns to nine interceptions on 62.2% completion to go with 312 yards and nine TDs rushing. Edmunds committed to Ohio State in early December, about six weeks before the Buckeyes won their ninth national championship.
QB: Brady Smigiel, Newbury Park – Sr.
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The 4-star Michigan commit enters his senior year as a reigning CIF-Southern Section Division 2 champion and Ventura County's all-time leading passer in both yardage (11,222) and touchdowns (147). As a junior, Smigiel threw for 3,521 yards and 49 touchdowns to just three picks on 65.2% completion with a passer rating of 135.9, and also ran for 435 yards and 11 TDs.
RB: Brian Bonner, Valencia (Valencia) – Sr.
A 4-star Washington commit with some 29 offers, Bonner is one of California' most versatile offensive threats. He combines track speed with shiftiness and the receiving skills of a wideout or slotback. As a junior, Bonner ran for 1,493 yards and 25 touchdowns, had 40 catches for 498 yards and four TDs, and registered 443 yards and two scores returning kickoffs.
RB: Journee Tonga, Leuzinger – Sr.
A reigning Second Team pick after breaking out for 2,267 yards and 29 touchdowns on 244 carries (9.3 yards per carry) plus 20 receptions for 349 yards and three TDs as a junior. That comes out to 238 yards of offense per game for one of the state's better teams, and Tonga averaged even more than that against state-ranked competition. He's now a 3-star recruit with offers from San Jose State, Georgetown, Hawaii, and NAU.
WR: Vance Spafford, Mission Viejo – Sr.
One of the fastest players in high school football, Spafford enters his senior season with 141 catches for 2,610 yards and 36 touchdowns for the perennial national public powerhouse. As a junior, he caught 57 passes for 1,017 yards and 14 touchdowns in addition to blocking two punts and a field goal. In 2023, he lifted Mission Viejo to a 1-AA state title with 1,576 yards and 22 TDs. Spafford, a 4-star recruit with 38 offers, flipped from Georgia to Miami in June.
WR: Trent Mosley, Santa Margarita – Sr.
Even with a midseason injury that cost him four games, Mosley totaled 61 catches for 908 yards and eight touchdowns, 102 yards and seven TDs rushing, and a punt return TD in eight games against arguably the toughest schedule in high school football. The 4-star USC commit enters the fall with career totals of 170 catches for 2,599 yards and 22 touchdowns, 69 carries for 372 yards and another 22 TDs, and 819 yards and one score returning kicks and punts.
TE: Mark Bowman, Mater Dei – Sr.
After emerging as a star for the national champion as a sophomore, Bowman reclassified to the Class of 2026 and is still the top-ranked tight end in his class. On a team filled with weapons that hadn't thrown much to TEs for quite a few years, the 5-star USC commit racked up 32 catches for 435 yards and eight touchdowns while excelling as a run-blocker.
OL: Kodi Greene, Mater Dei – Sr.
A 5-star Washington commit and one of the top offensive tackles California has seen in several years. Greene (6-6, 310) is a reigning consensus First Team All-State selection and Trinity League Lineman of the Year. His 20 other offers include Alabama, Florida, Oregon, Penn State, and Texas.
OL: Lex Mailangi, Mater Dei – Jr.
As usual, the Monarchs have multiple First Team All-State offensive linemen. Mailangi was the only sophomore OL to garner First Team All-Trinity League honors in 2024 and has 20 offers including Alabama, Tennessee, Michigan, Oregon, and USC. He's an overpowering guard at 6-3, 330.
OL: Elisha Mueller, Servite – So.
Mueller (6-4, 295) was one of the best freshman offensive linemen California has seen in a while last season, earning First Team All-Trinity League honors in his first year of high school. He's already up to 18 offers, including Alabama, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Tennessee, and USC.
OL: Niniva Nicholson, Santa Margarita – Sr.
One of two senior linemen on this list to transfer to SMCHS from JSerra since last season, Nicholson (6-3, 285) was First Team All-Trinity League and First Team Junior All-State (Cal-Hi Sports) in 2024. He's a 3-star Arizona State commit who also got offers from the likes of Oregon, Stanford, Sacramento State, and Fresno State.
OL: Sam Utu, Orange Lutheran – Sr.
An athletic specimen for a 6-foot-4.5, 320-pound frame, Utu has been a standout for OLu since his freshman year. He's a 4-star recruit who committed to Alabama in June over Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas, Penn State, SMU, Washington, and another 20-plus D-1s.
First-Team Defense
DL: J.D. Hill, Mission Viejo – Sr.
As a junior, the 3-star NAU commit was one of the state's most productive defensive players while playing a tough schedule for a nationally-ranked squad. Hill totaled 101 tackles, 30.5 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, 15 QB-hurries, three forced fumbles, and an interception.
DL: Tomuhini Topui, Mater Dei – Sr.
A reigning Trinity League MVP, High School On SI CIF-SS DPOY, and Sporting News First Team All-State honoree. Last season, Topui broke out for 42 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, and an interception despite the fact that by midseason he was drawing double and triple teams at all times. A prototypical interior defensive lineman at 6-3, 320 with jarring quickness to go with top-tier power, Topui recently committed to USC out of 28 programs to offer him after initially committing to Oregon.
DL: Richie Wesley, Sierra Canyon – Sr.
Formerly a 5-star prospect in the Class of 2027, Wesley is now a 5-star prospect in the Class of 2026 after reclassifying in March. The recent Texas commit is the state's most feared edge rusher, totaling 94 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks, 23 QB-hurries, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in his first two years for one of the state's top teams.
DL: Khary Wilder, Serra (Gardena) – Sr.
After breaking out for 14 sacks as a sophomore, Wilder was a walking triple team as a junior on one of the state's top defenses. The 4-star Ohio State commit registered career-highs of 86 tackles, 40 QB-hurries, and six passes defensed in addition to 11 TFLs and 4.5 sacks.
LB: Dash Fifita, Santa Margarita – Sr.
Perhaps the toughest pound-for-pound defensive player in California (and beyond), Fifita won DPOY last year in the nation's toughest league as a 5-foot-10, 185-pound junior linebacker. The 3-star Arizona commit had 100 tackles, 11 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, and an interception against arguably the most difficult schedule in high school football.
LB/DL: Jonathan McKinley Jr., Corona Centennial – Sr.
The most productive defensive player for one of high school football's top programs, McKinley was the Big West League (Upper) Defensive Player of the Year with 10.5 sacks, 21 QB-hurries, 57 tackles, and a pick. Fluid between OLB and DE, he's a 3-star recruit with 11 offers and a commitment to Cal.
LB/RB: Isaiah Phelps, Pacifica (Oxnard) – Jr.
Phelps put up crazy numbers for a CIF-SS D4 champion and 2-AA state finalist as just a sophomore. He recorded 174 tackles (eight for loss), five sacks, and two interceptions, plus 767 yards and seven touchdowns rushing. Phelps is a 4-star recruit with 23 offers that include Ohio State, Notre Dame, Texas, and USC.
LB/DL: Shaun Scott, Mater Dei – Sr.
As a junior, the 4-star edge rusher was second on the nation's best defense with 13.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and two interceptions. He committed to USC in May over 22 others including Ohio State, Michigan, Miami, Penn State, Texas, and Tennessee.
DB: Davon Benjamin, Oaks Christian – Sr.
Benjamin was already one of the state's top DBs as a junior with six picks (three for touchdowns), 45 tackles, five TFLs, and two forced fumbles, and he was also an impact player at receiver and return specialist. Benjamin has upwards of 25 offers with Washington, Texas, Oregon, USC, Ohio State, Michigan, and Miami considered to be top contenders.
DB: Cory “CJ” Lavender Jr., Mater Dei – Sr.
A rare four-year starter for the No. 1 team in high school football, Lavender totaled 41 tackles, two interceptions, five pass break-ups, and two fumble recoveries as Mater Dei went 13-0. He committed to Washington earlier this year out of 28 offers.
DB: Madden Riordan, Sierra Canyon – Sr.
With an incredible 10 interceptions against a national schedule, Riordan was named co-MVP of the vaunted Mission League and a MaxPreps All-American as a junior. The high 3-star USC commit starts his senior season with career totals of 16 interceptions, 29 pass break-ups, 127 tackles, and three forced fumbles. Riordan has been primarily featured at safety for the Trailblazers but is considered more of a cornerback prospect at the next level.
DB: Isala Wily-Ava, St. John Bosco – Jr.
Wily-Ava took the Trinity League by storm as a sophomore with team-highs of seven interceptions and 72 tackles. Unsurprisingly, his recruitment has absolutely exploded since December, as he's up to 4-status and 27 offers including Ohio State, Oregon, and USC.
Preseason All-Southern Section Second-Team Offense
QB: Ryan Rakowski, Palos Verdes – Jr.
Only halfway through his high school career, Rakowski is already one of the state's most accomplished quarterbacks. After lifting Palos Verdes to the CIF-SS D2 playoffs as a freshman, he guided them to a Division 5 section title and 2-A state title as a sophomore, earning Second Team All-State and State Sophomore of the Year from Cal-Hi Sports. Rakowski, currently ranked as a high 3-star recruit by 247Sports, enters his junior year with 14 D-1 offers and career totals of 4,675 yards and 47 touchdowns to nine interceptions on 66.5% completion plus 935 yards and 13 TDs rushing.
QB: Luke Fahey, Mission Viejo – Sr.
Fahey threw for 2,184 yards and 26 touchdowns to six picks as a sophomore when the Diablos won a CIF-SS Division 2 title and 1-AA state title, and had one of the most efficient seasons you'll ever see as a junior, completing 76.6% of his passes for 1,638 yards, 17 TDs, zero interceptions, and an insane 155.6 passer rating. The 3-star Ohio State commit has also run for 679 yards and four TDs on better than seven yards per carry over the past two years.
RB: Sean Morris II, Orange Lutheran – Sr.
One of California's top-rated halfbacks and a bruising 3-star Northwestern commit, Morris ran for 1,762 yards and 16 TDs as a junior against one of the state's tougher schedules. He's also emerged as a solid pass-catcher with 43 catches for 484 yards over the last two seasons. Morris reportedly transferred from Loyola to OLu in July.
RB: Deshonne Redeaux, Oaks Christian – Sr.
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While injuries have hampered him periodically throughout his high school career, Redeaux is California's top-ranked senior RB for a reason after a big junior year. The 4-star recruit ran for 1,263 yards and 17 touchdowns in 10 games as Oaks Christian made the Southern Section D2 semifinals. Redeaux is a big-time track sprinter with substantial power and catching ability for a speed demon and committed to USC in April out of 34 schools to offer him.
WR: Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, Mater Dei – Sr.
As a junior, the 4-star Ohio State commit was the leading receiver on the No. 1 team in the country. Dixon-Wyatt had 50 receptions for 693 yards and five touchdowns, including seven catches for 126 yards and a TD in an October blowout of rival St. John Bosco for a Trinity League title. His other 37 offers include Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Oregon.
WR: Madden Williams, St. John Bosco – Sr.
Williams totaled 50 catches for 851 yards and a team-high 13 touchdowns as a junior as the focal point for opposing defenses on one of the nation's top teams. He's a 4-star prospect with 32 offers such as Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Ohio State, and Texas A&M, the latter of which he committed to in December.
TE: Caleb Tafua, Bishop Montgomery – Sr.
Tafua enters his senior year at Bishop Montgomery after a dominant underclass tenure at Lakewood, where he had a combined 80 catches for 1,335 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore and junior. He's a 4-star Texas A&M commit with USC, Washington, and Cal listed as his other finalists by 247Sports out of 28 total schools to offer him.
OL: Elisha Faamatuaino, Murrieta Valley – Sr.
The top trench man to watch for a program that's been as consistent as it gets in recent years at putting out top-tier offensive lineman. Faamatuaino (6-5, 300) earned First Team All-State (Juniors) honors from Cal-Hi Sports and was the only non-senior to earn IE Varsity All-Area honors at OL after helping the Nighthawks to the CIF-SS Division 2 title game. He's a 3-star Cal commit whose other offers consist of Oregon, SMU, Arizona, Auburn, and San Diego State.
OL: Blake Graham, Leuzinger – Sr.
Graham had a huge junior year in which he starred on a CIF-SS D2 playoff team that run-blocked as well as almost any team in the state. Despite standing "only" 6-3, 280, he's a 3-star recruit with 20 offers including Penn State, Michigan, Miami, and Arizona State.
OL: Cooper Javorsky, San Juan Hills – Sr.
Already an all-county and all-state (Cal-Hi Sports Juniors) honoree in 2024, Javorsky is a strong pick to break out further this fall. 247Sports reports "Javorsky was one of the big risers this off-season and had strong showings at the SoCal National Preps Camp (Overall MVP) and Under Armour Next Camp in Los Angeles." At 6-4, 280, he's a 3-star UCLA commit whose 14 other offers include UNLV, Oregon State, Colorado State, and Auburn.
OL: Calvin Moala, Chaparral – Jr.
After earning Second Team All-State (Sophomores) honors from Cal-Hi Sports at Rancho Christian, Moala looks to make even more noise this fall at Chaparral for one of the Inland Empire's top squads. He's a 3-star recruit at 6-2, 300 with offers from BYU, Washington, Sacramento State, Utah, and Arizona State.
OL: Malik White, Rancho Cucamonga – Sr.
White (6-5, 310) has been a force for the Cougars for since his breakout sophomore campaign, if not his freshman year. He's a 3-star San Diego State commit whose other offers included UNLV, Arizona State, Utah, Oregon State, and Louisville.
Second-Team Defense
DL: Elija Harmon, Inglewood – Jr.
Harmon was already one of California's premier run-stoppers as a sophomore, recording 80 tackles, 24 TFLs, and five sacks for a CIF-Southern Section Division 1 playoff selection. His consistency was remarkable as he managed at least two tackles for loss in all 11 games. Harmon is a 4-star prospect with 22 offers including Oregon, Texas, Tennessee, Michigan, and Notre Dame.
DL: Dutch Horisk, St. John Bosco – Sr.
One of the top defensive linemen in his class since his freshman year, when he got reserve snaps for St. John Bosco's most recent national championship team. Horisk, a high 3-star Oregon commit with about 20 offers, heads into his final year of high school with 160 tackles, 18.5 TFL, 17 sacks, and nine pass break-ups for his career.
DL: Mikhal Johnson, Sierra Canyon – Sr.
The reigning Mission League Most Valuable Lineman, Johnson is a 3-star prospect with 20 offers including Arizona State, Sacramento State, UNLV, and Utah. He had 69 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, five sacks, and nine QB-hurries as a junior.
DL: Simote Katoanga, Santa Margarita – Sr.
While Katoanga is already a reigning First Team All-Trinity League pick, he's one of California's top picks to have an All-American caliber breakout campaign. At 6-5, 250 with a well-rounded athletic profile and skill set, he's already a 4-star prospect and USC commit with at least 33 offers. Katoanga missed a bit of time late in the season as a junior at JSerra but recorded 29 tackles (eight for loss), five sacks, and three blocked field goals while getting double and triple teamed by state-ranked offenses.
LB: Balen Betancourt, Newbury Park – Sr.
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One of the most underrated linebackers anywhere in high school football. Betancourt helped lead the Panthers to a CIF-SS Division 2 title last year with 122 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, nine sacks, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles. It was the second season in a row that he eclipsed 120 tackles and 17 TFLs.
LB: Taylor Johnson, Cajon – Sr.
Photo courtesy of Taylor Johnson
One of the state's top breakout stars of 2024 on defense, Johnson erupted for 174 tackles (82 solo), nine TFLs, and four sacks for a Southern Section D3 playoff team that allowed less than 18 PPG. He can also cover at a high level for a linebacker. Johnson's recruiting took off after the season, as he's now a 3-star prospect who chose USC out of a dozen offers.
LB/DL: Matt Perez, St. Bonaventure – Sr.
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The 2024 Ventura County Star DPOY, and probably the most underrated edge rusher in the state. Perez is more of a DE than OLB but plays both fluidly and slides over to backer as our preseason team was constructed. As a junior, the 3-star Nevada commit totaled 90 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 18 QB-hurries, six blocked field goals, three blocked punts, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries for the Southern Section D4 finalist while playing his best against state-ranked opponents.
LB: Ronen Zamorano, Sierra Canyon – Sr.
The reigning Mission League co-DPOY and top unranked linebacker in California. At 6-2, 225 Zamorano looks and produces the part of a bone-crushing Mike, leading a nationally-ranked program with 113 tackles (four for loss) and 71 solo tackles as a junior. Zamorano has been offered by Colorado State, San Diego State, and San Jose State.
DB: Havon Finney, Sierra Canyon – Sr.
A standout cornerback since his first days at Sierra Canyon, Finney is now a rising senior after reclassifying to 2026. The 4-star LSU commit grabbed four interceptions last season and had two punt return touchdowns as well.
DB: Jeron Jones, Mission Viejo – Sr.
A lightning-quick cornerback with ball skills, Jones totaled nine interceptions, 129 tackles, 16 pass break-ups, and two forced fumbles between 2023 and 2024. He's a 4-star Washington commit whose other offers include Alabama, Oregon, Tennessee, and USC.
DB: Brandon Lockhart, Loyola – Sr.
A 4-star USC commit with outstanding length for a corner and productivity to show for it. Lockhart had five interceptions and 11 pass break-ups as a junior and also has career totals of 150 tackles, five forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries.
DB/RB: Devohn Moutra Jr., Serra (Gardena) – Sr.
One of California's top breakout stars last year, Moutra led one of the state's top defenses with 93 tackles, 13 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, and three interceptions. The 3-star Sacramento State commit also totaled 26 QB-hurries, two fumble recoveries, and two fumbles forced, plus 383 yards and five touchdowns rushing on 8.3 yards per carry.
Preseason All-Southern Section Third-Team Offense
QB: Bryson Beaver, Vista Murrieta – Sr.
A four-year starter who played his freshman year at Temecula Valley, Beaver exploded as a junior in 2024 to follow up a breakout sophomore campaign. Last fall he spearheaded one of the state's better offenses to take Vista Murrieta to the CIF-SS D3 semifinals with 3,214 yards and 33 touchdowns to six interceptions on 66.4% completion. He's also physically impressive at 6-3, 200 with good speed, rushing for 411 yards and two TDs on 7.1 yards per carry as a junior.
QB: Oscar Rios, Downey (Downey) – Sr.
At 6-3 with a big arm, next-level athleticism, and intangibles that coaches and scouts rave about, Rios has one of the highest ceilings in the Class of 2026. Between his sophomore and junior seasons 4-star Arizona commit totaled 5,187 passing yards, 45 touchdown passes to 11 interceptions, 1,502 rushing yards, and 18 rushing touchdowns. Rios led Downey to a 9-2 record and CIF-SS D2 playoff birth as a junior.
RB: Maliq Allen, St. John Bosco – Jr.
Allen broke out for 1,000 yards for one of high school football's premier programs as a sophomore. He's a high 3-star recruit and speed demon but he also has the bulk to bounce off linebackers at 5-8, 190. His first three D-1 offers have come from some serious programs in Texas A&M, Missouri, and UNLV.
RB: Victor Santino, Bishop Montgomery – Sr.
A 4-star Cal commit ranked third in California at his position, we're expecting even more production this fall from Santino after two big seasons as the RB1 at state-ranked Inglewood. Santino ran for 1,028 yards and 10 touchdowns on 10.1 yards per carry in eight games as a sophomore and 857 yards and eight TDs in nine games as a junior. He also has the receiving skills to break out in that department in 2025. Santino has at least 17 other offers including Boise State, Arizona, Miami, Oregon, and TCU.
WR: Carson Clark, St. John Bosco – Sr.
After a promising sophomore year at Los Alamitos, Clark was one of California's top breakout stars for the Braves as a junior. He had team-highs of 55 receptions and 910 receiving yards to go with eight touchdown catches for the perennial national contender, and emerged as a track star too after that with a 100m time of 10.56 seconds. Clark is a high 3-star recruit who committed to San Jose State in March over a dozen other D-1s.
WR: Chris Henry Jr., Mater Dei – Sr.
After missing nearly his whole junior season with a lower body injury, Henry is primed for a massive senior year. 247Sports' Composite Rankings have him as a 5-star recruit who's No. 3 at his position and No. 21 overall in the Class of 2026. Now committed to Ohio State for more than two years, Henry is upwards of 6-5, 200 with 35 offers and USC, Miami, and Oregon listed as other top contenders.
WR: Daniel Odom, St. John Bosco – Sr.
A big, well-rounded 4-star Oklahoma commit with 20 more offers including Georgia, Oregon, Ole Miss, Texas, and Notre Dame. Odom had 45 catches for 682 yards and five touchdowns as a junior to enter his senior year with 87 catches for 1,303 yards and 12 scores. While he's already one of the state's premier wideouts, look for Odom to take another leap in 2025.
OL: Savion Day, Long Beach Poly – Sr.
A 3-star prospect, two-time First Team All-Moore League honoree, and Cal-Hi Sports All-State (Juniors) pick as well. Like most of our other Third Team O-line selections, Day doesn't possess overwhelming size at 6-2, 275, but he's still one of the stronger pound-for-pound linemen in the state and one of the most athletic, arguably projecting best at center at the next level. Day has offers from Sacramento State and Minot State.
OL: Carlos Flores Jr., Millikan – Sr.
Probably the state's most underrated offensive lineman after spending his underclassman years at Bishop Amat. Flores is a two-time reigning all-state and SGV Tribune All-Area selection who's a bit undersized at 6-2, 280. While Division I scouts have whiffed on him up to this point, local scouts will tell you he's one of the premier O-linemen in Southern California.
OL: Josh Haney, JSerra – Sr.
Long, strong, and athletic at 6-5, 290, Haney is one of the highest-upside OL prospects in the Southern Section and beyond. He's been a factor for JSerra for going on three seasons after spending his freshman year at Mission Viejo. Haney committed to Fresno State over 10 other offers in June.
OL: Nathan Turk, Loyola – Sr.
A reigning First Team All-Mission League selection and Cal-Hi Sports All-State (Juniors) pick, Turk was a game-changing blocker for an overpowering Loyola run game in 2024. Turk (6-3, 275) has an offer from nearly every Ivy and is committed to Harvard.
OL: Gabriel Villalobos, St. John Bosco – Jr.
Villalobos earned all-Trinity League and First Team All State (Sophomores) honors last fall for one of the top programs in high school football. He remains unranked by 247Sports, probably due to his 6-foot-1 frame (despite bringing 310 pounds of force to the front five), but he does hold an offer from Washington.
Third-Team Defense
DL: Elija Harmon, Inglewood – Jr.
Just halfway through his high school career, Harmon has already made 166 tackles (93 solo), 50 TFLs, and 10 sacks, and recovered two fumbles primarily playing defensive tackle. He's a 4-star recruit with offers from Notre Dame, Texas, Oregon, Michigan, Oklahoma, and at least 17 others.
DL: Max Meier, Loyola – Sr.
One of the top breakout stars of 2024, Meier went from a backup to a national recruit as a junior. He entered the season with one D-1 offer (Illinois), picked up five in October, and now has 23 including Stanford, where he committed in April. The 3-star recruit navigated a Mission League schedule and finished with 90 tackles, 18 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, and 25 QB-hurries.
DL: Izak Simpson, Simi Valley – Sr.
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Simpson has already had a remarkable high school before starting his senior year, putting up huge numbers as Simi Valley won a Southern Section D6 title in 2023 and made the D3 finals in 2024. Between those two seasons he totaled 185 tackles, 46 TFLs, 29 sacks, and three blocked field goals. Simpson is a 3-star recruit and Sacramento State commit who also got offered by UNLV, Wyoming, Cal Poly, San Diego State, and Utah Tech.
DL: George Toia, Bishop Montgomery – Jr.
Checking in as the top-ranked junior defensive lineman in California, Toia helped lead Summit to the Southern Section Division 5 semifinals primarily just by showing up and getting triple-teamed on every play. He totaled 27 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks, 10 QB-hurries, and two forced fumbles while being a legitimate factor in limited reps as a supersized fullback. The year prior, he made 49 tackles, 14 TFLs, and six sacks. Possessing uncommon mobility for 6-2, 305, Toia is a high 4-star recruit with 25 offers such as Oklahoma, Oregon, Michigan, Miami, and Texas.
LB: Taven Epps, Tustin – Jr.
The 4-star Texas commit was a Cal-Hi Sports Second Team All-State (Sophomores) selection last year with 38 tackles, nine tackles for loss, seven sacks, 11 QB-hurries, one interception, six pass break-ups, and a blocked punt for a CIF-SS D3 playoff team. At upwards of 6-4, 220 with standout athleticism, Epps has played both linebacker positions and safety, and might eventually land at weak-side defensive end. He has at least 33 more offers including Georgia, Ohio State, Penn State, and Notre Dame.
LB: Leki Holani, Santa Margarita – Sr.
Holani broke out for 72 tackles, 19 TFLs, six sacks, six QB-hurries, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and four pass break-ups as a junior. And the 3-star Sacramento State commit did it all against one of the toughest schedules in high school football.
LB/DL: Samu Moala, Leuzinger – Sr.
About as versatile as they come in the front seven, Moala has played every spot at DL and LB throughout his high school career and is a D-1 prospect at three different positions. He enters his senior with three-year totals of 146 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, eight sacks, 27 QB-hurries, five pass break-ups, and an interception, including a career-high 52 tackles for a state-ranked squad in 2024. Moala is a 4-star Texas A&M commit whose other offers include Ohio State, Oregon, Georgia, BYU, and Michigan.
LB: Tristan Phillips, Ventura – Sr.
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California's top-ranked senior linebacker per 247Sports. The 4-star Oregon commit enters his senior year with career totals of 182 tackles, 20 TFLs, and five sacks after recording career-highs in most categories as a junior. Greg Biggins of 247Sports wrote, "Long, athletic 6-foot-3, 215 pound frame and shows the ability to play inside or outside ‘backer at the next level. Might be best suited as a will ‘backer because of his athleticism, ability to play in space and strong cover skills."
DB: Joshua Holland, St. John Bosco – Sr.
Holland was one of the top breakout stars of 2024 on the field, although he was already a USC commit holding big-name offers before his junior year began. He totaled 45 tackles, three interceptions, and seven pass break-ups for the perennial national championship contender, and has the upside to keep improving at a rapid rate. Cal-Hi Sports named him First Team All-State (Juniors).
DB/RB: Noah Penunuri, Rio Hondo Prep – Sr.
Penunuri gets this spot for his combined work at RB and DB. He helped lead the Kares to back-to-back Southern Section titles as a sophomore (Division 9) and junior (Division 7), including a 3-A regional title in 2024, and was named Gold Coast League POY, Pasadena Star POY, and 210 Prep Sports POY both years. He enters his senior year with 3,916 rushing yards, 53 rushing touchdowns, and 173 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and nine pass break-ups at safety. That includes career-highs of 1,965 rushing yards, 31 rushing TDs, 10 receptions, 136 receiving yards, and two touchdown catches as a junior.
DB: Aaryn Washington, Mater Dei – Jr.
Washington emerged as a star for the national champion in 2024 with three interceptions and a lot of opposing receivers left frustrated. 247Sports ranks him as the No. 19 player in his class regardless of position. The 4-star recruit is up to 20 offers, mostly from college football's biggest names.
DB/WR: Duvay Williams, Serra (Gardena) – Jr.
California's top-ranked player in the Class of 2027 per 247Sports own rankings, Williams has 42 offers with Georgia, Texas A&M, and USC listed as the favorites to land his services. As a sophomore on one of California's stronger defenses, he totaled 45 tackles and 16 pass break-ups. Don't be surprised if Williams makes a strong case this season for status as the state's top DB.
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