With the 2025 California high school football season a week from kickoff, here's a look at who we think are the top 25 statewide Offensive Player of the Year candidates entering the season.
Although all 25 players mentioned below were listed on our preseason position rankings (quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end), it takes more than just talent to have an OPOY or MVP-type season. Team success and tremendous individual statistical production are critical factors in receiving individual accolades, and to some extent they are dependent upon situation. At every level of football, there will always be some great skill position players stuck on teams that can't block, pass, or run the ball well enough to maximize their talent. To boot, many of California's top teams have two, three, or four nationally-ranked players at RB or WR, and no one option can get enough opportunities to have an overwhelming individual season.
Read on to meet the candidates.
(The list is in alphabetical order.)
Brian Bonner, RB, Valencia (Valencia) – Sr.
California's No. 1 running back in our book, Bonner is a statewide Offensive Player of the Year candidate on pretty much any team with a reasonable passing game and offensive line around him. And Valencia certainly has that with 3-star senior QB Brady Bretthauer and a penchant for developing solid O-linemen even in years when there isn't a ton of size.
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 last season as Valencia made the CIF-SS D5 playoffs. If the 4-star Washington commit can expand on those numbers by virtue of leading Valencia on a deep playoff run circa Division 4, he's a lock to contend for OPOY.
Mark Bowman, TE, 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. The 5-star USC commit racked up 32 catches for 435 yards and eight touchdowns last season while excelling as a run-blocker.
As a star on the two-time reigning national champion, Bowman will obviously compete at a level of relevance necessary (and then some) to make noise as an OPOY candidate from the tight end spot. And in 2025, the Monarchs threw to him more than any Mater Dei tight end in a long time. If he can have an even bigger year in the receiving department – which is a tall task – it's no stretch to say he could be California's OPOY as a true TE.
Rahzario "Zo" Edwards, TE/WR, Grant Union – Jr.
With the way alphabetical order is shaking out and California's prevalence of elite high school tight ends, we have a second TE on the list before getting to a quarterback. Edwards is coming off 51 catches for 921 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Sac-Joaquin Section D2 champion and 2-AA state champion. Many of his snaps were as a true TE and many were as more of a WR, but Edwards' positional versatility only adds to his value.
Edwards has already shown enough production to have an OPOY-type season at a statewide level. Can he make even more of a difference as a blocker and lift Grant higher in the statewide pecking order?
Luke Fahey, QB, Mission Viejo – Sr.
The No. 5 quarterback in California in our opinion, Fahey is already one of the most accomplished QBs in the state as a three-year starter for the national powerhouse. He threw for 2,184 yards and 26 touchdowns to six picks in 2023 when the Diablos won a CIF-SS Division 2 title and 1-AA state title, and as a junior completed 76.6% of his passes for 1,638 yards, 17 TDs, zero interceptions, and an insane 155.6 passer rating. Fahey also ran for 679 yards and four TDs on better than seven yards per carry over the last two years. For what it's worth, the 3-star Ohio State commit has even proved his winning pedigree in the 7-on-7 scene after leading the Diablos to a Battle at the Beach title for the second summer in a row despite missing most of his top co-stars.
Quentin Hale, WR, Cathedral – Jr.
Two rising juniors make the list from Cathedral, which went 9-1 last year with a Southern Section D3 playoff berth and made the semifinals last month at Edison's Battle at the Beach. As a sophomore, Hale had team-highs of 63 catches for 995 yards and 14 touchdowns while forming one of California's top batteries with 3-star QB Jaden Jefferson. He's a 4-star recruit ranked top-60 in his class across all positions in both 247Sports' own rankings and composite rankings. If Hale and co. can build on their 2024 success and strong summer, it's not hard to envision him contending for statewide Offensive Player of the Year.
Ryan Hopkins, QB, Mater Dei – Sr.
We could just write "Mater Dei's expected starting QB" and that would suffice for anyone who knows anything about high school football's landscape. One because competing for section, state, and national titles leads to individual accolades. Two because the Monarchs return arguably the top supporting cast in the nation for a signal caller. And three because of how good a player must be to earn the starting QB job at Mater Dei.
But with all that said, Hopkins is already an established star. Hopkins was an all-state honoree as a junior at JSerra, where he totaled 1,111 passing yards, 13 touchdown passes, and team-highs of 483 yards and eight TDs rushing on 8.3 yards per carry for one of the better teams in the state and country. Look for the high 3-star Wisconsin commit to put up big numbers with not only his speed but his arm as well as Mater Dei pursues its third consecutive national title.
Jaden Jefferson, QB, Cathedral – Jr.
Even at 5-foot-10, Jefferson is ranked 31st at his position in the Class of 2027 by 247Sports. Given the historical bias against QBs below six feet tall, there are definitely not 30 QBs in his class that are better than Jefferson right now. We ranked him 19th in California among all classes (fourth among juniors) to start the season, and that might even prove to be way too low. As a sophomore, Jefferson completed 68.2% of his passes for 2,641 yards and 30 touchdowns to four interceptions and a 131.3 passer rating, and ran for 793 yards and four TDs on 8.2 yards, against a challenging schedule.
What makes him a top-tier OPOY candidate this season? Jefferson already has put up great numbers on a team that went 9-1 against a similar schedule as the one they'll face this season. And Cathedral has serious talent and continuity next to him at receiver. Returning are 4-star deep threat Quentin Hale, another inclusion on this list, and fellow junior Brian Prince. Transferring in from Warren are 3-star Idaho State commit Jalen Ross, who has long been one of L.A.'s top receivers, and Sacramento State commit Jaylen Whitaker, a 3-star ATH prospect who might become a major factor at WR. If Jefferson piles up the stats while leading Cathedral on a deep playoff run in Division 2, 3, or maybe even 4, his stock will go through the roof.
Jaden Jefferson, RB, De La Salle – Sr.
Yes, there are really two Jaden Jefferson's in the state's top 25 OPOY candidates.
As a junior, De La Salle's Jaden Jefferson ran for 344 yards and four touchdowns on a whopping 11.5 yards per carry, made six catches for 36 yards and a TD, scored twice returning kickoffs, and totaled 27 tackles and four TFLs for Northern California's top team. In the spring, the high 3-star North Carolina commit set a state record with a wind-legal 10.01 in the 100m. There's a good chance that he moves into a high-usage offensive role as a senior, in which case he'll put up big numbers for the perennial CIF-NCS juggernaut.
Trace Johnson, QB, Santa Margarita – Sr.
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The 3-star Tulane commit hasn't yet played a down of high school football in the Golden State, but he projects to be on a shortlist of OPOY candidates this season. Between his tenure at Buchholz (FL) and the situation he's stepping into, there's a lot to like.
Between his sophomore and junior seasons, Johnson completed 61.9% of his passes for 6,366 yards and 64 touchdowns. In 2023, Buccholz went 13-1 with a FHSAA Division 4 state semifinals appearance and was ranked ninth in Florida by MaxPreps. And Santa Margarita's roster is a QB's dream – he has an unstoppable receiver in Trent Mosley, a promising running back in Jaion Smith, a big, talented offensive line, and a staunch defense. Johnson will have to watch his interceptions (12 in 2024) against arguably the hardest schedule in the country, but it's easy to envision him leading Santa Margarita to a breakthrough season and a high national ranking.
Caden Jones, QB, Crean Lutheran – Jr.
Jones is a 4-star recruit with 38 offers halfway through his high school career, but he hasn't gotten to show everything he can do at the varsity level yet. After spending most of his freshman season on the frosh team and missing most of his sophomore year with an injury, he's probably coming back with a vengeance this fall.
Despite missing their star signal caller, the Saints still continued their rapid ascent with a Southern Section D3 playoff appearance. Back as a senior is leading receiver Dillon Booth, a 3-star Columbia commit, and Crean Lutheran has a massive inbound transfer in 4-star junior wideout Ty Johnson, who made 68 catches for 1,046 yards and 12 touchdowns last season for Lampasas (TX). If Jones is ready to translate his acclaimed talent to a full season of production, he has two outstanding receivers and a schedule that's a nice middle ground between challenging and manageable, indicating a promising year.
Jhadis Luckey, RB, California (San Ramon) – Sr.
Luckey is the reigning 49ers Cal-Hi Sports co-Offensive Player of the Year, a 2,000-yard rusher, and in our opinion, the No. 6 running back in the state. So, duh.
In his first year after transferring from Manteca, the 3-star Fresno State commit ran for 2,053 yards and 31 touchdowns on 9.6 yards per carry, had 12 catches for 180 yards and two TDs, and made 80 tackles and two interceptions too. With a lot of talent returning on both sides of the ball, including starting QB Arjun Banerjee, the Grizzlies' only question mark is at receiver. If that doesn't prove to slow Luckey's candidacy down, nothing will.
Ryder Lyons, QB, Folsom – Sr.
Joe Lumaya/Ventura County Star/USA Today/Imagn
The No. 1 quarterback in California and maybe all of high school football, not to mention the top star on two Sac-Joaquin Section D1 championship teams. Over the last two seasons, Lyons has completed 68% of his passes for 6,589 yards and 84 touchdowns and run for 1,514 yards and 37 TDs.
With his history, 5-star pedigree, and production, the only thing that could get in his way as a frontrunner for statewide MVP would be if the Bulldogs didn't bring back enough of their other top stars on offense. Except, they do – namely, receivers Jameson Powell (Mississippi), Isaiah Williams (Nevada), and Rob Larson, plus 4-star offensive tackle Vlad Dyakonov (USC). Thus, Lyons might be the favorite.
Koa Malau'ulu, QB, St. John Bosco – So.
Malau'ulu is the only sophomore on this list, but he's still one of its most obvious inclusions. Despite not cementing the starting job until halfway through the season, he navigated one of the nation's hardest schedules for 1,812 yards and 19 touchdowns with a passer rating above 100 plus 202 yards and three TDs rushing on 5.2 yards per carry.
Now consider the fact that St. John Bosco returns one of the top receiver corps in the country in Madden Williams (Texas A&M), Carson Clark (San Jose State), Daniel Odom (Oklahoma), and Darren Tubbs, plus star RB Maliq Allen and some formidable offensive linemen. And the fact that Malau'ulu and company will almost certainly be in competition for a national championship. He's really in the dream situation for a blue chip high school quarterback.
Michael Mitchell Jr., QB, Archbishop Riordan – Sr.
The Vanderbilt commit's OPOY candidacy is an easy sell. He's a high 3-star recruit and four-year starter with one of the state's best receiving corps (Cynai Thomas, Perrion Williams, Wesley Winn Jr., and Judge Nash), one the state's better or best offensive lines (includes Tommy Tofi and Michael Langi), and a D-1 running back in Adonyae Brown. And over the last two years, Mitchell has completed 66% of his passes for 5,686 yards and 66 touchdowns to 17 interceptions. He also ran 325 yards and two TDs on 7.2 yards per carry as a junior.
In order to have an MVP-caliber year, Mitchell will be expected to lead the Crusaders at least a full tier up the food chain. They went 7-5 last year with three one-score losses to outstanding teams, and incremental improvement will likely be enough for the reigning CIF-CCS D1 semifinalists to vault past many prominent programs in the statewide rankings. Mitchell and his loaded supporting cast are likely up for it.
Dathen Moore, RB, Lassen – Sr.
Moore is already coming off one of the best offensive seasons the Northern Section has seen in a while. He ran for 2,492 yards and 30 touchdowns on 10.5 yards per carry with 11 catches for 195 yards and a TD to lead Lassen to a NSCIF D3 title and sweep of the Northern League. He also had 44 tackles and two sacks at strong safety.
Realistically, it's hard to see how he could build on his production on offense unless he wants to go significantly up from 237 carries or get more touches as a receiver on plays where he doesn't record a carry. But if he can put up similar numbers with Lassen repeating as champion and moving up the statewide ladder, it's hard not to see him making even more of a name for himself.
Kenneth Moore III, WR, St. Mary's (Stockton) – Sr.
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Wide receivers are arguably the most situation-dependent skill position players at putting up big numbers and earning individual accolades. But when you're a wideout who can also shine on special teams and at running the ball, opposing defenses just can't avoid you. That kind of versatility isn't usually necessary at a program as consistent at St. Mary's, but it's part of what makes Moore so dynamic.
Last season, the 4-star UCLA commit made 47 catches for 840 yards and 10 touchdowns, ran for 541 yards and five TDs on 9.8 yards per carry, and recorded two TDs and 464 yards returning punts and kickoffs, totaling 1,845 all-purpose yards and 17 touchdowns. With St. Mary's bringing many of its top offensive producers, plus some key defensive players, Moore will be well-positioned to feast on offense and special teams for a high-achieving squad.
Trent Mosley, WR, Santa Margarita – Sr.
It's hard not to think that Mosley is about to have an All-American senior campaign if he stays healthy. In just 19 games over his last two seasons, the 4-star USC commit has 142 catches for 2,190 yards and 19 TDs, 69 carries for 372 yards and 22 TDs, and substantial production as a return specialist.
With a particularly loaded supporting cast – including QB Trace Johnson (Tulane), RB Jaion Smith, a talented offensive line, and an elite defense – Santa Margarita has a chance to have its best season in a long time and really surge towards the top of the national ranks. Additionally, the last two years have shown that the Eagles can go below .500 (thanks to one of the toughest schedules in the country) and still be widely recognized as an arguable top-100 team in high school football. Both of those facets bode very well for Mosley's OPOY candidacy.
Ryan Rakowski, QB, Palos Verdes – Jr.
When you think of someone well-positioned to have an MVP-type season outside of the top 10-15 teams in the state, Rakowski is a perfect example – and wouldn't you know it, he's the reigning Cal-Hi Sports Sophomore of the Year and Daily Breeze Player of the Year. Rakowski enters his junior year with career totals of 4,675 yards and 47 touchdowns to nine interceptions on 66.5% completion, in addition to 935 yards and 13 TDs rushing. And after lifting Palos Verdes to a CIF-SS D2 playoff berth as a freshman, the high 3-star recruit led them to a CIF-SS D5 title and state 2-A title in 2024. To make things better, the Sea Kings return many of their best players on both sides of the ball in 2025.
Deshonne Redeaux, RB, Oaks Christian – Sr.
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Oaks Christian may well have its strongest team since 2018, and Redeaux is its crown jewel on offense. The 4-star USC commit, who we ranked fourth in the state at RB, ran for 1,263 yards and 17 touchdowns in 10 games, had 14 catches for 131 yards, and totaled 229 yards and a TD returning kickoffs as Oaks Christian made the CIF-SS D2 semifinals. If Redeaux can have a full season of good health and build incrementally on his outstanding junior campaign from both an individual and team perspective, there's no reason he can't be California's OPOY.
Oscar Rios, QB, Downey (Downey) – Sr.
Over the last two seasons, Rios has established himself as one of the top QB prospects in his class and led Downey to the Southern Section D4 and D2 playoffs, respectively. Between 2023 and 2024, he completed 66.3% of his passes for 5,187 yards and 45 touchdowns to 11 interceptions and ran for 1,492 yards and 18 TDs on 8.4 yards per carry. And he's still only scratching the surface of his high ceiling.
In addition to the 4-star Arizona commit, Downey returns wide receiver Damani Porras (55 catches for 1,093 yards and 15 TDs) and the majority of its defense. If Rios and Porras can carry a heavy load for Downey's offense for 13 or more games, Rios could easily find himself in MVP contention.
Victor Santino, RB, Bishop Montgomery – Sr.
With a bevy of outstanding transfers, Bishop Montgomery football is suddenly the talk of the town. Santino, a 4-star Cal commit, is one of the biggest transfers after a strong underclassman tenure at Inglewood. Over the last two years as a Sentinel, Santino ran for 1,885 yards and 18 touchdowns for one of the state's better teams, and he would've run for significantly more if most of Inglewood's games weren't blowout victories that saw key starters sit second halves.
It's unclear exactly what the Knights will look like before late in the season between transfer sit-out periods and needing to build chemistry on the fly. But if Santino has a full season of work with the other big names on their offense, he's going to feast.
Brady Smigiel, QB, Newbury Park – Sr.
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The reigning Cal-Hi Sports Mr. Football is as obvious an inclusion as it gets. The 4-star Michigan commit enters his senior year as a reigning CIF-SS D2 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.
The biggest challenge for Smigiel's candidacy is that Newbury Park graduated nearly its entire core besides him, including the state's top two-way star in WR/DB Shane Rosenthal (UCLA). On the bright side, the highlight of the team (besides Smigiel) appears to be its brand-new receiving corps: senior Chaminade transfer and 3-star San Jose State commit Devin Olmande, senior Westlake transfer and 3-star UNLV commit Vincent Carner, and rising junior Korbin Thomas, who saw a bit of action last season and already has an offer from Sacramento State.
Brandon Smith, RB, Central East – Sr.
Part of what makes the high 3-star Arizona commit one of the premier MVP candidates in high school football is his all-purpose productivity. He's not only an elite running back but also one of the state's better defensive backs with 71 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and two picks. On offense he ran for 1,871 yards and 25 touchdowns and caught 31 passes for 354 yards and two more TDs.
Two-way play aside, Smith is well-poised to compete for statewide OPOY honors as a reigning First Team All-State selection on a perennial Division 1 section and state championship contender. It's just a matter of how far Central East can go in the playoffs as long as he puts up similar numbers.
Vance Spafford, WR, Mission Viejo – Sr.
The 4-star Miami commit enters the season as our top-ranked receiver in California, a CIF-SS D2 and state 1-AA champion, and statistical juggernaut (141 catches for 2,610 yards and 36 touchdowns in two seasons.) With a slew of First Team All-State honors to his name, his individual stock is already about as high as it gets. But if nationally-ranked Mission Viejo gets even closer to the top of the top in 2025 and Spafford is considered its top offensive player by both numbers and film, there's no reason he couldn't be California's Offensive Player of the Year.
Journee Tonga, RB, Leuzinger – Sr.
Last season, Tonga lifted Leuzinger to a CIF-SS D2 playoff berth and high-profile regular season upset of Santa Margarita with 2,267 yards and 29 touchdowns on 9.3 yards per carry. He was also the Olympians' second-leading receiver with 20 catches for 349 yards and three TDs. With Leuzinger also returning QB Russell Sekona and some key O-linemen like Blake Graham, Tonga will again have the opportunity to put up insane numbers on a state-ranked team that plays some big-name foes.
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