The high school football season is about to kick off in full force around the country, which means it's time to take a look at the nation's top players.
Here's The Sporting News All-American defense (OFFENSE HERE):
DEFENSIVE LINE
Prince Williams, Bishop Gorman (Nevada); Committed to Arizona
A front-seven tone-setter for one of the nation’s top defenses, Williams has been a hyper-productive edge for the past two seasons.
During his sophomore and junior campaigns, he racked up a total of 170 tackles, 52 tackles-for-loss and 21 sacks.
Williams isn’t the highest-rated recruit, but his impact on Friday nights is undeniable.
Tomuhini Topui, Mater Dei (California); Committed to USC
Mater Dei is one of America’s best, most storied programs, and there are those who believe Topui could go down as the best defensive linemen to ever don a Monarchs jersey.
The 6-foot-3, 320-pound interior defensive lineman registered 42 tackles, 10.5 tackles-for-loss and 6.5 sacks last season, but was nearly impossible to block.
Topui’s disruptive nature led him to being named The Los Angeles Times Lineman of the Year.
Deuce Geralds, Collins Hill (Georgia); Committed to LSU
Geralds had a staggering junior season, registering 114 tackles, 30 tackles-for-loss and 13 sacks.
Proving he can do it against elite competition, the 6-foot-2, 275-pound lineman dominated the Polynesian Bowl with three sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss with 0.5 sack in the Under Armour All-American Game.
Through three seasons, Geralds has totaled 37.5 sacks.
A 50-sack high school career mark is likely.
Richard Anderson, Edna Karr (Louisiana); Committed to LSU
Anderson was the heart of Edna Karr’s defense, a group that help opponents in check all season on the way to an undefeated season and Louisiana Division I state championship.
The 6-foot-3, 340-pound lineman registered 44 tackles, 15 tackles-for-loss, 18 quarterback hurries and 10 sacks.
Jabarrius Garror, Vigor (Alabama); Committed to Alabama
Still only a junior, Jabarrius Garror is a bonafide superstar.
As a sophomore last fall, Garror was named the Alabama Sports Writers Association 5A Lineman of the Year, registering 104 tackles, 56 tackles-for-loss, 37 quarterback hurries, 21.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.
The hyper-productive edge is already committed to Alabama.
LINEBACKERS
Tyler Atkinson, Grayson (Georgia); Committed to Texas
Atkinson is likely to be a staple across all preseason All-American teams.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound ‘backer registered 166 tackles, 32 tackles-for-loss, 46 quarterback hurries and 13 sacks, leading Grayson to a 6A Georgia state championship.
Atkinson, a five-star recruit, is one of the most talented linebackers in recent years.
Debonaire Johnson, South Broward (Florida); Uncommitted
Johnson's biggest feat?
Last fall as a sophomore, he registered an eye-opening 174 - with 41 tackles-for-loss, 10 sacks and 11 forced fumbles.
During his freshman campaign, the 6-foot, 220-pound tackle machine posted 146 stops.
That’s 320 tackles prior to the start of his junior campaign, which means a 650-tackle high school career is within reach.
Michael McClenton, Ocoee (Florida); Committed to Appalachian State
McClendon has posted back-to-back 200-tackle seasons and has accumulated 517 total - with 55 sacks — during his three high school seasons.
The 6-foot-1, 220-pound athlete has a high football IQ and comes from a family of athletes.
A three-star recruit, McClenton isn’t the highest-rated recruit, but he’s been arguably the most efficient tackler in high school football over the past two years.
Brayden Rouse, Kell (Georgia); Committed to Tennessee
A versatile defender who lined up at all three levels of the Kell defense last fall.
The 6-foot-2 1/2, 220-pound athlete was a tone-setter for the defense, racking up 103 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
Rouse is rated the nation’s No. 4 by 247Sports.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Madden Riordan, Sierra Canyon (California); Committed to USC
The Los Angeles Times Football Back of the Year as a junior, Riordan registered 10 interceptions, including 3 in the season opener against Punahou (Hawaii) and one each against Mater Dei and St. John Bosco.
Jorden Edmonds, Sprayberry (Georgia); Committed to Alabama
247Sports named Edmonds the No. 1 cornerback in the country for the class of 2026 - and for good reason.
The 6-foot-2 1/2, 175-pound athlete is a long, fluid shutdown cornerback who was the site’s “Alpha Dog” of the Under Armour All-American Atlanta camp.
Edmonds is unlikely to register many pass break-ups or interceptions, because opposing quarterbacks don’t throw his way.
Isala Wily-Ava, St. John Bosco (California); Uncommitted
Wily-Ava was arguably the best defensive player for St. John Bosco last season as a sophomore.
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound defensive back registered a program-record seven interceptions to go along with 72 tackles.
Josiah Molden, West Linn (Oregon); Uncommitted
The son of former NFL first-round pick Alex Molden and younger brother of current NFL’er Elijah Molden (third round), Josiah might be further along than either of them at this age.
Molden has been an all-state performer since his freshman year and was arguably the state’s best defensive player last fall as a sophomore.
The class of 2027 cornerback truly shuts down an entire side of the field and is one of the most polished defensive backs Sporting News has evaluated at his age.
Jett Washington, Bishop Gorman (Nevada); Committed to Oregon
It’s rare for a defensive back to earn a state player of the year award, but MaxPreps awarded Washington its top player award for the state of Nevada.
The 6-foot-5, 200-pound fluid athlete registered 38 tackles, five interceptions and a forced fumble last fall.
Washington is the nephew of NBA legend Kobe Bryant.
Jireh Edwards, St. Frances Academy (Maryland); Committed to Alabama
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound defensive back registered 92 tackles, 17 tackles-for-loss and three forced fumbles.
Edwards is a five-star safety recruit who is committed to Alabama.
ALL-PURPOSE
Jaquez Wilkes, Wadley (Alabama); Committed to Auburn
Wilkes was so dominant on both sides of the ball that he could’ve made the list at either running back or linebacker.
On offense, he racked up 2,582 yards and 37 touchdowns rushing.
Defensively, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound athlete registered 117 tackles, 18 tackles-for-loss and 2 interceptions.
Wilkes threw in 3 blocked punts for good measure.
In track and field, the Alabama product has competed in the sprints (100, 200, 400), as well as throwing events (shot put, discus) - a rare feat that highlights his athleticism.
Wilkes is a top-100 recruit nationally who projects as an edge-rusher in college.
Bralan Womack, Hartfield Academy (Mississippi); Uncommitted
The reigning Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year, Womack is rated the nation’s No. 1 safety.
Last fall, he registered 39 tackles and eight interceptions, while adding 54 receptions for 1,045 yards and 13 touchdowns on offense.
Womack added a kick return and punt return score on special teams.
He truly can do it all.