Prep football preview: Top 25 players to watch

Players listed with school, position, height, weight, class and intended college

1. Armond Armstead

Pleasant Grove, DT, 6-4, 290, Sr., USC

Considered the area's top national recruit after a strong performance in offseason combines, he'll use his basketball agility to be one of the top pass rushers/tacklers.

2. John Boyett

Napa, WR-S, 6-0, 200, Sr., Oregon

The Indians' most versatile athlete had 1,800 yards of total offense to go with 104 tackles and six sacks last year. Recruited by the Ducks as a safety, he'll add quarterbacking duties this season.

3. Ian Brown

Golden Sierra, WR-DB 6-2, 180, Sr., Und.

The small-school wonder is coming off a season in which he had eight interceptions, returned six kicks for touchdowns and was named Golden Empire League co-MVP.

4. Steve Christian

Kennedy, DB, 6-0, 170, Sr., Und.

Although he backed out of his verbal commitment to Stanford, he remains one of the area's leading recruits after transferring from Christian Brothers. Ranked No. 14 overall by NorCalPreps.com.

5. Terrance Dailey

Vacaville, RB, 5-9, 180, Sr., Wash.

An All-NorCal first-team selection as a junior, Dailey rushed for 2,334 yards and 26 touchdowns in helping the Bulldogs win their first section football title.

6. Donovan Ford

Sacramento, LB, 5-11, 200, Sr., Und.

A silver-medal-winning weightlifter, the undersized Ford is also an exceptional football player who is trying to turn around the Dragons' football fortunes.

7. Kevin Frank

Elk Grove, DB, 5-10, 170, Sr., Und.

His eye-popping 4.35 40-yard dash propelled the Thundering Herd's most gifted all-around player among NorCal's top recruits. With Nebraska and Cal in hot pursuit, he'll play just about everywhere.

8. Isaiah Frey

Jesuit, DB, 5-10, 175, Sr., Und.

He had 1,700 all-purpose yards and seven interceptions. Blessed with a 4.43 40-yard time, Frey made the San Francisco Scout.com All-Combine and Cal-Hi Sports preseason All-Section teams.

9. Tony Gobern

Del Campo, DB, 6-0, 180, Sr., Wash.

The tenacious defender who helped the Cougars win their first section title last season is a three-year varsity performer. He made 36 tackles and also rushed for 846 yards and 13 touchdowns.

10. Greg Grimes

Inderkum, DT, 6-1, 285, Sr., Und.

A three-year varsity starter on offense and defense, Grimes had his stock rise significantly in the spring when he was named the defensive lineman MVP at the Stanford Nike Camp.

11. Cary Grossart

Folsom, 6-1, 180, Sr., Und.

The Delta River League Offensive MVP had dominated as a junior, throwing for 2,448 yards and rushing for 794.

12. Kramer Hagan

Capital Chr., QB 6-2, 205, Sr., Portland St.

The Golden Empire Offensive MVP heightened his profile by being coach Jerry Glanville's first recruit for the fall of 2008. Hagan set the single-season school passing record with 2,407 yards and 19 touchdowns and rushed for 10 scores last season.

13. Jason Heath

Del Oro, OG, 6-4, 260, Sr., UNLV

The All-Sierra Foothill League selection in 2006 as a junior, Heath will be counted on to pave the way for the Golden Eagles' famed ball-control ground attack.

14. Siaosi Heleta

Burbank, LB, 6-1, 245, Jr., Und.

Burbank coach John Heffernan calls the returning All-Metro Conference first-team defender "the best in the area. He's on a different level than the other kids who are playing right now."

15. Carey Johnson

Del Campo, RB, 5-7, 160, Sr., Und.

One of the fastest players at the Stanford Nike Combine, he's coming off a 1,400-yard, 18-touchdown season. Nicknamed "Pound for Pound" for his toughness.

16. Ryan Lacy

Oakmont, RB, 5-9, 175, Sr., Utah

A projected U-back for the Utes' famed spread option offense, Lacy is one of the state's fastest players after finishing eighth in the 100 meters in the state track meet. He had 1,749 all-purpose yards and scored 12 touchdowns as a junior.

17. Colin Lyons-Pena

Del Campo, G, 6-4, 307, Sr., Oregon St.

The Cougars' giant has come along way since he impressed scouts at the Nike Combine in the spring. He's a force as a run and pass blocker.

18. Justin Meehan

Elk Grove, LB, 6-1, 195, Sr., Und.

In what was arguably the area's strongest league, he earned Delta Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors, making seven sacks.

19. Hunter Pahl

Del Oro, LB, 6-0, 195, Sr., Und.

The Golden Eagles' defensive leader and Cal-Hi Preseason selectee is coming off a 2006 season in which he had 80 tackles and two sacks and scored 14 touchdowns on just 14 carries.

20. Ryan Rau

Folsom, 6-1, 205, Sr., Und.

Cal-Hi Sports put him on its Preseason All-Section team based on his impressive 70.89 SPARQ Rating (a combination of the 40-yard dash, 20-yard shuttle, vertical jump and bench press) at the Nike Combine.

21. Brett Thompson

Oak Ridge, WR, 6-3, 210, Jr., Und.

The All-State sophomore team selection could be the best wide receiver in the section this year. Trojans coach Eric Cavaliere: "He could be even better at safety."

22. Darren Tuttle

Oak Ridge, 6-4, 220, TE, Sr., Und.

Cal-Hi Sports, in naming him to its Preseason All-Section team, said he could be the section's best tight end. He's also a standout linebacker.

23. Joseph Williams

Elk Grove, DT, 6-0, 250, Sr., Und.

Ranked as the No. 5 defensive tackle in the state by SuperPreps.com, he made the San Francisco Scout.com All-Camp team in the spring. He made 94 tackles and four fumble recoveries last season.

24. Marselius Williams

Grant, RB, 6-1, 220, Sr., Und.

He's a 2,000-yard candidate after rushing for 1,771 yards last season. Williams, a second-team All-Metro selection, is part of an accomplished football family.

25. Isi Vei

Grant, OG, 6-2, 275, Sr., Und.

He's considered the top offensive lineman on an experienced and deeply talented Pacers team and a reason Williams might have a monster season running the ball.