Bee’s Best prep football: We pick the top 100 Sacramento-area football players to watch
What’s a high school football season without some debate? Top teams? Done that. Top players? That’s really subjective but also too good of a story to pass up. So here we have it, 100 playmakers and movers and shakers to watch for this season, which kicks off Friday.
But this is as thankless a task as the referees who work the games. So many schools — nearly 100 in The Bee’s coverage path — and so many players to ponder. Starting varsity experience helps here as we understand that every parent or a buddy of a freshman or sophomore from the lower levels of high school competition will tout their upside.
QUARTERBACKS
Best one: Joey Roberts, Rocklin, Sr. He stepped in as an injury fill in last season and helped the Thunder go 12-1, never rattled.
Most unsung: Jett Harris, Dixon, Sr.: Best first name in the business and the anchor for the Rams as they seek a league title repeat.
Look out for: Austin Mack, Folsom, Jr.: Big as a house at 6-foot-5 with a flood of recruiting interest, it’s time for the Mack Attack.
Others to watch: Nick Afato, Yuba City; Develle Barksdale, West Park; Josiah Bateman, Antelope; Naaman Branyan, Sacramento; Trenton Dewar, Jesuit; Brandon Graydon, Roseville; McCade Long, Granite Bay; Ranvir Mahli, Cosumnes Oaks; Ben Mercado, Foresthill; Jesiah Machado, Sheldon; Caden Pascoe, Woodland Christian; Maddox Varella, Oak Ridge.
RUNNING BACKS
Best one: Lamar Radcliffe, Sacramento, Jr.: A load with burst and power, this is a rising national recruit seeking another 2,000-yard season.
Most unsung: Ali Collier, Monterey Trail, Sr.: He isn’t unsung in this program, but he seems far too good to not be receiving more scholarship interest.
Look out for: Curron Borders, Antelope, Sr.: He scooted for 2,039 yards in 10 games but wants to last longer in the playoffs.
Others to watch: Kainoa Acia, Del Oro; Jack Carner, Pioneer; Michael Cherry, Rosemont; Arthur Draeger, Liberty Ranch; Daelin Ellis, Monterey Trail; Mateo Flores, Argonaut; Anthony Grahn, Rio Linda; Devin Green, Sheldon; Ryan Henning, Lincoln; C.J. Herring, Granite Bay; Kazi Lewis, McClatchy; Josh Taylor, Casa Roble.
RECEIVERS
Best one: Rico Flores, Jr. Folsom, Sr.: The Notre Dame-bound star can do it all and outworks everyone.
Most unsung: Scott Nixon, Sheldon, Sr.: Someone offer this 4.2-GPA student a scholarship for his good hands (13 touchdowns) and versatility.
Look out for: Phillip Bell, Christian Brothers, So.: Just a pup with national recruiting interest and is a team leader.
Others to watch: Mekhei Byrd, Natomas; Kanye Clark, Capital Christian; Matt Long, Vista del Lago; Cole Owens, Casa Roble; Clay Renner, Nevada Union; Onterrio Smith, Jr., Folsom; Devin Stephens, Sacramento; Luis Torres, Dixon.
TIGHT ENDS
Best one: Walker Lyons, Folsom, Sr.: Not everyone can get into Stanford, which speaks of Lyons’ skills as a scholar and a baller.
Most unsung: Cody Smith, Liberty Ranch, Sr.: The Idaho commit is ready for a monstrous season — and more social media posts on his good grades. Kudos to that.
Look out for: Mason Norberg, Folsom, Sr.: As if Lyons wasn’t enough of a load, check out this rising-fast recruit.
Others to look for: Josh Maxwell, Placer; Jordan Morse, West Park; Fata Puloka, Monterey Trail; Kenny Gull, Colfax.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Best one: Simi Pale, Elk Grove, Sr.: A terror in the trenches and a top scholar in the classroom, it’s no wonder he’s headed to Stanford.
Most unsung: Noah Dunham, Yuba City, Sr.: A 6-5 pile-mover headed to Washington State, he’s emerged as one of the program’s most heavily recruit players — ever.
Look out for: Alani Noa, Grant, Sr.: The Pacers have another top-flight lineman with scores of Division I offers. He committed to USC this week.
Others to look for: Zaire Collier, Granite Bay; Blake Difede, Placer; Ethan Elder, Casa Roble; Jack Ferguson, Granite Bay; Ike Ikegbu, Jesuit; Ky Kubicek, Capital Christian, Sr.; James Minot, Elk Grove; Josef Mokofisi, Jesuit; Brandon Nazworth, Vista del Lago; Noah Pineda, Yuba City; Josiah Sharma, Inderkum; Talae Tuimaunei, Granite Bay; Jeremiah Tutielini, Inderkum.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Best one: Zander Esty, Placer, Sr.: The Hillmen have another stout two-way lineman star headed to college, this one to Oregon State.
Most unsung: Conner Dasmann, Oak Ridge, Sr.: Relentless and eager to get the Trojans back into the postseason.
Look out for: Akio Martinson, Del Oro, Sr.: One way to ruin your Friday night is to get plowed under by this guy, the next trench star for the Golden Eagles.
Others to watch: Colin Bray, Placer; Elias Brown, Rocklin; Shamante Brown, Inderkum; Will Buck, Sheldon; Jaiden Carranza, Cosumnes Oaks; Sean Cotten, Lincoln; Bodey Eelkema, Nevada Union; Eric Gladney, Vacaville; Elijah Gulewich, Folsom; Tito Mauve, Capital Christian; Tremell Miles, Inderkum; Charles Parker, Rosemont; Jagger Shaddix, Jesuit; Seyyid Smith, Dixon; Gabe Tucker, Sheldon; Jackson Takahashi, Bradshaw Christian; Diallo Washington, Folsom.
LINEBACKERS
Best one: Derek Houston, Rocklin, Sr.: Makes plays and is the defensive leader for the powerhouse Thunder.
Most unsung: Corie Radcliffe, Sacramento, Jr.: He toughened up by tackling his brother, Lamar, who toughened up getting stopped by Corie
Look out for: Jake Hall, Oak Ridge, Sr.: A team leader and a weight-room beast, it starts with defense for any title contender.
Others to watch: Joseph Chavez, Folsom; Frank Cusano, Granite Bay; Davon Donaldson, Monterey Trail; Jonathan Godbout, McClatchy; Theo Greule, Folsom; Noah Gula, Pleasant Grove; Christian Harris, Inderkum; Landon Howard, Christian Brothers; Raiden House, Del Campo; Jackson Jones, Whitney; Kaleb Larson, Rocklin; Isea Liu, Elk Grove; Kingston Lopa, Grant; Wayshawn Parker, Elk Grove; Marcus Perkins, Monterey Trail; Braden Shinaut, West Park; Anders Torgerson, Bear River.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Best one: Greco Carillo, Folsom, Sr.: Headed to San Jose State, he played big down the stretch last season.
Most unsung: Jaden Nolan, Capital Christian, Sr.: Long at 6-3 and the nephew of NBA veteran Matt Barnes, Nolan is a tough assignment.
Look out for: Dubee Lopa, Grant, Sr.: Cut in the old Pacer mold of fearless and fast.
Others to watch: Austin Adams, Rocklin; Wesley Bonar, Vista del Lago; Kyle Hall, Rocklin; DJ Brown, Folsom; Carter Jackson, Granite Bay; Jalen Kennedy, Pleasant Grove; Jeremiah King, Cosumnes Oaks; C.J. Lee, Jesuit; Kayo Patu, Capital Christian; Jared Quenga, Cosumnes Oaks; Phoenix Rose, Whitney; Cincere Thomas, Franklin; Slade Wilson, Folsom.
Who’d we miss? Email us a player with insights to jdavidson@sacbee.com. The Bee will unveil more player lists as the season unfolds.
This story was originally published August 19, 2022 at 5:00 AM.