Top Arizona high school football prospects: 2019 class
This is azcentral sports’ Fab 50, a look at the top 2019 football prospects in the state.
These are players who will be sophomores during the 2016 season.
These lists usually change drastically in a year as players continued to develop and bloom on the field.
This is a start with some already drawing major-college attention.
RELATED: Top Arizona high school football prospects: 2017 class
RELATED: Top Arizona high school football prospects: 2018 class
azcentral sports’ Fab 50
No. 50 Titan Widjaja, Buckeye Verrado, QB, 5-11, 165
Could be special. He passed for more than 2,000 yards and 32 touchdowns on the JV team as a freshman. Coach Derek Wahlstrom likes how this kid sees the field and finds his targets quickly. Great poise and pocket presence.
No. 49 Ty Siffermann, Basha, WR, 5-8, 165
Will be up on varsity. Played well in passing tournaments, scoring multiple touchdowns and having a lot of catches. Great hands and feet. Very elusive.
No. 48 Jay Lopez, Sunrise Mountain, WR, 5-11, 175
Runs great routes and has sure hands with elite speed. Watch him take off as a sophomore, then really turn on the jets his last two years to put himself in position to receive Division I offers.
No. 47 Keegan Freid, Peoria Sunrise Mountain, QB, 6-2, 170
He should be ready to step in next season after Chase Cord moves on to Boise State. Coach Steve Decker feels he will fit in great with his offense. Has good accuracy and poise. Has learned well from Cord on how to read the defense.
No. 46 Tyler McCleve, Desert Ridge, LB, 6-0, 187
He has a chance to be an outstanding middle linebacker. He jumps out in Desert Ridge’s 2019 class with his tenacity and extra gear to try to outwork everybody. He hopes to make some big hits on varsity this season.
No. 45 Spencer Brasch, Higley, QB/FS, 6-4, 175
Great athlete who can play either quarterback or defensive back at the next level. He’ll likely move into the QB spot next season after Mason Crossland graduates. He could see plenty of varsity action this year at safety.
No. 44 Logan Maxwell, Higley, WR/LB, 6-4, 200
He scored 20 touchdowns on a 7-2 freshman team. Great hands, quickness, physical, tough kid, who will line up on defense and hit people.
No. 43 Chris Collins, Chandler Basha, QB, 6-0, 175
He is expected to succeed Ryan Kelley at quarterback after next season. His arm strength, coach Gerald Todd said, is comparable to where Kelley was at the same stage. He also can run, break tackles. Very durable, tough, smart quarterback who goes to camps and is always working to get an edge.
No. 42 Javin Wright, Hamilton, DB, 6-1, 165
No relation to Lucas Wright, but this Wright is the son of former Mesa Dobson and Nebraska great Toby Wright, who played defensive back in the NFL. Through the hard work in the spring and summer, Wright has put himself in position to possibly earn a starting spot in Hamilton’s talented secondary.
No. 41 Lucas Wright, Desert Ridge, Athlete, 6-1, 200
He turned 15 in June. Last season, after rushing for nearly 1,400 yards and 22 touchdowns on the freshman team, he was moved up to varsity. He set a school freshman record in the squat lift at 425 pounds. He recently attended USC’s camp. He could be used out of the backfield, as an H-back, and on defense. Explosive player. Trains with former NFL defensive back Toby Wright.
No. 40 Maxamus Valdez, Phoenix North, LB/TE, 6-2, 225
Talented athlete on both sides of the ball, he could make a big impact on varsity this season under coach Bernie Busken, who knows how to mold talent. Valdez is a strong kid, who can play tight end and light up backs at middle linebacker.
No. 39 Dakota Banning, Queen Creek, OL, 6-1, 230
He has a chance to start at center on varsity as a sophomore. Hard worker who is dedicated to getting stronger and quicker. He projects to be a Division I college recruit in a couple of years.
No. 38 Casen Simonton, Queen Creek Casteel, Athlete, 6-0, 160
He’ll be all over the field for the Colts, impacting the game on offense, defense and special teams. He will be lined up at running back, receiver, defensive back and he’ll return kicks. He could wind up being the team’s most valuable player.
No. 37 Jaime Lewis, Queen Creek Casteel, TE, 6-3, 185
Athletic receiver who can block and catch. He’ll line up in multiple spots on offense. Could be an H-back in college. Great hands, non-stop motor.
No. 36 Brayden Liebrock, Chandler, TE, 6-4, 195
He runs 40 yards in 4.7 seconds. Solid receiver who is a good down-field blocker. He is expected to make a varsity impact along with several other top 2019 players from last year’s strong freshman team.
No. 35 Milton Rodgers, Goodyear Desert Edge, RB/LB, 5-10, 185
Could play either side of ball for the defending Division III champions. Great instincts, plays with great energy.
No. 34 Trenton Bourguet, Marana, QB, 5-10, 145
Still growing, Bourguet saw varsity action last year as a freshman after the starter got injured and made the most of his opportunity. He completed 43 of 55 passes (78 percent) for 771 yards and 11 TDs with just one interception in five games.
No. 33 Carson Keltner, Peoria Centennial, C, 6-1, 230
Coach Richard Taylor feels good about Keltner’s potential on the field and physically. He still is growing and is expected to be a big recruit before his career is over. Has a chance to make a varsity splash this year with his strength and grit.
No. 32Nate Polk, Scottsdale Saguaro, Athlete, 6-1, 160
He is the brother of former Brophy Prep and Colorado football player Ray Polk. Polk will contribute on varsity. He is expected to blossom into a highly recruited safety.
No. 31 Jeremiah "JoJo" Patterson, Phoenix Sunnyslope, WR, 6-2, 165
A transfer from Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep, Patterson is athletic with good hands and should emerge on varsity as a sophomore. His size and speed will pose a matchup problem for teams.
No. 30 Casey Clanton, Phoenix Central, TE/LB, 6-3, 195
He will be playing for his father, Jon, who was a standout defensive lineman at Peoria Centennial and Nebraska. The younger Clanton already possesses some of his dad’s qualities. He is tenacious in the weight room. Has lots of room to grow.
No. 29 Chase Killough, Phoenix North Canyon, OL/DL, 6-3, 275
He started last season on varsity as a freshman at nose guard. He has the size and athleticism to come a college prospect, his coach, Jose Lucero, believes. Great work ethic in the weight room. He will continue to grow into his body.
No. 28 Cameron Brown, Queen Creek Casteel, DB/WR, 5-10, 175
He projects to get offers by his junior year. He is a physical corner who makes plays. He is an athletic slot receiver. He had three interceptions and several pass breakups during a Northern Arizona University 7 on 7 passing tournament.
No. 27 Trevor Kauer, Gilbert Campo Verde, DE, 6-4, 215
He was called up to varsity as a freshman. Expected to start as a sophomore on varsity. He is a three-sport athlete, placing sixth in the 220-pound division at state wrestling championships. He throws shot 45 feet and discus more than 130 feet.
No. 26 David Eppinger, Gilbert Perry, DB, 5-10, 165
He started all 11 games on varsity as a freshman. Good speed. He had the 20th fastest time in the country in the 100 meters for freshmen this spring. He’ll return kicks, play defense and possibly some offense.
No. 25 Zack Shepherd, Gilbert Williams Field, QB, 6-2, 185
He has been taking a majority of reps in 7 on 7 passing tournaments. He has confidence and a strong, accurate arm. He’ll have several playmakers to take the pressure off him during his sophomore season.
No. 24 Jayden Swink, Scottsdale Saguaro, DT, 6-1, 235
He played some varsity as a freshman. He already has a solid frame, and keeps working. He has potential to be a big run stopper in the middle of the Sabercats’ defensive front.
No. 23 Mario Padilla, Tucson Salpointe Catholic, Athlete, 5-10, 165
He is the cousin of former Lancers great running back Johnny Pena, who is now at Brown. Padilla was so good on freshman last season that he started on varsity the second half of the season. He has tremendous open-field abilities with the ball in his hands. He’ll play running back and slot receiver.
No. 22 Greg Dotstry, Buckeye Youngker, RB, 5-10, 175
He started on varsity as a freshman and ran for nearly 1,000 yards on a three-win team. He finished with 749 yards and nine touchdowns on 112 carries in eight games played. He changes speeds very well, has great field vision, very instinctive and quick. Should only get faster and stronger.
No. 21 Jacob Golden, Peoria, TE/DE, 6-5, 207
Converting to tight end from right tackle on offense. He is expected to start at tight end on varsity as sophomore. He also plays basketball and volleyball. Good athlete. Had an outstanding spring in varsity 7 on 7 drills. He was a two-way player on the freshman team, playing right tackle and defensive end. He led that team in tackles for losses and sacks.
No. 20 Decarlos Brooks, Chandler, RB/DB, 5-10, 175
The Wolves are loaded at running back but he is too good to keep off the field. Coach Shaun Aguano will find a way to get Brooks involved as a sophomore. He is quick, fast, shifty and elusive. And he can make plays in the secondary like his father, Carlos, who had a brief stint with the Arizona Cardinals in 1995.
No. 19 Bub Dixon, Phoenix Sunnyslope, 6-2, 245, DE
He is already a grown man, and is not only looking the part but playing the part. He started on JV as a freshman and recorded 26 tackles and 11 sacks. Nobody was able to block him at the freshman level so he was moved up. He played some varsity to get his feet wet and he showed flashes with a goal-line stand tackle for a loss. He is also a talented basketball player.
No. 18 Devan Apodaca, Phoenix North Canyon, DL, 6-2, 220
He has tremendous athletic ability and already is a member of the 1,000-pound weight lifting club on campus. He runs 40 yards in 4.7 seconds. Great work ethic. Has a chance to really hone his skills working against No. 1 2017 prospect Austin Jackson in practice.
No. 17 Cale Gregory, Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep, OL, 6-2, 225
Grew up playing rugby in South Africa. Smart (very good student), athletic, big, strong, physical, works hard.
No. 16 Alex McKeon, Phoenix Deer Valley, LB, 6-2, 205
He also played varsity as a freshman and finished with 40 tackles and two sacks. Strong and fast off the edge. Could play defensive end. Very strong.
No. 15 Desmond Melton, Glendale Deer Valley, WR, 6-4, 200
He played varsity as a freshman and in the final game of the regular season, he had six catches for 129 yards and a touchdown. Has gotten faster, strong and more athletic since last season. Will be big impact player as a sophomore.
No. 14 Luke Musselman, Queen Creek Casteel, LB, 6-1, 190
Coach Spencer Stowers sees a high ceiling for this fierce competitor. Works hard. Very physical linebacker who projects to receive offers by his junior year. He is the leader of this young school’s defense. Fast, strong.
No. 13 Andrew Blitzke, Laveen Cesar Chavez, LB/RB, 6-2, 195
He was a force on a talented freshman team with 80 tackles, three interceptions and three forced fumbles. He already has shown signs that he could be a varsity impact player this season. Can play both inside and outside linebacker. Will likely be utilized more on the outside with his athleticism and speed. He has been impressive in off-season workouts. He plays man coverage against the slot in passing tournament games.
No. 12 Carter Wheat, Mesa Red Mountain, TE/LB, 6-2, 190
Has a chance to grow. Is the son of former BYU and Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Warren Wheat, who was a football and baseball star at Phoenix Camelback in the mid-1980s. He is expected to play varsity as a sophomore, Athletic, dynamic, great hands and very good off the edge as a pass rusher.
No. 11 D’Shayne James, Gilbert Perry, Athlete, 6-2, 200
Started at wide receiver in all 11 varsity games as a freshman. Very athletic with a strong arm and good hands. He can play quarterback, receiver, running back, defensive back. Extremely versatile.
No. 10 Shaq Daniels, Mesa Red Mountain, DB, 5-11, 160
Lock-down corner who should make a big varsity impact this season. He dominated at the freshman level last season. Being tutored by former Nebraska and NFL defensive back Toby Wright. Tremendous ball skills and great hitter.
No. 9 Zach Bowers, Chandler, LB, 6-0, 200
He got into two state playoff games last season and made a couple of tackles. He can move from inside to outside linebacker. Athletic, fast, punishing hitter. Watch for him to take off as one of the team’s top tacklers this season.
No. 8 Kaleb Covington, Phoenix Pinnacle, RB, 5-7, 160
Spencer Rattler can’t stop raving about this fast, shifty running back. He could be one of the big break-out players of the 2016 season, a home-run hitter who could take the pressure off of Rattler and be a big-play threat anywhere on the field.
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No. 7 Ryan Puskas, Peoria Liberty, S, 6-2, 190
He made a varsity impact playing at the highest level as a freshman, intercepting two passes, deflecting three others and making 34 tackles. Very high ceiling for a kid who still is growing. Already looks like a man on the field.
No. 6 Avery Carrington, Chandler Hamilton, WR, 6-2, 185
The brother of former All-Arizona and Stanford defensive back Devon Carrington. He could end up an even greater prospects with his size, speed and athleticism. Coach Steve Belles won’t hesitate to get him involved in his fast offense.
No. 5 Ty Robinson, Gilbert Higley, 6-5, 225, TE/WR
Big, physical kid who will play tight end and wide receiver in Eddy Zubey’s offense. He is almost a clone of senior tight end/wideout Bryce Gilbert, whose recruiting has taken off with major-college offers.
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No. 4 Jacob Conover, Chandler, QB, 6-0, 185
He is a three-way battle for the starting job this summer, but coach Shaun Aguano believes this guy has elite level opportunities in his future. Big, accurate arm who can move out of the pocket.
No. 3 Calib McRae, Marana Mountain View, LB, 6-1, 220
Son of head coach Bam McRae, Calib has huge upside as a big-motor hybrid linebacker who can play on the edge and drop back in coverage. He is cat quick and gets to quarterbacks in a heart beat. Hard worker who will pick up major offers.
No. 2 Matthew Pola-Mao, Phoenix Mountain Pointe, DL, 6-2, 300
He could wind up being more recruited than his brother, Isaiah, a two-time All-Arizona selection at safety, who will be heading into his senior season. Matthew started at nose tackle on varsity last season and has offers from Illinois, BYU, Arizona and Oregon State.
MORE:Arizona high school football recruiting coverage
No. 1 Spencer Rattler, Phoenix Pinnacle, QB, 6-1, 175
The sky is the limit for this dual-threat quarterback who broke out big on varsity as a freshman, taking Phoenix Brophy Prep into double overtime in the state playoffs. He has that it quality rarely found in a freshman. Now he’ll have double the confidence, poise and ability. He’s just not scratching the surface. And that’s why he was quick to get offers from Arizona State, UCLA and Texas A&M after a remarkable freshman season.
Reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-460-1710. Follow him at twitter.com/azc_obert.
