By Jon Mahoney, Special to SI.com, SchoolSports.com
Many players deserve consideration for Class of 2007 Player of the Year honors, but we narrowed it down to 10 preseason candidates. Unlike the players in the Top-100 rankings, these guys aren't necessarily on this list because of their potential to excel in college. Instead, they made the list based on how they performed last year and how they are expected to play this fall. Players are listed in alphabetical order.
QB John Brantley, Trinity Catholic (Ocala, Fla.) Brantley was tremendous as a junior leading Trinity Catholic to the Class 2B state championship. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Texas recruit completed 174-of-277 passes for 2,835 yards, 41 touchdowns and five picks a year ago after throwing for 1,201 yards, 17 touchdowns and one interception as a sophomore. That's a total of 58 touchdown passes with just six interceptions over two seasons.
QB Jimmy Clausen, Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.) Clausen is the nation's top player not only because of his potential, but also because of his tremendous production on the field. The Notre Dame recruit completed 156-of-231 passes (67.5 percent) for 2,778 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions last fall to lead Oaks Christian to its third consecutive section title. As a sophomore, he completed 227 of 329 passes (69 percent) for 3,665 yards, 58 touchdowns and six interceptions.
RB John Clay, Park (Racine, Wis.) There's talk Clay might be Wisconsin's top high school football player -- ever. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder ran for 2,032 yards and 30 touchdowns on 166 carries (12.2 yards per carry) last fall to lead Park to the state championship. Clay, who ran for a state-title game record 259 yards and three touchdowns, was named Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Player of the Year.
RB Noel Devine, North Fort Myers (North Fort Myers, Fla.) Devine is a big-play threat every time he touches the ball. The 5-foot-8, 180-pounder has been putting up big numbers ever since he stepped on the field. In three years, Devine has racked up 4,706 rushing yards and 58 touchdowns. Last year, he ran for 1,933 yards and 24 touchdowns on 173 carries (11.2 yards per carry).
RB Darren Evans, Warren Central (Indianapolis, Ind.) Evans is a classic power back who has played a big role in Warren Central's success. Evans ran for 2,169 yards and 39 touchdowns on 237 carries (9.2 yards per carry) as a junior last year to lead the Warriors to their third consecutive state championship. Evans, who was an All-State selection a year ago, totaled 2,245 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns as a sophomore.
RB Caleb King, Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.) King puts up ridiculous numbers against some of the best competition in the country. Playing in Georgia's highest classification, King racked up 2,768 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns on 346 carries (8.0 yards per carry) as a junior to earn a spot on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Class AAAAA All-State first team. He also ran for 936 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore.
QB Willy Korn, Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.) As a junior, Korn used his arm and his legs to lead Byrnes to its fourth consecutive state title. The Clemson recruit completed 281-of-421 passes (66.7 percent) for 4,164 yards, a state-record 53 touchdown passes and just six interceptions. Korn, who also rushed for 763 yards and 10 touchdowns, was named Gatorade South Carolina Player of the Year.
RB Chris Rainey, Lakeland (Lakeland, Fla.) Lakeland is loaded with plenty of top recruits from the Class of 2007, but Rainey is our nomination for potential Player of the Year because of his incredible numbers. As a junior, Rainey ran for 1,571 yards on 172 carries, caught 24 passes for 270 yards and scored 26 total touchdowns to lead Lakeland to its second consecutive state title. For his efforts, Rainey was a Florida Sports Writers Association All-State first team selection.
RB Marc Tyler, Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.) Tyler tends to be overshadowed by Clausen, but there's no doubt he's one of the nation's top players. Tyler, who ran for 2,193 yards and 39 touchdowns on 182 carries (12 yards per carry) last fall, scored six touchdowns in the section championship to help lead the Lions to their third consecutive crown.
RB Morgan Williams, McKinley (Canton, Ohio) Last year, Williams put up numbers like he was in a video game. He ran for 2,417 yards and 29 touchdowns on 271 carries, caught 13 passes for 65 yards, returned 13 punts for 217 yards and a touchdown and brought back five kickoffs for 155 yards and a score. That's why it was no surprise Williams was named All-Ohio Division I co-Offensive Player of the Year by The Associated Press.
