Recap: The 2026 high school football position rankings

Over the summer, the Daily Journal released its annual high school football position rankings, detailing the top five players at each major position group. Here's a recap of those rankings.

In the defensive linemen category, Ladanuel Jordan, a senior from Starkville, topped the list. NaBrandon Patterson and Jayden Foster from Corinth and New Albany respectively, followed. Donovan Bell from Tupelo, and Tylan Paty, also a senior from Starkville, rounded out the top five.

The linebackers category saw Devontray Brewer from Tupelo as the top ranked player. Kaiden Buchanan from Tupelo, Graham Hancock from Starkville, Christian Trice from Itawamba AHS, and Simon Butler from Pontotoc rounded out the list.

Cornerbacks were led by Frederick Adams from Tupelo, followed by Trendon Harden and Aden Harden from North Pontotoc. Solomon Walker from Shannon, and Tychason Townsend from Houston, secured the remaining spots.

Safeties were ranked with Keontae Griffis from Pontotoc at the top, followed by Crayden Shannon from Tupelo, Brayden Gates from Amory, London Gregory from Oxford, and Joshua Wilson from Starkville.

Athletes in the offensive linemen category were led by Antonio Berry from Tupelo, Gage Luther from Pontotoc, Ford Wade from Oxford, Dezmond Nelson from North Pontotoc, and James Coggins from West Point.

Wide receivers were ranked with E-Jay Rogers from Saltillo leading the pack, followed by Davis Carruth from Oxford, Jermaine Jackson from Bruce, Tyler Gilbert from Nettleton, and Chaden Walker from Starkville.

Running backs were led by Kylan Bobo from Tupelo, Kingston Branham from West Point, Xavier Waters from Itawamba AHS, Kylen Knox from New Albany, and Demar Jamerson from Oxford.

Finally, the quarterbacks category was headed by Drew Dean from Tupelo, Kross Avent from East Webster, Kingston Johnson from Starkville, Kobe Payne from Aberdeen, and Price Renovich from Oxford.