The Class of 2012 All-American team from 247Sports features several dynamic players on both sides of the ball, including the Defensive Player of the Year and nation's top overall prospect Mario Edwards and quarterback Jameis Winston on offensive, both of whom are heading to Florida State.
Florida State commit Jameis Winston is 247Sports All-American quarterback for the Class of 2012.
Record-setting Texas running back commit Johnathan Gray was named Offensive Player of the Year.
The state of California led the way with five selections, followed by Florida, which had three. Alabama, New Jersey, Texas and Virginia had two selections each with Missouri, Ohio, D.C., Wisconsin, Louisiana, Maryland, South Carolina and Georgia also represented. Of the 25 prospects that received a five-star rating from 247Sports in this class, 14 were named All-Americans.
The team was selected by a panel of experts. Criteria for the selection is based on a combination of prospect rating and on-field performance.
Quarterback
Jameis Winston, Bessemer (Ala.) Hueytown
Winston helped ignite an impressive turnaround at Hueytown, culminating with a 13-1 record in 2011. The nation’s top dual threat quarterback prospect was dominant as a passer and runner, throwing for 2,324 yards, 28 touchdowns against just two interceptions while rushing for over 1,000 yards and 15 more touchdowns. Recruiting buzz: Committed to Florida State
Running Back
Johnathan Gray, Aledo (Texas)
Notre Dame commit Deontay Greenberry had a big senior season and is also a five-star prospect by 247Sports in addition to being an All-American.
Gray ended his career as one of the most decorated players in Texas high school football history, leading Aledo to three consecutive state championships all while rewriting the state’s record books. The five-star back ran for an astounding 3,891 yards and 65 touchdowns while hauling in 28 receptions for 567 yards and five touchdowns. Recruiting buzz: Committed to Texas
Trey Williams, Houston (Texas) Dekaney
Williams had one of the better seasons in the nation, leading Dekaney to a state championship and breaking Cedric Benson’s class 5A rushing record, running for 3,884 yards and 48 touchdowns. Recruiting buzz: Committed to Texas A&M
Wide Receiver
Dorial Green-Beckham, Springfield (Mo.) Hillcrest
The nation’s top wide receiver and number two overall prospect recorded 119 catches for 2,200+ yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior. “DGB” finishes his career as the nation’s all-time leader in receiving yards. Recruiting buzz: Will pick Arkansas, Missouri, Texas or Oklahoma
Deontay Greenberry, Fresno (Calif.) Washington Union
Greenberry backed up an impressive summer camp circuit with a standout senior season en route to earning a fifth star from 247Sports. The Fresno native had 108 receptions for 2,108 yards and a state record 33 touchdowns helping Washington Union to a 14-0 record and CIF Division III title. Recruiting buzz: , Committed to Notre Dame
USC commit Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick is one of five Californians on 247Sports All-American team for the Class of 2012.
Tight End
Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick, Rocklin (Calif.) Whitney
In a down year stats-wise for many of the nation’s top tight ends, Cope-Fitzpatrick was among the best, leading his team in receiving with 29 catches for 433 yards and five touchdowns. Cope-Fitzpatrick is ranked as the second best tight end prospect in the nation. Recruiting buzz: Committed to USC
Offensive Line
D.J. Humphries, Charlotte (N.C.) Mallard Creek
The nation’s top-ranked offensive tackle helped Mallard Creek to a 13-1 record and state semifinal appearance, paving the way for a potent rushing attack that featured 2,000 yard rusher Jela Duncan. Recruiting buzz: Enrolled at Florida
Kyle Murphy, San Clemente (Calif.)
Murphy helped San Clemente to a 12-2 record in 2011. The nation’s 11th best prospect opened holes for a rushing game that totaled over 3,000 yards and protected the blindside of quarterback Travis Wilson. Recruiting buzz: Will likely pick Stanford or USC with Oregon also in the mix.
Georgia commit John Theus has been one of the best offensive linemen in the state of Florida for most of his high school career.
Arik Armstead, Elk Grove (Calif.) Pleasant Grove
The nation’s top two-way lineman was a major contributor on both sides of the ball for 12-2 Pleasant Grove, leading the way for a 4000+ yard ground game on offense. Recruiting buzz: Was committed to USC, once looked like a lock for Cal, now appears to be open. Notre Dame, Auburn, Oregon and Alabama also are in the mix.
Max Tuerk, Rancho Santa Margarita (Calif.) Santa Margarita Catholic
Tuerk was the best offensive lineman on one of the country’s best units, which defeated Murphy’s San Clemente team in the CIF Pac 5 Division final. Recruiting buzz: Committed to USC
John Theus, Jacksonville (Fla.) The Bolles School
Theus has been a stalwart on Bolles’ offensive line, and capped an impressive career helping the Bulldogs to their third state championship in four years, defeating Miami (Fla.) Booker T. Washingon in the Class 4A state championship. Recruiting buzz: Committed to Georgia
Defensive Line
Darius Hamilton, Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco
Five-star defensive tackle Eddie Goldman, a 247Sports All-American, had 15 sacks during his senior year at Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington, D.C. He also played in the Under Armour All-American Game.
The five-star Hamilton is the top ranked senior on one of the nation’s best high school teams. As a senior, Hamilton recorded 17 sacks playing against several nationally recognized programs along the way. Recruiting buzz: Rutgers is the favorite with Florida in the mix, too.
Adolphus Washington, Cincinnati (Ohio) Taft
Washington wrapped up a prolific career with 90 tackles and 23 sacks from his defensive end post. The five-star prospect also doubles as a standout basketball player, helping Taft to a state title in 2011. Recruiting buzz: Committed to Ohio State
Mario Edwards, Denton (Texas) Ryan
Edwards, the top ranked prospect in the nation, was stout against the run with 72 tackles and 32 tackles for a loss in addition to 11 sacks. Denton Ryan finished with a 12-1 record. Recruiting buzz: Committed to Florida State
Eddie Goldman, Washington (D.C.) Friendship Collegiate Academy
Goldman wreaked havoc on opposing backfields as a senior, finishing with 15 sacks and over 20 more tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Recruiting buzz: Considering Auburn, Florida State, Alabama, and Maryland
Eli Harold, Virginia Beach (Va.) Ocean Lakes
Wisconsin linebacker commit Vince Biegel had 172 tackles and also is a standout hockey player.
Harold, a five-star prospect according to 247Sports and the top prospect in Virginia, posted 78 tackles (28 for loss), 16 sacks and had 769 receiving yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 420 yards and 17 touchdowns this year. Recruiting buzz: Committed to Virginia.
Linebacker
Vince Biegel, Wisconsin Rapids (Wisc.) Lincoln
Biegel, was named the state of Wisconsin’s Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior. The four-star linebacker racked up 172 tackles, 21 sacks, and three interceptions helping Lincoln to a 12-2 record and an appearance in the Division 1 state championship game. Recruiting buzz: Committed to Wisconsin
Ryan Anderson, Daphne (Ala.)
Anderson made the move from defensive end to linebacker as a senior and excelled at his new position, recording 102 tackles, 23 tackles for a loss, 14.5 sacks, and six forced fumbles. Recruiting buzz: Enrolled at Alabama
Kwontie Moore, Norfolk (Va.) Norfolk Christian
Moore, who is ranked as the nation’s top inside linebacker prospect, was a two-way star for Norfolk Christian. On defense, Moore amassed 153 tackles, 38 tackles for a loss, four sacks, one interception, 7 forced fumbles, and two touchdowns. On offense, Moore ran 138 times for 1,237 yards and 18 touchdowns, while also hauling in 14 passes for 332 yards and four touchdowns. Recruiting buzz: Committed to Virginia
Miramar (Fla.) cornerback Tracy Howard could be the best pure cover corner in the country. He is a 247Sports All-American and also played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Defensive Back
Tracy Howard, Miramar (Fla.)
Howard had 48 tackles, seven interceptions, and three touchdowns, leading Miramar to a 13-1 record and appearance in the Class 8A state championship game. The nation’s number two corner prospect was also clutch in big games, blocking a potential game-winning field goal attempt with 35 seconds in regulation in Miramar’s midseason win over power St. Thomas Aquinas. Recruiting buzz: Florida leads Florida State and LSU
Landon Collins Geismar (La.) Dutchtown
Collins became the first player to be named to the Louisiana Sportswriter’s Association Class 5A all-state team on both sides of the ball. Collins, the nation’s top safety prospect, averaged over 13 yards a carry rushing for 1,200+ yards and 21 touchdowns, while picking off four passes and recording 45 tackles on defense. Recruiting buzz: Committed to Alabama
Stefon Diggs, Olney (Md.) Good Counsel
Diggs was the best player for one of the nation’s best teams in 2011. The two-way star picked off four passes while adding 770 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on offense. Recruiting buzz: Florida, Auburn, Maryland, Ohio State all are in the mix- it likely will go past Feb. 1 (signing day).
Devin Fuller, Westwood (N.J.) Old Tappan
Miami (Fla.) commit Duke Johnson, a 247Sports All-American, is one of the most elusive, electric players in the country.
Fuller has been one of the more electric players in New Jersey for the past two seasons, starring at quarterback and defensive back. Recruiting buzz: Rutgers leads Nebraska
Athlete
Duke Johnson, Miami (Fla.) Norland
Johnson put his stamp on the Dade County record books and led Norland to a class 5A state title. The electric playmaker ran for 2,087 yards and 33 touchdowns on 207 carries capping his season with five touchdowns in the state championship game. Recruiting buzz: Committed to Miami (Fla.)
Shaq Roland, Lexington (S.C.)
Roland caught 79 passes for 1,546 yards and scored 32 all-purpose touchdowns en route to being named South Carolina’s Mr. Football. Recruiting buzz: Committed to South Carolina.
Kicker
Adam Griffith, Calhoun (Ga.)
The nation’s top ranked kicker made four field goals in Calhoun’s state championship victory over nationally ranked Buford including the 32-yard game game-winner in overtime. Recruiting buzz: Committed to Alabama
Punter
Bradley Pinion, Concord (N.C.) Northwest Cabarrus
Pinion average 46 yards per punt as a senior, with twelve being downed inside the 20 yard line and ten inside the five. He also put 95% of his kickoffs in the end zone for a touchback. Recruiting buzz: Enrolled at Clemson
