This is an opinion piece.
On Tuesday in Montgomery, the Alabama Sports Writers Association will name its 43rd Mr. Football winner, putting a complete cap on the 2024 season.
The ASWA voted on three backs and three linemen from each of the seven AHSAA classifications and the AISA, meaning 48 finalists were invited to the annual banquet, which is sponsored by ALFA Insurance and the Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association.
Sixteen of those 48 will be honored as the Back or Lineman of the Year for their classification.
One of those final 16 will be named Mr. Football.
Who are the top candidates this year? There are several in my mind, though it could technically be any of the 48 student-athletes invited.
Here are a few to consider in alphabetical order:
Jourdin Crawford: Could this Auburn signee become the first defensive lineman to win the award since Blount’s DeMarco McNeil? He finished the season for Class 6A state champion Parker with 90 tackles, 16 TFL, 6 sacks and a safety and was the MVP of the state championship game.
Landon Duckworth: The Jackson High junior led his team to the 4A state title, passing for 3,439 yards and 39 TDs and rushing for 648 yards and 12 TDs this season. He also helped the basketball team win the state title in 2024.
Anquon Fegans: The Thompson defensive back and Auburn signee has been a finalist for 7A Back of the Year for three straight seasons. He helped the Warriors regain the state title this year. He finished is senior season with 81 tackles, 9 TFL and 6 interceptions.
Alvin Henderson: The Elba star and Auburn signee became the state’s all-time leading rusher this season, finishing his career with 10,894 yards. He’s the only Alabama runner ever to rush for more than 10,000 yards in a career. He already has been named the Gatorade Alabama Player of the Year.
KJ Lacey: The Saraland QB and Texas signee led the Spartans to their third straight 6A state title game, completing 62 percent of his passes for 3,042 yards and 40 TDs. Could Saraland win a third straight Mr. Football after stellar Alabama freshman Ryan Williams won the last two?
Preston Lancaster: The Tuscaloosa Academy QB was the AL.com fans choice this week as Player of the Year. He passed for 4,293 yards and 47 TDs and rushed for 426 yards and 11 TDs. He is the reigning 2A Back of the Year.
Conner Nelson: The Leeds QB rushed for 1,818 yards and 35 TDs and passed for 1,224 yards and 11 TDs for coach Jerry Hood.
Na’eem Offord: The Parker defensive back and Oregon signee was the consensus top recruit in the state this year. He also helped the Thundering Herd to the 6A state title with a win over Lacey and company. He had 50 tackles and 2 interceptions on defense and also ran for 629 yards and 13 TDs on offense.
Cam Phinizee: The Russellville junior rushed for 2,331 yards and 28 TDs on 231 carries. He also caught 17 passes for 175 yards.
Jaquez Wilkes: The junior running back propelled Wadley to the 1A state title by rushing for 312 yards and 5 touchdowns. He also had a team-high 10 tackles on defense and an interception. For the season, he finished with 2,582 yards rushing and 37 TDs.
The first Mr. Football was awarded to Vigor’s Tommy Compton in 1982.
Other winners include David Palmer (Jackson-Olin), Freddie Kitchens (Etowah), Mac Campbell (Alexandria), Julio Jones (Foley) and Bo Nix (Pinson Valley).
Someone new will join an exclusive club on Tuesday in Montgomery.
Super 7 Decision on Hold
The winter weather this week, which dropped massive amounts of snow in the southern part of Alabama, led to the postponement of the Central Board of Control meeting until next Wednesday (Jan. 29). The Board is expected to vote on future Super 7 locations at that meeting. Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile and Troy all have been in play as future sites.
By the way, at my house in Daphne, we received 9 inches of snow.
Seriously.
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Thought for the Day
“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
Ben Thomas is the high school managing producer at AL.com. He has been named one of the 50 legends of the Alabama Sports Writers Association. Follow him on twitter at @BenThomasPreps or email him at bthomas@al.com.
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