Ranking best Alabama high school football juniors in the Tuscaloosa area
The Alabama high school football is nearly here, and The Tuscaloosa News is set to rank the best 25 juniors in the Tuscaloosa area ahead of the 2024 AHSAA season.
Top juniors this season include the area's returning leading tackler and some of the top dual-threat athletes in the area.
Here's The Tuscaloosa News' ranking of the area's best juniors, in alphabetical order:
Best Tuscaloosa area Alabama high school football juniors in 2024
Michael Billups
Pickens County, Jr.
Why chosen: Billups, standing at 6-foot-1, 170-pounds, contributed 29 total tackles, six tackles for loss and one interception last season.
Jackson Carlisle
Central, Jr.
Why chosen: The 6-foot-3, 265-pound lineman returns as an experienced member of Central's defensive line, currently holding an offer from Troy.
AJ Cockrell
Holt, Jr.
Why chosen: Cockrell, standing at 6-foot-1, 175-pounds, started every game for Holt last season at cornerback and wide receiver and is set for an impactful season in 2024.
Christian Davis
American Christian Academy, Jr.
Why chosen: The 5-foot-9, 170-pound athlete is what coach Cody Martin says will be a lightning bolt all over the field, adding explosion to the offense from several different places.
Keilyn Edwards
Linden, Jr.
Why chosen: Edwards rushed for 857 yards last season with 11 touchdowns. He also recorded 357 yards receiving for three additional scores.
Mayson Elam
Northridge, Jr.
Why chosen: The wide receiver had 29 receptions for 428 yards last season.
Hayes Formby
Northridge, Jr.
Why chosen: The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Formby returns as a versatile, experienced member along the Jaguars' offensive line.
Kalix Grisby
Holt, Jr.
Why chosen: Grisby is a versatile player for Holt, seeing time at quarterback and safety. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound Grisby started every game under center last season and is poised for a great junior year.
Zay Hall
Hillcrest, Jr.
Why chosen: The linebacker contributed 87 tackles, six tackles for loss and two sacks last season.
CJ Hutchins
Tuscaloosa County, Jr.
Why chosen: The 5-10, 180-pound athlete carried the ball 120 times for 820 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023 while also recording six receptions for 110 yards.
Orion Jackson
Holt, Jr.
Why chosen: The 6-foot-3, 285-pound left tackle will be a force among the Ironmen's offensive line this season returning with experience.
Javarski Lanier
Hillcrest, Jr.
Why chosen: The 6-foot-0, 165-pound defensive back has only been playing the position for a few months, but is poised for a great junior season with the Patriots.
Parker Lindsay
Fayette County, Jr.
Why chosen: The 6-foot-2, 265-pound Lindsay had 31 knockdown blocks in 2023 and graded at 90%, being a valuable returning member for the Tigers.
AJ Love
Hillcrest, Jr.
Why chosen: The defensive lineman tallied eight tackles for loss and three sacks last season. He currently holds multiple offers, per coaches.
AD McClain
Tuscaloosa County, Jr.
Why chosen: McClain, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound edge rusher, played in nine games for the Wildcats last season with 26 tackles, five tackles for loss and two sacks.
Jashaun Moten
Tuscaloosa County, Jr.
Why chosen: The 6-foot-4, 185-pound Moten returns for his junior season with the Wildcats after recording seven receptions for 69 yards in four games played last season.
Jamarkus O'Neil
West Blocton, Jr.
Why chosen: O'Neil, standing at 5-foot-11, 140 pounds, accumulated 46 solo tackles, two sacks and two fumble recoveries in 2023.
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Hudson Powell
Tuscaloosa Academy, Jr.
Why chosen: The strong safety totaled 95 tackles and four interceptions last season with the Knights.
Jasiuah Rainer
Central, Jr.
Why chosen: The 5-foot-11, 185-pound defensive back appeared in 10 games for the Falcons last season, contributing 65 solo tackles, five tackles for loss and one sack.
Ryder Robertson
Gordo, Jr.
Why chosen: The 5-foot-11, 176-pound defensive back saw action in 10 games last season totaling 51 tackles, four tackles for loss, four interceptions and two sacks.
Kahden Smith
Hillcrest, Jr.
Why chosen: Smith had 26 receptions for over 500 yards and six touchdowns last season, while also adding 328 yards rushing and four touchdowns. The junior already holds multiple SEC offers and is coming off a Class 6A baseball state championship.
Patrick Stell
Tuscaloosa Academy, Jr.
Why chosen: Stell, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound offensive line/defensive end graded out at 88% last year on the Knights offensive line to go with 22 tackles, three of those for loss. He has huge upside and is expected to be a leader among the Knights offensive line.
Emory Virden
Sipsey Valley, Jr.
Why chosen: The 6-foot-1, 160-pound Virden is a returning starter on the Bears' offensive line.
Ronald Wilder Jr.
Greene County, Jr.
Why chosen: Wilder Jr., standing at 6-foot-1, 196-pounds, ran for 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2023.
Nick Witherspoon
Central, Jr.
Why chosen: The 6-foot-3, 290-pound junior offensive/defensive lineman is a returning member to the Falcons squad. Witherspoon currently holds two Division I offers: UAB and Arkansas State.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: AHSAA football: Ranking best 25 juniors in Tuscaloosa for 2024
