We are a little more than a month away from the 2024 high school football season, and there are a few players that The Tuscaloosa News is anticipating seeing on the gridiron this fall from the Tuscaloosa area.

The following seven players come from all over the Tuscaloosa area and play on both sides of the ball. They had exciting seasons in 2023, with some leading the state in a few categories, and enter the 2024 season as some of the best in the area in their respective positions.

Here are seven players that The Tuscaloosa News cannot wait to go out and watch this high school football season.

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Bryson Kimbrough, Hillcrest

Senior, quarterback

The three-star prospect per 247Sports had a busy offseason, announcing his commitment to the University of Louisiana-Monroe in June. The 2023 season was Kimbrough's first starting for the Patriots after All-State quarterback Ethan Crawford graduated. Despite that, Kimbrough barely missed a beat. He led Hillcrest to its third-straight 11-plus win season along with another region championship. Now, Kimbrough is tasked to lead Hillcrest in its transition from Class 6A to Class 7A this fall.

Antonious Steele, Bibb County

Senior, wide receiver/safety

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Steele committed to Troy back in March. He is a three-star prospect per 247Sports and can play on both sides of the ball, tallying up 48 tackles (five for loss), two interceptions and one caused fumble in 2023 to go with 11 receptions for 240 yards and four touchdowns.

Preston Lancaster, Tuscaloosa Academy

Senior, quarterback

Lancaster is coming off a junior campaign where he went 254-of-365 for 3,941 yards passing and 46 touchdowns to lead the state in passing yards and earn ASWA Class 2A Back of the Year honors. Lancaster picked up an offer from Murray State University over the offseason and is hot on the recruiting trail heading into the 2024 season.

CJ Hutchins, Tuscaloosa County

Junior, running back

The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Hutchins led Tuscaloosa County in rushing last season, carrying the ball 120 times for 820 yards and seven touchdowns. Hutchins also added six receptions for 120 yards. He will most likely be the leader of the Tuscaloosa County backfield again this season after the graduation of Kevin Riley, who is now entering his freshman year playing at Alabama.

LJ Cormier, Sipsey Valley

Senior, quarterback

Cormier went 181-for-324 in 2023 for 2,666 yards and 27 scores while being intercepted 15 times. Cormier led Sipsey Valley to a 6-5 finish last season, its best finish since 2012. The Bears see themselves move from Class 4A into Class 5A.

Dyllon Williams, Demopolis

Senior, safety

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Williams announced his commitment to the University of Missouri in May. He is tabbed as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and is coming off of his junior season where he recorded 62 tackles, eight for loss, and one interception. Williams is also a track and field state champion, bringing home an individual state title in the boys Class 5A 110-meter hurdles (15.21) at the 2024 state meet.

AJ Lowe, Sulligent

Senior, running back

Lowe is coming off a junior season in which he carried the ball 191 times for 1,786 yards and 31 touchdowns, finishing the season as the second-leading rusher in Class 2A. Sulligent finished the season at 9-3 overall with a trip to the second round of the Class 2A playoffs for its best finish since 2019.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Tuscaloosa-area high school football: 7 exciting players for 2024