SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25: Mater Dei No. 1 in way-too-early 2022 preseason high school football rankings

With spring football games wrapping up around the country, it's time to take a way-too-early look at the teams we expect to be atop the high school football heap this fall.

Last year, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) ended the season on top of the SBLive/SI Power 25 for the second season in a row - and that is where they begin this spring. Overall, 13 states are represented in our way-too-early rankings.

The SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 rankings are compiled by SBLive reporter Connor Morrissette and SI Director of Football Recruiting John Garcia Jr. based on observations and conversations with an extensive network of coaching and media sources across the country. Our 2022 preseason rankings will be released Monday, Aug. 8.

SBLIVE/SI POWER 25 NATIONAL FOOTBALL RANKINGS

1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)

2021 final ranking: 1

Ranking rationale: Mater Dei hasn't lost a game since the 2019 season and they haven't dropped more than one game in a season since 2015. Of course, this list isn't about what a team has done, it's about what a team is going to do and Mater Dei is No. 1 for a few reasons. First, the Monarchs bring back star 2024 quarterback Elijah Brown. Brown's undefeated as a Mater Dei starter and he's received scholarship offers from the likes of Alabama, Georgia and USC. Last season, he led the Monarchs to a 12-0 record throwing for 2,581 yards and 30 touchdowns. Mater Dei will also field an offensive line that is generationally good anchored by stud 2024's DeAndre Carter and Brandon Baker. Expect 2025 running back Jordan Davison to have a breakout year and on defense, the Monarchs will be on the younger side but still highly talented. Leviticus Su'a, a 2023 linebacker, will lead the group. The Mater Dei football program has dealt with multiple off the field incidents in the last 18 months, but the school is sticking with longtime head coach Bruce Rollinson and should once again be firmly in the mix for the No. 1 ranking at the end of the year. 

2. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)

2021 final ranking: 6

Ranking rationale: Don't be surprised if St. John Bosco is No. 1 to end the season. The Braves are arguably the deepest team in America and they should get back to the Division 1 CIF Southern Section title game in California this year after a one year absence. 2023 QB Pierce Clarkson, a Louisville commit, should be in for every meaningful snap under center this year after splitting time with Michigan State quarterback Katin Houser for the past two seasons. Clarkson's primed for a big senior year. Wide receivers Jahlil McClain (2023 Louisville commit) and Zacharyus Williams (2024) are breakout player candidates on offense. Defensively, 2024 linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa is healthy once again after missing his whole sophomore season due to a knee injury. Viliamu-Asa's return is massive -- he's a stud. The Braves defensive backfield features six players who are either committed or hold a Division 1 offer and up front, opponents will have to deal with 2023 5-star edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei once again this season. The team's loaded. 

3. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)

2021 final ranking: 16

Ranking rationale: First year IMG head coach Billy Miller will work with three of the top 30 recruits in the country in the Class of 2023, per 247Sports.com, and five in the top 20 in the Class of 2024 this season. The Ascenders are stacked with blue chippers. IMG opens the season against No. 19 Venice and they end against No. 7 St. Frances Academy. St. Frances Academy has taken down IMG the last two times the teams have played, so there will be a revenge factor in that game. College football fans should get to know the name of Carnell Tate, the 2023 wide receiver is one of the top recruits in the nation. Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame, LSU and Ohio State are all heavily recruiting Tate.  

4. Chandler (Ariz.)

2021 final ranking: 23

Ranking rationale: One Arizona high school football insider put it to us like this: "Chandler is easily No. 1 in Arizona, the runaway favorite." 2024 QB Dylan Raiola, 247Sports No. 1 recruit in the 2024 class, moved to Arizona from Texas in the offseason and has enrolled at Chandler. Earlier this month, he committed to Ohio State. Adding arguably the No. 1 QB in the country to a roster that already included 2023 4-star defensive lineman A'mauri Washington is bad news for the rest of the top teams in Arizona high school football. Don't expect the Wolves to drop any in state games. 

5. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) 

2021 final ranking: 14

Ranking rationale: The Gaels take on No. 1 Mater Dei at home on August 26th. That game will show if Bishop Gorman is a true contender for the No. 1 spot at the end of the season. On paper, they are thanks to having 12 of the top 23 2023 recruits in the state of Nevada on their football roster, according to 247Sports.com. USC wide receiver commit Zachariah Branch and Georgia cornerback commit Justyn Rhett are the headlining recruits, but this team is deep and they bring back 2024 QB Micah Alejado.

6. St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.)

2021 final ranking: 15

Ranking rationale: 2024 St. Frances QB Michael Van Buren will give the Panthers a chance to win every game on their national schedule this fall. 2023 4-star defensive lineman Dashawn Womack and 2024 4-star defensive lineman Gabriel Williams are other names to know. 

7. North Shore (Houston, Texas)

2021 final ranking: 5

Ranking rationale: North Shore comes into the season as the 6A Division 1 title favorite in Texas after winning that crown a year ago. As a freshman, North Shore QB Kaleb Bailey led the Mustangs to their third Class 6A Division I state championship in the last four years in 2021. He's back for his sophomore season along with 2023 cornerback Jacoby Davis, one of the top recruits in Texas. A decent number of other impact players on the offensive side of the ball return for North Shore this season as well. 

8. Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.)

2021 final ranking: 19

Ranking rationale: Saguaro won the Open Division state championship in Arizona last season beating both Hamilton and Chandler, two state powers, to take home the title. Chandler is the favorite to win that crown this year, but Saguaro will still be dangerous. 2023 QB Devon Dampier returns along with 2024 playmakers Jaedon Matthews, Jaci Dickerson and JoJo Clark. 

9. Westlake (Austin, Texas)

2021 final ranking: 2

Ranking rationale: QB Cade Klubnik has moved on to play at Clemson, but there's still a lot of talent on the Westlake roster. The Chaparrals have gone 30-0 over the past two seasons winning the 6A Division 2 title in Texas in both years. This season, expect junior Paxton Land to take over at QB and instantly form connections with 2023 receivers Jaden Greathouse and Keaton Kubecka. Land will be protected by mammoth 2023 interior lineman TJ Shanahan (6-4, 325). 2023 Edge rusher Colton Vasek will anchor the defense. 

10. Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.)

2021 final ranking: 9

Ranking rationale: Thompson is the preseason top dog in Alabama thanks to having three 2023 studs on the roster in cornerback Tony Mitchell, defensive lineman Peter Woods and offensive lineman Stanton Ramil. Junior Zach Sims will step in at QB replacing Conner Harrell who's now at the University of North Carolina. 

11. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

2021 final ranking: 13

Ranking rationale: St. Thomas Aquinas won a 7A state title a season ago and the Raiders are in a great position to repeat with wide receivers James Madison II and Chance Robinson, two top 100 2024 recruits, in the fold. In terms of committed players, 2023 safety Conrad Hussey is a Penn State pledge, 2023 receiver Isaiah Hardge is committed to the University of Colorado and 2023 defensive lineman Jason Hammond is an Iowa State commit. St. Thomas Aquinas has a lot of talent and a returning QB in 2024 signal caller Tyler Aronson. The Raiders will be very good again.

12. Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.)

2021 final ranking: 12

Ranking rationale: Thanks to beating St. Thomas Aquinas last season, Jesuit ended the year as the No. 1 team in Florida. The Tigers finished the season with the No. 12 Power 25 ranking. This year they begin at the same spot due to bringing back 2023 linebacker Troy Bowles, the son of Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles, 2023 running back Joquez Smith, 2024 linebacker Drew Woodaz and 2024 QB Luke Knight. 

13. Corona Centennial (Corona, Calif.)

2021 final ranking: 4

Ranking rationale: The Huskies lost some talent to graduation, so they fall out of the preseason top ten, but expect Corona Centennial to be a consistent Power 25 team all season. 2023 Arizona State commit Izzy Carter and rising senior Carson Conklin, the two quarterbacks who split reps a season ago, return for the Huskies. Five other impact players are back as well: 2023 defensive back Aaron Williams (Louisville commit), 2023 linebackers Owen Chambliss and Samarai Anderson, 2023 wide receiver Malachi Riley and 2023 defensive lineman Lucas Conti. 

14. Duncanville (Texas)

2021 final ranking: 17

Ranking rationale: Duncanville fell in the 6A Division 1 title game a year ago. Like most seasons, the Panthers will be in the championship mix again in 2022. Expect 2024 QB Jameir Willis to replace graduating senior Solomon Jones under center. Willis was offered by Texas Tech last week. He'll have the luxury of throwing to 2023 wide out Lontrell Turner this fall. Defensively, 2024 edge rusher Colin Simmons is one of the top defensive linemen in his class. 2024 corner Ka’Davion Dotson is another player to watch. If Duncanville's offensive line holds up, the Panthers will be dangerous. 

15. Guyer (Denton, Texas)

2021 final ranking: NR

Ranking rationale: Guyer will go into the fall with one of the top gunslingers in the country leading the charge in 2023 Oklahoma commit Jackson Arnold. 2023 Safety Peyton Bowen is committed to Notre Dame and Ryan Yaites, another 2023 safety, is one of the top recruits in the country. In the 2024 class, cornerback Eli Bowen is ranked as a top 247 player by 247Sports.com. Last season, the Wildcats were the only team to hold a lead against Westlake at any point in the season when the two squads met in the 6A Division 2 state title game. 

16. Grayson (Loganville, Ga.)

2021 final ranking: NR

Ranking rationale: After going 10-4 in 2021, we expect a bounce back season from the 2020 7A champions in Georgia. 2023 safety Michael Daugherty, an LSU commit, will lead the Grayson defense this fall. The Rams have some special 2024's on the roster in offensive lineman Waltclaire Flynn Jr., wide receiver Joseph Stone, tight end/defensive end Kylan Fox and cornerback Zion Ferguson. Expect 2024 QB Jeff Davis, a transfer from Warner Robins, to play QB. 

17. Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.)

2021 final ranking: 10

Ranking rationale: Bergen Catholic will have to replace quarterback Steve Angeli who's now at Notre Dame, but the Crusaders won a lot of games on defense last season and that unit will be very good again this fall. Rising seniors Sydir Mitchell and DJ Samuels are two defensive linemen that will give New Jersey o-lines fits all season. Rising junior Kaj Sanders will lead the secondary. 

18. Buford (Ga.)

2021 final ranking: NR

Ranking rationale: Expect Buford to replace Collins Hill as the most fun team to watch in Georgia high school football this season with 2023 QB Dylan Wittke (Virginia Tech commit) throwing to 2024 5-star receiver KJ Bolden. Defensively, 2024 4-star defensive lineman KingJoseph Edwards returns fresh off of a monster sophomore year. Edwards and fellow rising junior Eddrick Houston make up quite an edge rushing duo. Buford has the potential to jump up in the rankings as the season progresses. 

19. Venice (Fla.)

2021 final ranking: NR

Ranking rationale: Venice has an elite defense and the team is always well coached under John Peacock. Senior Brooks Bentley will lead the Indians under center. He's received scholarship offers from UConn and USF. 2023 Edge rusher Damon Wilson is one of the top recruits in his class. 2023 safety Elliot Washington is committed to the University of Alabama. 

20. Los Alamitos (Calif.)

2021 final ranking: NR

Ranking rationale: California high school football fans will remember Los Alamitos' three headed monster of quarterback Malachi Nelson (2023 USC commit), wide receiver and cornerback Makai Lemon (2023 USC commit) and 2023 wide receiver DeAndre Moore from last season. All three are back this year, but what makes the Griffins a nationally ranked team in 2022 is their depth. Wide receiver/cornerback Ethan O'Connor, edge rusher Sinn Brennan, receiver Gavin Porch and defensive lineman Vaka Amasio-Hansen are all rising seniors who are receiving college interest. 

21. South Oak Cliff (Dallas, Texas)

2021 final ranking: 24

Ranking rationale: South Oak Cliff won the 5A Division 2 state title in Texas last season. The Bears' defense will give SOC another great shot at a state title with 2023 cornerbacks Malik Muhammad and Jayvon Thomas (Texas A&M commit) in the fold along with 2023 edge rusher Billy Walton (Oklahoma State commit). On the offensive side, South Oak Cliff will have to break in a new QB following the graduation of SMU signee Kevin Henry-Jennings. 

22. Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, Tenn.)

2021 final ranking: NR

Ranking rationale: Trent Dilfer has been building Lipscomb Academy into a national power since taking the head coaching job in 2019. Fresh off of a 2A state championship, this year's Lipscomb Academy squad enters the season as Tennessee's No. 1 team and a top 25 squad in the country. Illinois and Pitt have offered 2023 Lipscomb Academy QB Hank Brown. He'll be protected by 2023 offensive tackle Brandon Solis and throw to 2023 wide receivers Junior Sherrill and Nate Spillman, a University of Tennessee commit. Defensively, 2024 linebacker Edwin Spillman and 2024 cornerback Kaleb Beasley are both top recruits in their class. 

23. Cathedral (Indianapolis, Ind.)

2021 final ranking: NR

Ranking rationale: Head coach Bill Peebles does an excellent job at Cathedral. This fall, the Fighting Irish will be the preseason No. 1 team in Indiana led by 2024 QB Danny O'Neil. Expect big seasons from 2023 defensive linemen Kendrick Gilbert and Patrick Kendall as well as 2023 tight end Brennan Wooten and 2023 wide receiver Jaron Tibbs this year. 

24. St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio)

2021 final ranking: NR

Ranking rationale: The Eagles went 15-1 a year ago winning the Division 1 state championship 23-13 over Springfield. Once again, St. Edward is expected to be the top team in Ohio this fall. The main question facing the Eagles at this point in the offseason is who will replace Christian Ramos at QB? On the defensive side of the ball, 2023 edge rusher Michael Kilbane, a Northwestern commit, returns along with 2023 linebacker Wyatt Gedeon. 

25. Kahuku (Hawaii)

2021 final ranking: NR

Ranking rationale: Kahuku went 10-0 last season and won the Hawaiian Open Division state championship 49-14 over St. Louis. This season, the Red Raiders travel to play at No. 2 St. John Bosco on Sept. 17th hoping to make a statement. 2023 Linebacker Liona Lefau is Kahuku's top player. He's one of the top LB's in the country. 2023 Wide receiver Kainoa Carvalho, 2023 linebacker Leonard Ah You and 2023 safety Brock Fonoimoana are the other top recruits on the Red Raiders roster. 

Next 10

American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)

Basha (Chandler, Ariz.)

Carroll (Southlake, Texas)

Central (Phenix City, Ala.)

Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah)

Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)

Katy Paetow (Texas)

Katy (Texas)

Long Beach Poly (Calif.)

St. John's (Washington D.C.)