Arkansas' best high school football players 2023: Meet the state's top sophomores

With the 2023 football season complete, SBLive Arkansas searched the state to find the top performers from the sophomore (2026) class. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Players were chosen based on information sent in from coaches, as well as nominations from our staff. There were hundreds of standout performers this season and this is not intended to be a comprehensive list. 

WR/DB Carter Adkins, Mountain Home

Adkins compiled 640 all-purpose yards (525 rushing, 95 kick return) and hauled in four receiving scores.  

QB Kane Archer, Greenwood

Archer, who owns multiple Power 5 offers, compiled over 3,000 yards of offense (2,400 passing, 660 rushing, and 49 touchdowns to only three interceptions. 

RB Enoch Assan, Greenbrier

Assan rushed for 774 yards and 6 touchdowns on 132 carries, along with adding a receiving score. 

LB Dalton Baker, Junction City

Baker logged 45 total tackles, including 25 solo and 10 for loss with 8 sacks, plus forced four fumbles and recovered three. 

OL/DL Danny Beale, Cross County 

The Power 5 prospect logged 38 total tackles, including 27 solo with 7 for loss and 6 sacks, as well as forced three fumbles and recovered another. 

WR Josiah Warrior-Benson, Central Arkansas Christian 

Warrior-Benson hauled in 50 catches for 977 yards and 13 touchdowns. 

QB Andrew Bjork, Maumelle

Bjork completed 151-of-287 passes for 2,146 yards and 23 touchdowns, while also adding 435 yards and 3 scores on the ground. 

RB Kaden Brink, Salem

Brink earned some varsity reps as a freshman, but really came on in '23 as he eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards and 15 scores on 136 carries. 

DL Jacquel Brown, Farmington 

Brown collected 67 total tackles, including 7 for loss and 6 sacks. 

WR Kayden Brown, Gravette

Brown hauled in 36 catches for 534 yards and 9 touchdowns, along with adding 283 yards and 4 scores on the ground. 

OL Skeet Boshears, Little Rock Christian 

Boshears logged 28 pancakes and graded out at 83%. 

OL Isaiah Bowman, Conway

Bowman helped the Wampus Cats eclipse well over 5,000 yards of total offense while allowing just two sacks in over 350 snaps. 

RB TJ Brown, Nettleton

Brown rushed for 1,579 yards and 17 touchdowns on 256 carries, along with hauling in 6 catches for 108 yards and 3 touchdowns. 

WR/DB Lucas Brumley, Harrison

Brumley caught 25 passes for 530 yards and 3 touchdowns, along with collecting 43 tackles on defense, 28 of them solo, and he nabbed two interceptions. 

WR Will Carter, Benton

Carter finished third in receiving for the Panthers, hauling in 24 catches for 402 yards and three scores. 

RB Titus Cramer, Har-Ber

Cramer compiled 1,197 total yards of offense, including 1,026 on the ground, to go with 12 touchdowns.

ATH Corey Crusterson, Joe T. Robinson 

Crusterson logged 84 total tackles, including 52 solo and 6.5 for loss. 

ATH Jersie Cunningham, Walnut Ridge

Cunningham compiled 1,222 total yards (299 passing, 889 rushing, 34 receiving) of offense and 13 touchdowns, while also nabbing two interceptions on defense. 

QB Drew Davis, Benton

Davis completed 174-of-243 passes for 3,135 yards and 42 touchdowns to just two interceptions, while also carrying 35 times for 201 yards and 3 scores. 

LB Caden Delsoto, Mountain Home

Delsoto collected 102 total tackles, including 50 solo and 84 for loss with a sack, and broke up three passes.  

RB Tucker Dixon, Nashville 

Dixon rushed for 990 yards and six touchdowns on 133 carries. 

DL Zane Donberger, Charleston

Donberger logged 26 tackles, including 8 for loss and 2 sacks, forced two fumbles and nabbed an interception. 

K Jackson Elam, Batesville

Elam connected on 12-of-15 field goals with a long of 46 and averaged 52 yards per kickoff. 

DL Nygel Farsee, Parkview 

Farsee earned reps as a sophomore on a loaded Patriots squad and finished with 20 tackles, including 2 sacks, with 3 QB hurries. 

WR/DB Jai Jacobs-Ford, Gosnell

Jacobs-Ford compiled 900 yards of offense (338 rushing, 562 receiving) and 9 touchdowns, while also nabbing two interceptions on defense. 

P Wyatt Golden, White Hall

Golden averaged 42.7 yards per punt that included a long a 58 yards. 

DL/LB Asarias Gonzalez, Gosnell 

Gonzalez collected 102 tackles, 67 of them solo and 26 for loss with 14 sacks, and forced a fumble. 

OL Evan Goodwin, Pulaski Academy

Goodwin graded out at 82% on the year, plus logged 10 knockdowns and 19 pancakes and just received a scholarship offer to Colorado State. 

RB Korri Graham, DeWitt

Graham compiled over 1,900 yards of total offense and scored 17 touchdowns. 

DB Pleas Gray, Little Rock Southwest

Gray, who recently transferred to Little Rock Central, has an offer from Georgia State and many more expect to follow. He broke up seven passes and nabbed two interceptions in '23. 

OL Jeremyah Green, Quitman 

Green allowed just two sacks while logging 69 pancakes and grading out at 86%.

RB Xavier Harrell, Nettleton

Harrell rushed for 964 yards and 11 touchdowns on 124 carries. 

OL/DL Jahlon Harris, Maumelle 

Harris logged 30 pancakes and allowed just one sack, while also collecting 19 tackles, two for loss, on defense. 

DL Zaccheus Harris, Nashville 

Harris was unstoppable for the Scrappers, leading the state with 23 sacks. In all, Harris, logged 62 total tackles with 13 QB hurries and forced 5 fumbles. 

DB Jacob Henry, Central Arkansas Christian 

Henry led the state with 186 tackles, including 3 for loss, broke up 10 passes, intercepted two passes, plus forced a fumble and recovered another. 

RB TJ Hodges, Marked Tree 

Hodges rushed for 1,896 yards and 20 touchdowns on 180 carries. 

DB Preston Hughes, Bismarck

Hughes collected 49 total tackles, 46 of them solo and 3 for loss, and nabbed six interceptions. He also compiled 383 total yards of offense with seven touchdowns. 

DL George Jackson, Magnolia

Jackson collected 45 total tackles, 17 of them solo and 13 for loss with 7 sacks, broke up two passes, plus forced three fumbles and recovered another.

TE/DL Kayden Job, Lincoln

After contributing some as a freshman, Job took on a big role for the Wolves in 2023, hauling in 27 receptions for 536 yards and 4 scores while also intercepting a pass on defense. 

WR Akin Johnson, Farmington 

Johnson finished second in receiving for the Cardinals, hauling in 20 catches for 240 yards and 3 scores. 

RB/DB Bubba Johnson, Maumelle

One of multiple sophomores to watch for the Hornets who has received Division I interest, Johnson rushed for 311 yards on 60 carries and scored four total touchdowns. 

LB Chevis Johnson, Magnolia

Johnson collected 100 total tackles, including 34 solo with 6.5 for loss, and forced two fumbles. 

DB Avion Jones, Jonesboro

Jones logged 18 total tackles, including 14 solo and one for loss, batted down six passes, plus forced and recovered and fumble. He also compiled 260 all-purpose yards. 

DL Anthony Kennedy, Little Rock Southwest 

Kennedy already looks the part of a college defensive lineman (6-6, 265) and some have already offered, including Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia and Missouri.  

DB Jakorey Larry, Junction City 

Larry collected 40 total tackles 30 of them solo, broke up 13 passes, nabbed four interceptions, plus forced a fumble and recovered two more. 

QB Ayden Lester, Farmington 

Lester was forced into action and performed well, completing 106-of-172 passes for 1,509 yards and 16 touchdowns, while adding another 320 on the ground.

QB Carter Little, Charleston

Carter was having a strong sophomore campaign before an injury midway through the year ended his season. He completed 84-of-133 passes for 1,136 yards and 12 touchdowns. 

LB Cannon Martin, Hot Springs Lakeside

Martin logged 47 total tackles, including 29 solo with 10 for loss and 2 sacks.

DL Skyler McClure, Arkadelphia 

McClure logged 75 total tackles, including 10 for loss and 4 sacks. 

DL Malachi McDonald, Bryant

McDonald collected 31 total tackles, including 20 solo and 11 for loss with a sack, and forced a fumble. 

RB Owen McLaughlin, Batesville

McLaughlin rushed for 885 yards and 6 touchdowns on 162 carries.

LB Eli McNutt, Harrison

McNutt logged 71 total tackles, including 46 solo and 12 for loss with 2 sacks, batted down 3 passes, plus forced a fumble and blocked a field goal. He also compiled 358 total yards of offense and 6 touchdowns. 

DB Barrett Miller, Mountain Home 

Miller led the Bombers with 117 total tackles, including 85 solo and 4 for loss, along with deflecting 8 passes and recovering two fumbles, plus nabbed two interceptions. 

QB/DB Jordon Moore, Quitman

Moore compiled over 2,400 yards of total offense (1,820 passing, 610 rushing) with 25 touchdowns. He also logged 26 tackles, forced and recovered a fumble, as well as scored a defensive touchdown. 

LB KJ Page, Prescott

Page logged 105 total tackles, including 38 solo and 8 for loss with a sack, forced and recovered two fumbles, and nabbed an interception.

DL/OL Deminio Patterson, Helena

Patterson is one to heavily keep an eye on for the next two years. Playing for Helena in 2023, he logged 47 total tackles, including 5 sacks, while also contributing on the offensive line. 

RB/LB Brady Penister, Junction City 

Penister logged 96 total tackles, including 54 solo and eight for loss with 2 sacks, and recovered three fumbles. He also compiled 481 all-purpose yards and scored 11 touchdowns. 

QB Mitchell Polk, El Dorado

Already seasoned through his sophomore season, Polk compiled 1,757 yards of total offense and 21 touchdowns after earning some starts as a freshman. 

RB Cooper Powell, Cabot

The best is yet to come for what was a very young Cabot offense and Powell was one of the bright spots. He finished second in rushing for the Panthers with 415 yards and a team-leading 13 touchdowns. 

QB/DB Cam Pryor, Harding Academy 

Pryor collected 44 tackles, including 2 for loss, with five interceptions and recovered a fumble. He also passed for 396 yards and a score. 

DL Aiden Pullin, Shiloh Christian 

Pullin logged 63 total tackles, including 24 solo with 9 for loss and a sack. 

DB Rylan Ramsey, Valley View 

Ramsey collected 45 Toal tackles, including one for loss, deflected 9 passes and nabbed 5 interceptions. 

LB Isiah "Tank" Reese, Joe T. Robinson

Reese's season ended much sooner than expected, but he logged 50 total tackles, including 33 solo and 7.5 for loss with 3 sacks, and forced three tackles in only five games. 

WR Jeff Regan, Rogers

Listed as a wideout, Regan did it all for the Mounties. He finished with 1,829 all-purpose yards – 515 passing, 188 rushing, 763 receiving – and 20 touchdowns. 

QB Luke Reynolds, Newport

Reynolds compiled over 1,500 yards of total offense (1,325 passing, 203 rushing) and 25 touchdowns. 

DL Keagan Sanderson, Salem

Sanderson collected 54 tackles, including 38 solo with 13 for loss and 7.5 sacks, plus forced a fumble.

DB Braden Simpson, Southside (Batesville)

Simpson logged 124 total tackles, including 37 solo with 6 for loss, forced two fumbles and recovered two more, broke up three passes and nabbed two interceptions.

LB/RB Connor Smith, Little Rock Christian

Smith logged 76 tackles, including one for loss, and nabbed two interceptions. He also contributed at running back, compiling 328 rushing yards and 6 scores. 

LB Jakore Smith, Parkview 

The University of Arkansas target collected 65 total tackles, forced a fumble and recovered another, blocked a punt, as well as scored a defensive touchdown.

WR Will Svoboda, Pulaski Academy 

Svoboda caught 68 passes for 900 yards and seven touchdowns. 

WR Catavion Taylor, Fayetteville

Taylor didn't stuff the stat sheet, mostly due to Fayetteville having a deep receiving corps, but his ability with the football was evident. He hauled in four touchdowns on just 12 catches for 290 yards.

OL Cody Taylor, Greenwood

Taylor graded out at 78% for the Bulldogs with 55 pancakes while allowing just 2 sacks. 

LB Torrey Trotter, Jacksonville 

Trotter logged 97 total tackles, including 8 for loss with 2 sacks. 

LB Zander Walters, Mansfield

Walters logged 61 total tackles, including 6 for loss, deflected three passes and forced two fumbles. 

RB Jackson Ward, Little Rock Christian

Ward rushed for 884 yards and 8 touchdowns on 132 carries.

LB Hunter Warren, Booneville

Warren logged 87 total tackles, including four sacks. 

WR Tristian Watson, Little Rock Christian 

Watson hauled in 55 receptions for 858 yards and 12 touchdowns. 

DL Devonte Williams, Mayflower 

Along with starting on the offensive line, Williams collected 50 tackles for the Eagles. 

OL/DL Roderick Williams, Cross County 

Williams also played in the offensive trenches for the Thunderbirds, but defensively collected 40 tackles, including 12 for loss with 4 QB hurries, and recovered a fumble.

QB Talan Williams, Gentry

Williams passed for 2,228 yards and 18 touchdowns in nine games as a starter. 

LB Lawson Wimberley, Searcy

Wimberley collected 91 total tackles, including 36 solo and 5 for loss with 3 sacks, plus forced a fumble. 

WR Cole Witherington, Bauxite

Witherington averaged 20.33 yards per catch for the Miners, but was limited to just seven games due to injury. He finished the season with 244 yards on 12 receptions with zero drops. 

Brady Wood, Southside (Batesville)

Wood collected 99 total tackles, including 10.5 for loss, plus forced three fumbles and recovered four. 

RB/DB Aamonii Wren, Newport 

Wren totaled over 1,000 yards of offense and 14 touchdowns, while also logging 40 tackles and nabbing 5 interceptions on defense. 

WR/DB Jayden Young, Rivercrest

Young compiled 535 all-purpose yards (186 rushing, 205 receiving, 60 return, 84 interception return) and three touchdowns. Defensively, he logged 70 tackles, including 3 for loss, with 5 interceptions and 5 pass deflections, along with forcing two fumbles and recovering another. 

(Photo of Greenwood QB Kane Archer by Tommy Land) 

– Kyle Sutherland | @k_sutherlandAR