![\"San](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SUT-L-preps-0905-004.jpg\")
San Diego High\u2019s Kye Cooper runs through drills during practice at Balboa Stadium on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025 in San Diego, CA. (Meg McLaughlin \/ The San Diego Union-Tribune)\nThe Top 25<\/p>\n
The 2026 high school football season kicks off this week. The Union-Tribune\u2019s John Maffei, Don Norcross and Steve Brand deliver their picks for the top 25 players in the San Diego Section \u2026 and 100 more who could make an impact.<\/p>\n
San Diego High\u2019s Kye Cooper runs through drills during practice at Balboa Stadium on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025 in San Diego, CA. (Meg McLaughlin \/ The San Diego Union-Tribune)
\nThe Top 25<\/p>\n
(In alphabetical order)<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jae\u2019veyion Allen, DB, Lincoln, Sr., Lockdown cornerback has an offer from San Diego State.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Anthony Barquinero, QB, Oceanside, Jr., Threw for 2,048 yards and 21 TDs last season.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Zac Benitez, QB, Granite Hills, Sr., Is on track to break every San Diego Section career passing record.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Diego Botron, TE, La Costa Canyon, Sr., 6-4, 240. SDSU commit.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Gavin Caha, QB, Steele Canyon, Sr., Threw for 2,426 yards and 25 TDs in 2025.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Isaac Cook, WR, Cathedral Catholic, Sr., SDSU commit had 49 catches for 1,242 yards as a junior.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Kye Cooper, DB-WR, San Diego, Sr., Son of former Chargers linebacker Stephen Cooper has committed to SDSU.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jeremy Davis, LB, Helix, Sr., Fresno State commit had 94 tackles last season.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Honor Fa\u2019alave-Johnson, RB-DB, Cathedral Catholic, Sr., San Diego Section Offensive Player of the Year is a USC commit.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jackson Fader, OL, Mission Hills, Sr., Has multiple college offers.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Seth Fanua, LB, Lincoln, Sr., Outside linebacker had 114 tackles as a junior.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Seth Haisch, OL, Granite Hills, Sr., A load at 6-foot-2 and 285 pounds.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Dax Labrum, QB, Santa Fe Christian, Sr., Threw for 3,106 yards and 36 TDs as a junior. Is committed to Cornell.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Dane Larson, WR-DB, Bishop\u2019s, Sr., Speedster had 60 catches for 1,213 yards and 13 TDs.<\/p>\n
\u2022 PjPaula Latu, OL-DL, Mater Dei Catholic, Jr., Two-way starter checks in at 6-4, 340.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Asofa Lauifi, DL, Cathedral Catholic, Sr., Hawaii commit was a first-team All-CIF pick last year.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Lincoln Mageo, OL, Oceanside, Sr., First-team All-CIF pick is committed to Michigan.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ezekiel McIntyre, WR-DB, San Marcos, Sr., Caught 34 passes to go with 74 tackles.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Caleb McNickle, LB, Mt. Carmel, Sr., Had 137 tackles and 3 1\/2 sacks.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Courtney Miller-Thompson, WR, Granite Hills, Sr., Caught 60 passes for 921 yards at Lincoln.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Paisios Polamalu, RB-DB, St. Augustine, Sr., Had 2,143 all-purpose yards, 108 tackles and six interceptions as a junior. First-team All-CIF pick and Stanford commit is the son of NFL Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Kaleb Runkle, QB, Christian, Sr., Threw for 2,870 yards and 28 TDs last season.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Mitch Stehly, LB-RB, Sr., Valley Center, Sr., Had 101 tackles for state champions last year.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Gaige Weddle, QB-DB, Rancho Bernardo, Jr., Son of NFL All-Pro Eric Weddle threw for 2,224 yards and ran for 790 and was first-team All-CIF on defense.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Qasim Williams, RB, Mater Dei Catholic, Jr., Rushed for 1,156 yards and 15 TDs at Montgomery last season.<\/p>\n
100 more to watch<\/p>\n
\u2022 Nico Bardaro, DE-TE, La Jolla, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Grady Barton, OL, La Costa Canyon, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Tijs Beals, DL, Cathedral Catholic, DL, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Noah Bedia, WR-DB, Ramona, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Holden Bell, QB, Mar Vista, Jr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Brady Berg, RB-DB, Santa Fe Christian, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Gavin Bibler, DL, Westview, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 David Branco, LB, Eastlake, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jared Brecht, WR, San Pasqual, Jr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Dareyen Bridges, WR, Lincoln, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Harrison Brown, P-PK, Madison, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Niko Cato, RB-LB, Mira Mesa, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jovani Ceja, DE, Eastlake, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Kevin Clark, LB, Cathedral Catholic, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Drew Coats, DL, Rancho Bernardo, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jeremiah Delgado, LB, Olympian, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Corbin Dow, RB, Grossmont, Jr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Gavin Dysart, LB, Valhalla, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Maddox Faiivae, OL, Mater Dei Catholic, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Aiden Farrell, RB, Rancho Bernardo, Jr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DJ Ferguson, WR, University City, So.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Levi Fesili, LB, Oceanside, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ma\u2019Kahi Fields-Cook, RB, Canyon Hills, Jr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Kiti Fuga, OL, Helix, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Davian Gainey, OL, San Pasqual, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Madin Gardini, QB, Patrick Henry, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Daine Gonzalez, RB-LB, Classical Academy, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Kaipo Gutierrez, RB, Rancho Buena Vista, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Cooper Hamric, WR-DB, Santa Fe Christian, Jr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jayden Harris, QB, San Diego, Jr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jaylen Hill, RB-LB, Kearny, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Deshaun Hille, RB, University City, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Delonte Hillery, OL, Poway, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Tyler Holmes, QB, Grossmont, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Deren Hueso, RB, Imperial, Jr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Furian Inferrera, QB, Mission Hills, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jayden Johnson, RB-LB, San Diego, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Lajuan Johnson, RB, Hilltop, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Marvin Jones III, RB-LB, La Jolla Country Day, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Hudson Kallay, OL, Del Norte, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Derek Kanuha, OL-DL, Mira Mesa, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Trake Kelly, WR-DB, Ramona, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Nereo Kraft, DB, Mission Bay, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Grant Kuykendall, DB, Mission Hills, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Sean Lander, WR, Mission Bay, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Vincent Leatherman, RB, Army-Navy, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Neke Letuli, RB, Oceanside, Jr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Braiden Linder, OL, El Capitan, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Landon Lockwood, RB-LB, San Pasqual, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jeremiah Loper, QB, Valhalla, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Hezekiah Manuel, QB, Hoover, Jr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Mario Mejia, OL, Vista, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Blake Miller, QB, Torrey Pines, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ethan Miller, QB, Santana, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ryder Molchanoff, DE, Cathedral Catholic, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jackson Munford, QB, Westview, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Graham Murdock, TE, Point Loma, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ethan Muttoni, DL, Mt. Carmel, Jr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Logan Nelson, OL-DL, Madison, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ryan O\u2019Donovan, OL-DL, Bishop\u2019s, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jack O\u2019Sullivan, QB, Coronado, Jr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Reese Pagon, WR, Coronado, Jr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Cameron Pereira, QB, San Pasqual, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Cayden Phillips, DB, Granite Hills, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Van Piercy, QB, Rancho Buena Vista, Jr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Dom Principi, RB-LB, Torrey Pines, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Hudson Quinn, WR, Fallbrook, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Joshua Rivera, DL, Olympian, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jordan Roa, QB, San Marcos, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Brayden Roberson, WR, Mission Hills, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Elisha Robinson, RB, Mountain Empire, Jr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Luke Rode, DB, Steele Canyon, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Prince Rodriguez, LB, Madison, So.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Steve Rodriguez, DE, San Marcos, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Madox Romans, RB, Del Norte, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Kai Rosier, WR-DB, Christian, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Chance Ross, QB, Mountain Empire, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Juju Salmond, RB-DB, Mira Mesa, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ivan Scarville, LB, Morse, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jake Scates, LB, Escondido Charter, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ryan Shaw, QB, Ramona, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Taylon Sheriff, WR-DB, Canyon Hills, Jr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jamari Sherrell, DT, Lincoln, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Madsen Smith, LB, Rancho Buena Vista, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Adrian Sola, RB, Madison, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Xavier St. John, WR-DB, Mission Hills, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jayden Stewart, WR, Hoover, Jr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Santonio Urena, QB, Imperial, Jr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Keenan Ward, RB-DE, La Jolla Country Day, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ryder Watson, QB, Point Loma, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Matthew Weinpel, DB, St. Augustine, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Keegan Wenker, OL, Scripps Ranch, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ty Westenberg, OL, San Marcos, Jr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Xadan Wilde, WR-DB, San Pasqual, Jr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Delontay\u00a0Williams, WR, San Diego, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Kaden Williams, QB, Del Norte, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Xavier Wilson, LB, San Diego, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Tucker Wojdowski, TE-DE, University City, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Chase Woolley, WR, Santa Fe Christian, Sr.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Gauge Wright, WR, Valley Center, Sr.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The 2026 high school football season kicks off this week. The Union-Tribune\u2019s John Maffei, Don Norcross and Steve…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":435689,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[2044,181,74,76,75,127],"class_list":["post-435688","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-san-diego","tag-high-school-sports","tag-latest-headlines","tag-san-diego","tag-san-diego-headlines","tag-san-diego-news","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435688","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=435688"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435688\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/435689"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=435688"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=435688"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=435688"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}