The countdown to the 2026 high school football season is officially on. With kickoff just weeks away, MaxPreps has dropped its preseason Top 25 rankings, and as always, the usual suspects are dominating the conversation.
California, Florida, and Texas—the traditional hotbeds of prep football—are heavily represented in the initial poll. But this year's list also includes a few fresh faces looking to crash the party and make a name for themselves on the national stage.
The Top 5: A Star-Studded Start
St. John Bosco (CA) takes the top spot, followed closely by Bishop Gorman (NV), St. Thomas Aquinas (FL), St. Frances Academy (MD), and IMG Academy (FL). These programs are no strangers to the spotlight, having churned out countless elite college recruits over the years. Bishop Gorman and IMG Academy, in particular, have become national powerhouses, attracting top talent from across the country.
New Names to Watch
While the traditional powers are out in force, there are a few newcomers worth keeping an eye on. Teams like Basha (AZ), Hough (NC), Brownsburg (IN), and Thompson (AL) have cracked the preseason poll, signaling that high school football's talent pool is deeper and more geographically diverse than ever. These programs will be looking to prove they belong among the nation's best.
The Road Ahead
The preseason rankings are just a starting point. With a full season of games ahead, there's plenty of room for movement. Upsets, injuries, and breakout performances will all play a role in shaping the final standings. For now, fans can start marking their calendars and planning their trips to see some of the best young talent in the country take the field.
As the season unfolds, it will be interesting to see which teams live up to the hype and which ones falter under the pressure. One thing's for sure: the 2026 high school football season is shaping up to be one for the ages.
For more on the college game, check out how college programs are looking to NFL castoffs to bolster their rosters. And for a look at the pro side, see our projections for the NFL's worst teams.
Let the games begin.
