The 8 Player of the Year nominees
This is The Arizona Republic's eight finalists for High School Football Player of the year.
The Player of the Year will be announced at the azcentral Sports Awards Show in May.
Players were chosen through feedback from coaches and observations during the season.
POY nominees (in alphabetical order)
Man-Man Freeman, Phoenix Christian, RB/LB, 5-10, 190, Sr.
The only small-schools (3A-1A) player among the eight, Freeman stood out with his ability to take over 2A games on both sides of the ball. He ran for 2,232 yards (12.3 yards a carry) and scored 39 touchdowns. As an outside linebacker, he had 111 tackles, three sacks, and an interception,
leading the Cougars to the 2A final.
Dae Dae Hunter, Chandler, RB, 5-10, 185, Sr.
Dynamic back, he moved in from Colorado in July just looking for a place on the field. He was told he'd have four running backs he would have to beat out. He not only beat them out, he became one the most difficult playmakers in Arizona to stop. He ran for 1,748 yards and 33 TDs, and put on a show in the Open final, a 42-35 win over Saguaro, in which he had two runs of more than 70 yards and finished with 279 yards and two TDs.
Jihad Marks, Desert Edge, WR, 6-1, 180, Sr.
He had nine game of 100-plus yards receiving, including the 4A final, in which he caught nine passes for 157 yards and two TDs in a 28-23 loss to Gilbert Mesquite. He finished with 99 catches for 1,716 yards and 19 TDs. Chubba Purdy, Perry, QB, 6-3, 210, Sr. He put up amazing numbers in his last two high schools seasons, having the difficult job of following his brother Brock, after his POY season in 2017. Chubba passed for 3,369 yards and 33 TDs with seven interceptions in 11 games. He also ran for 1,054 yards and 19 scores. Lathan Ransom, Tucson Salpointe Catholic, DB/WR, 6-2, 195, Sr.
Game changer on both sides of the ball, the Ohio State signee might was not only the state's best safety, but he could make things happen on offense, after catches. He caught 21 passes for 534 yards and 11 TDs, helping the Lancers reach the Open semifinals. He caught six TD passes in his last four games. Defensively, he had 58 tackles, three sacks and four pass breakups.
Kelee Ringo, Scottsdale Saguaro, DB/ RB, 6-3, 205, Sr.
A transcendent, generational talent, he didn't figure in the offense before the season but after an injury to tailback Israel Benjamin, Ringo took over games with his quick bursts and incredible speed to the end zone. The nation's No. 1-ranked 2020 cornerback also was the state's best lock-down corner with 32 tackles, four for losses, and three interceptions. He ran for 712 yards and 13 TDs
on 52 carries.
Bijan Robinson, Salpointe Catholic, RB, 6-0, 205, Sr.
A physical specimen with speed, Robinson could power through or run around and past defenders. He became the state's first running back to have three consecutive varsity seasons of 2,000-plus rushing yards. The Texas signee had 2,235 yards and 38 TDs this year. He averaged nearly 18 yards a carry his senior season and 13.4 yards a carry in his varsity career. He had 7,036
yards and 103 TDs rushing in his career.
Bryce Tate, Tempe McClintock, WR/ DB, 6-1, 170, Sr.
An incredible two-way player, he fueled McClintock's run to the playoffs with game-changing plays on offense and defense. He caught 55 passes for 1,052 yards and nine TDs. On defense, he had 90 tackles and intercepted seven passes, including four in a 49-0 win against Paradise Valley and North Carolina State-signed QB Ben Finley.