​The high school football season is quickly approaching, meaning players all around the country are hoping to establish themselves as the top guy in their respective state.Nearly every state has a player ranked nationally by one of the major recruiting outlets, but what player truly stands out above the rest of their peers as the top player for the state entering the 2026 season?USA TODAY Sports has already looked at the top teams for every state entering the new season. Here’s a look at the top football player in every state heading into the 2026 high school football season. Alabama: Gunner RiversPosition: QuarterbackHigh School: St. Michael Catholic (Fairhope)Class: 2027College Commitment: NC StateAlaska: Ethan YarringtonPosition: AthleteHigh School: South AnchorageClass: 2027College Commitment: Uncommitted Arizona: Roye Oliver IIIPosition: Wide ReceiverHigh School: Hamilton (Chandler)Class: 2027College Commitment: USCArkansas: Samuel NelsonPosition: EDGEHigh School: BryantClass: 2027College Commitment: OklahomaCalifornia: Donte WrightPosition: CBHigh School: Long Beach PolyClass: 2027College Commitment: MiamiColorado: Elijah CromwellPosition: Running BackHigh School: Cherry Creel (Englewood)Class: 2028College Commitment: UncommittedConnecticut: Mekai BrownPosition: EDGEHigh School: Greenwich Country DayClass: 2027College Commitment: USCDelaware: Layton von BrandtPosition: Offensive TackleHigh School: Appoquinimink (Middletown)Class: 2027College Commitment: AuburnFlorida: Mark MatthewsPosition: Offensive TackleHigh School: St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale)Class: 2027College Commitment: Texas A&MGeorgia: David JacobsPosition: EDGEHigh School: Blessed Trinity Catholic (Roswell)Class: 2027College Commitment: Ohio StateHawaii: Toa SatelePosition: LinebackerHigh School: MililaniClass: 2027College Commitment: OregonIdaho: Jack HendersonPosition: EDGEHigh School: Bishop Kelly (Boise)Class: 2027College Commitment: UtahIllinois: Israel AbramsPosition: QuarterbackHigh School: Montini Catholic (Lombard)Class: 2027College Commitment: MiamiIndiana: Monshun SalesPosition: Wide ReceiverHigh School: Lawrence NorthClass: 2027College Commitment: IndianaIowa: Jevyn SeversonPosition: Tight EndHigh School: MadridClass: 2028College Commitment: UncommittedKansas: Cooper OhnmachtPosition: AthleteHigh School: Great BendClass: 2027College Commitment: Kansas StateKentucky: Seneca DriverPosition: Tight EndHigh School: Boyle County (Danville)Class: 2027College Commitment: OklahomaLouisiana: Elijah HavenPosition: QuarterbackHigh School: Dunham School (Baton Rouge)Class: 2027College Commitment: AlabamaMaine: Luke PiperPosition: AthleteHigh School: Greely (Cumberland Center)Class: 2027College Commitment: UncommittedMaryland: Tyzon SwannPosition: Defensive LinemanHigh School: Lackey (Indian Head)Class: 2027College Commitment: UncommittedMassachusetts: Christopher VargasPosition: QuarterbackHigh School: St. John’s Prep (Danvers)Class: 2027College Commitment: UncommittedMi