The Republic's 2025 All-Arizona high school football team
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It was a stellar year with records broken and breakout performers taking center stage.
This is The Arizona Republic's 2025 All-Arizona high school football team with a first team and honorable mentions. The Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year will be announced later this month. The team was selected based on observations and input from high school coaches.
You can vote in our polls below for the athletes you think should be offensive and defensive players of the year for the 2025 season. Polls close at 5 p.m. on Dec. 24. Print readers can find the polls online with this story at azcentral.com/sports. (Note: the polls only reflect reader opinion, but the winner is selected by The Republic sports staff, apart from the poll result.)
The Republic's All-Arizona first team offense
Quarterback:Will Mencl, Chandler, 6-4, 205, Jr.
He passed for 3,801 yards and 33 touchdowns with five interceptions, and ran for 718 yards and 17 TDs, leading the Wolves to a surprising run to the Open Division state final.
Quarterback: Donivan Dixon, Cave Creek Cactus Shadows, 5-10, 190, Sr.
Completed 70% of his passes, throwing for 3,377 yards and 36 TDs with 10 interceptions, and ran for 1,391 yards and 15 scores for the 7-5 5A Falcons.
Quarterback: Jax Sculley, Chandler Hamilton, 6-3, 190, So.
In a breakout sophomore season after undergoing knee surgery his freshman year, he passed for 2,947 yards and 41 TDs in 9 1/2 games. He completed 67% of his passes and ran for two scores.
Running back: Noah Roberts, Chandler Basha, 6-1, 195, Jr.
One of the most versatile backs in the state, he ran the ball 116 times for 761 yards and eight TDs and caught 50 passes for 562 yards and six scores, helping the Bears win the Open state title.
Running back: Jaylee Abraham, Tucson Desert View, 5-8, 180, So.
The best player in Tucson dominated, scoring 38 touchdowns, running for nearly 2,000 yards in a turnaround season for Desert View.
Running back: Kino Lorona, Hayden, 5-11, 205, Sr.
One of the best athletes in the state at any level, he led Hayden to a third straight unbeaten 1A, 8-man state title, rushing for 2,125 yards and 32 TDs, averaging 19 yards a carry. He also caught nine passes for 363 yards and six TDs.
Running back: D’Mari Bryant, Millennium, 5-10, 190, Jr.
He had a breakout junior season, rushing for 2,042 yards (averaging 9 yards per carry) and 30 TDs for the 5A Tigers in 11 games.
Wide receiver: Devin Fitzgerald, Phoenix Brophy Prep, 6-2, 205, Sr.
Son of former Arizona Cardinals great Larry Fitzgerald, he's a Notre Dame college commit who caught 82 passes for 1,230 yards and 15 TDs.
Wide receiver: Roye Oliver III, Hamilton, 5-11, 165, So.
He turned in one of the most remarkable seasons as a wide receiver in Arizona prep history, catching 92 passes for 6A season records for 1,839 yards and 29 TDs for the 11-1 Huskies.
Wide receiver: Daryl Little III, Phoenix Thunderbird, 6-1, 185, So.
Remarkable in every facet, he ran for 330 yards and three TDs and caught 60 passes for 1,415 yards and 15 TDs for the 4A Titans.
Wide receiver: Talan Arnett, Mesa Mountain View, 5-10, 185, Sr.
He caught 43 TD passes in his remarkable career, including 17 this season when he had 69 catches for 923 yards.
Tight end: Kam Segall, Peoria Liberty, 6-3, 205, Sr.
He had 28 catches for 538 yards and eight TDs for the Open semifinalist team. He averaged 19 yards a catch.
Offensive line: Jake Hildebrand, Basha, 6-6, 293, Jr.
Five-star is the most heavily recruited 2027 prospect in the state with close to 40 major-college offers.
Offensive line: Tucker Smith, Phoenix Sandra Day O’Connor, 6-5, 280, Sr.
He is headed to Ohio State after a stellar high school career. Big motor who leads on and off the field.
Offensive line: Rex Waterman, Hamilton, 6-5, 295, Sr.
He was the anchor to one of the state's best offensive lines. He is set to play at Nebraska.
Offensive line: Ammon Alexander, Benjamin Franklin-Queen Creek, 6-6, 305, Sr.
He has signed with Stanford, where he'll only get stronger and better. He dominated the 3A trenches.
Offensive line: Collin Campbell, Gilbert Williams Field, 6-8, 305, Sr.
Son of head coach Steve Campbell, he's got the size, strength and athleticism to make it big in college. He signed with Michigan State.
All-purpose: Riley Carson, Tucson Mica Mountain, 6-0, 186, Sr.
He helped spark Mica Mountain to its second straight 4A state title with a 99-yard kickoff return for a TD in the win over Phoenix Arcadia. He did it all. Punted, returned kicks and caught passes as one of the state's top receivers.
Kicker: Mikey Barth, Basha, 5-10, 165, Jr.
He was clutch all season for the Open state champion Bears, connecting on 14 of 16 field goals with a long of 52 yards. He had 75 of his 77 kickoffs go into the end zone for touchbacks. And he made all 61 of his points after touchdowns.
Kick returner: All-purpose: Robert Bell Jr., Glendale Cactus, 5-9, 160, Sr.
He was the 5A Northwest Region POY. He is the Arizona Special Teams POY. He returned four kickoffs for TDs and averaged 48.6 yards a return. His longest was 98 yards. He also ran the ball 23 times for 279 yards and four TDs. His longest run was 94 yards. He had 58 catches for 952 yards and 13 TDs.
Long snapper: Colton Dermer, Sandra Day O'Connor, 6-2, 230, Sr.
He signed with Michigan, considered one of the top long snappers in the nation.
The Republic's All-Arizona first team defense
Defensive line: Derrick LeBlanc Jr., Hamilton, 6-2, 225, Jr.
The edge rusher was the 6A Fiesta Region Defensive POY, after recording 13.5 sacks and 32 tackles for losses to go with seven forced fumbles.
Defensive line: Dante Bruley, Basha, 6-2, 230, Sr.
He had a 6A Conference-leading 18 sacks. He finished with 101 tackles, 35 for losses, and 31 QB hurries and two defensive TDs for the Open Division state champs. He has signed with Wyoming.
Defensive line: Paz St John, Peoria Liberty, 6-3, 270, Sr.
The Boise State signee was a tank in the middle of the defensive line with 32 tackles, 10.5 for losses, 11 QB hurries, two caused fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Defensive line: Tyler Burnstein, Liberty, 6-4, 240, Sr.
In 10 regular-season games, he had 10 sacks, 50 tackles, 19 tackles for losses, 27 QB hurries, a blocked field goal and a forced fumble.
Linebacker: Hudson Dunn, Liberty, 6-2, 215, Sr.
A repeat All-Arizona performer, the Minnesota signee was all over the field, wreaking havoc. He had 48 tackles, 18 for losses, 8.5 sacks, three caused fumbles and an interception.
Linebacker: Nate Jones, Notre Dame, 6-3, 225, Jr.
This outside backer/edge rusher was maybe the most disruptive defender in 5A. He had 90 tackles, 25 for losses, and 12.5 sacks. He also filled in at running back and was a force on offense in the second half of the season.
Linebacker: Jameson Wade, Red Mountain, 6-1, 220, Sr.
He never missed a game in his four-year varsity career. This year, he had 131 tackles, 15 for losses, six sacks, a forced fumble and two blocked kicks.
Linebacker: Jeremiah Adams-Curry, Glendale Copper Canyon, 6-1, 205, Sr.
He was named the top defensive player in the state by the Arizona Cardinals. He ranked seventh in the nation in sacks with 24. He was the 4A Copper Sky Region Defensive POY.
Linebacker: Eli Cramer-Cronin, Basha, 6-1, 210, Sr.
He had 413 tackles, 54 for losses, in his three-year varsity career. He had 106 tackles with 21.5 for losses this year, while intercepting three passes.
Defensive back: Zeth Thues, Liberty, 6-1, 195, Sr.
The Arizona State signee was The Republic's Defensive Player of the Year last season. The safety had 49 tackles, 8.5 for losses, two sacks, four QB hurries, and four interceptions this year.
Defensive back: Camren Hamiel, Desert Edge, 6-1, 180, Sr.
The safety is signed with Texas A&M as the state's top-rated 2026 prospect by The Republic. He had 72 tackles, 15.5 for losses, three sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Defensive back: Brady Grizzell, Waddell Canyon View, 6-2, 200, Sr.
He had 106 tackles, 79 solo, and intercepted six passes on an 11-win team that reached the 5A final.
Defensive back: Marquis Richardson, Hamilton, 6-3, 195, Sr.
He had 51 tackles, eight for losses, a sack and an interception for the 11-1 team. He signed with Hawaii.
Flex: Mason Lewis, Basha, 6-0, 200, Sr.
He flipped his commitment from Cal to Vanderbilt in late October. Playing half the season after becoming eligible, the cornerback was voted the Defensive Player of the Game in the Open state championship win over Chandler. He ran for two TDs and had a strip fumble recovery in the game.
Punter: Stephon Weise, Chandler Valley Christian, 6-1, 200, Sr.
He averaged 45 yards a punt this season for the 3A Trojans.
Punt returner: Kylin Jackson, Bradshaw Mountain, 6-1, 190, Sr.
One of the best all-around players in the state, he was voted the Grand Canyon Region Player of the Year in 4A by the coaches. A game-breaking running back, he was also one of the most electrifying punt returners in the state.
HONORABLE MENTION
Kacey Allen, Hamilton, DB, So.; Apaiata Tengei, Mesa Westwood, Edge, Sr.; Will Barnett, Veritas Prep, DL, Sr.; Baylor Arnold, Veritas Prep, DB, Sr.; Chuck Van Dyke, Paradise Honors, RB, Jr.; Broden Schmidt, Mica Mountain, LB, Sr.; Brady Goodman, Mountain View, QB, Sr.; Jax Sculley, Hamilton, QB, So.; Colten Meyer, Marana, QB, Sr.; Blake Roskopf, Desert Edge, QB, Jr.; Gunner Fagrell, Higley, QB, Sr.; Benjamin Wolfley, Trivium Prep, RB, Sr.; Sam Winters, St. Johns, LB, Sr.; Trace Neilsen, St. Johns, OLB/RB, Sr.; Julien Aragon, Morenci, RB, Sr.; Joe Palmer, Pima, LB, Sr.; Rico Blassingame, Tolleson, WR, Sr.; Jake Jones, Campo Verde, DL, Sr.; Corey Webb Jr., Tonopah Valley, DE, Sr.; Sean Helgeson, Scottsdale Christian, QB, Sr.; Jalanie George, Desert Edge, DL, 240, So.; Niko Jandreau, Hamilton, DB, Sr.; Owen Reynoso, Centennial, RB, Sr.; Benjamin Lowther, Centennial, OL, Jr.; Bryce Pollard, Centennial, C, Sr.; Joe Yoney, Mohave, QB, Sr.; Zach Smith, Arcadia, QB, Sr.; MIcah Newcombe, Mesa Dobson, RB, Jr.; Malachi Wilt, Buckeye Verrado, QB, Sr.; Cooper Payne, Tanque Verde, RB, Sr.; Rocco Haggard, Tanque Verde, FS, Sr.; Dawson Judd, Benson, QB, Sr.; Prentes Boxx III, Gila Ridge, RB, Sr.; Daniel Saenz, Cibola, Athlete, Sr.; Jacob LaDuke, Snowflake, QB, Jr.; Brody Crick, Round Valley, RB/DB, Jr.; Talan Speir, Benjamin Franklin, WR/DB, Sr.; Dontay Tyson Jr., Peoria, WR, Jr.; Gavin Wyler, Benjamin Franklin, QB, Jr.; Ryan Jones, Thatcher, LB, Sr.; Laki Wallwork, Northwest Christian, QB, Sr.; Luke Franklin, Peoria Centennial, LB, Sr.; Caleb Tafua, Mesa, TE, Sr.; Rio Arnett, Mesa, RB, Jr.; Jalayne Miller, Desert Edge, OL, Sr.; Josh Gaines, Basha, RB, Sr.; Francisco Orduno, Mountain Pointe, K, Sr.; Ryder Noche, Brophy Prep, RS/DB, Jr.; Anthony Cannon, Phoenix St. Mary's, WR/ Jr.; Jackson Angus, Northwest Christian, OL/DL, Jr.; DaJohn Yarborough, Basha, OL, Jr.; Tevita Kale, Basha, OL, Sr.; Joseph Watts-Diver, Valley Vista, WR, Sr.; Landon Beckman, Northwest Christian, WR, Jr.; Aaron Thomas, Mountain Pointe, OL, Sr.; Tee Smith Jr., Casteel, QB, Jr.; Troy Jauregui, Casteel, WR, Jr.; Malachi Joyner, Williams Field, OL, Sr.; Courshawn Hill, Williams Field, RB, Sr.; Nathaniel Olmos, Centennial, DB/LB, Jr.; Torrin Hill, Centennial, TD, So.; Cooper Kraus, Sierra Vista Buena, LB, Sr.; Jai Jones, Chandler, WR, Jr.; Bobby Nesbit, ALA Queen Creek, RB, Sr.; Talan Scott, ALA Queen Creek, TE, Jr.; Derek Worden, Queen Creek, OL, Sr.; Ezekiel Estep, Mesa, LB, Sr.; Nasim Eason, Higley, DB, Jr.; Kaden Williams, Basha, DB, Sr.; Trey Knox, Basha, DB, Sr.; Gunnar Perry, Notre Dame, LB, Jr.; Christian McComber, Desert Mountain, LB, Jr.; Fredrick “CP” Parsons, Tempe McClintock, RB/KR, Sr.; Palmer Podwika, Horizon, K, Sr.; Ryan McDonough, Desert Mountain, PR/DB, Sr.; Braylon Wilkerson, Desert Mountain, DB, Jr.; Deacon Maish, River Valley, DE, Sr.; Liam Enter, Phoenix Arizona Lutheran, DL, Sr.; Tyler Garner, Hayden, RB, Sr.; Mario Hong, Hayden, DE, Sr.; Amare Bell, Laveen Cesar Chavez, DL, Sr.; Caleb Wheeler, Mesa Skyline, RB, Sr.; Kameron Williams, Mesa, DB, Jr.; Kamari Crawford, Chandler, DB, Sr.; Michael Laufenburger, Pinnacle, OL, Sr.; Ian Fullmer, Pinnacle, DL, So.; Jaylyn Colter, Mountain Pointe, LB, Sr.
Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up for Azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: The Republic's 2025 All-Arizona high school football team
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