Meet the 2023 ASWA All-State high school football team

Two junior quarterbacks were also first-team All-State picks in the state's two largest classifications.

On Saturday morning, the Alabama Sports Writers Association announced its 2023 All-State football team.

First-team quarterback was Andrew Alford, who piloted Central Phenix City to the state championship. Texas commit KJ Lacey of Saraland placed first team in Class 6A for the second straight season.

Other renowned stars who made first team are Central-Phenix City Wide Receiver Cam Coleman, Foley's Perry Thompson and Saraland's Ryan Williams. Also making it were Clay-Chalkville’s Jaylen Mbakwe; Gulf Shores ’ Ronnie Royal and Elba ’ s Alvin Henderson.

Selected from nominations by statewide coaches to their respective sports writers, the All-State team was voted on by the ASWA's prep committee. To be considered, players must first be nominated by their coaches.

On Wednesday, the ASWA will announce three finalists for Back and Lineman of the Year at each of seven AHSAA classifications as well as in the AISA.

Winners of the backs and linemen of the year, along with Mr. Football for Alabama as a whole will be announced at:

Here are this year’s All-State teams:

CLASS 7A

FIRST-TEAM ALL-STATE

Offense

QB: Andrew Alford, Central-Phenix City, Jr., 6-1, 185

RB: Derrick Butler, Davidson, Sr., 6-0, 190

RB: Kolton Nero, Foley, Sr., 5-11, 215

RB: Tyren Washington, Bob Jones, Sr., 5-10, 225

WR: Bryce Cain, Baker, Sr., 5-11, 170

WR: Cam Coleman, Central-Phenix City, Sr., 6-4, 190

WR: Perry Thompson, Foley, Sr., 6-4, 210

OL: Jalen Foster, Auburn, Sr., 6-1, 260

OL: Logan Joellenbeck, Foley, Sr., 6-6, 335

OL: Donovan Price, Hewitt-Trussville, Sr., 6-2, 230

OL: Mal Waldrep, Central-Phenix City, Jr., 6-5, 310

OL: KC Walters, Thompson, Sr., 6-1, 245

PK: Towns McGough, Auburn, Sr., 5-11, 175

Defense

DL: Jaylen Brown, James Clemens, Sr., 6-6, 240

DL: Isaia Faga, Central-Phenix City, Sr., 6-2, 290

DL: Caleb Pitts, Auburn, Jr., 6-4, 255

DL: Jordan Ross, Vestavia Hills, Sr., 6-5, 225

LB: Zo Martin, Florence, So., 5-10, 185

LB: Leland Normand, Baker, Sr., 6-0, 190

LB: John Robinson, Mary Montgomery, Sr., 5-11, 205

LB: Bradley Shaw, Hoover, Sr., 6-2, 210

DB: Anquon Fegans, Thompson, Jr., 6-2, 185

DB: Kaleb Harris, Thompson, Sr., 6-0, 195

DB: Rydarrius Morgan, Central-Phenix City, Sr., 6-0, 180

DB: Andrew Purcell, Enterprise, Jr., 5-11, 185

P: Roman Gagliano, Opelika, Sr., 6-4, 215

Athlete

John Paul Head, Vestavia Hills, Sr., 6-1, 210

Jared Hollins, Mary Montgomery, Sr., 6-4, 187

Josh Flowers, Baker, Sr., 6-3, 220

Peyton Floyd, Hewitt-Trussville, Sr., 5-11, 180

SECOND-TEAM ALL-STATE

Offense

QB: Trent Seaborn, Thompson, Fr., 6-0, 175

RB: Gavin Fuqua, Austin, Jr., 5-10, 170

RB: Keion Dunlap, Enterprise, Sr., 6-1, 205

RB: Omar Mabson, Auburn, So., 5-9, 205

WR: Jonathan Bibbs, Spain Park, Sr., 6-2, 175

WR: Jadon Loving, Hewitt-Trussville, Sr., 5-11, 165

WR: Daylyn Upshaw, Central-Phenix City, Jr., 6-0, 175

OL: Tafari Alcime, Bob Jones, Sr., 6-2, 250

OL: Caden Anderson, Enterprise, Sr., 6-3, 255

OL: Ben Appiah, Central-Phenix City, Sr., 6-2, 285

OL: Shaun Martin, Davidson, Sr., 6-4, 280

OL: Louis Snell, Dothan, Jr., 6-4, 310

PK: Reid Montgomery, Prattville, Sr., 6-2, 167

Defense

DL: Malik Autry, Opelika, Jr., 6-6, 260

DL: Tyrell Averhart, Hewitt-Trussville, Sr., 6-0, 260

DL: Tristan Lyles, Central-Phenix City, So., 6-1, 220

DL: Fred Vili, Enterprise, Sr., 6-1, 255

LB: Tyler Hicks, Thompson, Sr., 6-0, 210

LB: Trent Hood, Central-Phenix City, Sr., 5-11, 225

LB: JT Hooten, Enterprise, Sr., 6-2, 210

LB: Ty Hudson, Auburn, Jr., 6-2, 215

DB: Ameyr Adams, Fairhope, Sr., 6-0, 188

DB: Riggs Dunn, Hewitt-Trussville, Sr., 6-0, 180

DB: Jamar Moultrie, Hoover, Jr., 5-10, 170

DB: Jiquan Sanks, Central-Phenix City, Sr., 6-0, 175

P: John Alan McGuire, Thompson, Jr., 6-2, 195

Athlete

Ty Doughty, James Clemens, Jr., 5-9, 165

Ean Nation, Auburn, Sr., 5-10, 165

Jonah Winston, Hoover, So., 5-9, 145

Eric Winters, Enterprise, Jr., 6-3, 195

HONORABLE MENTION

QB: Brock Bradley, Spain Park, So., 6-0, 175

QB: Jacks McClung, Huntsville, Sr., 6-3, 180

RB: Nick Clark, Daphne, Sr., 5-9, 205

RB: Emerson Russell, Chelsea, Sr., 5-7, 155

WR: James Bolton, Mary Montgomery, Sr., 6-2, 178

WR: Colben Landrew, Thompson, So., 6-5, 220

OL: Isaac Boulger, Tuscaloosa Co., Sr., 6-3, 265

OL: Kyle Thomas, Mary Montgomery, Jr., 6-2, 265

PK: Owen Simpson, Vestavia Hills, Jr., 6-0, 175

DL: Tyler Durant, Daphne, Sr., 6-4, 250

DL: Jalin Edwards, Grissom, Sr., 6-2, 235

LB: Jayden Davis, Thompson, Sr., 6-1, 215

LB: Jacob Watson, Vestavia Hills, Jr., 6-0, 225

DB: Ke’Aviyon Durry, Dothan, Sr., 5-11, 170

DB: Michael Igbinoghene, Hewitt-Trussville, Jr., 5-10, 175

P: Sims Bowman, Huntsville, Sr., 6-1, 180

ATH: Cole Porter, Grissom, Sr., 6-0, 180

COACH OF THE YEAR

Zach Golson, Mary Montgomery

CLASS 6A

FIRST-TEAM ALL-STATE

Offense

QB: KJ Lacey, Saraland, Jr., 6-0, 175

RB: Cole Gamble, Mountain Brook, Sr., 6-1, 205

RB: Jordan Washington, Helena, Sr., 6-2, 212

RB: TJ Worthy, Gadsden City, Jr., 5-10, 175

WR: Mario Craver, Clay-Chalkville, Sr., 6-0, 165

WR: Malcolm Simmons, Benjamin Russell, Sr., 6-1, 180

WR: Ryan Williams, Saraland, Jr., 6-1, 175

OL: Watts Alexander, Mountain Brook, Sr., 6-4, 275

OL: Spencer Dowland, Athens, Jr., 6-5, 290

OL: Daylan Martin, Saraland, Sr., 6-4, 306

OL: Shaq McRoy, Clay-Chalkville, Sr., 6-9, 360

OL: William Sanders, Brookwood, Sr., 6-3, 290

PK: Conner Hughes, Fort Payne, Jr., 5-9, 150

Defense

DL: Malik Blocton, Pike Road, Sr., 6-4, 268

DL: Antonio Coleman, Saraland, Jr., 6-3, 280

DL: Jourdin Crawford, Parker, Jr., 6-3, 290

DL: Cole McConathy, Spanish Fort, Sr., 6-5, 235

LB: DJ Barber, Clay-Chalkville, Sr., 6-1, 230

LB: Sterling Dixon, Spanish Fort, Sr., 6-3, 215

LB: Anthony Jones Jr., St. Paul’s, So., 6-4, 235

LB: Bobby Pruitt, Theodore, Sr., 6-3, 185

DB: TJ Banks, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Sr., 6-2, 185

DB: Xavier Johnson, Muscle Shoals, Sr., 5-11, 170

DB: Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., Gadsden City, Sr., 6-0, 190

DB: Na’eem Offord, Parker, Jr., 6-2, 180

P: Humberto Rosales, McAdory, Sr., 6-2, 175

Athlete

Malik Brown, Center Point, Sr., 6-2, 235

Jaylen Mbakwe, Clay-Chalkville, Sr., 6-1, 175

Demarcus Riddick, Chilton Co., Sr., 6-3, 225

Nick Sherman, Northridge, Sr., 6-2, 180

SECOND-TEAM ALL-STATE

Offense

QB: Gabe Benton, Benjamin Russell, Sr., 6-3, 215

RB: Terence Gaines Jr., Mortimer Jordan, Jr., 5-10, 185

RB: Jaquess Greene, Muscle Shoals, Jr., 6-0, 165

RB: Carlin Long, Lee-Huntsville, Sr., 6-0, 205

WR: Jamir Goodloe, Muscle Shoals, Sr., 6-1, 175

WR: Jamarcus Prince, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Sr., 6-3, 195

WR: JayShon Ridgle, Athens, Sr., 5-11, 200

OL: Scout Arp, Hartselle, Sr., 6-4, 285

OL: Jaxon Brooks, Homewood, Sr., 6-2, 275

OL: Asher Hale, St. Paul’s, Sr., 6-5, 305

OL: Brady Phillips, Clay-Chalkville, Sr., 6-3, 290

OL: Chandler Wilson, Spanish Fort, Sr., 6-4, 225

PK: Tucker Cornelius, Northridge, Sr., 6-2, 190

Defense

DL: Jeremiah Beaman, Parker, Sr., 6-4, 260

DL: Keenan Britt, Oxford, So., 6-2, 215

DL: Kevin Norwood, Theodore, Sr., 6-2, 305

DL: Avion Pickett, Clay-Chalkville, Sr., 6-2, 195

LB: Jamison Curtis, Saraland, Sr., 6-1, 210

LB: Carlos Ivy, Clay-Chalkville, Sr., 5-11, 220

LB: William Grier McDuffie, Mountain Brook, Sr., 6-2, 210

LB: AJ Quarles, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Sr., 6-1, 220

DB: Justin Godwin, Chilton Co., Jr., 5-11, 175

DB: Delvon Gulley, Saraland, Sr., 6-1, 175

DB: Jackson Sessions, Cullman, Sr., 6-1, 190

DB: Javontae Walton, Spanish Fort, Sr., 6-0, 192

P: Micheal Givihan, Woodlawn, Sr., 5-7, 147

Athlete

Ti Mims, Baldwin Co., Jr., 5-10, 165

Therman Deon Moore, Center Point, Jr., 6-0, 180

TJ Wilson, Benjamin Russell, Jr., 5-7, 185

Cole Woods, Muscle Shoals, Sr., 6-0, 165

HONORABLE MENTION

QB: Brogan Gross, Athens, Jr., 5-11, 175

QB: Mason Mims, Oxford, Jr., 6-3, 203

RB: Ri Fletcher, Hartselle, Sr., 5-9, 170

RB: Shamarion Landrum, Buckhorn, Jr., 6-1, 195

WR: Coleman Maldonado, Mortimer Jordan, Sr., 5-11, 180

WR: Laquenton Underwood, Carver-Montgomery, Sr., 5-7, 170

OL: Clark Barker, Wetumpka, Sr., 6-2, 290

OL: Nathan Sayle, Buckhorn, Sr., 6-3, 295

PK: Drew Ginsberg, St. Paul’s, Jr., 5-10, 160

DL: Jerrell Brasher, Gadsden City, Sr., 6-3, 270

DL: Luke Dickinson, Briarwood, Sr., 6-1, 225

LB: Demarion Caffey, Chilton Co., Sr., 5-11, 215

LB: Nate Thomason, Helena, Sr., 6-2, 215

DB: Will Felton, Pelham, Sr., 6-2, 220

DB: Kobe Johnson, Baldwin Co., Jr., 5-9, 175

P: None.

ATH: Jordan King, Pike Road, Jr., 5-8, 152

ATH: Dax Varnadore, Fort Payne, Jr., 6-0, 195

COACH OF THE YEAR

Drew Gilmer, Clay-Chalkville

CLASS 5A

FIRST-TEAM ALL-STATE

Offense

QB: Eric Handley, Pleasant Grove, Sr., 6-2, 205

RB: Cam Phinizee, Russellville, So., 5-11, 175

RB: Mason Teague, Southside-Gadsden, Sr., 5-10, 180

RB: Kolin Wilson, Gulf Shores, Jr., 5-8, 175

WR: Dalyn Jackson, Demopolis, Sr., 6-0, 195

WR: Antron Mitchell, Eufaula, Sr., 6-1, 190

WR: Clarence Taylor, Pleasant Grove, Jr., 6-0, 160

OL: Micah DeBose, Vigor, Jr., 6-5, 300

OL: Benton Dunn, Charles Henderson, Sr., 6-2, 260

OL: Jordan Foy, Pleasant Grove, Sr., 6-5, 340

OL: Eli Long, Lawrence Co., Sr., 6-5, 305

OL: Nathan Pybus, Central-Clay Co., Sr., 6-3, 275

PK: Nik Peerson, Charles Henderson, Sr., 6-0, 150

Defense

DL: Zion Grady, Charles Henderson, Jr., 6-3, 230

DL: Kavion Henderson, Leeds, Sr., 6-3, 258

DL: Kingston Lowe, Gulf Shores, Sr., 6-1, 230

DL: Aiden Stewart, Central-Clay Co., Sr., 6-1, 205

LB: Koby Johnson, Central-Clay Co., Sr., 5-10, 180

LB: Brandon Purifoy, Vigor, Sr., 5-9, 183

LB: QB Reese, Ramsay, Sr., 6-0, 212

LB: Zane Smith, Moody, Sr., 6-2, 215

DB: Cam Dooley, Valley, Sr., 6-3, 195

DB: Ty Goodwill, Faith Academy, Sr., 6-3, 189

DB: Braden Jackson, Gulf Shores, Sr., 6-1, 185

DB: Cam Wormley, Pleasant Grove, Jr., 5-9, 165

P: Seth Cooper, Sardis, Jr., 6-2, 240

Athlete

Jy’won Boyd, Charles Henderson, Sr., 5-11, 185

Caleb Dozier, Headland, Sr., 6-3, 230

Jerrian Graham, Vigor, Sr., 6-3, 190

Ronnie Royal, Gulf Shores, Sr., 5-10, 180

SECOND-TEAM ALL-STATE

Offense

QB: Carson McFadden, John Carroll, Sr., 6-0, 188

RB: LaDamion Boyd, Central-Clay Co., Jr., 5-11, 180

RB: Bryce Dowdlan, B.C. Rain, Sr., 5-7, 190

RB: Keishawn Rowser, Demopolis, Jr., 6-0, 198

WR: KD Barnes, Moody, Sr., 6-1, 185

WR: Peyton Plott, Carroll-Ozark, Jr., 5-9, 155

WR: Brandon Thomas, Valley, Sr., 6-6, 210

OL: Hayden Breal, UMS-Wright, Sr., 6-2, 287

OL: Jamin Brown, Southside-Gadsden, Jr., 6-5, 300

OL: Mason Hiller, Beauregard, Sr., 6-3, 293

OL: Carde Smith, Williamson, Jr., 6-6, 300

OL: Tony Zinnerman, Demopolis, Jr., 5-9, 268

PK: Will Langston, Gulf Shores, Sr., 5-9, 160

Defense

DL: Chris Burge, Leeds, Sr., 6-2, 244

DL: Matthew James, Russellville, Sr., 5-10, 230

DL: Cam Mallory, Moody, So., 6-2, 270

DL: Demarcus Wynn, Ramsay, Sr., 6-0, 260

LB: Ellis McGaskin, Williamson, Fr., 6-1, 190

LB: EJ Havis, Guntersville, Sr., 6-1, 190

LB: Marquel Patterson, Ramsay, Jr., 5-9, 205

LB: Tytan Rich, Southside-Gadsden, Sr., 5-10, 195

DB: Toney Coleman, Eufaula, Sr., 6-2, 190

DB: Taijh Overton, Williamson, Jr., 6-2, 185

DB: Jacori Stabler, Faith Academy, Sr., 6-0, 184

DB: Tamarcus Threatt, Carver-Birmingham, Sr., 5-9, 170

P: Kaleb Goff, Moody, Jr., 5-11, 200

Athlete

Justin Adams, Citronelle, Sr., 5-11, 170

Joe Lott, UMS-Wright, Sr., 6-3, 190

Tremell Washington, Ramsay, Jr., 5-9, 160

Anthony Young, Wenonah, Sr., 6-1, 180

HONORABLE MENTION

QB: Charlie Johnston, Moody, Jr., 6-5, 190

QB: Amari Yelding, B.C. Rain, Sr., 6-0, 190

RB: Carlos Benjamin Jr., Vigor, Jr., 5-9, 180

RB: Jake Harper, Fairview, So., 6-0, 185

WR: Zach Archer, John Carroll, Sr., 5-9, 175

WR: JeDan Gilbert, Fairfield, Sr., 6-2, 180

OL: Royce Baucom, Guntersville, Sr., 6-4, 300

OL: Eric Gonzalez, Fairview, Sr., 5-11, 215

PK: Cleat Forrest, Alexandria, Jr., 5-8, 140

DL: Otto Brewer, Gulf Shores, Sr., 6-3, 240

DL: Devin Whitsett, Vigor, So., 6-3, 215

LB: Malachi Duncan, Russellville, Sr., 5-11, 180

LB: Logan Silva, Arab, Sr., 6-2, 210

DB: Eli Holliman, Shelby Co., Jr., 6-2, 180

DB: Jermaine McCree, Williamson, So., 5-11, 170

P: Jaxson Gaither, Beauregard, Jr., 5-9, 162

ATH: Lakeith Person, Carroll-Ozark, Sr., 5-9, 170

ATH: Jaeden Simmons, Faith Academy, Sr., 6-0, 182

COACH OF THE YEAR

Jake Ganus, Moody