Alabama High School Football Preseason Top 25 State Rankings: Thompson Opens at No. 1

The high school football season in Alabama begins next week, which means it is time to unveil High School on SI's Preseason Top 25 state rankings.

Led by Trent Seaborn at quarterback, the Warriors begin the season at number one as they look to win their seventh state championship since 2019.

Clay-Chalkville, who defeated Thompson last season, has some key pieces to replace on both sides of the ball. However, they will still field one of the most talented teams in the state as they look to go undefeated in back-to-back seasons.

Rounding out the top five, we have Central, Auburn and Saraland who all feature electric playmakers on offense.

As we look towards the bottom of the rankings, Vigor is a team that could jump inside the top 10 early in the season as they feature two four-star prospects who are ranked inside the top 110 nationally.

Alabama football state rankings — High School On SI

1. Thompson

Last season: 11-3

Final Top 25 2025 ranking: 2

The return of Trent Seaborn at quarterback and Darion Moseley at wide receiver is one of the key reasons the Warriors come in at first in the Alabama preseason top 25 rankings. Seaborn, who is committed to play for Alabama, and Moseley who is committed to Arkansas, will be one of the top quarterback and wide receiver duos this season. In 2025, Seaborn passed for over 3,600 yards and 35 touchdowns while Moseley finished with 1,128 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

2. Clay-Chalkville

Last season: 15-0

Final Top 25 2025 ranking: 1

There may not be a more difficult four-game opening stretch anywhere in the country then what lies in front of the Cougars. The Cougars open the season at Creekside (GA), Thompson, Springville and Southside before they host their first home game of the season versus Oxford on September 18.

3. Central

Last season: 11-2

Final Top 25 2025 ranking: 10

The Red Devils take on Thompson in what could possibly be one of the top games across the country in week one as Trent Seaborn of Thompson will battle with BJ Coleman who threw for 3,000 yards and 33 touchdowns last season.

4. Auburn

Last season: 10-3

Final Top 25 2025 ranking: 13

The Tigers have an intriguing matchup in week two when they travel to take on Choctawhatchee (FL) who had one of the top defenses in Florida last season.

5. Saraland

Last season: 13-1

Final Top 25 2025 ranking: 3

The Spartans are led by the four-star and Oklahoma Sooners commit, Jamison Roberts, who passed for over 3,000 yards and 37 touchdowns last season.

6. Vestavia Hills

Last season: 8-3

Final Top 25 2025 ranking: 25

With the majority of the Rebels' offensive production returning, Vestavia Hills will be in contention for the Class 6A Region 3 title.

7. Opelika

Last season: 10-4

Final Top 25 2025 ranking: 11

The Bulldogs catch a break with four of their first five games coming at home before they travel to take on Auburn in their historic rivalry.

8. Hoover

Last season: 6-5

Final Top 25 2025 ranking: Not ranked

The Bucs will be on the right track for a successful season if they manage to go 2-2 to start the season with games versus Muscle Shoals, Opelika, Hewitt-Trussville and Prattville.

9. Hewitt-Trussville

Last season: 8-3

Final Top 25 2025 ranking: 24

The Huskies return two of their three leading rushers from last season who combined for 11 touchdowns. With the depth that is returning, the rushing attack should be the cornerstone for the offense.

10. Spain Park

Last season: 9-3

Final Top 25 2025 ranking: 23

With Brock Bradley off to Clemson, the Jaguars will look to junior quarterback Nash Davis to lead the offense.

11. Carver

Last season: 5-5

Final Top 25 2025 ranking: Not ranked

After going 5-5 last season, the Wolverines hope to ease into their schedule this year with their first two games on the road against Percy Julian and Daphne. If they manage to start 2-0, that sets up a monumental showdown versus Auburn in their first home game of the season.

12. Parker

Last season: 8-4

Final Top 25 2025 ranking: Not ranked

The Thundering Herd return a tackling machine in Nedarius Davis who finished with 75 total tackles and five sacks last season.

13. Pike Road

Last season: 10-3

Final Top 25 2025 ranking: 17

The Patriots have to replace significant production on offense and defense, but with Gunner Gibbs back for another season at the quarterback position, Pike Road will have the most important position already in place once the season starts.

14. Enterprise

Last season: 6-4

Final Top 25 2025 ranking: Not ranked

The Wildcats have one of the toughest district slates on paper as they have Opelika, Auburn, Carver and Central on their schedule this season.

15. Baker

Last season: 9-3

Final Top 25 2025 ranking: 22

Tate Graham, who passed for nearly 3,000 yards and 27 touchdowns last season, is back for one more season as he looks to lead the Hornets to a deep playoff run.

16. Muscle Shoals

Last season: 12-1

Final Top 25 2025 ranking: 8

The Trojans have a difficult first game of the season when they travel to take on Hoover.

17. Mary G. Montgomery

Last season: 10-2

Final Top 25 2025 ranking: Unranked

The Vikings will be tested in the first two weeks of the season when they battle with Saraland and Vigor.

18. Moody

Last season: 13-2

Final Top 25 2025 ranking: 5

The Blue Devils lose their top two rushers from last season, but Jake Lowery, who threw for over 3,000 yards and 35 touchdowns, is back for another season.

19. Benjamin Russell

Last season: 12-2

Final Top 25 2025 ranking: 9

The Wildcats return one of the top quarterbacks in the state, Kingston Preyear, who threw for over 3,000 yards and 34 touchdowns last season.

20. Prattville

Last season: 6-4

Final Top 25 2025 ranking: Not ranked

The Lions have a brutal three-game stretch to end the season when they play at Thompson, host Vestavia Hills and travel to Opelika.

21. Hillcrest

Last season: 6-4

Final Top 25 2025 ranking: Not ranked

The Patriots return quarterback Jordan Shambley who passed for over 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. He also finished with 382 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

22. Jackson

Last season: 13-2

Final Top 25 2025 ranking: 4

The Aggies have to replace over 5,000 yards in production after Landon Duckworth and Ezavier Crowell departed for the SEC, but Jackson has a core group of young players that should have them in the state championship discussion again.

23. Vigor

Last season: 12-3

Final Top 25 2025 ranking: 7

The Wolves open their season when they host Mary G. Montgomery before traveling to Orange Beach in week 2.

24. Williamson

Last season: 12-1

Final Top 25 2025 ranking: 14

The Lions hit the ground running when they open the season at Baker.

25. Mountain Brook

Last season: 9-4

Final Top 25 2025 ranking: Not ranked

The Spartans bring back a number of players on the defensive side of the ball that had success getting to the quarterback last season.

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