Best high school football freshmen in the nation during the 2023 season (Part 2)

These 20 ninth-graders have proven to belong at the varsity level this fall

High school football is usually dominated by juniors and seniors, but some underclassmen have what it takes to excel against older players.

SBLive Sports set out to find the best freshman football players in the nation this fall.

Earlier this month, we highlighted 20 ninth-graders who are making a big impact at the varsity level during the 2023 high school football season. One list wasn’t enough for the talented class of 2027, so here are 20 more freshmen tearing it up against older competition.

Note: All stats are current through Oct. 25.

Jack Brauckmiller, Canby (Oregon)

Also a star baseball player, Brauckmiller has been a standout in the back end of Candy’s defense. Brauckmiller is leading the team with four interceptions this fall.

Ezavier Crowell, Jackson (Alabama)

Crowell ran for 304 yards and three touchdowns in a recent victory over St. Michael Catholic. An all-around offensive weapon, Crowell has rushed for 948 yards and 15 TDs as a freshman while also catching a pair of scores. 

Quinton Cypher, Millbrook (North Carolina)

Cypher has 110 total tackles (6.5) for loss and 2.5 sacks from the linebacker position during his freshman season. He also has an interception, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. 

Brady Edmunds, Huntington Beach (California)

The 6-foot-5, 210-pound Edmunds emerged as the starting quarterback in preseason camp and hasn’t looked back. Edmunds has thrown for 1,606 yards and 17 touchdowns as a ninth-grader with a rushing TD. 

Lemani Fehoko, Junipero Serra (California)

Already 6-foot-2 and 280 pounds, Fehoko is capable of playing on the offensive and defensive lines for Junipero Serra. The talented freshman’s early Division I offers include Tennessee and San Diego State.

Brayton Feister, Archbishop Hoban (Ohio)

Another physically mature ninth-grader, Feister checks in at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds. He plays linebacker and running back and notched a pair of rushing touchdowns in an October win over St. Francis. 

Armand Hill, West Mifflin (Pennsylvania)

Hill exploded in a late-October win over Hopewell, turning 27 carries into 495 yards and five touchdowns. He also had 313 yards earlier in the month against Quaker Valley. 

D.J. Jacobs, Blessed Trinity (Georgia)

The son of former Georgia defensive tackle David Jacobs, D.J. Jacobs is a ferocious edge-setter for Blessed Trinity. He is averaging nearly six tackles per game and has eight total tackles for loss this season. 

Myson Johnson-Cook, MacArthur (Illinois)

One of the top freshman sprinters in the country, Johnson-Cook ran a 10.97 100 meters last spring as an eighth-grader. He has 1,343 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns this fall.  

Joshua Jones, Zarephath Academy (Florida)

Jones is averaging nearly 30 yards per reception this year for Zarephath Academy. The speed receiver has 37 catches for 1,044 yards and nine touchdowns. 

Sione Kaho, Lincoln (Washington)

Taking over for current Missouri quarterback Gabarri Johnson, Kaho has shined behind center as a ninth-grader. He has completed 115 of 155 passes for 1,665 yards and 15 touchdowns. 

Zac Katz, True North Classical Academy (Florida)

Katz put up big numbers as an eighth-grader and has been even better this fall, throwing for 1,908 yards and 23 touchdowns without an interception. His early Division I offers include Appalachian State and FIU. 

Judah Lancaster, Tolleson (Arizona)

Lancaster has seen time at tight end and defensive end during his freshman season for Tolleson. He has 14 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown while excelling as a blocker in the run game. 

Izayveon Moore, Lawrence North (Indiana)

Moore topped the 1,000-yard mark on the ground for the season in Lawrence North’s recent victory over Pike. The tailback has 137 carries for 1,009 yards and nine touchdowns. 

Cooper Newman, Sevier County (Tennessee)

Newman has six multi-touchdown games this season for Class 5A contender Sevier County. He has thrown for 1,577 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Thomas Pollock, Shikellamy (Pennsylvania)

Pollock has 38 catches for 765 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman and is averaging nearly 100 yards per game receiving. He has also been a factor in the run game with 16 carries for 144 yards and two more scores.  

Demaje Riley, Tulare Union (California)

Riley has found the end zone in all but one game this fall. He has 48 receptions for 826 yards and 10 touchdowns and has also returned a punt for a TD. 

Xavier Sabb, Glassboro (New Jersey)

A coveted 2027 recruit as an athlete, Sabb’s early offers include Georgia, Michigan and Oregon. He has three receiving touchdowns, two interceptions on defense and is averaging 42 yards per kickofff return with two TDs during his freshman season. 

Jayquan Snell, Waxahachie (Texas)

Snell is averaging nearly six tackles per game this fall as a free safety. Auburn and Missouri are among the schools courting the two-way prospect. 

Kemon Spell, McKeesport (Pennsylvania)

Spell picked up offers from Pittsburgh and UNLV following a strong start to his freshman season. He has been a factor at running back and in the return game for McKeesport. 

(Myson Johnson-Cook photo by Bill Welt/The State Journal-Register / USA Today Network)

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-- Bob Lundeberg | @sblivesports