The 2026 MaxPreps preseason rankings carry more weight than any previous cycle. Transfers have reshaped rosters. NIL collectives now influence high school decisions. The gap between the haves and have-nots has never been wider.
MaxPreps released its state-by-state champion predictions for every classification. The Rivals composite Top 25, published Aug. 18, offers a comparative benchmark. The two systems disagree in meaningful ways.
Here is the breakdown.
The 25 Teams Poised to Shock the Nation
MaxPreps divides its national top 25 into three tiers. Each tier carries distinct storylines.
Tier 1 (1-5): The elite programs with five-star depth. Mater Dei (CA) returns a front seven that projects three Power-4 starters. St. John Bosco (CA) reloaded via the transfer portal, adding a 4-star edge rusher from Nevada. Bishop Gorman (NV) remains the West’s measuring stick. Duncanville (TX) and IMG Academy (FL) round out the top five.
Tier 2 (6-15): The reload candidates. Programs that underperformed in 2025 but addressed weaknesses. Chaminade-Madonna (FL) returns a 2,000-yard rusher. Corona Centennial (CA) hired a new defensive coordinator. DeSoto (TX) added three Division-I offensive linemen via transfer.
Tier 3 (16-25): The true shock teams. Mid-tier powers with breakout sophomore quarterbacks. Langston Hughes (GA) fits this profile. So does St. Joseph’s Prep (PA), which MaxPreps ranks at No. 19.
Rivals’ composite diverges at No. 8. Rivals has Corona Centennial at No. 5; MaxPreps slots them at No. 12. The gap stems from schedule strength calculations. MaxPreps weighs out-of-state opponents heavier.
| Team | MaxPreps Rank | Rivals Rank | Key Storyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mater Dei (CA) | 1 | 1 | Five-star QB, dominant DL |
| St. John Bosco (CA) | 2 | 2 | Transfer portal reload |
| Bishop Gorman (NV) | 3 | 3 | National schedule, elite talent |
| Duncanville (TX) | 4 | 4 | Returning 3,000-yard passer |
| IMG Academy (FL) | 5 | 6 | Roster churn, new QB |
| Corona Centennial (CA) | 12 | 5 | New DC, high ceiling |
| St. Joseph’s Prep (PA) | 19 | 17 | East Coast contender |
State-by-State Champion Predictions
MaxPreps’ methodology relies on three inputs: returning starters, strength of schedule, and historical pedigree. The algorithm favors programs with sustained success.
The locks: Mater Dei (CA Open), Bishop Gorman (NV 5A), St. John Bosco (CA Division 1). These programs have won their classifications in three of the last five seasons.
The toss-ups: Texas 6A Division I features Duncanville and DeSoto separated by a single possession in projected margins. Florida 4M pits Columbus against Miami Central. Georgia 6A has Langston Hughes and Mill Creek within two points.
Upset alerts: MaxPreps picks matter. But history says one consensus pick falls. In California’s Open Division, watch for Mission Viejo. In Texas, Southlake Carroll could topple Duncanville in a semifinal.
Spotlight: Pennsylvania’s Path to a National Title
The PA Football News (PFN) preseason rankings offer a state-level counterweight to MaxPreps. PFN’s top 10 aligns with MaxPreps on St. Joseph’s Prep at No. 1. They diverge afterward.
PFN ranks Harrisburg at No. 2. MaxPreps has them at No. 4 in-state. The discrepancy: Harrisburg lost 11 seniors to graduation. PFN weights returning skill-position talent higher.
District 7 (WPIAL) dominance continues. Four of PFN’s top 10 come from western Pennsylvania. District 1 and 12 (Philly suburbs and city) contribute three. Non-PIAA schools like Wyoming Seminary are rising.
Classification-by-classification Pennsylvania predictions:
| Class | Champion Pick | Challenger |
|---|---|---|
| 6A | St. Joseph’s Prep | Harrisburg |
| 5A | Pine-Richland | Exeter Township |
| 4A | Aliquippa | Bishop McDevitt |
| 3A | Central Valley | Danville |
| 2A | Southern Columbia | Reynolds |
| 1A | Steelton-Highspire | Bishop Canevin |
St. Joseph’s Prep is the state’s best national title hope. They return a 4-star quarterback and two FBS-caliber receivers. Their out-of-state schedule includes games against New Jersey and Maryland powers.
Key Storylines: Transfers, NIL, and the Rivals Factor
The transfer portal has changed high school football. Roster construction now mirrors college. Programs with NIL collectives attract talent. Programs without them lose players.
The Rivals composite, published Aug. 18, reflects this. Their top 25 includes four teams MaxPreps ranks outside the top 15. The divergence signals different weighting: Rivals favors individual talent accumulation; MaxPreps favors team continuity.
Consider Bishop Gorman. Rivals ranks them No. 3. MaxPreps agrees. But Rivals has St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) at No. 9; MaxPreps has them at No. 16. Aquinas lost their starting quarterback to transfer. MaxPreps penalizes that. Rivals credits their returning defensive line.
Dark Horse State Champions
Ten programs outside the MaxPreps top 25 will win their state’s toughest classification. Their common traits: dominant individual talent and favorable playoff brackets.
Miami Central (FL 3M): Ranked No. 31 nationally. Returns a 4-star edge rusher. Their region avoids Chaminade-Madonna until the final.
Buford (GA 5A): No. 42 in MaxPreps. Two 1,000-yard rushers return. Their bracket lacks a top-10 opponent.
Pine-Richland (PA 5A): No. 58 nationally. PFN ranks them No. 3 in-state. A 4-star offensive tackle anchors the line.
De La Salle (CA Open): No. 37. The Spartans’ triple-option offense confuses spread defenses. Their region is manageable.
St. Edward (OH Division I): No. 44. Returns 10 starters on defense. Their region includes two rebuilding programs.
Regional Breakdown: The Toughest States
Texas: Duncanville vs. DeSoto in 6A Division I. The prediction could fail if DeSoto’s new offensive line doesn’t gel. Their quarterback transfer arrived in June.
California: Mater Dei vs. Corona Centennial in the Open Division. Centennial’s new defensive coordinator installed a 3-3-5 scheme. Mater Dei’s power run game tests it.
Florida: Chaminade-Madonna vs. Columbus in 2M. Columbus added a 5-star wide receiver via transfer. Chaminade’s secondary is young.
Georgia: Langston Hughes vs. Mill Creek in 6A. Hughes’ sophomore quarterback could be the state’s breakout star. Mill Creek’s defense is senior-laden.
Ohio: St. Edward vs. Archbishop Moeller in Division I. Moeller’s 6-foot-5 quarterback committed to Ohio State. St. Edward’s defensive front is the state’s best.
National Championship Simulation
A four-team playoff among the top MaxPreps preseason teams yields a clear winner.
Semifinal 1: Mater Dei vs. Duncanville. Mater Dei’s defensive line controls the line of scrimmage. Final: 31-17.
Semifinal 2: St. John Bosco vs. Bishop Gorman. Bosco’s transfer additions make the difference in the fourth quarter. Final: 28-24.
Final: Mater Dei vs. St. John Bosco. The third meeting in four years. Mater Dei’s quarterback efficiency wins a 24-21 game.
St. Joseph’s Prep enters as a potential semifinalist. Their offensive line averages 295 pounds. That matches West Coast size. Their schedule lacks a California opponent, though. That matters.
How to Use These Rankings
For recruits: Target the “shock” teams. Programs ranked 16-25 often have immediate playing time. Langston Hughes has two open receiver spots. Pine-Richland needs a starting cornerback.
For coaches: Study state champions’ defensive schemes. Aliquippa’s 4-2-5 is replicable. Southern Columbia’s Wing-T offense works at smaller classifications.
For fans: The MaxPreps vs. Rivals divergence creates must-watch games. Corona Centennial’s Sept. 12 game against Bishop Gorman settles the No. 5 debate. St. Joseph’s Prep’s Oct. 3 showdown with St. Frances Academy (MD) tests Pennsylvania’s national credentials.
Five Bold Predictions
1. A Pennsylvania team finishes in the MaxPreps top 10. St. Joseph’s Prep has the schedule and talent. An undefeated season against a national slate earns a top-10 finish.
2. The Rivals composite No. 1 loses a state title. Mater Dei is the consensus pick. California’s Open Division bracket is unforgiving. One upset ends their season.
3. A team outside the MaxPreps top 100 makes the top 25 by December. Watch for a Texas 5A program with a breakout quarterback. Aledo or Denton Ryan fits.
4. The transfer portal creates a national champion outside the traditional powers. Chaminade-Madonna’s roster overhaul positions them for a title run.
5. MaxPreps and Rivals will agree on the final No. 1. The systems diverge in August. They converge by December. Mater Dei wins both.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What are the 2026 MaxPreps preseason rankings?
- A: They are state-by-state and national high school football rankings predicting champions and top teams, released by MaxPreps.
- Q: Which teams are in the top 5 of MaxPreps rankings?
- A: Mater Dei (CA), St. John Bosco (CA), Bishop Gorman (NV), Duncanville (TX), and IMG Academy (FL).
- Q: How do MaxPreps and Rivals rankings differ?
- A: MaxPreps places Corona Centennial at No. 8 in its top 25, while Rivals ranks them at No. 5, showing notable disagreement.
- Q: What makes a team a ‘shock team’ in the rankings?
- A: Teams in Tier 3 (16-25) are mid-tier powers with breakout sophomore quarterbacks, like Langston Hughes (GA) and St. Joseph’s Prep (PA).