Who is the best high school football player in Arizona to see in the 2026 season?
Roye Oliver III, a dynamic wide receiver who is graduating a year early and will play college ball at USC, is rated by USA Today as the No. 1 player in Arizona. For good reason. He is the reigning Arizona Republic high school football Offensive Player of the Year, after catching 92 passes for 1,839 yards and 29 touchdowns during an 11-1 season. He won the Ed Doherty Award, given to the top player in the state, regardless of position.
USA Today has tabbed defending Open state champion Basha as the top team in Arizona. It is ranked No. 8 nationally by the publication.
Who do you feel is the top player to see in Arizona? Here is The Republic's list for the top 10 players
to see this season.
The Republic's Top 10 HS football players in 2026
1. Roye Oliver III, Hamilton, WR, Sr.
He can do it all. Catch passes in the flat and turn upfield for touchdowns. He can go deep over the middle and make difficult catches. And he's got Jax Sculley back getting the ball to him.
2. Will Mencl, Chandler, QB, Sr.
He's rated among the top quarterbacks in the nation. He got a special invitation this summer to play in the Elite 11 finals. And he led Chandler to the Open state final last year with his arm and legs.
3. Jalanie George, Goodyear Desert Edge, Edge, Jr.
He's been ranked as high as No. 2 in the nation in the 2028 class by 247Sports. Incredible quickness and strength, who will be a sack monster, gobbling up quarterbacks at the 5A level.
4. Landen Wade, Chandler Basha, Edge, Jr.
Another monster pass rusher who has the likes of Ohio State after him. He's in store for a big-time season as a junior.
5. Noah Roberts, Basha, RB, Sr.
He's one of 14 seniors committed to Division I colleges out of the 2027 class at Basha. He's been starting since his freshman year. The Texas commit is maybe the best pass-catching running back in the state.
6. Jai Jones, Chandler, WR, Sr.
Mencl needs somebody to throw the ball to, and Jones might be the best in the state to come down with difficult catches.
7. Jake Hildebrand, Basha, OT, Sr.
The Arizona State commit has developed into a top recruit in the state with his commitment and passion for the game. Great leader who has anchored the Basha offensive line since his freshman year.
8. Daryl Little II, Phoenix Thunderbird, Athlete, Jr.
He does it all. Catches passes on offense. Breaks up passes on defense. Returns kicks. This year, he'll be throwing passes and running the ball as quarterback, with the Titans needing to have the ball in the dynamo's hands as much as possible.
9. Jax Sculley, Hamilton, QB, Jr.
He's going to be playing Week 1, coach Travis Dixon said, after rehabilitating his surgically repaired knee. He tore his ACL in the final regular-season game against Chandler in 2025. When he's on the field, Hamilton has maybe the most explosive offense in the state.
10. Kingston Anetema, Mesa, Athlete, Sr.
He'll be playing wide receiver at Arizona State. At Mesa, he'll be all over the field. At receiver and defensive back. One of the most dynamic two-way players in the state.
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: Vote. Who is the best Arizona high school football player in 2026?
