Who will win Alabama Mr. Football?
There may be no individual award more prestigious in Alabama high school football than being named Mr. Football. If you are named Mr. Football, you join an exclusive club that only few can say that they are a part of, similar to the Heisman Trophy in college football. It signifies just how special your season was. Looking back at previous winners as examples (Kristian Story, Bo Nix, Asa Martin, etc.), Mr. Football winners go on to the next level and have success not only just in college, but beyond.
While only one player can be named Mr. Football, there are numerous candidates this season that could win this honor. Let’s take a deeper look at four potential winners, each of who are considered the favorites to win.
Ga’Quincy McKinstry, the #1 ranked player in the state, won the 6A Back of the Year and is considered one of the favorites for Mr. Football. McKinstry, an Alabama commit, had a stellar senior season for the 6A State Champions Pinson Valley where he dominated at times during the playoffs. McKinstry, one of the top cornerbacks in the entire country, was rarely challenged on defense this season, but when he was he had 12 pass breakups and two INTs, both of which were returned for TDs. McKinstry also played on offense for the Indians where he caught 40 passes for 616 yards and 10 TDs.
Conner Harrell won the 7A Back of the Year leading the Thompson Warriors to their second consecutive 7A state championship. The junior QB completed 226 of his 309 pass attempts for 3,516 yards and 42 TDs with only 3 INTs. Harrell also ran the ball for 292 yards rushing and 6 TDs, and overall accounted for 48 of Thompson’s 78 TDs this season. Harrell could win Mr. Football as a junior, something that hasn’t been done in recent years.
Jeremiah Alexander, the 7A Lineman of the Year, is the consensus #1 player in Alabama in the Class of 2022. Alexander, a one-time Alabama commit, was dominant on the defensive line for the 7A champs Thompson, and is one of the top defensive players in Alabama regardless of class. Alexander had 106 total tackles for the Warriors, which included 29 tackles for loss and 8 sacks. Alexander, along with teammate Conner Harrell are potentially the two most likely juniors to win Mr. Football.
Possibly the most deserving to win 2020 Mr. Football is Mobile Christian LB Deontae Lawson. Lawson, an Alabama commit, did it all on both sides of the ball for the Leopards, and was named the 4A Lineman of the Year after winning the 3A Lineman of the Year last season. Lawson finished the season with 116 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 1 sack on defense while leading the team in tackles and was a national finalist for the High School Butkus Award. Lawson also led Mobile Christian is rushing as he had 459 yards and 8 TDs on 58 carries, while also catching 12 passes for 114 yards and 1 TD. Winning the 2020 Mr. Football Award would put the finishing touches on Lawson’s phenomenal senior season.
The winner of the 2020 Mr. Football in Alabama will be announced at some point later this month. While someone not mentioned could end up winning the award, what McKinstry, Harrell, Alexander, and Lawson have done this season is special, and is why they are considered the favorites for this prestigious award.
Written by: Matt Melton
