4 Alabama athletes among MaxPreps 100 to watch in 2026-27
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A new high school sports year has arrived with football taking the spotlight this fall across Alabama.
MaxPreps has released its list of 100 high school athletes to watch across the country and our state had four representatives on the list. All four will take the football field this fall but only three of them are actually in high school while the other one already made noise this summer on a national stage.
“Our list of 100 athletes we will be watching in 2026-27 includes national champions, record-breakers, physical outliers, multi-sport standouts and the sons and daughters of legendary athletes. Some are already competing against professionals while others have yet to begin their freshman year.”
MaxPreps
Keep reading to see Alabama’s four representatives on the list.
Gunner Rivers, St. Michael
The senior quarterback is destined for a strong final season as the Cardinals move to a new classification with hopes of claiming their first ever state title.
Gunner Rivers is the son of Philip Rivers, the former NFL quarterback and current St. Michael head coach.
The quarterback has been starting since he was a freshman, accounting for more than 10,000 yards and 114 touchdowns through the air already in his career. Rivers had to miss most of the 2026 season opener against Battle Ground Academy, which was nationally televised.
Rivers has committed to play at NC State and is expected to enroll in January following the high school football season.
Kinley Rasmus, Phenix City
The Summer of Kinley may be over but after proving herself on a national stage, the Phenix City star is back home and ready to compete across multiple sports.
Rasmus is already getting playing time for the Central-Phenix City flag football team, which is ranked as the best in the country and is currently riding a 60-game winning streak. She is expected to start on both sides of the ball for the Red Devils.
Most recently, Rasmus made a name for himself on the baseball field, leading the first Alabama team at the Little League Baseball World Series since 1999. She’s still expected to stay on the diamond as a baseball and softball star this year.
Kole Moody, Selma
As an eighth grader, Kole Moody led the entire country in passing yards.
According to MaxPreps, Moody threw for 5,350 yards and 60 touchdowns with Southside Selma. Now, he has moved over to Selma High School with his head coach Charles Moody and they’re already off to a great start.
In just two games with the Saints, Moody has thrown for 617 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Obrendan Jones, Luverne
It may seem like a surprise to see a Class 2A nose guard on this list but Obrendan Jones has been the subject of one of the early-season viral videos across social media already this season.
MaxPreps calls Jones an “approximate 400-pound defensive lineman” who is hoping to convert his internet fame into more recruiting momentum. But it’s still his play on the field that speaks for itself.
Luverne is currently ranked No. 2 in Class 2A as the Tigers chase their first state title since 1997. Jones is the anchor of the defense, clogging any running lanes for opposing offenses. Oh, and he also starts on the offensive line so you won’t see him get much rest on the sideline on Friday nights.
