The High School Football America 300 preseason rankings, sponsored by NFL Play Football, have just been released, offering a first look at the nation’s top public high school football programs for the 2026 season. The list includes 209 public schools out of a total of 300 teams, providing a comprehensive snapshot of the current landscape.
Key Takeaways
Georgia’s Buford occupies the summit of the rankings, capitalizing on a strong recent record that helped it secure the No. 1 position. Close behind, Carrollton from the same state follows in second place after recently edging past Buford in the Georgia 6A state championship, a victory that has added momentum to its standing.
Texas representation is highlighted by North Shore, the reigning Texas 6A Division I champions, who sit at No. 3 after a dominant campaign in the Lone Star State. Completing the top four, Grayson from Georgia briefly held the No. 1 slot before falling to Carrollton in the state quarterfinals, underscoring the competitive balance within the rankings.
National Diversity
The rankings span a wide geographic footprint, featuring teams from states such as Alabama, Indiana, Tennessee, Arizona, Louisiana, California, Florida, Colorado, Ohio, South Carolina, Michigan, Utah, Oklahoma, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Illinois. Each program’s 2025 record and final HSFA 300 position fed into the proprietary algorithm that determines the preseason order.
The algorithm behind the preseason list weighs win‑loss records, strength of schedule and recent championship outcomes, producing a snapshot that will evolve as the season unfolds. Coaches, recruiters and fans alike will watch closely as these early placements set the stage for matchups that could reshape the hierarchy before the postseason.