Super 25 Rankings Unveiled
USA TODAY Sports has rolled out its preseason Super 25 national high school football rankings for the 2026 season, a comprehensive list that spans every state and showcases the programs poised to dominate the upcoming schedule. The rankings are based on the previous year's performance, returning star power, and early recruiting buzz, offering a snapshot of which squads enter the new year with the strongest credentials.
Alabama's top spot belongs to Thompson from Alabaster, a program that finished the 2025 campaign with an 11‑3 record and remains a perennial powerhouse in the Southeast. Across the country, Alaska's Soldotna stands out with a flawless 10‑0 finish last season, while Arizona's Basha and Arkansas' Bryant each posted perfect or near‑perfect marks, underscoring the depth of talent in those regions.
The list also highlights programs that have become national conversation starters, such as Florida's IMG Academy, which entered the rankings with a 9‑0 record and is renowned for its high‑profile recruits. Georgia's Buford, riding a 15‑0 streak, and Colorado's Cherry Creek, unbeaten at 14‑0, illustrate how dominant performances in the Midwest and West continue to shape the broader narrative of high school football excellence.
Beyond the marquee names, the rankings reveal a tapestry of emerging contenders in states like New York, where Iona Prep from New Rochelle holds the top slot with an 11‑1 record, and Pennsylvania, where La Salle College in Wyndmoor boasts a 13‑1 finish. These selections not only celebrate past achievements but also set the stage for recruiting battles, college commitments, and early Heisman‑type discussions that will ripple through the upcoming season.
As teams gear up for the 2026 campaign, the Super 25 rankings serve as both a benchmark and a motivator, driving coaches to fine‑tune strategies and players to sharpen their skills. The anticipation is palpable, with fans and analysts alike tracking how these early rankings will influence playoff projections and ultimately, the national conversation about the future of high school football.