Over the last week, football fans got to vote for their favorite player for the 2023 Gridiron Football Player of the Year. Gridiron Football narrowed down their final nominees to 26 and let the fans decide to see who will be this year’s top player. Players from three different states were represented to see who the second annual Gridiron Football Player of the Year will be as last year, it was former Lutcher High School QB and current Ragin’ Cajun signal caller D’Wanye Winfield that took home the crown last fall.
The winner will receive a special letterman jacket patch from us at Gridiron Football, which says “Gridiron Football Player of the Year.”
After a week of voting, the results are in. Keep in mind. These rankings were only decided by the votes from the fans and are not of the opinions of Gridiron Football.
Now, here are the players that made the Top Five and just missed out on being this year’s Gridiron Football Player of the Year!
The winner will be announced on Monday!
Gridiron Football Player of the Year Finalists (#2-5 Based On Number Of Votes):
#2: Tioga High School (LA) 2024 ATH and UL Signee Ja’Corian Norris: 5,858 votes
There was nothing that Tioga High School (LA) 2024 DB Ja’Corian Norris couldn’t do this year as the Ragin’ Cajun signee had 91 tackles, 7 INTs including 5 that were returned for touchdowns, 5 kickoff returns for touchdowns, and even a punt return for a touchdown. Like George below him, Norris certainly made an impression in his final high school game playing in the Gridiron Football All-American Bowl Game with four tackles including two bone crushing hits and also a PBU.
#3: Episcopal High School (LA) 2024 RB and Navy Signee Braeden George: 4,691 votes
Episcopal High School (LA) 2024 RB Braeden George was one of the most underrated players in the state of Louisiana this past season. Playing a featured role in the Knights’ Wing T offense, the Navy signee thrived this past season as he outran defenders to 1,854 yards and 28 touchdowns. The Gridiron Football All-American finished his prep career with a bang as he was named the Team East Offensive MVP with 84 yards rushing and one touchdown.
#4: Ascension Catholic High School (LA) 2025 RB Chad Elzy Jr.: 4,354 votes
Ascension Catholic High School (LA) 2025 RB Chad Elzy Jr. broke out onto the scene in a big way as a junior this past season as he put up some insane video game numbers. This past season, the Bulldogs’ human highlight reel was a score waiting to happen every time he touched the football with a staggering 3,468 all-purpose yards and 50 touchdowns including a 461 yard and nine touchdown performance in a playoff game against Vermilion Catholic. Still with another year of high school left, it is scary to see the type of numbers that Elzy will put up as an upcoming senior as he is clearly one of the frontrunners to be a Gridiron Football Player of the Year finalist next fall.
#5: Center High School (TX) 2024 RB and NAU Signee Kaden Dixon: 3,807 votes
Coming in at number five is the first overall pick from this year’s Gridiron Football All-American Bowl Game Draft in Center High School (TX) 2024 running back and Northern Arizona signee Kaden Dixon. The 6’2, 200 pound running back had a storied prep career where he ran for 4,560 yards and 61 touchdowns including 1,980 yards rushing and 23 touchdowns this past fall as a senior.
If you want to find out who finished #6-26 on our Gridiron Football Player of the Year Poll, click below!
