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 will be the second annual Gridiron Football Player of the Year 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. Starting Monday, we will reveal the Top Five, but for now, here are the players that finished #6-10.
Gridiron Football Player of the Year Finalists (#6-10 Based On Number Of Votes):
#6: Westminster Christian Academy (AL) 2024 LB Zeke Carwile: 3,204 votes
The only Alabama representative of the final Gridiron Football Player of the Year nominees is Westminster Christian Academy (AL) 2024 LB Zeke Carwile. The Gridiron Football All-American had a non-stop motor as one of the leading tacklers not only in the state of Alabama, but in the entire nation this past fall as he paced the way with 205 tackles, 26 TFLs, 7 forced fumbles, 3 INTs, 2 PBUs, a fumble recovery, and a sack. Carwile had a great cap off to his high school career when he helped lead Team West to a 14-7 victory in the 2023 Gridiron Football All-American Bowl Game with six tackles, a TFL, a forced fumble, and also a fumble recovery.
#7: Salmen High School (LA) 2024 RB and Pearl River signee Jacobi Jefferson: 2,221 votes
Salmen High School (LA) 2024 RB and Pearl River signee Jacobi Jefferson was a human highlight reel for the Spartans last season. The Gridiron Football All-American cut, juked, and outran defenders to become the leading rusher in St. Tammany Parish with 1,916 yards and 25 touchdowns this past season.
#8: Jena High School (LA) 2024 RB Zerrick Jones: 2,115 votes
Jena High School (LA) 2024 RB Zerrick Jones had himself one of the best individual seasons in program history for the Giants as he led the football program to their first undefeated regular season and number one seeding. Offensively, the Giants heavily leaned on the Gridiron Football All-American with 1,965 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns over the course of the season.
#9: McDonogh 35 High School (LA) 2024 DE/OLB and Grambling signee Peyton McFarland: 1,411 votes
McDonogh 35 High School (LA) 2024 DE/OLB and Grambling signee Peyton McFarland always found a way to get to the quarterback playing for the Roneagles. Last season, the Gridiron Football All-American was a force to be reckoned with as he had 73 tackles, 15 sacks, 27 TFLs, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles, and even an interception. His best performance came this season when he was our Week 9 POTW with 11 total tackles, six tackles for loss, and six sacks in a 31-0 victory over Frederick Douglass to win the district championship.
#10: Hutto High School (TX) 2024 QB and Texas Tech signee Will Hammond: 1,302 votes
Hutto High School (TX) 2024 QB and Texas Tech signee Will Hammond put up some eye opening numbers this year for the Hippos. In fact, this gunslinger quarterback led the entire state of Texas in passing with 3,901 yards and 35 touchdowns. Despite putting up those gaudy numbers through the air, Hammond also showed that he can be just as dangerous as a runner with 1,077 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns. Hammond put the nation on notice this season by accounting for 807 yards and 10 touchdowns in one game against Liberty Hill.
If you want to find out who finished #11-26 on our Gridiron Football Player of the Year Poll, click below!
