SBLive's All-CIF San Diego Section high school football team (2024 preseason edition)

Quarterbacks Akili Smith Jr. and Zach Benitez faced off in the 2023 Open Division championship game

Granite Hills running back Max Turner carries the ball past defenders in the 2023 Open Division championship game / Justin Fine

The 2024 high school football season in the San Diego Section has arrived. After taking a look at the top players by position, the top games to see this season and the preseason top 20 teams in the section, here is SBLive's All-CIF San Diego Section preseason high school football team.

SAN DIEGO SECTION LISTS: Top breakout candidates| Top quarterbacks | Top running backs |Top receivers| Top defensive linemen | Top linebackers |Top defensive backs|Top special teams players| Top 20 out-of-section games|Top 25 regular season games

OFFENSE

QB – Akili Smith Jr., Lincoln, Sr. (Oregon)

2023 stats: 64%, 2,431 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, 5 interceptions; 196 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns

QB – Zach Benitez, Granite Hills, Soph.

2023 stats: 64%, 2,281 passing yards, 23 passing touchdowns, 4 interceptions; 98 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns

RB – Sir Autry, Hoover, Sr. (San Jose State)

2023 stats: 2,507 total yards, 32 touchdowns

RB – Max Turner, Granite Hills, Sr.

2023 stats: 1,345 total yards, 19 touchdowns

RB – Giovanni Harte, Mission Hills, Sr.

2023 stats: 1,287 total yards, 13 touchdowns

WR – Jase Nix, San Marcos, Sr. (San Jose State)

2023 stats: 56 receptions, 991 yards, 14 touchdowns

WR – Ty Olsen, Lincoln, Sr.

2023 stats: 74 receptions, 1,262 yards, 15 touchdowns

WR – Ian Browne, Bishop’s, Sr. (Brown)

2023 stats: 60 receptions, 919 yards, 14 touchdowns

ATH – Elijah Gillespie, Chula Vista, Sr.

2023 stats: 53 receptions, 972 yards, 17 touchdowns; 2 interceptions

OL – Jett Thomas, La Jolla, Sr. (San Diego State)

OL – Andrew Langer, Carlsbad, Sr. (Eastern Washington)

OL – Journey Tala, Lincoln, Sr.

OL – Lincoln Mageo, Oceanside, Soph.

OL – Kai Jacobowitz, Carlsbad, Sr. (Duke)

K/P – Tyler Prasuhn, Carlsbad, Sr. (Washington)

2023 stats: 58 touchbacks, 4/6 FG (32 long), 57/58 PAT, 37.8 punt average

DEFENSE

DL – Eugene Rice, Lincoln, Sr.

2023 stats: 71 tackles, 10 sacks

DL – Bronx Letuligasenoa, Cathedral Catholic, Jr.

2023 stats: 91 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 3 pass breakups

DL – Luke Westfall, Cathedral Catholic, Sr.

2023 stats: N/A

DL – Nash Cooper, La Costa Canyon, Sr.

2023 stats: N/A

LB – Jared Martin, Central, Sr. (TCU)

2023 stats: 33 tackles, 7 sacks, 4 pass breakups

LB – Ezaya Tokio, Oceanside, Jr.

2023 stats: 98 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 pass breakups

LB – Vili Trollinger, Montgomery, Jr.

2023 stats: 101 tackles, 6 sacks, 4 pass breakups, 2 interceptions

LB – Munir Kassa, Lincoln, Sr.

2023 stats: 49 tackles, 12 sacks, forced fumble

DB – Braylon Cardwell, Mount Miguel, Sr. (San Diego State)

2023 stats: 12 tackles, 2 interceptions, pass breakup

DB – Tay Lockett, University City, Jr. (Arkansas)

2023 stats: 49 tackles, 5 interceptions, forced fumble

DB – Qayden Coleman, El Camino, Sr.

2023 stats: 33 tackles, 6 interceptions, forced fumble

DB – Cammeron Purnell, Lincoln, Jr.

2023 stats: 31 tackles, 3 interceptions, 3 pass breakups

DB – Parker Vance, Granite Hills, Sr.

2023 stats: 63 tackles, 5 interceptions, 2 sacks

ATH – Carson Diehl, La Jolla, Jr.

2023 stats: 46 tackles, 8 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles; 52 receptions, 769 yards, 10 touchdowns

RETURN – Nico Jara, Steele Canyon, Jr.

2023 stats: 39.8 kick return average, 2 touchdowns; 42 punt return average, 3 touchdowns