SBLive/SI All-State California high school football teams for 2023 season

We honored 114 players across the state, including seven total Players of the Year, one coach along with a dozen QBs, RBs, WRs, DL, LBs, DBs and all-purpose standouts

Folsom QB Ryder Lyons was the SBLive/SI California Co-Offensive Player of the Year in 2023. / Photo: Joe Bergman

(This story was first published in Jan. 2023)

What a 2023 high school football season in California. Isn't it always? 

As usual, a pair of Southern Section juggernauts — Mater Dei and St. John Bosco — fought it out for not only the state Open Division title, but also a possible national championship.

Fifteen state champions were eventually crowned for the first time all meeting up at three Southern California sites — Saddleback College (Mission Viejo), El Camino College (Torrance) and Pasadena City College. 

It culminated a season that lasted four months and for most teams between 14-16 games. 

For all the efforts of the players, coaches and administrations we present an exhaustive All-California team by the dozens. 

The yearly awards go to a special eight, including 76-year-old Acalanes coach of the year Floyd Burnsed, followed by the follow top 12 at respective positions — quarterbacks, running backs, wide receiver, offensive linemen, defensive linemen, linebackers, defensive backs and all-purpose. 

We've also added five tight ends and specialists for good measure, bringing the grand total count to 114 honorees. Dozens more were considered. 

We've arrived at the 114 started from the inside — our own local reporters and writers — and working outward to coaches, correspondents and of course local media groups. 

Enjoy the team and let us know what you think or left off any deserving athletes to SBLive California senior editor Mitch Stephens at mitch@scorebooklive.com. 

YEARLY AWARDS

Player of the Year: Bryson Donelson, Central Valley Christian, Sr. (Fresno State)

Bryson Donelson rushed for more than 200 yards six different times, including a high of 391 with six touchdowns in a 48-27 win over Tehachapi. / Photo by Richard Posada

The 6-foot, 205 pound running led the state with 3,297 rushing yards and 58 total touchdowns, adding 645 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, along with serving as the team's punter. The Fresno State signee led CVC (15-1) to a state 2-A championship with a 45-42 win over Los Gatos when Donnelson rushed for 202 yards and three touchdowns and added six catches for 91 yards and another score. The week before, he piled up 358 rushing yards on 26 carries and three TDs in a 55-38 regional win over Simi Valley. 

A pair of sophomore quarterbacks climbed the 2026 recruiting charts with monstrous seasons, leading their teams to banner seasons. The physical and fast 6-3, 220-pound Lyons led his Bulldogs all the way to the CIF 1-A championship, throwing a game-winning touchdown pass in the final seconds in the title game. He finished with 3,578 passing yards and 38 touchdowns and also rushed for 929 yards and 23 scores. Smigiel threw for 4,222 yards and 52 touchdowns in 14 games, while completing 282 of 479 attempts. The 6-4, 210-pounder was the Southern Section's Offensive Player of the Year. Lyons is ranked the No. 2 QB recruit in the nation and Smigiel is No. 5.

Co-Defensive Players of the Year: Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, St. John Bosco, Sr.; Marco Jones, San Ramon Valley, Jr.

Absolutely dominating linebackers from the Southern and North Coast Section, respectively. Viliamu-Asa, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound senior, led the nation's No. 6 team with 114 tackles and 13 for loss in 13 games. The Notre Dame-bound star was the key cog in Bosco's 28-0 regular-season victory over eventual national champion Mater Dei. He's ranked the No. 4 top linebacking recruit in the national by 247Sports. Jones, a 6-5, 240-pound junior, had a remarkable 166 tackles with three forced fumbles and two pick-6s for the 9-3 Wolves. A top baseball prospect, Jones is ranked the nation's No. 14 edge rusher. He has 315 tackles in two seasons. 

Breakout Player of the Year: Caleb Sanchez, St. John Bosco, Sr.

Loyal, relentless and highly productive, Sanchez waited his turn to lead one of the nation's top programs. He responded by passing for 3,341 yards and 35 touchdowns in 13 games. He completed 256 of 362 passes (70%).

Freshman of the Year: Richie Wesley, Sierra Canyon

The 6-5, 230-pound defensive end made quite a splash with a combined six sacks in his first two games, against JSerra Catholic and Oaks Christian and finished with 9.5 for the season. He's considered further along at this point of his career than another Southern Section defensive end great Kayvon Thibodeaux, now starring for the NFL's New York Giants. Wesley already has 14 college offers, including Georgia, Miami and Tennessee. 

Coach of the Year: Floyd Burnsed, Acalanes

The 76-year-old kept the Dons on track even after an 0-3 start and a disheartening 25-24 loss to Campolindo to end the regular season, which cost them an outright league title. The Dons responded with five straight postseason wins, capped off with a 35-23 triumph over Birmingham in the state 3-AA title game. “With every setback I just reminded the boys nothing has changed,” Burnsed said. “Everything was right in front of them. And they took it and ran with it all the way.” 

ALL-CALIFORNIA TEAM

(Position - Name, school, year (college, if applicable))

OFFENSE

DOZEN QUARTERBACKS (alphabetical)

QB - Sully Bailey, Acalanes, Sr

• 3,646 passing yards, 49 TDs, 4 TDs in state-title win

QB - Luke Baker, San Ramon Valley, Sr.

• 3,913 total yards, 41 total TDs

QB - Elijah Brown, Stanford, Sr. (Stanford)

• 2,950 passing yards, 39 touchdowns for CIF State Open champs

QB - Jordan Crisp, Tulare Union, So.

• State-best 4,288 yards (13 games), 293 of 408 (72%), 48 TDs

QB - Darius Curry,  Long Beach Poly, Sr. (Colorado State)

• 3,197 yards, 41 TDs, 11 INTs, 63%; 2 rushing TDs

QB Dermaricus Davis, Etiwanda, Sr. (Washington)

• 191 of 275 (69 percent), 2,618 yards, 25 TDs; 223 rushing yards, 7 TDs

QB - Madden Iamaleava, Warren, Jr.

• 3,626 yards, 43 TDs, 4 INTs, 63%; 3 rushing TDs

QB Dom Ingrassia, San Marin, Sr.

• MCAL POY 3,115 total yards, 47 touchdowns

QB Tyus Miller, Clovis East, Jr. (Davis)

• 3,503 passing yards, 43 touchdowns, 612 rushing yards, 5 more TDs

QB - Deagen Rose, Clovis, So.

• 2,894 passing yards, 24 TDs, 14 rushing TDS

QB - Julian Sayin, Carlsbad, Sr. (Alabama)

• 2,369 yards, 24 TDs, 1 INT, 76%, 4 rushing TDs

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

• 2,431 yards, 25 TDs, 5 INT, 64%, 3 rushing TDs

DOZEN RUNNING BACKS (alphabetical)

RB - Kevin Allen, Helix, Sr. (Eastern Washington)

• SDS Offensive POY 1,295 rushing yards, 22 TDs

RB - Sir Autry, Hoover, Jr.

• 2,507 total yards, 32 TDs, 12 yards per carry

RB - Hunter Babb, Caruthers, Sr.

• 303 carries, 3,245 yards, 45 TDS

RB - Dion Coleman, Chico, Sr.

• 191 carries, 2,188 yards, 11.5 YPC, 28 touchdowns, Northern Section POY

RB — Cornell Hatcher, Centennial, (Oregon State)

• 2,257 rushing yards, 268 attempts, 42 touchdowns in 12 games

RB - Zachary Homan, Cardinal Newman, Sr. (San Jose State)

• 2,428 rushing yards, 36 TDs

RB - Cameron Jones, St. John Bosco, Sr. (UCLA)

• 1,046 yards rushing, 18 touchdowns, 151 total yards, 2 TDs in win over Mater Dei

RB - Wayshawn Parker, Grant, Sr. (Washington State)

• 13 games, 2,055 rushing yards, 12.5 YPC, 25 touchdowns, 20 catches, 255 yards

RB - Cincere Rhaney, Serra-Gardena, Sr. (San Diego State)

• Mission League Offensive MVP 1,183 rushing yards, 23 TDs

RB - Dylan Riley, Rancho Verde, Sr. (Boise State)

• 2,059 yards, 29 TDs, 187 ypg

RB - Aiden Rubin, San Clemente, Sr.

• 1,790 yards, 20 TDs, 162 ypg

RB - Herschel Turner, Mt. Diablo, Sr. (Utah State)

• Bay Area record 3,027 rushing yards, 17.1 ypc, 42 touchdowns

DOZEN WIDE RECEIVERS (alphabetical)

WR – Jeremiah Castillo, Mount Miguel, Sr.

• 66 receptions, 1,249 yards, 22 TDs

WR - Chase Farrell, Oaks Christian, Sr. (Stanford)

• 53 receptions, 1,153 yards, 15 TDs

WR - Braylon Hall, Central-Fresno, Sr. (Western Colorado)

• Tri-River Conference POY 83 receptions, 1,372 yards, 17 TDs

WR/DB - Chris Lawson, Archbishop Riordan, Jr.

• OFF: 68 receptions, 969 yards, 15 touchdowns
• DEF: 26 tackles, 3 interceptions, 3 FR

WR - Trent Mosley, Santa Margarita, So.

• 81 receptions, 1,282 yards, 11 TDs

WR – Ty Olsen, Del Norte, Jr.

• 74 receptions, 1,262 yards, 15 TDs

WR/DB/K - Trevor Rogers, Acalanes, Sr. (Cal)

• OFF: 74 receptions, 1,231 yards, 16 TDs, 2 FGs, 8 XP
• DEF: 26 tackles, 4 interceptions 

WR - Jordan Ross, Warren, Sr. (Colorado State)

• 72 receptions, 1,633 yards, 27 TDs

WR - Owen Scott, San Ramon Valley, Jr.

• 84 receptions, 1,406 yards, 10 TDs

WR - Vance Spafford, Mission Viejo, So.

• 83 receptions, 1,576 yards, 22 TDs

WR - Zacharyus Williams, Gardena Serra, Sr. (Utah)

• 51 receptions, 943 yards, 13 TDs, 2 KR TDs

WR - Landon Wright, Clovis West, Sr. (Washington State)

• 66 catches, CS-best 1,406 yards, 15 TDs

DOZEN OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (alphabetical)

OL - Brandon Baker, Mater Dei, Sr. (Texas)

• CIF-SS D1 and CIF State Open champion

OL - Davit Boyajyan, Clovis North, Sr. (Washington)

• CS LOY didn't allow sack all season for D1 champs

OL DeAndre Carter, Mater Dei, Sr. (Auburn)

• Four-year starter for state Open Division champions

OL – David Clifford, Poway, Sr. (BYU)

• Three-year starter was Poway's top player this season

OL - Wade Helton, Corona Centennial, Sr. (Iowa State)

• Helped Cornell Hatcher run for 2,200 yards and 42 TDs

OL John Mills, St. Ignatius, Jr

• 6-6, 325-pound tackle, WCAL OL of the Year

OL - Phillip Ocon, St. Francis, Sr. (Colorado State)

• Named the Angelus League MVP - don't see that often

OL Mark Schroller, Mission Viejo, Sr. (UCLA)

• 6-6, 295-pound tackle paved way for state D1-AA champions

OL Champ Taulealea, Valley Christian, Jr.

• 4-star recruit, Junior POY in WCAL

OL – Alejandro Tejeda, Granite Hills, Sr.

• Keyed a huge group up front for a balanced, explosive offense

OL - Shaun Torgeson, St. Bonaventure, Sr. (Portland State)

• Anchored a Seraphs team that won the CIF-SS D3 title

OL - Samuel Utu, Orange Lutheran, So.

• Aided O-Lu to D1 playoff berth

FIVE TIGHT ENDS (alphabetical)

TE - Decker Degraaf, Glendora, Sr. (Washington)

• 57 receptions, 993 yards, 11 touchdowns

TE - Kaleb Edwards, Oak Ridge, Jr. 

• 44 receptions, 828 yards, seven touchdowns

TE - Cole Harrison, Serra-San Mateo, Sr. (Tennessee)

• 20.5 ypc, 5 TDs for NorCal Open champs

TE Lachlan Hindley, Tamalpais, Sr.

• 57 receptions, 1,002 yards, 7 TDs (4 in 63-30 win over Archie Williams)

TE - Alek Marshall, Menlo-Atherton, Sr. (Cal Poly)

• 61 receptions, 809 yards, 10 TDs

DEFENSE

DOZEN DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (alphabetical)

DL - Chris Biller, De La Salle, Sr.

• 1st-team All-EBAL, 22.5 tackles for loss

DL – Ratumana Bulabalavu, Army-Navy, Sr. (Washington)

• 99 tackles, 20 TFL, 19 sacks, 2 FF, INT

DL – Jon Class, Mission Hills, Sr. (Weber State)

• 82 tackles, 43 TFL, 24 sacks, 2 FF

DL - Mario Crocitto, Marin Catholic, Sr. 

• MCAL DL POY, 24.5 sacks

DL - Carnell Ferguson, Sierra Canyon, Sr.

• 60 tackles, 20.5 TFL, 13 sacks, 2 FR

DL - JT Houston, Warren, Sr. (Cal Poly SLO)

• 69 tackles, 20 sacks, FF, 2 blocked punts

DL Jericho Johnson, Armijo, Sr. (Oregon)

• 52 tackles, nine sacks, All-American Bowl participant

DL - Chinedu Onyeagoro, King/Drew, Jr.

• 95 tackles, 30 TFL, 21 sacks, 2 int, 2 FR, 2 CF

DL - Jeremiah Tuiileila, Grant, Jr.

• 130 tackles, 23 sacks, 40 TFL

DL Jewelous Walls, Pittsburg, Jr.

• BVAL DL POY 86 tackles, 9 sacks

DL - Jaden Williams, Mission Viejo, Jr.

• 139 tackles, 39.5 TFL, 18.5 sacks, 2 FF,

DL - Nasir Wyatt, Mater Dei, Jr.

• 41 tackles, 21 TFL, 14 sacks, 7 PD, 3 FR, 3 FF, TD

DOZEN LINEBACKERS (alphabetical)

LB - Drew Cunningham, De La Salle, Sr. (Stanford)

• EBAL Co-Defensive POY with Jones

LB - Frank Cusano, Granite Bay, Sr. (Washington State)

• 92 tackles (10 games), 5 sacks, 255 career tackles (35 games)

LB - Madden Faraimo, JSerra, Jr.

• 101 tackles, 5 TFL, 2 sacks, FR, FF

LB - Kado Felder, Washington-Fresno, Sr. (Campbell)

• TCAL DPOY led CS 160 tackles, 28 TFL

LB - Hoi Hansen, Edison-Huntington Beach, Sr. 

• 166 tackles, 44 solo tackles, 3 sacks

LB - Tytus Khjavi, Clovis West, Sr. (Fresno State)

• CS DPOY 108 tackles, 31 TFL, 16.5 sacks, 4 FF

LB - Jordan Lockhart, St. John Bosco, Sr. (Texas A&M)

• 77 tackles, 5 sacks

LB - Owen Long, La Serna, Sr.

• 139 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 INTs, 15 PD, 1 FF

LB - Jabari Mann, Serra-San Mateo, Sr. (San Jose State)

• WCAL POY called one of Serra's "all-time greats," by coach Patrick Walsh

LB - Noah Mikhail, Bonita, Jr.

• 166 tackles, 15 TFL, 1 sack, 2 INTs, 3 PD,

LB - Jerome Roberts, Lincoln-San Diego, Sr. (Sacramento State)

• SDS Defensive Player of the Year, 171 tackles, 33 TFL, 2 FF

LB - Dylan Williams, Long Beach Poly, Sr. (Oregon)

• 83 tackles, 11 TFL, 3 sacks, 4 FF, INT

DOZEN DEFENSIVE BACKS (alphabetical)

DB - Joseph Bey, Serra, Sr. (San Jose State)

• WCAL DB POY for defense that allowed 83 points in reg. season

DB - Zabien Brown, Mater Dei, Sr. (Alabama)

• 22 tackles, 3 INTs, 5 PD, 2 FR

DB – Isaiah Buxton, Mater Dei Catholic, Sr. (San Diego State)

• 36 tackles, 3 INTs

DB - Jeilani Davis, Mater Dei, Sr. (Utah)

• 43 tackles, 5 INTs, 5 PD, 1 FF, TD

DB – Carson Diehl, La Jolla, Soph.

• 46 tackles, 8 INTs, 3 FF

DB - Scott Garwood, Los Gatos, Sr. 

PAL DB co-POY, 140 tackles, 4 interceptions

DB - Jadyn Hudson, Pittsburg, Jr. 

• 53 tackles, 6 interceptions, 4-star recruit

DB - Kamani Jackson, El Cerrito, Sr. (Washington State)

• 3 interceptions, 62 tackles for 12-2 Gauchos, 3 TD returns

DB - Royce Mendoza, Riverside Ramona, Sr.

• 62 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, 10 INTs, 20 PD, 3 FF, 4 TDs

DB/WR Kingston Lopa, Grant Union, Sr. (Oregon)

• OFF: 39 catches, 711 yards, 16 touchdowns
• DEF: 67 tackles, 4 interceptions

RB/DB Jamelle Newman, Lincoln-SF, Sr.

• OFF: 239 carries, 2,058 rushing yards, 26 TDs for SFS champions
• DEF: 36 tackles, 7 interceptions

DB - Marcelles Williams, St. John Bosco, Sr. (USC)

• 65 tackles, 2 INTs, 8 PD, FG blk

DOZEN ALL-PURPOSE (alphabetical)

WR/DB/RB - Jack Davis, St. Vincent, Sr.

• OFF: 65 carries, 445 yards, 14 TDs; 73 catches, 1,207 yards, 15 TDs
• DEF: 68 tackles, 8 TFL, 2 interceptions

RB/LB - Sire Gaines, Orange Vista, Sr. (Boise State)

• OFF: 1,685 yards rushing, 27 TDs, 129ypg; 16 receptions, 351 yards, 3 TDs
• DEF: 30 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 sacks, INT, 2 FR

WR/DB – Isaiah Hasten, St. Augustine, Sr.

• OFF: 67 receptions, 1,261 yards, 13 TDs
• DEF: 68 tackles, 7 interceptions

WR/DB - Matt Long, Vista del Lago, Sr. (Air Force)

• OFF: 55 receptions, 971 yards, 16 TDs, 3 rushing TDs
• DEF: 5 interceptions, 36 tackles

QB/LB – Jaden Mangini, La Jolla Country Day, Sr. (Navy)

• OFF: 2,373 passing yards, 32 TDs, 6 INTs, 1,119 rushing yards, 22 TDs
• 42 tackles, 2 sacks, INT

RB/LB - McKay Madsen, Clovis North, Jr.

• OFF: 995 rushing yards, 18 touchdowns
• DEF: 69 tackles, 3 interceptions

WR/DB - Tommy Nix, Clovis East, Sr.

• OFF: 67 receptions, 1,313 yards, 17 touchdowns, 2 rushing TDs
• DEF: 72 tackles, 5 interceptions, 

WR/DB - Shane Rosenthal, Newbury Park, Jr.

• OFF: 1,947 yards receiving, 122 receptions, 21 TDs
• DEF: 12 INTs, 2 INT TDs

WR/DB Jaylen Thomas, Los Gatos, Sr. (San Jose State)

• OFF: 64 receptions, 1,180 yards, 14 TDs; 142 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 217 passing yds
• DEF: 93 tackles, 5 interceptions, 9 PD

WR/DB - Peyton Waters, Birmingham, Sr. (Washington)

• OFF: 79 receptions, 1,248 yards, 17 touchdowns, 3 rushing TDs
• DEF: 64 tackles, 2 interceptions, 4 PD, 2 FR

QB/LB Trent Wentworth, Central Catholic, Sr.

• OFF: 2,069 passing yards, 25 TDs; 386 rushing yards, 10 TDs
• DEF: 46 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 FR

RB/DB/KR - Charles Williams, Marin Catholic, Sr. (Wyoming)

• OFF: 1,361 rushing yds, 19 receptions, 418 yards
• DEF: 11 interceptions, 3 picks 6s; 30 TDs overall

FIVE SPECIALISTS (alphabetical)

K - Trey Coleman, Del Norte, Sr. (Utah)

• State-best 17 field goals, long of 54 for for SDS D2 champs

K - Luis Rodriguez, Verdugo Hills, Sr., 

• 15x20 FG/FGA, long 49 yards, 20x21 XP, 51x56 TB/KOs; 39.2 punt average

K - Ryon Sayeri, Chaminade, Sr.

• Scored 60 points this season, including a 53-yarder

P - Michael Salgado-Medina, Mission Viejo, Sr. (Arizona)

• 48 punts, 1,887 yards, 39.3 avg, 20 inside the 20, 61 long

P/K — Talen Samosky, Poly-Riverside, Sr.

• 12 FG (38 long), 36x36 XP, 33 P (44.2 avg), 55 KO (29 TB)