Player of the Year

Neither starting quarterback earned the honor, but there are seven former Gatorade State Football Players of the Year on the rosters of the New England Patriots and the New York Giants. Not all of them will play in Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday in Indianapolis, but two play vital roles in the Patriots’ passing offense.

The NFL's leading receiver this season, Wes Welker was the 1999-2000 Oklahoma winner playing for Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City, Okla.). Also lining up as an option for Tom Brady will be 2006-07 Connecticut winner Aaron Hernandez from Bristol Central (Bristol, Conn.), part of the Patriots’ one-two tight end combination.

If Brady wants to change things up, he could hand the ball to Danny Woodhead, the 2003-04 Nebraska winner from North Platte (Neb.), or 1994-95 Louisiana winner Kevin Faulk from Carencro (Lafayette, La.).

Ryan Mallett, the 2006-07 Texas winner from Texas High (Texarkana, Texas), will likely spend most of his Super Bowl Sunday holding a clipboard on the sidelines as the Patriots’ No. 3 quarterback. And Andre Carter, the 1996-97 California winner from Oak Grove (San Jose, Calif.), can only watch his teammates as the defensive end was placed on the injured reserve list after hurting his leg against the Denver Broncos on Dec. 18.

The lone Giant to win Gatorade POY honors is punt returner/special teamer Will Blackmon, the 2001-02 Rhode Island winner from Bishop Hendricken (Warwick, R.I.).

ALEDO, Texas -- A month ago, a phone call from New York Jets running back and former NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlison delivered the news to Johnathan Gray that he’d won 2011-12 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year honors. Thursday, The Bus delivered the trophy.

“I saw Jerome Bettis out of the corner of my eye and my heart skipped a beat,” said Gray, who led Aledo (Texas) to a third consecutive Class 4A state title this past fall and rushed for 10,889 career yards to rank No. 2 in state history. “I was actually holding the trophy, and he just ran up to me and tackled me. I was thinking, ‘Oh no, we’re going to lose the trophy, I’m going down and Jerome Bettis is tackling me.”

If Gray can approach the career rushing totals of Tomlinson or Bettis at the next level or beyond, the high school senior will embody one of the most productive running backs ever. Tomlinson (13,684 career rushing yards) and Bettis (13,662) rank No. 5 and No. 6 in NFL history.

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While Heisman Trophy-winning Baylor University junior quarterback Robert Griffin III is a member of the Gatorade Player of the Year family, it's not for the sport you might assume. Griffin captured 2006-07 Gatarade Texas Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year honors.

As a high school junior, Griffin captured Class 4A individual state titles in the 110-meter and 300-meter hurdles, setting a state record in the latter and leading Copperas Grove (Texas) to the team championship. His top 110-meter hurdles time (13.46) and best 300-meter hurdles performance (35.33) ranked No. 1 and 2 in the nation that season, respectively.

The following fall, as a high school senior, Griffin threw for 1,356 yards and 16 touchdowns in addition to rushing for 1,285 yards and another 24 scores, leading Copperas Cove (13–2) to the Class 4A Division I state championship game. He didn't take home Gatorade Texas Football Player of the Year honors that season, as that award went to Southlake Carroll (Southlake, Texas) senior quarterback Riley Dodge.

Griffin graduated high school a semester early and therefore didn't repeat as Gatorade Texas Boys Track & Field AOY. Now an NFL prospect, will he return to college for his senior season to defend yet another award?

For more on Griffin's Heisman Trophy-winning junior season at Baylor, click here.

The gridiron version of Aledo (Texas) senior Johnathan Gray is well known to high school football fans. Record-setting running back, move-the-chains machine, touchdown maker, and now, 2011-12 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year.

Lesser known to fans is Gray's 95 grade average as a senior, his 40-minute round trip day after day to visit a schoolmate he barely knew during her stay in a cancer ward. In other words, the consummate package of student-athlete.

"I'm so honored. This is truly a blessing," the 5-foot-10, 202-pound University of Texas-bound senior said Tuesday after winning the Gatorade award. "It's humbling to have people speak highly of my character. I work hard in the classroom and I help folks off the field because that's what I was taught. That's who I am. I'm so excited to be recognized as a player and a person."

Gray learned he'd won after an early-morning practice Tuesday. The surprise news arrived via a phone call to the Aledo fieldhouse from former NFL MVP and current New York Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who played high school ball at Waco's University High.

"I'm so glad he was the one who told me," said Gray, 18, whose father, James, earned second team collegiate All-American honors in 1989 and remains No. 2 on Texas Tech's list of career rushing leaders. "He's another Texas guy, and I was lucky enough to meet him once when I was a sophomore. It was pretty exciting to hear his voice on the phone and hear him saying what he was saying."

Gray, the No. 5 recruit in the ESPNU 150, is now a finalist for the Gatorade Male High School Athlete of the Year award, to be presented at a special afternoon ceremony prior to the ESPY Awards in July. This season, he's led the Bearcats to a 12-2 record and a berth in the Class 4A, Division II state semifinals against Corsicana High, scheduled for Friday. Aledo is gunning for its third consecutive state title.

For the complete story on ESPNHS.com, click here.

Want to know who won Gatorade Football Player of the Year in your state? Click here. Want to be the first to find out who wins the 11 remaining 2011-12 Gatorade Player of the Year honors in your state? Follow the ESPNHS team that manages the awards program's selection process on Twitter @ESPNHS_Awards or visit the ESPNHS Player of the Year blog.

Now that the Gatorade State Football Players of the Year have been announced, the focus turns to Gatorade National Football Player of the Year. These two elite performers are among the 51 winners making a bid to be honored as the best of the best. The Gatorade Player of the Year award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. There’s plenty more work to be done, but here are two top candidates who could someday call themselves a National POY.

Patton Robinette
Senior quarterback, Maryville (Tenn.)

2011 Team record: 14-0 (Class 6A)
2011 Team standing: Class 6A state final vs. Whitehaven (Memphis, Tenn.) on Dec. 3; No. 17 on ESPNHS FAB 50

2011 COMP-ATT (%)-YDs: 108-150 (72.0)-1,509
2011 TDs-INTs: 21-7
2011 Carries-YDs (AVG.)-TDs: 82-860 (10.5)-16

Academics: A average
Collegiate destination: University of North Carolina (verbal)

How he’s played himself into the National POY conversation: In a 42-14 Class 6A state semifinal win over Riverdale (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), Robinette completed 8-of-12 passes for 57 yards and two touchdowns in addition to rushing for 94 yards and a TD on 12 carries. Averages 10.1 yards per attempt in leading an offense that scores 38.6 points per game. Owns a 193.4 NCAA Pass Efficiency Rating. No. 32 ranked QB in Class of 2012 as rated by ESPNU. 2011 Tennessee Mr. Football finalist. 2011 Elite 11 quarterback camp participant. 2010 All-State selection. 2010 Dream Team selection as named by the Tennessean.

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A dedicated ESPNHS POY team managed the Gatorade State Football Player of the Year selection process, resulting in this winner based on the awards program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character. For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Football Player of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Jameis Winston

THE BASICS: Anatomy of a POY

School: Hueytown (Ala.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 205 pounds

THE PILLARS: Gatorade criteria

Athletic achievement: Winston passed for 2,424 yards and 28 touchdowns, completing 163-of-234 attempts while throwing two interceptions this past season, leading the Golden Gophers (13-1) to the Class 5A state semifinals. Winston also rushed for 1,063 yards and 15 touchdowns on 144 carries. The co-MVP of the Elite 11 quarterback camp, he is a 2012 Under Armour All-American Game selection and the No. 11 rated recruit in the Class of 2012 by ESPNU.

Academic excellence: Winston has maintained an A average in the classroom.

Exemplary character: A math tutor at Hueytown, Winston has volunteered locally as a motivational speaker, a youth baseball coach and as part of multiple community service initiatives in association with his church youth group.

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A dedicated ESPNHS POY team managed the Gatorade State Football Player of the Year selection process, resulting in this winner based on the awards program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character. For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Football Player of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: A.J. Hull

THE BASICS: Anatomy of a POY

School: Kenai Central (Kenai, Alaska)
Grade: Senior
Position: Quarterback/defensive back/kick returner
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 180 pounds

THE PILLARS: Gatorade criteria

Athletic achievement: Hull led the Kardinals to a 6-4 record and the Medium School state championship this past season. He passed for 816 yards and nine touchdowns, completing 32-of-102 attempts while throwing nine interceptions. The 2011 Alaska School Activities Association Medium School Offensive Player of the Year, Hull also rushed for 933 yards and 14 touchdowns on 162 carries and amassed 96 tackles and six interceptions on defense.

Academic excellence: Hull has maintained a 3.67 GPA in the classroom.

Exemplary character: Hull has volunteered locally on behalf of multiple charitable fundraising campaigns and as a youth football coach and referee.

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A dedicated ESPNHS POY team managed the Gatorade State Football Player of the Year selection process, resulting in this winner based on the awards program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character. For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Football Player of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Davonte Neal

THE BASICS: Anatomy of a POY

School: Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Running back/wide receiver/kick returner
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 175 pounds

THE PILLARS: Gatorade criteria

Athletic achievement: The state’s returning Gatorade Football Player of the Year, Neal led the Firebirds to a 14-1 record and the Division II state championship this past season. He rushed for 1,317 yards and 16 touchdowns on 100 carries and caught 62 passes for 1,113 yards and 14 touchdowns. Neal also averaged 39.4 yards on kickoff returns, returning three for touchdowns, and 26.6 yards on punt returns, with two scores. The 2010 Arizona Republic State Player of the Year, he is the No. 29 rated recruit in the Class of 2012 by ESPNU.

Academic excellence: Neal has maintained a B average in the classroom.

Exemplary character: Neal has volunteered locally as a middle school mentor and as a youth football coach.

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A dedicated ESPNHS POY team managed the Gatorade State Football Player of the Year selection process, resulting in this winner based on the awards program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character. For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Football Player of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Fredi Knighten

THE BASICS: Anatomy of a POY

School: Pulaski Academy (Little Rock, Ark.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Quarterback
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 190 pounds

THE PILLARS: Gatorade criteria

Athletic achievement: Knighten has led the Bruins to a 12-0 record and a berth in the Class 4A semifinals against Dollarway (Pine Bluff, Ark.), scheduled for Dec. 2. He has passed for 3,920 yards and 60 touchdowns through 12 games, completing 227-of-308 passes while throwing just five interceptions. Knighten has also rushed for 824 yards and 12 touchdowns on 67 carries. He was the Little Rock Touchdown Club Player of the Year in 2010.

Academic excellence: Knighten has maintained a 3.44 GPA in the classroom.

Exemplary character: A devoted member of his church community, Knighten has volunteered locally on behalf of youth sports leagues and a program to collect school supplies for low-income students.

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A dedicated ESPNHS POY team managed the Gatorade State Football Player of the Year selection process, resulting in this winner based on the awards program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character. For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Football Player of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Zach Kline

THE BASICS: Anatomy of a POY

School: San Ramon Valley (Danville, Calif.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 205 pounds

THE PILLARS: Gatorade criteria

Athletic achievement: Kline has led the Wolves to a 9-3 record and a berth in the CIF North Coast Section Division I semifinals against Monte Vista (Danville, Calif.), scheduled for Dec. 3. He passed for 3,079 yards and 32 touchdowns, completing 195-of-289 attempts while throwing just six interceptions through 12 games. A 2012 U.S. Army All-American, Kline was also an Elite 11 quarterback camp invitee.

Academic excellence: Kline has maintained a 3.28 GPA in the classroom.

Exemplary character: A devoted member of his church community, Kline has volunteered locally as an elementary school guest speaker and on behalf of Locks of Love, a non-profit organization which provides hairpieces for financially disadvantaged children suffering from medical hair loss.

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A dedicated ESPNHS POY team managed the Gatorade State Football Player of the Year selection process, resulting in this winner based on the awards program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character. For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Football Player of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Joe Hansley

THE BASICS: Anatomy of a POY

School: Highlands Ranch (Colo.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Running back/defensive back
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 170 pounds

THE PILLARS: Gatorade criteria

Athletic achievement: Hansley rushed for 1,851 yards and 24 touchdowns on 194 carries this past season, leading the Falcons (9-3) to the Class 5A state quarterfinals. He caught 27 passes for 518 yards and eight scores, and also recorded 29 tackles and seven interceptions on defense. Hansley is a two-time First Team All-Continental League selection as a running back and return specialist.

Academic excellence: Hansley has maintained a 3.37 GPA in the classroom.

Exemplary character: Hansley has volunteered locally at Children’s Hospital Colorado and as part of a fundraising campaign to benefit autism research.

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A dedicated ESPNHS POY team managed the Gatorade State Football Player of the Year selection process, resulting in this winner based on the awards program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character. For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Football Player of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Casey Cochran

THE BASICS: Anatomy of a POY

School: Masuk (Monroe, Conn.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 205 pounds

THE PILLARS: Gatorade criteria

Athletic achievement: The state’s returning Gatorade Football Player of the Year, Cochran led the Panthers to an 11-0 record and a berth in the Class L state semifinals against Hand (Madison, Conn.), scheduled for Dec. 3. He passed for 2,801 yards and 36 touchdowns through 11 games, completing 119-of-167 attempts while throwing just four interceptions. Cochran also rushed for four touchdowns. He won a Class SS state title with New London (Conn.) as a freshman in 2008 and with Masuk in 2010. Cochran is the state’s career leader in two categories with 10,501 yards passing and 108 touchdowns.

Academic excellence: Cochran has maintained a 3.92 GPA in the classroom.

Exemplary character: The winner of the Masuk High Book Award for Introduction to Engineering and Algebra I and Geometry, Cochran has volunteered locally at area food banks for the needy, as a youth football coach and as a peer tutor.

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A dedicated ESPNHS POY team managed the Gatorade State Football Player of the Year selection process, resulting in this winner based on the awards program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character. For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Football Player of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Jamie Jarmon

THE BASICS: Anatomy of a POY

School: Indian River (Dagsboro, Del.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 205 pounds

THE PILLARS: Gatorade criteria

Athletic achievement: Jarmon has led the Indians to an 11-0 record and a berth in the Division II championship game against Caravel Academy (Bear, Del.), scheduled for Dec. 3. He has passed for 2,022 yards and 24 touchdowns entering the state final, completing 117-of-186 passes while throwing just three interceptions. Jarmon has also rushed for 1,302 yards and 26 touchdowns on 142 carries. He is a three-time First Team All-Southern Division Henlopen Conference selection.

Academic excellence: Jarmon has maintained an A-minus average in the classroom.

Exemplary character: A volunteer firefighter in his community, Jarmon has raised funds for Down syndrome programs and has donated his time to youth baseball camps.

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A dedicated ESPNHS POY team managed the Gatorade State Football Player of the Year selection process, resulting in this winner based on the awards program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character. For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Football Player of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Albert Reid

THE BASICS: Anatomy of a POY

School: Friendship Collegiate Academy (Washington, D.C.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Running back
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 195 pounds

THE PILLARS: Gatorade criteria

Athletic achievement: Reid rushed for 1,705 yards and 17 touchdowns on 225 carries this past season, leading the Knights to a 9-1 season. He ran for more than 100 yards in every game and topped 200 yards three times.

Academic excellence: Reid has maintained a B average in the classroom.

Exemplary character: Reid has volunteered locally as a youth mentor.

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