High school football preseason watch list: Top 30 players in South Sound
The high school football season begins this week in the South Sound and across Washington. Some players on this list are coveted Division I recruits. Others are simply indispensable, good high school football players. All of them are expected to have a major impact on the success of their teams this fall.
Here are 30 players from the South Sound fans should keep an eye on during the 2025 season.
Note: This list is presented in alphabetical order.
RB Bryson Allen, Franklin Pierce, sr. — The reigning 2A SPSL MVP ran over league rivals last season, averaging over 12.5 yards per carry with 21 touchdowns, and returns as the lead back in Franklin Pierce’s Power-T scheme.
WR Tristan Baker, Lakes, sr. — Look for this speedy receiver to be making plays all over the field for the Lancers this fall. Idaho commit.
WR Kase Betz, Graham-Kapowsin, jr. — After a breakout sophomore year, Betz figures to be one of the area’s top receivers this fall. Quick, sure-handed, high-level route runner.
QB Rashard Boone, Rogers, sr. — The 4A SPSL’s leader in total offense eclipsed the 2,000-yard passing mark with 26 total touchdowns last fall for a Rogers program on the rise. University of Montana Western commit.
QB Jabez Boyd, Life Christian, sr. — 1A Nisqually MVP, TNT All-Area selection last fall threw for 2,388 yards and 34 TDs and rushed for 737 yards and nine more scores. Should be one of the state’s top statistical QBs this year, regardless of classification.
OT Ayden Bullinger, Graham-Kapowsin, jr. — A TNT All-Area first-team selection as a freshman two years ago, this Eagles tackle added 50 pounds in the offseason, offering supreme protection for sophomore QB AJ Tuivaiave. Holds offers from Montana State and Portland State.
AP Tayven Collins, Cascade Christian, sr. — All-around playmaker is primed for another big year at Cascade Christian after accounting for 19 touchdowns on offense and tackling 95 on defense in 2024. Three-star recruit holds offers from BYU, Nevada and New Mexico, among others.
DE Derek Colman-Brusa, Kennedy Catholic, sr. — A game-wrecker on the defensive line, Colman-Brusa is the state’s No. 1 ranked recruit in the 2025 class by 247sports and was a TNT All-Area and all-state selection last fall after racking up 25 tackles for loss and a dozen sacks. UW commit.
QB Mikkah Cordero, Mount Tahoma, sr. — Returning signal-caller directs the show for a T-Birds program with championship aspirations in 2025.
RB Felix Diaz, Mount Tahoma, sr. — At running back on offense and safety on defense, Diaz is a difference maker wherever he’s lined up. Racked up over 800 rushing yards last season.
OL Gecova Doyal, Puyallup, jr. — This 6-foot-5, 290-pound tackle was a TNT All-Area selection last fall as a sophomore. Look for Doyal to impose his will on defensive linemen again this season.
CB Elijah Durr, Mount Tahoma, sr. — Lockdown corner on defense, explosive, high-pointing receiver on offense. What’s not to like about this 2024 TNT All-Area selection? Three-star recruit is a UW commit.
LB Ramzak Fruean, Bethel, sr. — How does Bethel plan to replace the production of LB Zaydrius Rainey-Sale, last year’s TNT All-Area player of the year? Enter the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Fruean, who will be everywhere for the Bison this fall. UCLA commit.
LB Austin Glivar, Sumner, sr. — Expect another big year for this senior linebacker after tackling 114 for Sumner’s state championship team last fall. Earned an offer from Portland State in April.
DL Shaun Griffith, Sumner, sr. — TNT All-Area and all-state selection was a key piece for Sumner’s state championship team last fall, tallying 74 tackles with nine tackles for loss and five sacks.
QB Sione Kaho, Lincoln, jr. — Look for this talented junior and four-star recruit to take a leap forward in his third season as Lincoln’s starter. Holds offers from UW, Oregon, Utah and others.
OL Kingston Kerkhoff, Curtis, sr. — Vikings coach Darren McKay says the Curtis lines will shine in 2025, and Kerkhoff is a big reason why. Foundational lineman and Idaho commit will pave lanes for new RB Ryland Geldermann.
DE Robby Lavata’i, Curtis, sr. — Explosive edge rusher committed to San Diego State just eight days after his official visit, a three-star recruit considered the state’s No. 12 prospect in the 2026 class.
RB Lance McGee, Sumner, sr. — Perhaps the focal point of Sumner’s reload, this Davis (Yakima) RB/LB transfer takes over as the lead back after a 13-touchdown season in 2024, an ideal fit for HC Keith Ross’ run-heavy philosophy. Three-star Oregon State commit.
WR J’Isaiah Mitchell, Puyallup, jr. — 6-foot-5 wideout could pose matchup problems for 4A SPSL defensive backs, one of several standouts on a loaded Puyallup offense. Three-star recruit has offers from Washington, Washington State and others.
OL Douglas Peterson, Graham-Kapowsin, sr. — Last year’s 4A SPSL South offensive lineman of the year, TNT All-Area selection is equally strong in pass protection and run blocking.
WR Braylon Pope, Sumner, jr. — 6-foot-3 playmaker in The Valley returns as Sumner QB Nate Donavan’s top target. Three-star recruit holds offers from the likes of UW, Oregon and USC.
LB Michael Pulalasi, Puyallup, jr. — Lakes transfer, TNT All-Area selection should be an immediate impact player for the Vikings this season after racking up 136 tackles (13 TFLs) and three interceptions last fall.
TE/DE Xander Shaw, Steilacoom, sr. — Three-star dual-threat will catch passes from new Sentinels QB Titus Kaeka and stuff opponents behind the line of scrimmage in Steilacoom this fall. Air Force commit.
RB Darius Sum, Stadium, sr. — 4A NPSL first-team selection was leading the state in rushing through eight weeks of the season last year before an injury. Scored 20 TDs last year and had seven straight games with 100+ yards and a touchdown.
DB Zamarie Tellez, Federal Way, sr. — All-state defensive back is one of the area’s fastest players for a Federal Way defense that will fly to the football this fall. Eastern Washington commit.
QB AJ Tuivaiave, Graham-Kapowsin, soph. — There were plenty of freshman flashes from the 6-foot-3, 240-pound big-armed quarterback. Expect bigger and better things in year two. Holds offers from UW, BYU, Miami and others.
DE Elijah Wallace, Emerald Ridge, sr. — The 4A SPSL’s sack leader (14) in 2024 guides one of the league’s stingier defenses again this fall.
WR Lucas Whitehall-Gilkes, Auburn, sr. — Still flying under the radar, this TNT All-Area selection racked up over 1,500 receiving yards and 12 TDs last season. In coach Aaron Chantler’s high-speed offense, expect more of the same.
OL Ah Deong Yang, Puyallup, sr. — Roosevelt transfer and UW commit fortifies Puyallup’s interior offensive line at 6-foot-3, 343 pounds. Yang is the state’s No. 14 recruit in the 2026 class, per 247Sports.
This story was originally published September 3, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
