This is an opinion piece.

Next week, the Alabama Sports Writers Association will honor its 48 player of the year finalists for the 2023 football season and name the 42nd Mr. Football winner.

That got me to reminiscing a bit, which is something you do when you get older. (Notice I said older, not just OLD. Big difference).

I’ve been blessed to cover high school football on and off for the past 35 years. Man, that is hard to even write. I’ve covered a lot of great players along the way, quite a few of which are now high school or college coaches.

Who’s the best? Tough question. But I’ve been asked about it multiple times so let me try to run down a top 10. Before I start, my one parameter is I have to have seen the player perform in person on the high school level. That would inevitably make my list different from anyone else’s.

For instance, I saw David Palmer play in person at Alabama but not at Jackson-Olin. He can’t be on my list. Same with Bo Jakson, who I never saw play at McAdory, or Ozzie Newsome or a number of the state’s best players ever.

With that said, here is Ben’s Top 10.

I reserve the right to change and add the list at the end of any and every high school season. Here we go ….

10. Toderick Malone, Etowah

The dynamic wide receiver, who went on to stardom at Alabama, was part of dynamic Etowah teams in the early 1990s that included quarterback Patrick Nix. Malone was a two-time, first-team All-State player. He made spectacular plays look routine.

9. Bo Nix, Pinson Valley

Speaking of the Nix family, Bo was a star from the beginning at Scottsboro High before his dad took over at Pinson Valley. The duo led the Indians to a pair of state titles, and Bo was named Mr. Football in 2018. The dual-threat QB obviously continued his success in college at Auburn and Oregon. Best word for him? Playmaker.

8. Carlton Martial, McGill-Toolen

Maybe the best small player I’ve ever seen. Martial was a 5-foot-11, 215-pound linebacker who didn’t have a lot of recruiting attention coming out of McGill. He bet on himself and made the most tackles in NCAA history (578) at Troy. He was just as dominant for the Yellow Jackets. Current McGill coach David Faulkner coached against Martial when he was at Enterprise High. He called him a “rise-to-the-occasion” type player. Boy was he right.

7. Jimmy Williams, Gadsden High

The powerful running back – along with Toderick Malone and Patrick Nix – were three of the first athletes I covered and still three of the best. Williams was a powerful runner who led the Tigers to a 14-0 season and the Class 5A state title as a junior in 1991. That team beat Blount 20-7 in the state championship game played at Prichard Stadium. If tear away jerseys were still a thing back then, he would have needed several each game.

6. Peter Woods, Thompson

The only defensive lineman to make my list. Last year’s Class 7A Lineman of the Year and runner-up to Mr. Football was the best player on the field anytime he stepped on it. At last year’s Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic, the Alabama coaches marveled at his motor and drive. He’s also one of the best people off the field I’ve dealt with. He maybe should be even higher on the list, but we’ll keep him here for now.

5. The Johnston Boys, Spanish Fort

Quarterback Tyler Johnston, linebacker Thomas Johnston. It’s hard to separate them because they both had the same quality – an innate desire to win. Tyler won Mr. Football in 2015 after leading the Toros to the Class 6A state title. Thomas was runner-up to Mr. Football the following year after setting the state record for tackles.

4. Mac Campbell, Alexandria

You couldn’t stop him. The 1997 Mr. Football winner finished his career with 9,839 yards rushing and 153 touchdowns, both state records at the time. He also led the Valley Cubs to a pair of state titles in the 1990s.

3. Carnell “Cadillac” Williams, Etowah

Williams was Mr. Football in 2000. He ran for 2,620 yards and 38 touchdowns as a Blue Devil senior. During his junior and sophomore seasons, he rushed for a combined 3,129 yards and 43 scores.

2. Ryan Williams, Saraland

The reigning Mr. Football, Williams has put together two of the most spectacular seasons any receiver could have and led his team to a pair of state championship games. When my career is said and done and I’ve had more time to think about it, he may be No. 1 on my ultimate list. Heck, he may be No. 1 at this time next week. The ease in which he seemingly does everything on the football field is remarkable. He could become the first player in Alabama history to win Mr. Football twice next week.

1. Kadarius Toney, Blount

If you didn’t see him play at Blount, you don’t understand. If you did, you do. He was electric at quarterback. I still remember a bad snap at Saraland that he chased down, juked a few Spartans and made a 15-yard TD run look simple. He went on to be a standout receiver at Florida and is in the NFL still. However, had he been given a chance at quarterback at college, he would have been legendary. Think Nick Marshall with more accuracy.

That’s my list. A lot of good ones left off. Hopefully, a lot of good ones to come.

I’m glad I got to take at least a little of the ride with these guys and so many others.

Thought for the Week

“Where would I be if it wasn’t for the love of God?” – Andrew Ripp.

Ben Thomas is the high school sportswriter at AL.com. He has been named one of the 50 legends of the Alabama Sports Writers Association. Follow him on twitter at @BenThomasPreps or email him at [email protected]. He can be heard weekly on “Inside High School Sports” on SportsTalk 99.5 FM in Mobile or on the free IHeart Radio App at 2 p.m. Wednesdays.