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Chosen 25: USA TODAY's 2019 High School Football Player Rankings

Photo: Kelvin Kuo/USA TODAY Sports

The USA TODAY Chosen 25 is compiled by USA TODAY Sports Staff and is based heavily on high school and spring/summer production. We also take into account how the player projects as a prospect at the next level and beyond.

Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.) defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux maintained his No. 1 standing in USA TODAY Sports’ final Chosen 25 rankings for 2019.

Thibodeaux, an Oregon signee, dominated his senior season, racking up 54 tackles, 19 for loss, 18 sacks and five forced fumbles, despite often playing half the game as a result of his team being up big early.

He also had a strong showing in practices and during the game at the Under Armour All-America Game.

Colonia (N.J.) High School defensive tackle Antonio Alfano made his debut in the new Chosen 25, checking in at No. 3 overall after he followed a dominant senior season with an even more dominant showing at the All-American Bowl.

Alfano was arguably the most impressive player all week in All-American Bowl practices, proving his elite status against the country’s best players.

Hoover (Ala.) High School wide receiver George Pickens also made his first appearance in the Chosen 25 at No. 14 overall. Pickens racked up 69 catches for 1,368 yards and 16 touchdowns in his senior finale.

Take a look at the full rankings here.

UPDATED: 2/4/18

Oaks Christian (Thousand Oaks, Calif.)
Defensive End / 6-5 / 240
College: Oregon
Thibodeaux’s motor stays in overdrive and he uses his cat-like quickness off the ball to stop the run and effectively rush the quarterback.
IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Defensive End / 6-3 / 232
College: Georgia
Smith runs a 4.5-second 40-yard dash and has a 42-inch vertical leap, which translates into domination on the gridiron. He uses his athleticism and versatility to consistently expose linemen.
Dunham (Baton Rouge, La.)
Cornerback / 6-1 / 188
College: LSU
Stingley is a super athlete who locks down receivers using his speed and agility. He’s terrific with run support, reads the pass masterfully and lays the boom.
4. Antonio Alfano
Colonia (N.J.)
Defensive End / 6-4 / 285
College: Alabama
Alfano is an active defensive lineman who wreaks havoc on the opposition with his quickness and motor.
Cedar Grove (Ellenwood, Ga.)
Wide Receiver / 6-3 / 190
College: Oklahoma
Haselwood doubles as a state champion hurdler and that athleticism is evident when he’s on the field. Haselwood gives the defensive secondary headaches with his speed, quickness and hands.
Olentangy Orange (Lewis Center, Ohio)
Defensive End / 6-6 / 245
College: Ohio State
Harrison is a ferocious competitor who thrives as a pass-rusher and uses his 4.6-speed to overwhelm the opposition at the line of scrimmage.
Grayson (Loganville, Ga.)
Offensive Tackle / 6-6 / 310
College: Tennessee
Morris is an agile and active tackle with quick feet and hands that are constantly moving, which allows him to dominate opposing defensive linemen.
Huntington (W.Va.)
Offensive Tackle / 6-6 / 320
College: Undecided
Wright is big and physical with great footwork and agility, allowing him to hold off even the most determined of defensive linemen.
Allen (Texas)
Wide Receiver / 6-3 / 202
College: Oklahoma
Wease is a speedy receiver with outstanding footwork and exceptional quickness, which allows him to rack-up yards after the catch.
Amite (La.)
Defensive Tackle / 6-4 / 330
College: Undecided
Sopsher is a run stopper and uses great angles to get penetration and wreak havoc in the backfield.
IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Running Back / 6-0 / 215
College: Alabama
Sanders knows how to use his 4.4 speed and cut-back ability to come up with big plays consistently.
Booker T. Washington (Tulsa, Okla.)
Safety / 6-1 / 186
College: Michigan
Hill is masterful patrolling the secondary, has the proverbial “nose for the ball” and enforcer ability when it comes to delivering big hits.
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Athlete / 6-3 / 212
College: Texas
McCoy is Mr. Versatility with the ability to legitimately dominate as a wide receiver and as a linebacker.
14. George Pickens
Hoover (Ala.)
Wide Receiver / 6-4 / 190
College: Auburn
Pickens is a big, strong receiver who uses athleticism to out-maneuver the opposition and ultimately dominate.
15. Charles Cross
Laurel (Miss.)
Offensive Tackle / 6-5 / 270
College: Mississippi State
Cross is a quick and agile lineman with great footwork and versatility.
Belleville (Mich.)
Offensive Tackle / 6-5 / 304
College: Michigan State
Dobbs has exceptional footwork and great size (6-foot-4, 305 pounds), which allows him to hold off the defensive front.
Atascocita (Humble, Texas)
Offensive Tackle / 6-5 / 312
College: Texas A&M
Green is big and physical and has active legs that often results in him driving would-be defenders into the ground.
18. Chris Steele
St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)
Cornerback / 6-0 / 175
College: Florida
Steele is a lockdown corner who outworks everyone on the field and uses his strength and athleticism to dominate.
Lake Travis (Austin, Texas)
Wide Receiver / 6-1 / 181
College: Ohio State
Wilson is a speedy receiver with the rare ability to make “wow” catches. He also doubles as a basketball star and has D-I offers on the hardwood.
Pinnacle (Phoenix)
Quarterback / 6-1 / 180
College: Oklahoma
Rattler has a gun of an arm coupled with the athleticism to buy time in the pocket. Rattler doubles as a basketball star and helped Pinnacle claim a state title last season.
East Kentwood (Kentwood, Mich.)
Offensive Tackle / 6-6 / 285
College: Wisconsin
At 6-foot-6, 285 pounds, Brown is an intimidating presence, with the footwork and strength that allow him to dominate.
Grayson (Loganville, Ga.)
Linebacker / 6-1 / 209
College: Auburn
Pappoe uses his 4.5 speed, athleticism and football IQ to overwhelm the opposition.
Oxford (Ala.)
Center / 6-4 / 300
College: Georgia
Webb’s quickness and ability to anchor down after he snaps the ball allows him to dominate defensive linemen.
Horn Lake (Miss.)
Linebacker / 6-0 / 220
College: Georgia
Dean is a big, physical linebacker who makes great reads, stops the run and is quick and agile enough to drop back into coverage and be just as effective.
T.L. Hanna (Anderson, S.C.)
Defensive End / 6-5 / 258
College: South Carolina
Pickens is a ferocious pass-rusher with great footwork and a motor that never shuts off.

Player rankings will be updated throughout the year as more information becomes available. 

UPDATED: 2/4/18

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