After leading Thompson to back-to-back Alabama 7A state championships, Conner Harrell is the 2021 High School Football America National Player of the Year.
Harrell, who is already enrolled at the University of North Carolina, finished his career completing 385-of-537 passes (71.7%) for 6,478 yards with 84 touchdowns against with only six interceptions. He also ran for rushed for 701 yards (6.3 yards per carry with 10 TDs.
Harrell chose the Tar Heels over Michigan and Northwestern.
The 3-star college football prospect also excelled in the classroom. Last year, Harrell was named to the High School Football Academic All-America Team.
Related: 2020/21 Academic All-America Team
Last season, Thompson finished No. 14 in the High School Football America 100 national rankings, powered by NFL Play Football. After the 2020 state championship, the Warriors finished No. 2 in our Top 100.
Related: High School Football America 100
Below, you can listen to Thompson head coach Mark Freeman talk with High School Football America’s Jeff Fisher about Harrell.
High School Football America Podcast
Harrell is the third straight Thompson quarterback to head to a Power 5 school after graduation. Taulia Tagovailoa signed with Alabama before later transferring to Maryland. Sawyer Pate was a preferred walk-on at Auburn.
This is the tenth straight year that High School Football America has named a National Player of the Year. Three of those players — Derrick Henry (Tennessee Titans), Leonard Fournette (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals) — are currently in the National Football League.
Past High School Football America Players of the Year
2020 – Kyle McCord, QB – St. Joseph’s Prep, Pennsylvania
2019 – Julian Fleming, WR – Southern Columbia HS, Pennsylvania
2018 – Bo Nix, QB – Pinson Valley HS, Alabama
2017 – JT Daniels, QB – Mater Dei HS, California
2016 – Tate Martell, QB – Bishop Gorman HS, Nevada
2015 – Sean McGrew, RB – St John Bosco HS, California
2014 – Kyler Murray, QB – Allen HS, Texas
2013 – Leonard Fournette, RB – St. Augustine HS, Louisiana
2012 – Derrick Henry, RB – Yulee HS, Florida
