California 2026 high school football rankings: A closer look at California's nationally ranked contenders

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California 2026 high school football rankings: A closer look at California's nationally ranked contenders originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The 2026 high school football season is around the corner.

In fact, one could argue that it's already football season – even if it's unofficially – as many high school programs are training, practicing, and participating in passing tournaments and lineman camps.

Still, transfer season doesn't end until players are on campus for their fall semester. So it's at least a month too early to iron out official preseason high school football rankings.

With that said, here's an in-depth look at the California constituents in The Sporting News National Top 25 looking ahead to the 2026 season. There are currently five California teams ranked top-25 in the country, and a small handful of others were in consideration with a serious chance to move up this fall. SN will release its official preseason national and California rankings before the 2026 season starts once it's time for school and player movement has more or less ended.

California 2026 high school football rankings per The Sporting News National Top 25​

1. St. John Bosco (No. 4 in nation)​

2025 Record: 9-2

2025 Final Ranking (SN's National Top 25): No. 18 in nation, No. 4 in California

Top Losses: WR Madden Williams (Texas A&M), WR Daniel Odom (Oklahoma), CB Joshua Holland II (USC), DL Dutch Horisk (Oregon), WR Carson Clark (San Jose State), RB Maliq Allen (Inglewood), RB Ashton Keyes, LB Matthew Muasau (UCLA), DL Laneselota Olive-Enos (Portland State), OL Adrian Tavui, OL Maddux Sorensen

Top Returners: S Jailen Hill, S Isala Aisa Wily-Ava, S Dillon Davis, LB Ethan Coach, LB Josiah Poyer, LB Justin Coach, DL Kekoa Peko, CB Dorian Franklin, S Brandon Nash, WR DJ Tubbs, QB Koa Malau'ulu, RB Corey Hinton, LB Ahmeer Williamson, DL Richard Orosco, CB Ja'shaun Shaffer

Top Additions: OL Elisha Mueller (Servite), DL Simote Tupou (Pinecrest Academy Sloan Canyon), DL Elijah Tuua (Folsom)

Perhaps we've seen this movie before.

Since St. John Bosco won its first national title in 2013, there was only one time before last fall's shocking playoff loss to Orange Lutheran that the Braves failed to make the CIF-Southern Section D1 finals. That was in 2021 when they fell to Servite – a Trinity League foe they'd beaten in the regular season – in the semifinals. Entering the next season, St. John Bosco was tasked with replacing its key names at RB and WR but returned star QB Pierce Clarkson and a laundry list of defensive aces that no other team in the country could come close to matching. And in 2022, the Braves ended Mater Dei's 29-game winning streak for a CIF-SS title before annihilating Serra (San Mateo) for a state and national title.

Now, historical similarity isn't the reason we have St. John Bosco at No. 1 in California entering the summer. The combination of Malau'ulu, a promising offensive line, and the nation's deepest defense is why. It just so happens that the projected historical similarity is also spooky.

To be fair, 2025 went quite differently for the Braves than 2021 and will presumably set a different tone this summer and fall for better or for worse. Whereas St. John Bosco didn't win the Trinity League and wasn't a consensus favorite to win any titles in 2021, Bosco was on top of the world through nine-and-a-half games before utterly collapsing last year. The Braves started 9-0 to secure at least one third of the Trinity League title and led rival Mater Dei 24-3 late in the first half before falling 36-31. Perhaps their ensuing 20-19 loss to an OLu squad they'd thrashed 48-0 five weeks earlier was a holdover of the energetic letdown. Either way, there's still an awful lot to like about the Braves' chances of winning section and state championships in a similar vane to their 2022 run.

It's hard to imagine that this won't be the best defense in the country. As if returning a whopping eight All-Trinity League selections on defense weren't enough, Bosco has also added two big names at the line of scrimmage to replace some graduating standouts. One is 4-star junior Elijah Tuua, who's already quite accustomed to a championship atmosphere after starting out at Folsom. The other is 3-star senior Simote Tupou, who led Nevada with 19 sacks and also totaled 32 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles at Pinecrest Academy Sloan Canyon.

2. Corona Centennial (No. 7 in nation)​

2025 Record: 11-2

2025 Final Ranking (SN's National Top 25): No. 14 in nation, No. 2 in California

Top Losses: TE/DL Keawe Browne (Boise State), LB JD McKinley (Cal), DL Lucky Schirmer (Cal), DB Therman "Boogie" Williams (Wyoming), OL Jakob McKindley (NAU), RB Zander Lewis (VMI), QB Dominick Catalano, WR Ty Plinski, LB Fifita Moore (Princeton), OL Caleb Rye (Air Force), LB Hayden Zentner, WR Devan Parker, DL Benjamin Tameifuna (Eastern Washington), DL Noah Serrato, WR Tyler George

Top Returners: S Jaden Walk-Green, DL Miles Schirmer, RB Malaki Davis, DB Andre Pommells Jr., CB Jordan Kirkpatrick, RB/DB Dean Gibson, RB Braylin Drake, WR Gavin Lorge, S Brett Smith Jr., OL Saik Fiataugaluia, OL Xavier Baca, OL Nicolas Blum-Smith, LB Matt Salmeron, LB Chase Wallner, DL Genesis Campos-Barrett, DB Augus Sanders

Top Additions: QB Jaden Jefferson (Cathedral), WR Quentin Hale (Cathedral), RB/WR Kennie Leggett (Mater Dei), LB Javier Millan (Mater Dei)

Even with so many stars graduating, there's a strong argument to make that Centennial should be the preseason No. 1 team in California as it currently stands.

That's mainly because of how stacked the Huskies are at the skill positions. The Jefferson-Hale battery transferring in from Cathedral is one of the nation's best, and that elite passing game tandem should go a particularly long way in a year when California appears have fewer of those than usual. Centennial's RBs room is also among the nation's better or best. Davis is a bona fide star, Drake is set for a big season after injuries wiped out most of his junior campaign, Gibson can handle more reps if needed while still starring at DB, and Leggett is primed for a breakout year at RB and/or receiver after transferring in from Mater Dei. The Huskies don't have any huge names on the offensive line but they do have a few returning standouts, and that's often been their best formula for their front five in recent years. Put it all together and this could easily be the best offense in the country.

And the defense will be darn good too. Walk-Green went from a promising sophomore to one of the best players in the country as a junior, setting the world on fire with 125 tackles, 10 interceptions, and six defensive touchdowns. He headlines a lethal secondary, and Centennial has defensive standouts up front as well, especially Schirmer. Can any other impact returners on defense take a superstar leap of their own? Can the Huskies successfully fill some key voids in the front seven with up-and-coming talent? If the answer to one or both of those questions is yes, this could undoubtedly be the year that Centennial breaks through for a state – and maybe even national – title.

3. Santa Margarita (No. 9 in nation)​

2025 Record: 11-3

2025 Final Ranking (SN's National Top 25): No. 6 in nation, No. 1 in California


Top Losses: WR Trent Mosley (USC), LB Dash Fifita (Arizona), LB Leki Holani (Sacramento State), DL Simote Katoanga (USC), CB Jayden Crowder (USC), OL Niniva Nicholson (Arizona State), DL Manoah Faupusa (Arizona), QB Trace Johnson (Tulane), S Logan Hirou (UCLA), TE Griffin Brahm (USC), S Joshua "Siua" Holani (Sacramento State), LB Vai Manutai, LB Ivrick Carrigan (Black Hills State)

Top Returners: OL/DL Isaia Vandermade, CB Ca'ron Williams, RB Jaion Smith, OL Aaron Klatt, TE Luke Gazzaniga, DL Tonga Uhila, WR Ryan Clark, WR Jake Martin, WR Grant Mosley, RB Adrian Petero, OL Adam Iloilo Jr.

Top Additions: LB Allen "Cinco" Kennett V (Servite), QB Matthew Smith (Villa Park), QB West Stansbury (Coronado, TX), LB Cruz Nunez (JSerra)

On paper, there's a gap between the top two teams and the rest of the field. It took a special senior class for Santa Margarita to win its first section and state championship in recent history in 2025 – let alone in Carson Palmer's first season as head coach – and it's hard to imagine the Eagles going back-to-back. But don't rule it all the way out. The floor is high for SMCHS with a handful of key players returning from their championship roster, plus a few key transfers, and some of their returners were underclassmen who are ready to carry heavier loads. If all goes well for the Eagles' returners and new impact players emerge, they should be able to compete with anyone and everyone.

Santa Margarita's offense is well-rounded with experienced impact players. It's a new era on that side of the football with All-American Trent Mosley off to USC, but Santa Margarita returns serious talent everywhere on offense except for QB. Fortunately for the Eagles, two of their big-name transfers are options to fill that void, and don't forget that it was a transfer without four or five stars to his name who got it done under center for them last year in Trace Johnson (Tulane). In this case, the QB competition will come down to recent Vanderbilt commit Matthew Smith, a senior Villa Park transfer who gradually ground his way to a solid three-star ranking and SEC recruiting despite standing just six feet tall. The other option is less proven but possesses massive upside, 3-star junior West Stansbury, son of former NFL fullback Ed Stansbury. Stansbury and his Thunderbirds struggled in 2025, but he flashed signs of star potential and has offers from UCLA and UTEP. If the Eagles' QB situation pans out and other returners improve, they could have one of the most complete offenses in the nation with lots of talented blockers and one of SoCal's top returning RB duos in Smith and Petero.

Stingy defense has been the team's identity for a long time, and if Santa Margarita falls out of the national picture, lack of returning talent on that end would probably be why. Kennett and Nunez are crucial additions at LB for a team that just graduated as much oomph at backer as any team in the country. We'll see who else steps up on that end to accompany returning stars Williams, Uhila, and Vandermade.

4. Mater Dei (No. 10 in nation)​

2025 Record: 8-3

2025 Final Ranking (SN's National Top 25): No. 16 in nation, No. 3 in California


Top Losses: DB CJ Lavender (UCLA), WR Chris Henry Jr. (Ohio State), OT Kodi Greene (Washington), TE Mark Bowman (USC), WR Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (USC), DL Tomuhini Topui (USC), LB/DL Shaun Scott (USC), RB Justin Lewis (UMass), QB Ryan Hopkins (Wisconsin), OL Owen Neill (Cal Poly), WR Koen Parnell (UC Davis), RB Malachi Roby, QB Furian Inferrera (Mission Hills), RB/WR Kennie Leggett (Corona Centennial)

Top Returners: CB Danny Lang, DL Montana Toilolo, OL Lex Mailangi, CB Patrick Hall, DL Matamatagi Uiagalelei, LB DJ Clanton, LB Mike Davis Jr., QB Cameron Pooley, LB Ezekiel Su'a, S Ace Leutele, S Troy Bishop, OL Adam Fogelsong, OL Damian Armenta, LB Sosene Schuster, LB Mike Davis Jr.

Top Additions: QB Russell Sekona (Leuzinger), QB Cameron Pooley (Chaminade)

For the first time in a long time, it's reasonable to question if Mater Dei is capable of competing for a national title. It graduated an elite senior class and hasn't received as much incoming talent via transfer as usual. But the Monarchs are still guaranteed to be in the top tier or two of best teams in the country, especially on defense, where they return a laundry list of big names across the field.

With that said, Mater Dei's offense is, uncharacteristically, a question mark. The Monarchs will be formidable at O-line as usual with Mailangi leading the way, but that's about all the certainty they have on that end without big names to replace many of their Class of 2026 stars. As usual, they do have multiple talented transfers dueling for the QB1 job in Sekona Pooley. Who will they be passing to with Henry, Dixon-Wyatt, and Bowman off to high majors? Don't be surprised if Mater Dei picks up some transfers at RB, WR, and TE before the summer is over. Or if the Monarchs fill some of those shoes internally with lesser-known underclassmen they've been developing – something they don't usually need to do.

The other major X-factor is whether or not the Monarchs can bring a renewed edge this fall after they often struggled to maintain high energy and focus for straight four quarters in 2025. Expectations won't be astronomically high for a change, and maybe that'll be refreshing for a program that is almost always heaped with "national title or bust" expectations. Perhaps Mater Dei will regain its energetic edge as the hunter instead of the hunted.

5. Sierra Canyon (No. 14 in nation)​

2025 Record: 10-1

2025 Final Ranking (SN's National Top 25): Unranked


Top Losses: EDGE Richard Wesley (Texas), CB Havon Finney Jr. (LSU), CB Brandon Lockhart (USC), CB Madden Riordan (USC), WR Tron Baker (USC), CB Trey Brown (Kansas), EDGE Mikhal Johnson (Harvard), RB Jerod Terry, ATH Demarcus Barnes (Eastern Washington)

Top Returners: DL Kasi Currie, S Myles Baker, RB Jaxsen Stokes, S Faruq Muhammad, OL Tyson Seidman, OL Lance Ciechanowski, S Mykel Ramos, OL Braydenn Mercer

Top Additions: DL Markus Fakatou (Orange Lutheran), WR Jaxon Sharp (Oaks Christian), WR Christian Butler (Oaks Christian)

While Sierra Canyon seems to be ripe with breakout underclassmen every season, 2026 probably won't bring the Trailblazers' most talented team ever. That's simply because their 2025 was probably the strongest in program history with seniors leading the way. But many stars are still back for Sierra Canyon this fall, and they know what it takes for their program to have a chance at competing with the Santa Margarita's, St. John Bosco's, and Corona Centennial's of the world.

The defensive core of Fakatou, Currie, Baker, Muhammad, and Ramos may well be the nation's most explosive. However, there's not a lot of certainty about the rest of Sierra Canyon's defense entering the season, which is a departure from recent campaigns in which the defensive rotation ran more than a dozen players deep with D-1 talent. If new stars are going to break out for Sierra Canyon, it needs to be on defense for a change.

On offense, Sierra Canyon might not have quite as much upside as it currently stands, but the floor is very high. Playing through Stokes and a physically imposing O-line is a tried and true method for the Trailblazers to be competitive on that end even when the passing game isn't clicking, and if their revamped passing game pans out, they'll be able to play with anybody. As usual, the big question is who'll be under center. Whoever earns the job will have a couple talented receivers coming in from Oaks Christian to help round things out.

Put it all together and Sierra Canyon seems to be an X-factor at both a national and statewide level, and a lock to at minimum remain relevant. Don't be surprised to see the Trailblazers pull off a handful more of impact transfers in the next six weeks – which could be enough for them to make a run at No. 1 in California.

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