Elba star running back Alvin Henderson is a finalist for a third Class 1A Back of the Year award. The Auburn signee, who finished his career as Alabama’s all-time leading rusher, is one of three finalists for the 2024 honor, having already won in 2022 and 2023. The Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) announced the finalists for Back and Lineman of the Year in all seven AHSAA classifications and the AISA on Christmas Day. All finalists will be recognized at the annual Player of the Year Banquet on January 28th in Montgomery, where the ASWA will also announce Mr. Football.
Tuscaloosa Academy quarterback Preston Lancaster also has the opportunity to repeat as Back of the Year, this time in Class 2A. Additionally, two players have a chance to win a second title in a different classification. Fyffe’s Tucker Wilks, the 2A Lineman of the Year last season, is a finalist in 3A this year. Similarly, Kentonio Kelly, the 3A Lineman of the Year for Mobile Christian last year, is a 5A Lineman of the Year finalist for Vigor.
The finalists, selected by the ASWA statewide prep committee, were all first-team All-State selections. The “Back of the Year” category includes quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and defensive backs, while “Lineman of the Year” encompasses offensive and defensive linemen and linebackers. The finalists for each classification are listed below:
Class 7A
* Back of the Year: Anquon Fegans (Thompson), Trent Seaborn (Thompson), Daylyn Upshaw (Central-Phenix City)
* Lineman of the Year: Malik Autry (Opelika), Zion Grady (Enterprise), Jared Smith (Thompson)
Class 6A
* Back of the Year: Corey Barber (Spain Park), KJ Lacey (Saraland), Na’eem Offord (Parker)
* Lineman of the Year: Keenan Britt (Oxford), Jourdin Crawford (Parker), Anthony Jones (St. Paul’s)
Class 5A
* Back of the Year: Conner Nelson (Leeds), Cam Phinizee (Russellville), Jotavion Pierce (Montgomery Catholic)
* Lineman of the Year: Jabarrius Garror (Vigor), Kentonio Kelly Jr. (Vigor), Ellis McGaskin (Williamson)
Class 4A
* Back of the Year: EJ Crowell (Jackson), Landon Duckworth (Jackson), Gunner Rivers (St. Michael)
* Lineman of the Year: Tristan Brown (Cherokee Co.), Tae Diamond (Cherokee Co.), AJ Rice (Madison Academy)
Class 3A
* Back of the Year: Caden Chandler (Mars Hill Bible), Kadyn Mitchell (Houston Academy), Rollie Pinto (Piedmont)
* Lineman of the Year: Myles Johnson (T.R. Miller), Billy Neill (Bayside Academy), Tucker Wilks (Fyffe)
Class 2A
* Back of the Year: Chris Clemons (Winston Co.), Luke Gilbert (Pisgah), Preston Lancaster (Tuscaloosa Aca.)
* Lineman of the Year: JJ Faulk (Highland Home), Clete O’Bryant (Coosa Christian), Grayson Gulde (Vincent)
Class 1A
* Back of the Year: Alvin Henderson (Elba), Ziquayvion Jackson (McKenzie), Jaquez Wilkes (Wadley)
* Lineman of the Year: Fred Curry (Georgiana), Hayes Farrell (Donoho), Tim Parnell (Leroy)
AISA
* Back of the Year: Julian Curry (Wilcox Academy), Gerrell Perry (Banks Academy), Luke Tarver (Chambers Academy)
* Lineman of the Year: Jackson Boykin (South Choctaw Academy), Ashton Yelder (Lowndes Academy), Asher Young (Fort Dale Academy)
See who made the ASWA All-State football team for 2024.