The 2014 season kicks off this weekend with a slew of talented players hitting the field. These are several to keep a close watch throughout the season.

Quarterback: Tyler Johnston (Spanish Fort, 2016)

Running back: Desherrius Flowers (Vigor)

Running back: Nick Gibson (Pinson Valley)

Wide receiver:Kerryon Johnson (Madison Academy)

Wide receiver: Justin Johnson (Hoover)

Wide receiver: Traveon Samuel (Central-Phenix City)

Tight end: Jalen Harris (St. James)

Offensive line: Lester Cotton (Central-Tuscaloosa)

Offensive line: Tyler Carr (Southside-Gadsden)

Offensive line: Brandon Kennedy (Wetumpka)

Offensive line: Darryl Williams (Bessemer City)

Offensive line: Darius Whitfield (St. Paul's, 2016)

Offensive athlete: Keith Mixon (Shades Valley)

Defensive line: Daron Payne (Shades Valley)

Defensive line: Anfernee Jennings (Dadeville)

Defensive line: Christian Bell (Hoover)

Defensive line: Jauntavius Johnson (Lincoln)

Linebacker: Darrell Williams (Hoover)

Linebacker: Richard McBryde (Charles Henderson)

Linebacker: Keaton Anderson (Florence)

Linebacker: Lyndell Wilson (Carver-Montgomery, 2016)

Defensive back: Maurice Smitherman (Minor)

Defensive back: John Broussard (Central-Phenix City, 2016)

Defensive back: Jalen Thompson (St. Paul's)

Defensive back: Dee Smith (Florence)

Defensive athlete: Ben Davis (Gordo, 2016)

Mr. Football prediction: Kerryon Johnson (Madison Academy)

Runner Up: Keith Mixon (Shades Valley)

The state is loaded with several talented players especially at the running back position. Keith Mixon and Nick Gibson should post big numbers this fall. Bradrick Shaw returns for the two-time defending state champions, but Hoover backs don't often produce big numbers at the end of the season.

Kerryon Johnson has been a star for Madison Academy since he first stepped on the field. He was the MVP of the Class 3A state championship game his sophomore year, and helped his team repeat in 2013.

Johnson plays on both sides of the ball. He'll play several different positions including running back, wide receiver, cornerback and safety. He also returns kicks. Johnson is the best athlete in the state. He'll have a chance to put up some impressive numbers and lead Madison Academy to its fourth straight appearance in the Class 3A state finals, and possibly three state titles enroute to Mr. Football.

Quarterback: Tyler Cameron (Foley)

Running back Bradrick Shaw (Hoover)

Running back: Jamarius Henderson (Dale County)

Wide receiver: DePriest Turner (Murphy)

Wide receiver: T.J. Simmons (Clay-Chalkville, 2016)

Wide receiver: Deondre Douglas (James Clemens)

Tight end: Julian Jones (Hazel Green, 2016)

Offensive line: Dee Nalls (Fayette County, 2016)

Offensive line: Tyler Pritchett (Auburn, 2016)

Offensive line Logan Stenberg (James Clemens)

Offensive line Chris White (Daphne)

Offensive line: Kenny Thomas (Prattville)

Offensive athlete: TaDarryl Marshall (Leeds)

Defensive line: Marlon Davidson (Carver-Montgomery, 2016)

Defensive line: Mario Osborne (Daphne)

Defensive line: Kendall Jones (Clay-Chalkville)

Defensive line: Quandeski Whitlow (Opelika)

Linebacker: Amonte Caban (Smiths Station)

Linebacker: P.J. Blue (Jemison, 2016)

Linebacker Markail Benton (Central-Phenix City, 2017)

Linebacker: Tre Threat (Spanish Fort, 2016)

Defensive back: Jarek Taylor (Bob Jones)

Defensive back: Keith Washington (Prattville)

Defensive back: Spencer Perry (Auburn, 2016)

Defensive back: Michael Jackson (Spain Park)

Defensive athlete: Malik Miller (Madison Academy)