CINCINNATI — Princeton senior offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. and Covington Catholic senior tight end Michael Mayer were named Monday to the MaxPreps Preseason High School All-American football team.
Johnson, an Ohio State verbal commit, and Mayer, a Notre Dame commit, were named to the first team. They are the only area players mentioned in the preseason list.
Both players plan to graduate early from high school and enroll at their respective college programs in January.
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Johnson, who is 6 feet 7 and 290 pounds, is rated that nation’s No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2020 class by 247 Sports. He is Ohio’s top-rated recruit overall.
Johnson is committed to play in the All-American Bowl in San Antonio and the Polynesian Bowl in Hawaii in January.
“He is a one-in-an-every-25-year type of talent, especially because he plays tackle,” Princeton coach Mike Daniels told WCPO last week. “Princeton hasn’t had a kid like that — I don’t know the last time.”
Princeton opens the season at Milford Aug. 30 (7 p.m. kickoff).
Mayer, who is 6 feet 5 and 240 pounds, is considered the top player for the Colonels, a 5A state runner-up in 2018.
“He’s been a big part of our culture and what we do,” CovCath coach Eddie Eviston said. “A culture of working hard and doing things the right way breeds success.”
Mayer will continue to play middle linebacker this fall for the Colonels. A CovCath basketball standout, Mayer won’t play hoops this winter because he will enroll early at South Bend.
“All three years of football have been awesome,” Mayer said. “Obviously this is my last year. It really hasn’t hit me yet. This is my last summer out here with the coaches and my teammates and everything. I am just trying to enjoy it as much as it lasts.”
CovCath, rated the top team in Kentuckythis preseason, opens the season against visiting Ryle Aug. 23.
