By Tyler Amaral
NEFJ Correspondent

There is no shortage of game-changing players in the MIAA this fall. From a five-star quarterback recruit to a Division 8 lineman and everything in between, here are 50 players poised to leave their mark on the state this season.

Players are listed in alphabetical order:

Hassah Armstrong, DL, Barnstable: The senior lineman holds five Division 1 offers. He will be a game-wrecker for the Redhawks.

Bradyn Belanger, RB, Auburn: The Rockets are a sleeper in Division 5. Belanger amassed over 1,700 yards from scrimmage and 27 touchdowns as a junior in only eight games.

Missoni Brown, WR, Springfield Central: There is no bigger incoming transfer at any MIAA program this fall. Brown is a multisport star from Windsor, CT. The senior holds offers from Syracuse and Central Connecticut State.

Collin Christiansen, WR, Lowell: The New Haven pledge is a dynamic weapon hoping to lead Lowell back to the postseason.

Dylan Crossman, LB, Bishop Feehan: Crossman was one of the better linebackers in the state last year totaling over 100 tackles and six tackles for loss.

MoRodney Daigle, RB, Northbridge: Daigle could surpass 2,000 yards from scrimmage this fall. As a junior, Daigle racked up over 1,500 yards and 19 scores.

Ayden Davis, DL, Randolph: The senior is a force on the interior for the Blue Devils. Davis had 12 tackles for loss last season.

Doyle Delano, LB, Swampscott: Delano, a Holy Cross commit, is poised for a monster season rushing the passer.

Toby Edie, LB, Hudson: The senior linebacker racked up over 90 tackles last fall.

Gavin English, OL, Springfield Central: The UMass commit is an integral piece of the Golden Eagles offensive line.

Grayson Foley, RB, Scituate: Foley piled up more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage last season. The Bryant baseball commit added two special teams touchdowns, 76 tackles, and three interceptions.

Hank Frazier, DL, Duxbury: If Duxbury is to rebound this year, it needs Frazier to wreak havoc on the interior.

Zach Fultz, RB, Danvers: The Falcons can contend in Division 4 this fall. Fultz is a threat to score from anywhere on the field.

Michael Harden, LB, Xaverian: Harden is a leader on the Hawks defense. Xaverian is seeking its fourth consecutive Division 1 state championship.

Will Harrison, QB, Tewksbury: The junior totaled 30 touchdowns in 2025 and holds an offer from Brown.

Logan Hernandez, OL, Catholic Memorial: The Villanova commit is a key cog in the Catholic Memorial line.

Jackson Holmes, DB, Xaverian: The junior may not have eye-popping counting stats, but that’s because opponents don’t often throw in his direction.

Kennedy Hurte-Jones, DL, Catholic Memorial: The four-star recruit has eight Division 1 offers entering his sophomore season.

Eddie Krippendorf, OL, Archbishop Williams: Krippendorf is one of the few Bishops remaining from last year’s Division 5 semifinalist squad. The Colgate commit will open lanes for a new crop of skill players.

Jack Luccarelli, QB, Norwell: The Middlebury-bound quarterback ran for over 2,300 yards last season. Norwell enters the season as the favorite in Division 6.

Elai Machado, QB/DB, KIPP Academy: The Panthers should compete in Division 8 this year. Machado is a versatile two-way playmaker.

Prince Mahey, OL, Billerica: Mahey, a first team All Merrimack Valley performer, is one of the most physically imposing lineman in the MIAA. The Indians are a team to watch in Division 2.

Jayden McGuffie, RB, Malden: What can McGuffie do for an encore? The junior ran wild last season totaling over 2,000 yards.

Dominik Mercier, QB, Peabody: As a junior at Malden Catholic, Mercier accounted for over 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns en route to a Division 3 semifinal berth.

Tyandre Monteiro-Cooper, DL, Weymouth: The raw pass rusher is committed to Stonehill. The sky is the limit for Monteiro-Cooper.

Owen Morley, OL, Scituate: Morley is a key member of an underrated offensive line.

Nick O’Brien, RB, North Attleboro: O’Brien transferred back to his hometown school after becoming the first player in state history to accumulate over 1,000 yards rushing and receiving yards at Tri-County last season.

Mikaele Pa’u, DL, Leominster: The junior holds one Division 1 offer after a nine-sack sophomore campaign.

Maxwell Parent, RB, St. John’s Prep: 2025 backfield mate Jordan Toribio transferred out of the program. Parent now has the backfield to himself after rushing for over 1,400 and 21 touchdowns last year.

Anthony Parrella, LB, Barnstable: Parrella is as talented as any linebacker in the state, but missed his entire junior season after suffering an injury in the preseason.

Brad Perry, QB, St. John’s (Shrewsbury): Perry leads a talented group of returnees for the Pioneers.

Jaydee Reber, RB, Lee: The Wildcats enter the season on the short list of favorites in Division 8. If they are to break through, Reber will be at the center of the offensive attack.

McCoy Richardson, DL, Springfield Central: The Wake Forest commit is the most dominant interior defender in the state.

Elijah Rivera, DB, Leominster: Rivera led the state in interceptions as a junior with eight.

Isaiah Rogers, RB, Springfield Central: The four-star running back is one of the top players in the country at his position. The best is yet to come for the Notre Dame commit.

Nick Rotondo, LB, Bridgewater-Raynham: The Yale-bound linebacker is dominant against both the run and pass. The Trojans are hoping to make a run to the Division 2 state championship game this fall.

Riley Selvais, WR, St. John’s Prep: The star junior holds 10 Division 1 offers ranging from FCS to Power 4. Selvais had over 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns as a sophomore.

Rocco Sestito, RB, Xaverian: Sestito racked up more than 1,000 yards as a sophomore last season. That number should grow with star receivers Christian McIntyre and Dave Chiavegato gone.

Christian Simmons, RB, Catholic Memorial: The three-star recruit is looking to build off a solid sophomore campaign. Simmons holds offers from Boston College, UConn, and Vanderbilt.

Caden Smith, QB, Central Catholic: The two-time Merrimack Valley Offensive Player of the Year is poised for yet another monster season. Smith is committed to Bentley.

Jareth Staine, QB, Springfield Central: The Stonehill bound quarterback will have plenty of weapons at his disposal this fall.

Ramar Thomas, WR, Catholic Memorial: Thomas may be the fastest player in all of New England. The electric junior holds seven FBS offers.

Xavier Thomas, DB, Springfield Central: The junior defensive back is one of the best in the state, already owning five offers from FBS and FCS programs.

Jackson Tucker, DB, Catholic Memorial: The rangy safety is arguably the most disruptive defensive back in the state. Tucker is committed to Boston College where his older brother, Max, is a standout defensive back.

Gage Turner, LB, West Bridgewater: Turner is one of the best linebackers in the state regardless of division. Turner had 120 tackles last season for the Wildcats.

Chris Vargas, QB, St. John’s Prep: Vargas is the highest rated recruit in state history. The Ohio State commit threw for over 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns in his sophomore season.

Matthew Wagner, OL, Milton: Wagner is the main man up front for a Milton squad that always scores in bunches. Wagner is committed to Villanova.

Jack Warren, OL, Xaverian: Like Hernandez and Wagner, Warren is another Villanova commit from the MIAA.

Brian Waller-Reitano, OL, Central Catholic: Waller-Reitano has been a staple on the Raiders line for years. The Navy commit is a force.

Will Wood, QB, Xaverian: The Penn State commit is the leader for Xaverian. The Hawks are looking for a fourth straight Division 1 state championship. Despite losing McIntyre and Chiavegato, Wood will have a big season.