Readers voted for top Cincinnati football players. See results
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Over the last month, The Enquirer has previewed the 2026 high school football season by listing the top 10 players at each of the eight position groups and allowing readers to vote for their favorite players.
Here's who Enquirer readers voted as the top high school football player in each position group.
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Readers' vote for top defensive back
Marino Middleton, Moeller: He is the top returning defensive back in the Greater Conference League-South. He recorded two interceptions as a junior and made 35 tackles. Middleton also forced and recovered a fumble.
Readers' vote for top receiver
Tysin Weaver, Anderson: The 6-foot, 175-pound senior was one of the top receivers in the state leading the Raptors’ high-powered offense with 91 catches for 1,375 yards and 20 touchdowns, leading Anderson to the Division II state final. He scored touchdowns in 12 of 15 games, including four against Kings and three against Turpin. He had seven catches for 190 yards against Kings. In five playoff games, he had 38 catches for 497 yards including 11 for 125 in the state final loss to Avon. With Cooper Kathman and Tegan Jallick also returning at receiver after putting up big numbers in 2025, and Owen Scalf returning at QB, the Raptors should have another explosive offense. Weaver has several recent Division II offers.
Readers' vote for top defensive lineman
Julian Dwyer, Moeller: According to Rivals, the junior is a three-star defensive lineman and the No. 16 player in Ohio in the 2028 class. A 6-foot-4, 240-pound prospect, Dwyer should play a big role in Moeller's defense this season after recording 2.5 tackles for a loss, a half sack and one fumble recovery in 2025. He has offers from Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Cincinnati, Indiana, Purdue and Miami University.
Readers' vote for top offensive lineman
Connor Abercrombie, Campbell County: Under first-year head coach Rick Honaker, Abercrombie will be one of a few seniors charged with setting the tone for the offense this season. He has shown his potential in both the running game and passing game, and has the skills to pancake his opponent or execute a swing block at the line of scrimmage. He holds offers from Centre College, Wabash, Wilmington and McPherson.
Readers' vote for top linebacker
Cash Myers, Covington Catholic: The Colonels have won multiple postseason games in each of the last three seasons. Myers will lead the defense as they look to keep that streak alive. As a sophomore, he led team with 112 tackles and forced and recovered one fumble. He was named to the second-team All-Northern Kentucky for defense and was voted to the DII all-star team by the Northern Kentucky Football Coaches Association.
Readers' vote for top running back
Gage Croley, Goshen: The junior was Southern Buckeye Athletic and Academic Conference-American Division offensive player of the year and led the Warriors to a 7-4 record. Croley's 2,007 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns led the way on the ground, and the Warriors return every player who scored a touchdown last season. He was first team all-district and second team all-state last season.
Readers' vote for top special teams player
Grayson Bedacht, La Salle: The junior excelled in all phases for the Lancers last year. He made 36-of-37 PATs and 4-of-6 field goals with a long of 41. He averaged 40 yards per punt and had six touchbacks.
Readers' vote for top quarterback
Levi Guttman, Cincinnati Country Day: He returns as one of the top returning passers in the Miami Valley Conference as the Nighthawks go for their fifth straight Gray Division title. His 206.5 passer rating led the entire conference while his 1,879 yards were third. He threw for 27 touchdowns and had multiple passing scores from week 2 through the end of the season. Guttman was also in the top five in the conference as a rusher, totaling 969 yards and eight touchdowns.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Readers voted for top Cincinnati football players. See results