The AYF Youth National Championship is where reputations are made, legacies are built, and elite prospects separate themselves from the pack. From 6U to 14U, the 2025 Nationals once again proved that when the lights are brightest, the best players rise. These athletes didn’t just put up numbers — they impacted winning, elevated teammates, and showed advanced traits that project well beyond youth football.

Below is a breakdown of the standout performers from the 2025 AYF Youth National Championship and what made each of them special.

 

Amir “Phive” McGregor

Position: QB/ATH

Team: Midwest Hawks (IL) – 9U

AYF National Champion | National MVP

In 2024, the Midwest Hawks fell short at AYF Nationals after losing their ultimate X-factor, Amir “Phive” McGregor, to injury. Fast forward to 2025, and McGregor returned with a vengeance — and a mission.

Operating as the engine of a dangerous RPO offense, McGregor scored 15+ touchdowns in just four games, showcasing why he’s one of the most electric young quarterbacks in the country. While still developing as a passer, defenses must respect his arm — and once they hesitate, it’s over. McGregor’s balance, vision, and open-field creativity make him nearly impossible to corral.

In the National Championship game against the defending champs, McGregor delivered a statement performance with four rushing touchdowns, all from over 40 yards out. His explosiveness and feel for the game helped the Hawks average a 14-point margin of victory, culminating in a National Championship and MVP honors.

At just 9 years old, McGregor’s upside is scary. This is only the beginning.

 

Nasir Grant

Position: ATH (WR/DB)

Team: North Philly Blackhawks – 12U

AYF National Champion

Watching prospects evolve is one of the best parts of youth football, and Nasir Grant’s growth has been remarkable. Once a quarterback at age 8, Grant has developed into an elite two-way athlete — a polished wide receiver and a shutdown defensive back.

Nationals is “put up or shut up” time, and Grant delivered in every moment. He thrives on competition, consistently taking on the toughest assignments. Need a clutch catch? He wants it. Need to shut down the opposing team’s best receiver? He demands that matchup too.

Grant’s smooth route running, large catch radius, and elusiveness at the top of routes allowed him to consistently move the chains and score when it mattered. Defensively, his receiver instincts translated into pass breakups and interceptions. His impact was instrumental in the North Philly Blackhawks capturing the 12U National Championship.

With a high ceiling and relentless mindset, Grant continues to prove he’s among the very best in his age group nationwide.

 

Ayden Falls

Position: ATH

Team: GTop Sabres (NC) – 11U D-II

National Championship Game MVP

The GTop Sabres entered AYF Nationals with something to prove, and Ayden Falls made sure everyone noticed. A true game-changer, Falls affects every phase of the game with speed, vision, and natural playmaking ability.

Nicknamed “Baby Percy Harvin,” Falls is explosive with the ball in his hands. He’s sudden in and out of breaks, deadly in space, and turns the smallest crease into a big gain. In the National Championship game, he showcased elite vision and body control with a kick return touchdown, navigating tight sideline space before hitting another gear.

Defensively, Falls is a ball magnet — breaking up passes and creating turnovers. His touchdowns in the title game put the contest out of reach, earning him MVP honors and cementing his status as a rising star.

 

Kristopher “K.J.” McCollins-Lee

Position: DT/FB

Team: Detroit City Lions

They call him K.J., and trench warriors everywhere should know his name. Kristopher McCollins-Lee dominated AYF Nationals with power, explosion, and a relentless motor.

Explosive out of his stance with a mean streak, McCollins-Lee averaged roughly two sacks per game, along with a host of tackles for loss. At just 10–11 years old, opposing offenses often couldn’t double-team fast enough to stop him.

In the National Championship game, K.J. recorded 3–4 sacks and around five TFLs, completely wrecking the opposing game plan. Offensively, he served as the Lions’ tone-setter at fullback, paving the way in the run game and imposing physical dominance.

With his size, strength, and aggression, McCollins-Lee has all the tools to become a household name for years to come.

 

King Glaud

Position: QB

Team: Winslow Elite (NJ) – 11U

AYF National Champion

Winslow Elite’s 11U National Championship run was powered by one of the most composed quarterbacks in the country — King Glaud.

A calm, resilient technician, Glaud displays one of the most overlooked quarterback traits: short-term memory. Mistakes don’t rattle him. He remains poised in the pocket, patient in his reads, and capable of attacking all levels of the field.

In the National Championship game, Glaud led Winslow Elite to redemption against the Legacy Hurricanes after a tight preseason loss. He completed 85% of his passes, throwing for eight-plus touchdowns throughout the tournament. His rhythm, timing, and leadership stood out, especially under pressure.

This left-handed field general is quickly becoming the face of the quarterback position in his region — and beyond.

 

Andrew Collins

Position: RB/LB

Team: Gorilla Mobb (TX) – 10U

Back-to-Back AYF National Champion | Team MVP

Texas football is built on toughness, and Andrew Collins embodies that identity. Gorilla Mobb captured back-to-back National Championships at the 9U and 10U levels, and Collins was the heartbeat of both runs.

As a middle linebacker, Collins plays with violence, instincts, and a high football IQ. He hunts ball carriers sideline to sideline and delivers punishment on contact. Offensively, he’s a downhill runner with sneaky breakaway speed, averaging two touchdowns per game throughout Nationals (excluding the championship).

Most of Collins’ yards come after contact as he wears defenses down with physicality and relentless effort. He put his team on his back and delivered when it mattered most.

 

Jamez “Bull” Thompson

Position: LB

Team: OG Ducks

3-Time National Champion

Some players are simply born ballers — Jamez “Bull” Thompson is one of them. A three-time National Champion, Thompson once again showed why he’s considered 1-of-1.

An instinctive linebacker with elite feel for the game, Thompson always seems to be in the right place at the right time. In the National Championship game, his two interceptions helped the OG Ducks knock off defending champs Watkins Hornets — the same team they narrowly lost to earlier in the season.

A true sideline-to-sideline tackling machine, Thompson forces turnovers and makes momentum-shifting plays when the stakes are highest. That clutch gene can’t be taught.

 

Amari “Ballhog” Carlock

Position: ATH/RB

Team: Watkins Hornets (DC) – 13U

Amari “Ballhog” Carlock is a nationally recognized name for a reason. A versatile, fearless playmaker, Carlock makes an impact no matter where he lines up.

As a runner, he’s patient, powerful, and explosive — capable of grinding out tough yards or turning the corner and outrunning defenses. His versatility allows him to line up outside as a receiver, and defensively he showcased ball-hawking ability throughout Nationals.

Carlock’s nonstop motor and willingness to do whatever it takes to win define him as a true X-factor. Special talents like this translate at any level.

 

Penisoni “Ryder” Tuifua

Position: OG

Team: 808 Elite (HI) – 11U

Penisoni “Ryder” Tuifua was one of the most dominant offensive linemen at AYF Nationals. A tenacious run-blocker, Ryder consistently locked onto defenders and drove them backward.

He showed impressive athleticism as a pulling guard, leading plays and getting to the second level with ease. Agile, quick, and powerful, Ryder collected pancakes while imposing his will throughout the tournament.

His dominance up front helped lead 808 Elite to a third-place finish, and with his skill set, this trench monster is just getting started.

 

Lewis Douglas III

Position: RB

Team: DMV U (VA) NWO – 8U

Back-to-Back National Champion

Lewis Douglas III may be the most productive 8U running back in the country — and his Nationals performance backed that up.

Douglas combines speed, acceleration, balance, and power, making him extremely difficult to bring down one-on-one. His footwork and vision allow him to outrun angles, and his spin move consistently leaves defenders grasping at air.

At AYF Nationals, Douglas posted massive numbers with multiple highlight-reel touchdown runs, leading DMV U to consecutive National Championships. Simply put, he’s a difference-maker.

 

Zaydn Payne

Position: QB

Team: Las Vegas Hawks (NV) – 11U

Zaydn Payne cemented his status as one of the top quarterbacks on the West Coast through his 2024 and 2025 AYF Nationals performances. In 2025, the Las Vegas Hawks placed significantly more responsibility on his arm — and he delivered.

Payne’s accuracy allows receivers to catch the ball in stride and maximize yards after the catch. His calm demeanor, ability to improvise, and gamer mentality separate him from his peers.

While the Hawks fell short in the National Championship once again, Payne’s performance was big-time. His continued development as a passer makes his future extremely bright.

 

Shauaha Gates Jr.

Position: QB/ATH

Team: Frankford Chargers

AYF National Champion

Shauaha Gates Jr. is the definition of a complete football player. When he tucks the ball, he runs with the power of a running back, punishing defenders and consistently breaking off explosive runs. He scored rushing touchdowns in every AYF National game.

As a passer, Gates was efficient and accurate, completing 18 of 20 passes, while continuing to develop his deep-ball consistency. His leadership and toughness also showed up defensively, where he helped stop the run and pressure opposing quarterbacks.

With 20+ wins in the 2025 season, Gates was the engine behind the Frankford Chargers’ championship run. His team-first mentality and versatility make him invaluable.

Final Word

The 2025 AYF Youth National Championship once again proved that the future of football is bright. These athletes didn’t just shine individually — they elevated their teams, delivered in clutch moments, and showed traits that project well beyond youth football.

From explosive playmakers to dominant trench warriors and poised quarterbacks, these standouts are names to remember. The foundation has been laid — and the journey is just beginning.

 

Malachi Morton

Position: RB

Team: North Philly Blackhawks (PA) – 11U

Malachi Morton put together one of the most dominant individual performances at the 2025 AYF Youth National Championship, firmly establishing himself as one of the premier running backs in the country for his age group.

Morton runs the ball with rare patience and maturity, consistently setting up his blocks before planting his foot and exploding upfield. His balance stands out immediately — first contact is rarely enough to bring him down. Once he builds momentum, he becomes a load to tackle, combining power, speed, and physicality in a way few backs at the 11U level can match.

What separates Morton from most is his top-end speed. He’s a true burner who can take any carry the distance, yet he still thrives between the tackles. At AYF Nationals, he single-handedly kept North Philly Blackhawks in games, averaging three touchdowns per contest and producing a highlight reel week after week.

Arguably a Top 3 running back in the nation for his age group, Morton oozes talent and confidence. It’s rare to watch him play and not come away thinking he was the best player on the field. If this trajectory continues, every high school program in the Philadelphia area will be lining up early — because Malachi Morton has already proven he’s really like that.

Zyan “Zee” Jackson

Position: ATH/RB

Team: Watkins Hornets (DC)

Zyan “Zee” Jackson is the definition of a game-changer — a versatile weapon who impacts the game wherever he lines up. Offense, defense, or special teams, Jackson’s presence demands attention.

At AYF Nationals, this was Zee’s official coming-out party on the national stage. His instincts and vision make him deadly as a return man, and once the ball is in his hands, he becomes a home-run threat. His hands and route ability also project him as a future slot receiver, adding another layer to his already impressive skill set.

Jackson’s signature moment came when he scored five touchdowns against the #2-ranked team in the country, West 7 Rams, single-handedly swinging the outcome and putting the nation on notice. His blazing speed, elite quickness, and ability to stop on a dime make defenders miss in space and turn routine plays into explosive gains.

Week-long, his performance was second to none, consistently delivering momentum-shifting plays and proving he thrives on the biggest stage. Zyan “Zee” Jackson isn’t just a standout — he’s a problem, and AYF Nationals 2025 made that clear.

 

The 2025 AYF Youth National Championship once again proved that the future of football is bright. These athletes didn’t just shine individually — they elevated their teams, delivered in clutch moments, and showed traits that project well beyond youth football.

From explosive playmakers to dominant trench warriors and poised quarterbacks, these standouts are names to remember. The foundation has been laid — and the journey is just beginning.