MLive Updated Michigan Football Player Award Watch List
The latest high school football watch list highlights top performers following a flurry of standout statistics in Week 5.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Football
Live Poll
Do you support the media highlighting individual high school student athletes' achievements?
MLive has refreshed its Michigan High School Football Player of the Year watch list following impressive performances during Week 5 matchups. The updated list tracks leading candidates based on their offensive and defensive output across the state.
Why it matters
Tracking these top athletes provides a snapshot of the most impactful players across Michigan as they compete for the state's highest individual high school football honor.
Cam Payne has recorded eight touchdowns over two games, while Lundon Hampton posted 107 rushing yards on 11 carries for an average of 9.72 yards per attempt. Additionally, Duke Banta completed 39 of 49 passes for 676 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The players
Cam Payne
He is a standout athlete from Byron Center who recently returned to the field after recovering from a shoulder injury.
Duke Banta
He is a highly efficient quarterback who has maintained a 79.6 completion percentage throughout his recent appearances.
Lundon Hampton
He is a dynamic running back recognized for his ability to maintain high yards-per-carry averages in competitive matchups.
Camden Noe
He is a two-way player who impacts games on both sides of the ball through rushing scores and defensive stops.
MLive
It is a statewide digital news organization that tracks and documents high school athletic performances across Michigan.
The details
Candidates demonstrated their versatility during Week 5, including Lorenzo Barber's 122 receiving yards and Camden Noe's contribution of two rushing touchdowns and six tackles in a shutout victory. Other notable performers included Griffin Braman with a 90% completion rate and Dakota Guerrant, who tallied two receiving scores and a 2-point conversion.
Timeline
Cam Payne rushed for over 200 yards in Week 1.
Cam Payne returned from a shoulder injury in Week 4.
Watch list candidates participated in games during Week 5.
Various teams will play Week 6 games on Friday night.
Detroit Catholic Central hosts Toledo Central Catholic on Saturday.
Season Trajectory
The mid-season watch list update provides a definitive look at which athletes are separating themselves as clear frontrunners for the state's highest individual honors. These shifting rankings reflect which players are consistently impacting playoff positioning and team success as the regular season reaches its final weeks.
The latest stats confirm that elite production is becoming increasingly vital for teams looking to secure favorable playoff seeding in their respective divisions. Readers following these specific athletes will notice that high-usage players like Duke Banta remain central to their team's offensive efficiency and weekly win probability.
The takeaway
Consistent performance through the middle of the season is the primary driver for individual award consideration in Michigan high school football. Athletes maintain their standing on the watch list by demonstrating versatility, such as balancing defensive tackles with offensive scoring capabilities.
Further reading
For more on local high school gridiron action, visit Michigan Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mlive.
Live Poll
Do you support the media highlighting individual high school student athletes' achievements?
