Recognition program honors elite high school football athletes

USA TODAY Sports, part of Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE:GCI) announced 2025 ALL-USA Football Teams, a recognition of the best high school football athletes in the country. The program leverages the unmatched high school football coverage of the USA TODAY Network comprised of more than 200 publications across the nation. USA TODAY Sports recognizes distinguished teams and players, celebrating the next generation of gridiron greats with everything from video highlights to featured stories across USA TODAY.

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The launch of the watchlists marks an exciting return for an iconic USA TODAY Sports franchise, which last appeared in 2019 and has featured notable honorees such as Rod Woodson, Thurman Thomas, Emmitt Smith, Jesse Armstead, Reuben Brown, Christian McCaffrey, Kyler Murray, Trevor Lawrence, Amon Ra-St. Brown, Jadeveon Clowney, and other high school standouts who went on to play professional football in the NFL.

"The fabric of sports across the nation begins with high school athletics, so it's only fitting the USA TODAY Network would help shape the conversation," said Chris Thomas, Executive Editor of Sports, Gannett | USA TODAY Network. "These All-USA regional watchlists -- and the All-USA teams at the end of the season -- feature the best of the best competing across the country each Friday night this fall."

Each of the 2025 ALL-USA nominees was selected by USA TODAY Network journalists for the East, West, Midwest, Southeast, and Southwest regions. Criteria included 2024 season performances, preseason scouting and 2025 season projections. As the football schedule progresses toward the playoffs and state championships, the lists will be updated to reflect the athletes who are shining brightest on the field this season. From the sidelines, selections for Coach of the Year will also be included for the five regions. Final ALL-USA Teams will be announced in December for each region, alongside a National ALL-USA Team.

The historic ALL-USA revamp in football is only beginning, with more sports to be included as the franchise rises again as one of the most celebrated honors for high school athletes.

Brands interested in All-USA sponsorships, please contact Alicia Del Gallo, Editorial Director, Innovation & Monetization at ADelgallo@usatoday.com and Nate Scott, Vice President, Sports Strategy & Events at NScott@gannett.com.

ABOUT GANNETT

Gannett Co., Inc. is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a sustainable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. Through our trusted brands, including the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations, including our network of local properties, in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom, we provide essential journalism, local content, and digital experiences to audiences and businesses. We deliver high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, supports small and medium-sized businesses with innovative digital marketing products and solutions.

ABOUT USA TODAY

Since its introduction in 1982, USA TODAY has been a cornerstone of the national media landscape under its recognizable and respected brand. It also serves as the foundation for our newsroom network which allows for content sharing capabilities across our local and national markets. Through USA TODAY, we deliver high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Across our digital platforms we reach an audience of approximately 73 million unique visitors each month (based on December 2024 Comscore Media Metrix®).

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Lark-Marie Antón

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Corporate Communications

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USA TODAY Sports Announces ALL-USA TODAY