What a way to win an award.
Denton Guyer and Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold beat out players throughout the country for the 2022 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year.
He was presented with the award by a familiar face.
Eleven-time NFL Pro-Bowler and Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten handed the Wildcats frontman the trophy… in person.
“His size and ability to throw, and what an incredible year he had, and an incredible career here at Denton Guyer,” Witten told Bri Amaranthus in an exclusive interview. “Who he is and being able to be here today to give him this honor, and what a prestigious list for him to join with Gatorade National Football Player of the year. He’s got a really bright future, but I’m proud of just the person he is, how he treats the people in this community, and this unbelievable journey he’s been on.”
Arnold beat out fellow finalists Arch Manning of Isidore Newman (Louisiana) and Malachi Nelson of Los Alamitos (California). Denton Guyer finished the season with a 14-1 record and a berth in the 6A-Division II semifinals.
The Gatorade Player of the Year award recognizes athletes for both their excellence on the playing field and in the classroom. Arnold was handpicked out of more than one million student-athletes worldwide. In his senior season, Arnold maintained a 4.5 weighted GPA. He is a consensus 5-star recruit and is the No. 6 overall quarterback in the 2023 collegiate class.
Arnold was also the winner of our Texas HS Football 2022 Fan Vote 6A QB of the Year.
Photo by Pat Carrigan
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