Mater Dei Football: Top players to watch during the 2024 season

Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei notched its fourth California state football title since 2017 last year and will be looking to repeat again this year. Longtime California coach Raul Lara has taken over the national powerhouse, with the Monarchs once again taking on one of the toughest schedules in the country.

An early-season clash at home against Bishop Gorman (Nev.) will set the tone, while a pair of in-state rivalries, on the road against Servite and at home against St. John Bosco, will make for an important October.

The roster is loaded with talent as usual though, including these five key players to watch this season:

1) WR Chris Henry Jr. (2026) 

As a sophomore in 2023 at Cincinnati Withrow, Henry was an all-state selection after racking up 1,127 yards and 10 touchdowns on 71 receptions in 14 games. He transferred to California powerhouse Mater Dei in February, and should be a massive piece for the Monarchs who will look to compete with the nation’s best.

2) CB Chuck McDonald 

As a sophomore, McDonald was credited with 28 tackles, 6 PBU and a FF for a Mater Dei program that went 12-1 and made the CIF Division title game. The Alabama commit followed that up with 34 tackles, 7 passes defended and an interception as a junior. He also stands out on the track, running a 10.84 100-meter dash in the spring of his junior year.

3) OT Kodi Greene (2026)

Greene is one of the nation’s top offensive linemen, regardless of class, checking in as top-40 recruit in the 2026 cycle. The nearly 6-foot-6, 290-pounder boasts a 6’8 wingspan and will be a bookend offensive lineman for Mater Dei over the next two years before heading to Oregon.

4) LB Nasir Wyatt

Wyatt, an Oregon commit, has been one of the country’s most dominant high school players on defense over the past couple of seasons. As a sophomore, he was named Trinity League Defensive MVP. totaling 27.5 tackles, 13 sacks and three forced fumbles for a Mater Dei program that went 12-1. As a junior, he was named a MaxPreps All-American, again won Trinity League Defensive MVP honors and finished with 41 tackles, 21 for loss, 14 sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

5) RB Jordon Davison

Despite a down junior season, Davison, also an Oregon pledge, has been one of the nation’s most productive high school running backs over the past three years. After totaling more than 2300 yards and 31 TDs across his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons, he’ll be another major weapon for the Monarchs’ offense in 2024.

6) CB Daryus Dixson

A physical cornerback who loves to hit, Dixson has amassed 109 tackles from his spot in the secondary over three years at Mater Dei. That includes a career-high 56 as a junior to go along with five tackles for loss, three interceptions and 14 pass breakups. Along with McDonald, he leads a loaded secondary for the nation’s No. 1 program.