Saraland High School quarterback KJ Lacey became the third consecutive winner of the prestigious Mr. Football award on Tuesday. The announcement was made at a luncheon held at the Montgomery Renaissance, supported by ALFA Insurance and the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association. The awards, given by the Alabama Sports Writers Association, honor the top players in high school football.
Lacey follows in the footsteps of his former teammate, Ryan Williams, who secured the Mr. Football title in both 2022 and 2023. Despite missing two games due to injury, Lacey completed 62% of his passes for 3,042 yards and 40 touchdowns, leading Saraland to their third straight Class 6A championship game. His impressive performance also earned him the title of Back of the Year for Class 6A.
The Saraland Spartans have been a dominant force over the past three seasons, boasting a remarkable 42-2 record. Lacey, who is set to enroll early at Texas as a consensus 4-star recruit, was among the 1,265 players nominated from 267 schools for the 480 All-State positions this year.
The Mr. Football Award was just one of many accolades presented at the event. The Super All-State team, comprising the top 12 players across all classifications, included notable names such as Alvin Henderson from Elba and Landon Duckworth from Jackson.
Additionally, the Backs of the Year and Linemen of the Year were recognized for their exceptional performances in their respective classes. Coaches who had a significant impact on their teams were also honored as Coaches of the Year in various classifications.
The All-Time Mr. Football Award Winners list highlights the legacy of outstanding players who have previously received this honor, including notable names like Bo Nix and T.J. Yeldon.
Lacey’s achievement underscores his remarkable talent and the continued success of the Saraland football program. As he transitions to the collegiate level, all eyes will be on him to see how he performs at Texas.
