BIRMINGHAM - Foley High School senior wide receiver Julio Jones, considered the nation’s top prep prospect by ESPN, headlines a list of 42 finalists selected last week by the Alabama Sports Writers Association for its 2007 Mr. Football Award.



Three backs and three linemen in each classification of the AHSAA were chosen from a list of more than 165 nomi-nees provided by the state’s head prep football coaches and ASWA member sports writers who cover prep events.



Jones has led the Lions to a perfect 12-0 record this season. Joining him as finalists are running backs Justin Albert of Prattville and Justin Rogers of Vestavia Hills. All three have been selected to play in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic, which is being played Dec. 17 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile.



The ASWA will hold its annual Mr. Football/Player of the Year banquet at Birmingham-Southern College on Tuesday, Dec. 11, at noon. The Birmingham News sponsors the banquet. A back and lineman of the year will be chosen in each classification, with Mr. Football coming from one of those winners. All winners will be announced at the luncheon.



ASWA 2007 Mr. Football Finalists

Class 6A Backs: Justin Albert, Prattville, RB, Sr.; Julio Jones, Foley, WR, 6-4, 218, Sr.; Justin Rogers, Ves-tavia Hills, RB, 5-11, 175, Sr.

Class 6A Linemen: William Green, Spain Park, DE, Sr.; Jerrell Harris, Gadsden City, LB, Sr.; Tyler Love, Mountain Brook, OL, Sr.

Class 5A Backs: A.J. McCarron, St. Paul’s, QB, Jr.; Slade Smith, Fort Payne, QB, Jr.; Barrett Trotter, Briarwood Christian, QB, Sr.

Class 5A Linemen: Leland Baker, Erwin, DE, Jr.; Jomarcus Savage, J.O. Johnson, DE, Sr.; Courtney Upshaw, Eufaula, DE/TE, Sr.

Class 4A Backs: Michael Berry, Andalusia, RB, Sr.; Ty Shrader, North Jackson, DB/WR, Sr.; Jeremy Williams, Central-Tuscaloosa, QB, Sr.

Class 4A Linemen: Lederrius Benson, Andalusia, OT, Sr.; Tana Patrick, North Jackson, LB/TE, Jr.; Katrell Watters, Thomasville, LB, Sr.

Class 3A Backs: Chase Horn, Clay County, QB, Sr.; Tim Simon, Cordova, RB, Jr.; Jeremy Yates, Colbert Heights, QB, Sr.

Class 3A Linemen: Travis Grandy, Leeds, LB, Sr.; Ottis Jackson, Clarke County, OL/LB, Sr.; Jonathan Owens, Susan Moore, OL, Sr.

Class 2A Backs: Clint Moseley, Leroy, QB, Jr.; Dewayne Whitten, Cottonwood, QB, Jr.; Lamarcus Wright, Lanett, QB, Sr.

Class 2A Linemen: James Jordan, J.B. Pennington, DE/OL, Sr.; Parker Whitten, Fyffe, OG/DL, Sr.; Michael Williams, Pickens County, DE/TE, Sr.

CLASS 1A Backs: Danny Bise, Florala, WR, Sr.; Demont Buice, Gaston, RB, So.; Anthony Landrum, RB, Sr.

Class 1A Linemen: Dexter Daniels, Brantley, LB, Sr.; K.C. Orr, Speake, OL/DL, Jr.; Kaylos Pritchett, Marengo, LB, Sr