Welcome to the MaxPreps and CBSSports.com Top 25 Football Early Contenders, presented by Dick's Sporting Goods and Under Armour.

These preseason high school football rankings result from months of research and consultation with coaches, local media members and talent evaluators.

>> Check out MaxPreps' full rankings to date | More MaxPreps

This week we are revealing our top five -- one team per day -- until we unveil our No. 1 team on Friday.

The countdown is filled with photos and video of the top players on all the teams, so check in each day as we unveil the Top 25.

New Tuesday

No. 4 -- Archer (Ga.): The Tigers boast a five-star (Isaiah Pryor) and two four-star recruits (Dylan Singleton, Jamyest Williams) in the secondary. Singleton is also a playmaker on offense; he recorded 1,000 all-purpose yards last year and scored 18 TDs.

Archer (Ga.) makes the Top 5. The Tigers were state runner-up in Georgia's largest classification in 2014. (MaxPreps)
Archer (Ga.) makes the Top 5. The Tigers were state runner-up in 2014. (MaxPreps)
Top 25 Football Early Contenders (Nos. 5-25)
5 DeSoto (TX): WR Javon McKinley, a MaxPreps All-American as a junior, returns. McKinley had 91 catches for 1,906 yards and 20 TDs in 2014. He'll have plenty of help from Anthony Catalano, who split time at QB last season and still threw for 1,829 yards and 16 TDs; and RB J.J. Taylor, who rushed for 1,600 yards and 27 TDs.
6 Centennial (CA): WR Javon McKinley, a MaxPreps All-American as a junior, returns. McKinley had 91 catches for 1,906 yards and 20 TDs in 2014. He'll have plenty of help from Anthony Catalano, who split time at QB last season and still threw for 1,829 yards and 16 TDs; and RB J.J. Taylor, who rushed for 1,600 yards and 27 TDs.
7 IMG Academy (FL): IMG lost four games last season but also beat two state champions. Its defense boasts two five-star recruits in Saivion Smith and Shavar Manuel, and there are three more starters on defense who have committed to Power 5 college programs.
8 Mallard Creek (NC): All-everything QB James Smith returns to lead the Mavericks. Smith threw for 3,357 yards and 35 TDs last season and ran for 1,350 yards and 25 touchdowns. A transfer should also draw attention -- Thad Moss, son of former NFL star Randy Moss.
9 Flanagan (FL): Flanagan's strength is its defense, led by four-star recruit Devin Bush Jr., the son of head coach Devin Bush.
10 Allen (TX): Allen is back in the top 10 even though two-time MaxPreps National Player of the Year Kyler Murray has departed. Seth Green will step in for Murray at quarterback.
11 Katy (TX): Winner of seven state titles, Katy fell to Cedar Hill in the past two title games. With six returning starters on D -- including DB Collin Wilder and LB Paddy Fisher -- and QB Garrett Dolron and RB Kyle Porter pacing the offense, that could change.
12 Ocean Lakes (VA): Ocean Lakes captured a Division 6 state title in 2014 and returns a strong foundation, led by cornerback and Florida State commit Levonta Taylor.
13 Bingham (UT): Coming off two straight 5A state titles, Bingham thrives playing physical football and returning O-linemen Cole Clemons, Soni Ofahengaue and Tavian Myers will set the tone for a trio of capable RBs: Jahvontay Smith, Elvis Vakapuna and Brady Atkin.
14 DeMatha (MD): DeMatha has dominated the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, and with perhaps its most talented team in recent memory -- led by QB Beau English -- anything short of another crown would be a disappointment for coach Elijah Brooks' unit.
15 St. John Bosco (CA): With star QB Josh Rosen gone, Washington commit Sean McGrew -- a fixture on offense since his sophomore season -- is one of his area's top rushers. He carried 224 times for 1,814 yards and 24 scores last season.
16 St. Thomas Aquinas (FL): Powerhouse reloads as well as anyone, and has plenty of pedigree in 3-time MaxPreps All-American Nick Bosa (brother of Ohio State star Joey), and WRs Michael Irvin Jr. (son of Michael) and Sam Bruce (newphew of ex-Rams star Isaac).
17 Chandler (AZ): Mason Moran slides in at QB and running back Chase Lucas, a four year starter drawing Pac-12 notice, pace the Wolves, coming their first Arizona state title since 1949.
18 Spartanburg (SC): Tavien Feaster, the nation's top-ranked running back, leads the way. The Clemson commit averaged almost 9 yards per carry in leading Spartanburg to a state title last season.
19 Mainland (FL): Defensive end Jachai Polite and defensive tackle Kevin McCrary are an imposing one-two punch on one side of the ball, and QB Denzel Houston (2,783 yards, 34 TDs) fuels the O.
20 Manvel (TX): Dual-threat QB D'Eriq King sparks the offense (204 of 310, 3,193 yards, 47 TDs, plus 12 rushing scores) for a squad as impressive as any on paper.
21 Clay-Chalkville (AL): Coming off a 15-0 season (outscoring opponents 722-318) and a Class 6A Alabama state title, QB Ty Pigrome is back. Last season he accounted for an astonishing 61 total TDs.
22 Archbishop Rummel (LA): A rugged schedule awaits, including a trip to N.J. to take on Don Bosco Prep, but with QB Chase Fourcade pacing five returning starters on offense (the D returns five, too), the Raiders should be ready.
23 Oxford (MS): Johnny Hill will step down after 40 seasons in coaching, more than two decades in Oxford. He'll have the luxury of sending the QB-WR tandem of Jack Abraham (3,304 yards, 35 TDs) and D.K. Metcalf (19 receiving TDs).
24 Bishop Amat (CA): The Lancers return two experience quarterbacks in Ryder Ruiz and Damian Garcia, plus two-way threat Trevon Sydney -- a shutdown corner who contributes offensively, too.
25 South Panola (MS): Led by DE Drelan Porter (3-star recruit via 247Sports) and a strong secondary, defensive-minded South Panola is 155-10 since 2004.

Schedule