This year's edition of the Elite 11 senior football players is highlighted by three premier running backs: Neenah's Grant Dean, Notre Dame's Christian Collins and Wrightstown's Aiden Humphreys.
Dean and Collins are returning Associated Press all-state players with Humphreys leading his team to the WIAA Division 5 state championship game last season.
Bay Port offensive lineman Alex Warden, Notre Dame's James Flanigan, Kimberly's Braedon Ellefson and Sawyer Hanlon, Menasha's Logan Liegl, Kaukauna's Parker Schuh, Xavier's Carter Appl and Appleton North's Bobby Salm are also featured in this year's collection.
Here is the team in alphabetical order. Be sure to check out the video online at postcrescent.com.
Carter Appl
Xavier, defensive end
Height, weight: 6-3, 205.
Family: Parents, Tony and Jessica. Siblings: Cristian and Cambria.
Favorite food: Tacos.
Favorite school subject: History.
Favorite TV show/streaming: “Swamp Kings: Untold.”
Favorite movie: “Step Brothers.”
Favorite pro athlete: Ray Lewis.
Favorite snack: Pineapple.
Why he’s on the team: Honorable mention on the AP all-state team at defensive line and first-team WFCA all-state (Large schools). Unanimous first-team all-Bay Conference and the league's defensive lineman of the year. Had 68 total tackles, including 16 for loss with 8.5 sacks.
Christian Collins
Notre Dame, running back
Height, weight: 5-10, 195.
Family: Parents, Kevin and Margie. Sibling: Jack. Pet dog: Walter.
Favorite food: Chipotle bowl.
Favorite school subject: Accounting.
Favorite TV show/streaming: “Suits.”
Favorite movie: “The Waterboy.”
Favorite pro athlete: Christian McCaffrey.
Favorite snack: Strawberries.
Why he’s on the team: Led the state with 2,503 yards rushing and 40 touchdowns. First-team AP and WFCA (Large schools) all-state pick. Unanimous first-team all-FRCC South and the league's offensive back of the year.
Grant Dean
Neenah, running back/safety/receiver
Height, weight: 6-0, 190.
Family: Parents, Jeff and Stephanie. Sibling: Chrysa.
Favorite food: Chicken alfredo.
Favorite school subject: Science.
Favorite TV show/streaming: “Blue Mountain State.”
Favorite movie: “Top Gun: Maverick.”
Favorite pro athlete: Jaire Alexander.
Favorite snack: Oreos.
Why he’s on the team: Post-Crescent player of the year last season and a first-team WFCA all-state pick (Large schools). Also second-team AP all-state. Finished with 1,774 yards and 25 touchdowns and also had 59 tackles with two interceptions on defense. Wisconsin verbal commit.
Braedon Ellefson
Kimberly, quarterback/linebacker
Height, weight: 6-3, 215.
Family: Father, Brandon Ellefson. Mother, Shae Wheeler. Siblings: Michael Wheeler, Alexis Ellefson, Andrew Wheeler, Arabella Wheeler and Bly Wheeler.
Favorite food: Steak.
Favorite school subject: History.
Favorite TV show/streaming: “Impractical Jokers.”
Favorite movie: “Midway.”
Favorite pro athlete: JJ Watt.
Favorite snack: Uncrustables.
Why he’s on the team: First-team all-Fox Valley Association at linebacker. Led the Papermakers in total tackles (75), with five for loss. Will also be the primary quarterback for the Papermakers.
James Flanigan
Notre Dame, tight end
Height, weight: 6-6, 245.
Family: Parents, Jim and Mary. Siblings: Ellie and Richie.
Favorite food: Steak.
Favorite school subject: Science.
Favorite TV show/streaming: “Scooby-Doo.”
Favorite movie: “Fight Club.”
Favorite pro athlete: Sam LaPorta.
Favorite snack: Popcorn.
Why he’s on the team: First-team AP and WFCA (Large schools) all-state. Finished with 27 catches for 502 yards and six touchdowns. Also played linebacker and had 75 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception. Will play collegiately at Notre Dame.
Sawyer Hanlon
Kimberly, defensive line
Height, weight: 6-2, 250.
Family: Parents, Gregg and Tina. Siblings: Max and Grace.
Favorite food: Moose liver.
Favorite school subject: Astronomy.
Favorite TV show/streaming: “Mr. Beast.”
Favorite movie: “Step Brothers.”
Favorite pro athlete: BJ Raji.
Favorite snack: Pork rinds.
Why he's on the team: First-team all-Fox Valley Association and helped anchor Kimberly's defense in leading the Papermakers to the D1 state semifinals. Finished with 46 total tackles and had seven sacks.
Aiden Humphreys
Wrightstown, running back/linebacker
Height, weight: 6-0, 205.
Family: Parents, Trae and Rebecca. Sibling: Croix. Pet dog: Bella.
Favorite food: Wings.
Favorite school subject: Gym.
Favorite movie: “Smokey and the Bandit.”
Favorite pro athlete: Travis Kelce.
Why he’s on the team: Unanimous first-team all-North Eastern Conference at running back and linebacker. Helped lead the Tigers to the Division 5 state title game. Finished with 1,566 yards rushing on 240 carries (6.5 average) with 17 touchdowns. Had 97 total tackles, including nine for loss, and two sacks on defense.
Logan Liegl
Menasha, quarterback
Height, weight: 5-11, 200.
Family: Parents, Brian and Tammy. Siblings: Kolin, Sofie and Corey.
Favorite food: Qdoba.
Favorite school subject: Health science.
Favorite TV show/streaming: “Friday Night Lights.”
Favorite movie: “The Waterboy" and "Happy Gilmore.”
Favorite pro athlete: Patrick Mahomes.
Favorite snack: Berries.
Why he’s on the team: First-team all-FRCC South. Finished with 1,686 yards passing on 128-of-214 attempts with 19 touchdowns and two interceptions. Also ran for 683 yards on 109 carries (6.3 average) and 12 touchdowns.
Bobby Salm
Appleton North, linebacker/running back
Height, weight: 5-10, 205.
Family: Parents, Rob and Nicole: Siblings: Abby and Brianna.
Favorite food: Lobster.
Favorite school subject: Science.
Favorite TV show/streaming: “Game of Thrones.”
Favorite movie: “The Waterboy.”
Favorite pro athlete: Christian McCaffrey.
Favorite snack: Oh-snap! Pickles.
Why he’s on the team: First-team all-Fox Valley Association at outside linebacker. Finished with 31 total tackles, including four for loss. Also ran for 210 yards on 43 carries with six touchdowns.
Parker Schuh
Kaukauna, wide receiver
Height, weight: 6-2, 190.
Family: Parents, Corey and Jen. Sibling: Paxton.
Favorite food: Steak.
Favorite school subject: Math.
Favorite TV show/streaming: “All-American.”
Favorite movie: “Top Gun.”
Favorite pro athlete: Stefon Diggs.
Favorite snack: Dot’s pretzels.
Why he’s on the team: Unanimous first-team all-Fox Valley Association at receiver. Totaled 41 catches for 706 yards (17.2 average) and five touchdowns.
Alex Warden
Bay Port, right tackle
Height, weight: 6-6, 260.
Family: Parents, Mark and Melissa. Siblings: Luke and Jack.
Favorite food: “Anything my mom makes.”
Favorite school subject: Gym.
Favorite TV show/streaming: “The Office.”
Favorite movie: “Star Wars.”
Favorite snack: Beef jerky.
Why he’s on the team: First-team WFCA all-state (Large schools) and honorable mention AP all-state. Unanimous first-team all-FRCC North and the league's offensive lineman of the year. Will play collegiately at North Dakota State.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Check out the top seniors on the 2024 Elite 11 high school football team
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