The National High School Football Hall Of Fame has announced that the organization’s Player of the Year Award will be named after legendary Philadelphia athlete Marcus Dupree.
The former Philadelphia Tornado posted the announcement to his Facebook page Friday morning.
The award will be presented annually, beginning June 14, 2025, at the National High School Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio.
“The impact Marcus Dupree had on high school football is immeasurable,” said LaMont Robinson, Chairman of the National High School Football Hall of Fame Foundation Board of Governors. “From his explosive running ability to his incredible vision and speed, Marcus set the bar for what it means to be a game-changing player. Naming the High School Football Hall of Fame Player of the Year Award after him is our way of honoring not only his legacy but the standard he set for future generations of athletes.”
After finishing his high school career with 7,355 rushing yards and 87 touchdowns, which broke a record held by Herschel Walker, Dupree was one of the most highly recruited high school players in the country in the early 1980s.
His recruitment was the subject of a book, “The Courting of Marcus Dupree,” written by Mississippi author Willie Morris.
“It’s truly an honor to have this award named after me,” said Marcus Dupree. “I’ve always believed that high school football is where everything starts for a player, and to have the opportunity to be a part of recognizing the next generation of talent is something that means a great deal to me. This game shaped me in so many ways, and I’m excited to see who the next great player is that will carry on this tradition.”
Eventually, Dupree signed to play for the Oklahoma Sooners where he helped lead the team to an appearance in the Fiesta Bowl his freshman season.
After leaving Oklahoma in his sophomore season, Dupree signed with the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL.
A knee injury in his second season with the Breakers in 1985 would ultimately take Dupree out of football for five years.
However, he would make his return to the sport by signing with the Los Angeles Rams for the 1990 and 1991 seasons.
More information on the induction ceremony can be found at nhsfootballhof.com.
