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Sept. 1965; West Lafayette, IN; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Bob Griese in action at Purdue Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Griese attended Rex Mundi, a Catholic school that opened just before he entered high school (it closed in 1972). He was a three-sport athlete in high school, also competing in baseball and basketball. Griese was a three-time all-City quarterback and twice named all-state. He also played three sports at Purdue, though he shined in football, leading Purdue to a win in its first Rose Bowl appearance his senior year. Griese was a two-time All-American and Heisman Trophy runner-up. He went on to NFL stardom with the Miami Dolphins, who retired his No. 12 jersey. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

Lamar Lundy, Richmond

The iconic Los Angeles Rams "Fearsome Foursome" - Lamar Lundy, Merlin Olsen, Rosey Grier and Deacon Jones - are considered by many to be "the most dominant defensive line in foot in football history." Photos provided

Lundy was an All-American in football and basketball coming out of Richmond as a senior in 1953. Listed at 6-foot-7 and 235 pounds as a senior, Lundy was selected first team all-state as a tight end and also played defense. Richmond won 22 consecutive games in Lundy’s junior and senior seasons combined. He was also named to the Indiana All-Star team in basketball. Lundy went on to be the first Black athlete to receive a football scholarship at Purdue, where he played football and basketball, earning Big Ten MVP honors in both sports. He went on to a 13-year NFL career with the Los Angeles Rams as a member of the vaunted “Fearsome Foursome” defensive line with Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen and Rosey Grier.

Zack Martin, Bishop Chatard

Martin, a 2009 Chatard graduate, was a star player in high school on the offensive line, helping the team to back-to-back Class 3A titles as a sophomore and junior. Martin, who also played basketball, was named all-state and also an Under Armour All-American. He picked Notre Dame over Michigan and others, then became a four-year starter with the Irish. Then-coach Brian Kelly called him the best offensive lineman he had ever coached. Martin was drafted in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys and became a nine-time Pro Bowler in his 11-year career before retiring after the 2024 season.

Myles McLaughlin, Knox

Knox Myles McLaughlin (2) catches the snap Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, during a game between the Bishop Luers Knights and Knox at Bishop Luers High School in Fort Wayne, Ind. The Knights won, 35-0.

McLaughlin, the 2025 Indiana Mr. Football, broke the state record for rushing yards and nearly set a national record, finishing with 11,839 yards playing quarterback. As a senior, McLaughlin did break a single-season national record with 4,846 rushing yards. He ran for 71 touchdowns and led Knox to a 13-1 record and a Class 3A regional title for the second time in three years (the only two in program history). McLaughlin fell just short of Derrick Henry’s national record of 12,124 career rushing yards. He will play at Murray State.

Rick Mirer, Goshen

Notre Dame's Rick Mirer in action against Indiana in 1991.

A few years after George graduated at Warren Central, Mirer broke his single season state passing record with 3,973 yards as a senior at Goshen in 1988. He passed for 30 touchdowns and ran for 460 yards and 22 TDs on the way to a Class 4A state title. Mirer was named a Parade All-American and national quarterback of the year by the Washington Quarterback Club and Atlanta Touchdown Club. Mirer committed to Notre Dame after a high-profile recruiting race. He went on to lead the Irish to a 29-7-1 record as a starter, ranking second in school history in passing yards when he left. Mirer was a first-round NFL draft pick and played 12 years in the league.

Jaylon Smith, Fort Wayne Luers

FILE – Jaylon Smith poses for his 2012 IndyStar Mr. Football portrat.

Smith was a heralded linebacker coming out of Bishop Luers, where he was a 2013 high school graduate. He was named Mr. Football in 2012 and the Butkus Award winner as the top high school linebacker in the country. He was also named first team Parade All-American and USA TODAY All-American. He led Luers to the Class 2A state title as a senior as a linebacker and running back. Luers would four straight state titles from 2009-12. Smith, who also competed in basketball and track and field, went on to star at Notre Dame, where he was a consensus All-American and Butkus Award winner in 2015. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft. He was a Pro Bowler in 2019.

New Palestine running back Charlie Spegal (32) rushes the ball, Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at New Palestine High School, New Palestine, Ind. The Dragons defeated Cathedral, 35-10, for the Class 5A regional championship.

Charlie Spegal, New Palestine

The 5-11, 225-pound Spegal obliterated the record book as a senior at New Palestine in 2019, leading the Dragons to a 14-0 season and Class 5A state championship. Spegal ran for 3,168 yards as a senior to set the state’s career mark for rushing yards with 10,867 (setting the mark almost 3,000 yards ahead of the previous record-holder). He ran for 173 career TDs and scored 175 total TDs. Spegal was named Mr. Football, along with Gatorade Player of the Year in Indiana and was a three-time all-state selection. He went on to play in college at Indiana, Ball State and Butler.

Purdue's Rod Woodson goes for yardage against Indiana's Leonard Bell during the 1986 Old Oaken Bucket Game.

Rod Woodson, Fort Wayne Snider

Woodson graduated from high school in 1983 as one of the most accomplished prep athletes in Indiana history. Not only was he a star defensive back and wingback (nine interceptions as a senior and more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage), he was a two-time state champion in the low and high hurdles and an all-conference basketball player. Woodson went on to be a two-time All-American at Purdue and a first-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he became an 11-time Pro Bowl selection. He was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009.

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Vote for the best Indiana high school football player of all time