Ben Brown has long been recognized as one of the top high school offensive linemen in Mississippi. Jaylen Whitaker was a bit more of an unknown. The St. Aloysius teammates, however, do have one thing in common — a spot among the state’s best.

Brown and Whitaker have both been named to the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools’ All-Gridiron Team, a preseason all-state squad picked by the MAIS.

The St. Al duo is among 27 players picked for the team, which encompasses all four MAIS classifications. They’ll be honored at the MAIS Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame Induction Banquet Saturday night in Jackson.

Central Hinds kicker Gunar Robinson was also selected to the team.

“For me, especially being a rising junior, it’s amazing,” Whitaker said. “And especially since we’re the new kids on the block in the MAIS, it’s amazing to be honored.”

Whitaker certainly has the potential to develop into a top college prospect. At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, he has the size and speed to play either linebacker or defensive end — St. Al coach BJ Smithhart has used him at both positions — and he’s only a junior, meaning he’s still got time to hone his skills.

Whitaker’s selection to an all-state team caught even him off-guard, though. He only played in nine games for St. Al last season after transferring from Warren Central early in the year. He finished with 36 tackles, two sacks and one fumble recovery, with nearly a third of his tackles coming in a playoff game against Silliman Institute.

The performance against the eventual Class AAA champion might have raised Whitaker’s profile among the state’s coaches. It certainly raised his confidence.

“It boosted my confidence and shows that if I can play at that level against the state champion, I can play like that against anyone,” Whitaker said. “I feel like this will give me recognition from coaches around the state.”

Brown, on the other hand, is a well-known commodity.

The 6-foot-5, 290-pound senior offensive tackle has committed to Ole Miss and been a starter for the Flashes since his freshman season. He helped St. Al reach the MHSAA Class 1A title game in 2014.

His selection to the All-Gridiron Team is the latest in a long line of accolades, and the first of many that are likely to come this season.

Brown said he’s tried to keep an even keel when it comes to individual awards.

“I’m a modest guy. I like being humble and doing my job, and doing all the work it takes to be successful,” Brown said. “It does feel good to be noticed by other people. But I’m not focused on all that. I’m focused on how the Flashes do.”