The spring of 2024 marked the first time the annual Warrick Dunn Award was given to the top high school football player in the state of Louisiana. The award is based on performance for the season across all of the high school classes. There will be 10 finalists for the award in 2023 with 10 seniors selected.

2023 finalists

QB Daniel Beale, Catholic

LB Kyle Cannon, St Charles Catholic

DB Dylan Day, Southern Lab

WR Trey’Dez Green, Zachary

LB Hayden Hernandez, St Thomas More

RB Jy’Marion Island, Union Parish

QB Ju'Juan Johnson, Lafayette Christian

LB Jadon Mayfield, Ruston

DL Gabriel Reliford, Evangel Christian

QB Brayden Williams, St James

Warrick Dunn was born in New Orleans, La. in 1975 and grew up in Baton Rouge, La. attending Catholic High School.

At Catholic High in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Dunn played quarterback, cornerback, and running back. During his sophomore year, he helped lead Catholic High to the state 4A championship game for the first time in its history. He was an All-America honorable mention selection by USA Today as a senior.

Dunn played college football at Florida State, where he rushed for over 1,000 yards in three straight seasons. He graduated in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in information studies. He was a three-time All-ACC selection.

Dunn won a national championship in 1993 with Florida State and has since had his jersey retired along with other Seminoles players such as Fred Biletnikoff, Ron Sellers, Ron Simmons, Charlie Ward, Deion Sanders, and Chris Weinke.

In 2024, Dunn was announced as one of the inductees into the College Football Hall of Fame.

A first round draft pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 12th overall pick, Dunn had a highly successful rookie season, was selected to the NFC Pro Bowl team, and named the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Dunn spent 12 seasons in the NFL playing for the Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons garnering three Pro Bowl selections while rushing for 10,967 career yards and 49 touchdowns. Dunn was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2004 and received the Bart Starr Award in 2009 for his contributions to the community and his leadership and excellence on the field.

Dunn established the Homes for the Holidays (HFTH) program in 1997, and started Warrick Dunn Charities (WDC) in 2002 as a way to grow programs and services. Since 1997, Dunn and his organizations have furnished 222 houses for single parent households.