The 2023 GPB All-State All-Star Team is a collaborative effort of our GPB Sports staff who work Football Fridays in Georgia. This is an all-classification honors team of the top GHSA football seniors in state.

Most Outstanding Two-Way Player 

Sammy Brown – Jefferson – 6-3, 230, Senior

Season Stats: On offense rushed 255 times for 2,289 yards (3rd in GHSA), 9.0 average, 163.5 yards per game, 11 100-plus yard rushing games; 11 receptions for 202 yards with 40 total touchdowns. On defense 153 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, one QB sack, two interceptions. Jefferson career: 4491 rushing yards, 75 Total touchdowns, 247 total tackles. Recruiting: Signed with Clemson over twenty-seven other offers. Highest Ranking: ESPN 5-Star and rated the No. 1 LB in the country in the Class of 2024, the No. 12 overall prospect in the nation and No. 3 in Georgia. Team: 13-1 reached semifinals of 5A playoffs and finished No. 3 in final GPB Sports Final 5A Top 10 Rankings. 

Most Outstanding Offensive Player 

Jeremy Hecklinski – Walton – 6-1, 180, Senior 

Season Stats: 212-for- 333 passing (63.7 percent) for 3,835 yards (No. 2 GHSA), 255.7 yards per game) 50 touchdowns and just six interceptions. Career: 9,897 yards passing with 107 touchdowns. Recruiting: Signed with Wake Forest over three other offers. Consensus 3-Star. Team: 14-1. 7A runner-up. Ranked No. 2 in Final GPB Sports 7A Top 10.  

Most Outstanding Defensive Player 

K.J. Bolden – Buford – 6-0, 185, Senior 

Season: 33 total tackles with four interceptions, one touchdown. Played both sides of the ball with 30 receptions for 633 yards and 14 touchdowns. Also had two kick return touchdowns and scored 17 total touchdowns for the season. Recruiting: Signed with Georgia flipping from his commitment to Florida State. Consensus 5-Star and No.1 safety in the country. Team: 11-2, reached the 7A quarterfinals and finished No. 8 in Final GPB Sports 7A Top 10. 

Most Outstanding Coach of the Year

Kevin Smith – Perry Panthers

Led team to first state championship in the program’s 70-year history, the longest that any GHSA team had gone without a title. Smith has compiled a 60-26 record in seven seasons with Perry after 24 years as an assistant coach before getting his first head coaching job. Panthers are 34-6 the last three seasons after going 26-20 in his first four seasons. Three region crowns.

Click here to see the Offensive team

Quarterbacks 

Dylan Raiola – Buford - 6-3, 230, Senior 

Stats: 160-for-253 passing (63.2 percent), 2,666 yards (205.1 yards per game) with 34 touchdowns, just one interception. Career (including Arizona HS stats) 8,442 passing yards and 88 touchdowns. Recruiting: Signed with Nebraska after flipping from Georgia Dec. 18, less than two days before the start of Early NSD period. Highest ranking: 247 Sports and Rivals rated him 5-Star and No. 1 QB in the country and No. 2 overall prospect in the country. Team: 11-2, reached the 7A quarterfinals and finished No. 8 in Final GPB Sports 7A Top 10. 

Luke Kromenhoek – Benedictine - 6-4, 185, Senior 

Stats: 168-for-267 passing (62.9 percent), 2,578 yards (184.1 yards per game) with 24 touchdowns, two interceptions, 558 rushing yards with seven touchdowns. Career: 5,277 passing yards and 48 touchdowns. Recruiting: Signed with Florida State over eleven other offers. Consensus 4-Star and ranked as high as No. 3 QB in the country by On3 Recruits. Team: 13-1, reached 4A semifinal and finished No. 3 in Final GPB Sports 4A Top 10.

Jake Merklinger – Calvary Day – 6-3, 195, Senior 

Stats: 163-for-226 passing (72.1 percent), 3,028 yards (232.9 yards per game) with 38 touchdowns, two interceptions. 439 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns. Career: 9635 yards passing with 113 touchdowns. 1,129 yards rushing with 31 touchdowns. Recruiting: Signed with Tennessee over 28 other offers. Consensus 4-Star and rated as high as No. 6 QB in the country by Rivals. Team: 13-1, reached 3A semifinals and finished No. 3 in Final GPB Sports 3A Top 10.

Aaron Philo – Prince Avenue - 6-2, 200, Senior

Stats: 328-for-469 passing (69.9 percent), 4,596 yards (No. 1 GHSA) 328.3 yards per game with 56 touchdowns (tied the state’s single season record), nine interceptions. Rushed for 610 yards and 15 touchdowns. Career: Set the state’s career passing yards record with 13,922 yards, a record previously held by Trevor Lawrence with 159 touchdowns (finished third on that career list). Had 1,200 career rushing yards and 32 touchdowns. Recruiting: Signed with Georgia Tech over 14 other offers. Consensus 3-Star. Notes: Second time named GPB All-State and two-time GPB Sports All-Finals Team including 2023 All-Finals Most Outstanding Offensive Player. Team: 14-0 and Class A Division I champions for the second straight season and third time in 4 years.

Running Backs 

Fred Brown – Coffee – 5-10, 200, Senior 

Stats: Rushed 358 times 2,488 yards (led GHSA), 7.0 average, 165.9 yards per game, 15 100-plus yard rushing games, 24 touchdowns. Career: 3,809 yards rushing and 45 total touchdowns. Team: 15-0 and 5A champions for the first time in program history.

Mason Sullens – Lumpkin County – 6-0, 215, Senior 

Stats: Rushed 332 times for 2,281 rushing yards (4th GHSA), 6.9 average, 175.5 yards per game, 13 100-plus yard rushing games, 33 touchdowns. Career: 3,356 yards rushing and 51 total touchdowns. Team: 12-1 reached the quarterfinals of the Class 3A playoffs and finished No. 6 in the Final GPB Sports 3A Top 10.

Quinton Slaughter – Providence Christian – 5-9, 170, Senior 

Stats: Rushed 235 times for 2,202 yards (5th GHSA), 8.7 average, 200.2 yards per game, 10 100-plus yard rushing games, 22 touchdowns. Recruiting: Offers include Shorter, Berry and Sewanee. Team: 8-3 program’s best-ever record and reached GHSA playoffs for the first time in program history.

Matthew Fuller – Wayne County – 6-0, 210, Senior 

Stats: Rushed 244 times for 1,873 yards rushing, 7.7 average, 170.7 yards per game, nine 100-plus yard rushing games, 24 touchdowns. Career: 3,630 yards rushing and 47 total touchdowns. Recruiting: Signed with South Carolina over 22 other offers. Highest Ranking On3 Recruits 4-Star and No. 11 RB in the country. Team: 7-4 reaching state playoffs for second straight season following an 0-9 record in 2021.

Jayden “Duke” Scott – Stockbridge – 5-10, 200, Senior 

Stats: Rushed 237 times for 2,482 rushing yards (No. 2 GHSA), 10.5 average, 165.5 yards per game, 13 100-plus yard rushing games, 40 total touchdowns. Career: 3,483 yards and 56 total touchdowns. Recruiting: Signed with NC State over 26 other offers. Consensus 3-Star. Team: 12-3 and Class 4A runner-up reaching state championship game for first time in program’s 60-year history. Finished No. 2 in the Final GPB Sports 4A Top 10.

Duke Watson – Mary Persons – 6-0, 180, Senior 

Stats: Rushed 220 times for 1,865 rushing yards, 8.5 average, 169.5 yards per game, 10 100-plus yard rushing games, 30 touchdowns. Career: 5,541 yards rushing 74 Total touchdowns. Recruiting: Signed with Louisville over 21 other offers. Highest Ranking On3 Recruits 4-Star and No. 22 RB in the country. Team: 11-2 reaching Class 3A quarterfinals and finished No. 5 in the Final GPB Sports 3A Top 10.

Roderick McCrary – Creekside – 5-10, 190, Senior 

Stats: Rushed 234 times for 1,959 yards, 8.4 average, 139.9 yards per game, 13 100-plus yard rushing games, 16 total touchdowns.  Career: 3,411 yards, 33 touchdowns. Recruiting: Has 23 offers including Georgia Tech, Florida State and Old Dominion. Highest Ranking Rivals 3-Star RB. Team: 13-2 and finishing as 5A state runner-up.

Devin Ingram – Stephenson – 5-9, 175, Senior

Stats: 158-1746 rushing yards, 11.1 average, 194.0 yards per game, eight 100-plus yard rushing games and 25 total touchdowns. Career: 3,094 rushing yards and 44 Total touchdowns. Recruiting: Offers include Georgia Military College, ETSU, Southeast Missouri State. Team: 10-3 reaching quarterfinals of Class 4A playoffs and finishing No. 9 in Final GPB Sports 4A Top 10 rankings.

Wide Receivers 

Mike Matthews – Parkview - 6-1, 180, Senior

Stats: 39 receptions for 751 yards, 19.3 average, 68.3 yards per game, nine touchdowns. Career: 135 receptions for 2,535 receiving yards, 25 touchdowns, Recruiting: Signed with Tennessee over 32 other offers and already bowl practicing with the Vols ahead of NSD. Highest Ranking ESPN 5-Star and No. 3 WR in the country, No. 9 overall prospect and No. 3 recruit in Georgia. Team: 7-4 reaching the state playoffs for the ninth consecutive season.

Sacovie White – Cass – 5-8, 170, Senior 

Recruiting: Signed with Georgia over four other offers. Highest Ranking Rivals 4-Star

Team: 7-6 reaching the quarterfinals of the State 5A playoffs in the program’s deepest playoff run since 1983. Finished 10th in the Final GPB Sports 5A Top 10.

Debron Gatling – Milton 6-0, 180, Senior 

Stats: 77 receptions for 892 yards, 11.6 average, 63.7 yards per game, 11 touchdowns. Career: 204 receptions for 2,816 receiving yards and 33 touchdowns. Recruiting: Signed with South Carolina after decommitting from Texas A&M during state  championship week. Consensus 3-Star. Team: 13-2 and 7A State Champions for the second time in program history.

Tyler Stewart – Jones County – 5-9, 170, Senior 

Stats: 59 receptions for 1,265 yards, 21.4 average, 105.4 yards per game, 21 touchdowns. Career: 114 receptions for 2,034 yards and 31 touchdowns. Recruiting: Signed with Temple over eight other offers. Highest Ranking ESPN 3-Star. Team: 8-4 reaching second round of the GHSA 5A Playoffs.

Isaiah Canion – Warner Robins – 6-3, 190, Senior 

Recruiting: Signed with Georgia Tech over 16 other offers including Notre Dame to whom he originally committed. Consensus 4-Star and rated as high as No. 12 WR in the country by ESPN. Team: 9-4 reaching the Class 5A quarterfinals, breaking a streak of five straight state championship game appearances (won two of those). Canion led the Demons to the 2022 finals as the starting QB stepping in when then the No. 1 went down with injury,

Judson Petty – North Murray – 5-10, 175, Senior 

Stats: 74 receptions for 1,407 yards (No. 2 GHSA), 19.0 average, 117.3 yards per game, 25 total touchdowns. Also had 518 yards rushing. 2,396 all-purpose yards. Set the state single-game receiving record with 16 catches for 360 yards and four touchdowns in the 44-37 win over Pickens. Recruiting: Offers include Point University.

Team: 8-4 reaching the second round of the Class 2A playoffs.

Javarius George – North Paulding – 5-10, 173, Senior 

Stats: 51 receptions for 1,202 yards, 23.6 average, 100.2 yards per game, eight touchdowns. Career: 70 receptions for 1,661 yards and 11 touchdowns. Recruiting: Has 14 offers including Middle Tennessee, Western Kentucky, and Coastal Carolina. Team: 9-3 reaching the second round of the Class 7A playoffs.

Ny Carr – Colquitt County – 5-11, 168, Senior 

Stats: 64 receptions for 1,261 yards receiving, 19.7 average, 97.0 yards per game, 21 touchdowns. Career: 169-3,195 yards and 45 total touchdowns. Recruiting: Signed with Miami over 26 other offers including Georgia to whom he was originally committed. Consensus 4-Star. Highest Ranking Rivals No. 8 WR in the country and No. 7 prospect in Georgia. Team: 12-1 reaching the 7A quarterfinals before losing 39-37 at eventual state champion Milton. Finished No. 7 in the Final GPB Sports 7A Top 10.

Tight Ends 

Walter Matthews – Hiram – 6-7, 245, Senior 

Stats: 25 receptions for 341 yards, 13.6 average, 1 touchdowns. Career: 57-1,001 yards, 11 touchdowns. Recruiting: Signed with Southern Cal over 29 other offers. Consensus 4-Star and rated as high as the No. 2 TE in the country by ESPN.

Team: 9-3 reaching second round of the Class 5A playoffs in the program’s best season since 2010. Finished No. 8 in the final GPB Sports 5A Top 10.

Caleb Odom – Carrollton – 6-5, 215, Senior 

Stats: 46 receptions for 728 yards, 16.3 average, 57.5 yards per game, 12 touchdowns. Career: 113-1,925 yards and 26 touchdowns. Recruiting: Signed with Alabama over 33 other offers. Consensus 4-Star and rated as high as No. 1 TE in the country by On3 and the No. 3 prospect in Georgia. Team: 11-2 reaching the quarterfinals of the Class 7A playoffs and finished No. 6 in the GPB Sports 7A Top 10.

Landen Thomas – Colquitt County – 6-4, 235, Senior 

Stats: 35 receptions for 551 yards, 15.7 average, six touchdowns. Career: 114 receptions for 1,917 receiving yards and 29 total touchdowns. Recruiting: Signed with Florida State over 31 other offers including Georgia to whom he was once committed. Consensus 4-Star and rated as high as No. 1 tight end in the country by ESPN and No. 8 overall in the state. Team: 12-1 reaching the 7A quarterfinals before losing 39-37 at eventual state champion Milton. Finished No. 7 in the Final GPB Sports 7A Top 10.

Amir Jackson – Portal – 6-5, 220, Senior 

Stats: 44 receptions for 727 yards, 16.5 average, 60.6 yards per game, 12 touchdowns. Career: 86 receptions for 1,437 yards and 22 total touchdowns. Recruiting: Signed with Florida over 18 other offers. Consensus 4-Star and rated as high as No. 5 TE in the country by On3 and No.8 overall in the state. Team: 8-4 reaching the state playoffs for first time since 2006 and just the fourth time in program history. Advanced to the second round for just the second time. Finished No. 9 in the Final GPB Sports Class A Division II rankings.

Luke Harpring – Marist – 6-3, 210, Senior 

Recruiting: Signed with his dad (Matt’s) alma mater Georgia Tech over ten other offers. Rated as high as 247 Sports 4-Star and No. 15 TE in the country. Team: 12-2 reaching semifinals of Class 6A Playoffs and ranked No. 4 in the final GPB Sport 6A Top 10.

Michael Smith – Calvary Day – 6-4, 215, Senior 

Stats: 33 receptions for 722 yards, 21.9 average, 72.2 yards per game, 11 touchdowns. Career: 99-2,007 receiving yards and 32 touchdowns. Recruiting: Signed with South Carolina over 30 other offers. Consensus 4-Star and rated as high as No. 4 tight end in the country by 247 Sports and No. 9 overall prospect in Georgia. Team: 13-1 reaching Class 3A semifinals and finished No. 3 in Final GPB Sports 3A Top 10.

Athletes 

Zion Ragins – Jones County – 5-7, 150, Senior 

Stats: 45 receptions for 720 yards, 16.0 average, 60.0 yards per game, seven touchdowns. Rushed 43 times for 408 yards, 9.5 average, three touchdowns. Career: 192 receptions for 2,923 yards, 891 yards rushing and 32 total touchdowns. Recruiting: Signed with Oklahoma over 39 other offers. Consensus 4-Star and rated as high as No. 22 WR in the country by ESPN. Team: 8-4 reaching second round of the Class 5A playoffs.

Trajen Greco – Mill Creek – 6-1, 180, Senior 

Stats: 41 receptions for 549 yards receiving, 13.4 average, 11 total touchdowns. Defense: Seven career interceptions with 16 pass breakups. Recruiting: Signed on NSD but will not announce his decision until he plays in the All-American Bowl on Jan. 6.He has 29 offers and Missouri is considered the frontrunner. Highest Ranking On3 4-Star and No. 9 safety in the country. Team: 12-1 reaching the quarterfinals of the Class 7A playoffs. Finished No. 5 in the final GPB Sports 7A Top 10 after wrapping-up regular season No. 1.

Jalewis Soloman – Schley County – 6-1, 185, Senior 

Stats: 70 receptions for 1,072 yards, 15.3 average, 89.3 yards per game, 11 touchdowns. Defense: Eight interceptions. Career: 223 receptions for 3,406 yards, 17 interceptions, 43 total touchdowns. Recruiting: Signed with South Carolina over 27 other offers. Highest Ranking Rivals 4-Star and No. 3 Athlete in the country. Team: 12-1 reaching the semifinals of the Class A Division II playoffs and No. 3 in the Final GPB Sports Top 10.

Jaden Baugh – Columbia – 6-1, 215, Senior 

Stats: Rushed 113 times for 1,583 yards, 14.0 average, 121.8 yards per game. Had 28 receptions for 531 yards receiving, 19.0 average. 25 total touchdowns. On defense had 54 total tackles, six interceptions. Career: 1,898 rushing yards, 81 receptions for 1,504 yards, 38 total touchdowns. Defense 180 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, eight interceptions, four fumble recoveries. Recruiting: Signed with Florida over 17 other offers including Arkansas from whom he decommitted. Highest Ranking Rivals 4-Star and No. 18 RB in the country. Team: 9-4 reaching Class 2A quarterfinals for first time since 1997 and with the most wins since that year. Finished No. 10 in the Final GPB Sports 2A Top 10.

Jordan McCoy – Tucker – 5-10, 170, Senior 

Stats: Rushed 222 times for 1,810 yards, 8.2 average, 181.0 yards per game, 26 touchdowns. Had 17 receptions for 185 yards and had 30 total touchdowns. Career: 2,977 rushing yards, 449 receiving yards, 39 total touchdowns. Recruiting: Offered by Florida A&M, Bethune-Cookman, Gardner-Webb. Team: 6-5 reaching first round of the Class 6A playoffs

Toby Maddux – Trion – 6-0, 190, Senior 

Stats: Rushed 214 times for 2,143 yards, 10.0 average, 178.6 yards per game. Caught 21 passes for 308 yards, 14.7 average. 40 total touchdowns. Career 3,289 rushing yards, 65 receptions for 912 yards, 61 total touchdowns. Defense: 62 total tackles this season and 151 career total tackles, seven tackles for loss, seven interceptions. Recruiting: Offers include Minot State, Quincy University, Erskine. Team: 11-1 reaching second round of Class A Division I playoffs and finished No. 10 in the final GPB Sports Top 10

B.J. Gibson – Wilcox County – 6-0, 188, Senior 

Recruiting: Signed with Florida State over 15 other offers. Highest Ranking Rivals 4-Star and No. 9 WR in the country. Team: 6-5 reaching the first round of the Class A Division II playoffs

Neko Fann – Colquitt County – 5-10, 160, Senior 

Stats: 106-for-304 passing (61.2 percent), 3,041 yards (233.9 yards per game) with 38 touchdowns, seven interceptions. Career: 7,805 yards passing with 97 touchdowns. Recruiting: Signed with Mercer over six other offers including Middle Tennessee State to whom he had been committed. Highest Ranking On3 3-Star QB. Team: 12-1 reaching the 7A quarterfinals before losing 39-37 at eventual state champion Milton. Finished No. 7 in the Final GPB Sports 7A Top 10.

Offensive Linemen 

Daniel Calhoun – Walton – 6-5, 365, Senior 

Recruiting: Signed with Georgia over 25 other offers. Consensus 4-Star and rated as high as No. 5 IOL in the country by 247 Sports. Team: 14-1. 7A runner-up. Ranked No. 2 in Final GPB Sports 7A Top 10.  

Andrew Rosinski – Creekview – 6-5, 275, Senior 

Recruiting: Signed with North Carolina over seven other offers. Highest Ranking 247 Sports 4-Star and No. 18 OT in the country. Team: 7-4 reaching the first round of the 6A playoffs. Family: Grandson of former Atlanta Falcons Radio PBP Commentator and current National Radio PBP Commentator Bill Rosinski.

Caleb Holmes – Creekside – 6-3, 290, Senior 

Recruiting: Signed with Pittsburgh over 18 other offers. Highest Ranking 247 Sports 4-Star and No. 10 IOL in the country. Team: 13-2 and finished as Class 5A runner-up.

Malachi Toliver – Cartersville – 6-5, 315, Senior

Recruiting: Signed with Georgia over 19 other offers. Consensus 3-Star. Team: 13-1 reaching Class 5A Semifinals. Ranked No. 1 in regular season poll and finished No. 4 in final GPB Sports 5A Top 10.

Jordan Floyd – Parkview – 6-7, 300, Senior 

Recruiting: Signed with Georgia Tech over 11 other offers. Consensus 3-Star. Team: 7-4 reaching the state playoffs for the ninth consecutive season.

Jameson Riggs – Hiram – 6-4, 300, Senior 

Recruiting: Signed with Georgia Tech over 31 other offers. Consensus 3-Star. Team: 9-3 reaching second round of the Class 5A playoffs in the program’s best season since 2010. Finished No. 8 in the final GPB Sports 5A Top 10.

Waltclaire Flynn – Grayson – 6-2, 305, Senior 

Recruiting: Signed with UCF over 19 other offers. Highest Ranking ESPN 4-Star and No. 2 IOL in the country. Team: 11-3 reaching the Class 7A semifinals. Ranked No. 3 in Final GPB Sports 7A poll.

Kahlil House – Houston County – 6-4, 300, Senior 

Recruiting: Signed with Stanford over 27 other offers. Consensus 3-Star. Team: 9-3 reaching second round of Class 6A playoffs. Finished No. 10 in the final GPB Sports 6A Top 10.

Aidan Banfield – Mill Creek – 6-3, 280, Senior 

Recruiting: Signed with North Carolina over 15 other offers. Consensus 3-Star.

Team: 12-1 reaching the quarterfinals of the 7A playoffs. Finished No. 5 in the final GPB Sports 7A Top 10 after wrapping-up regular season No. 1.

Click here to see the Defensive team

Defensive Linemen 

Eddrick Houston – Buford – 6-3, 265, Senior

Stats: 45 total tackles with 12 tackles for loss and five QB sacks. Recruiting: Signed with Ohio State over 21 other offers. Highest Ranking Rivals 5-Star and No. 2 DL in the country, No. 3 overall prospect in the state and No. 14 overall national recruit. Team: 11-2 reaching the Class 7A quarterfinals and finished No. 8 in Final GPB Sports 7A Top 10. 

Nasir Johnson – Dublin – 6-4, 300, Senior

Recruiting: Signed with Georgia over 16 other offers. Highest Ranking Rivals 4-Star and No. 7 DL in the country. Team: 9-3 reaching second round of the Class A Division II playoffs.

Kameryn Fountain – Washington – 6-6, 240, Senior

Recruiting: Signed with Southern Cal over 28 other offers. Consensus 4-Star ranked as high as No. 7 Edge in the country. Team: Finished 3-8 and reached first round of the Class 2A playoffs.

Justin Greene – Mountain View – 6-4, 250, Senior

Career Stats: 190 total tackles with 23.5 tackles for loss and 11 QB sacks. Recruiting: Signed with Georgia over 19 other offers. Consensus 4-Star ranked as high as On3 No. 14 DL in the country. Team: 4-7 reaching first round of 7A playoffs.

King Joseph Edwards – Mill Creek – 6-4, 230, Senior

Stats: 34 total tackles with four tackles for loss, six QB sacks and one interception.

 Recruiting: Signed with Syracuse over 34 other offers. Highest Ranking 247 Sports 4-Star and No. 22 Edge in the country. Team: 12-1 reaching the quarterfinals of the Class 7A playoffs. Finished No. 5 in the final GPB Sports 7A Top 10 after wrapping-up regular season No. 1.

C.J. Jackson – Tucker – 6-5, 225, Senior

Stats: 20 total tackles with seven tackles for loss and nine QB sacks. Recruiting: Signed with LSU over 14 other offers. Highest Ranking On3 No. 11 Edge in the country and No. 12 prospect in Georgia. Team: 6-5 reaching first round 6A playoffs

Eric Brantley – Valdosta – 6-2, 250, Senior

Stats: 98 total tackles with 34 tackles for loss, 12 QB sacks and one interception. Career: 228 total tackles with 108 tackles for loss and 34 QB sacks, two interceptions.

Recruiting: Signed with Colorado over 24 other offers. Consensus 3-Star. Team: 8-4 reaching second round of the Class 7A playoffs and recording first playoff win since 2020.

Quintavius Johnson – Mays – 6-4, 242, Senior

Recruiting: Signed with Georgia over 25 other offers. Highest Ranking ESPN and Rivals 4-Star DL. Starred his varsity career as the Raiders QB but grew into a defensive star. Team: 7-5 reaching the second round of the 5A playoffs.

Linebackers 

Wendell Gregory – Walton – 6-2, 220, Senior

Stats: 61 total tackles with 18 tackles for loss and seven QB sacks. Career: 157 total tackles with 29.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 QB sacks and two interceptions. Recruiting: Signed with South Carolina over 19 other offers. Consensus 4-Star rated as high as No. 7 Edge in the country by ESPN and No. 15 prospect in the state. Team: 14-1. Class 7A runner-up. Ranked No. 2 in Final GPB Sports 7A Top 10.  

Ashton Woods – Walton – 6-3, 210, Senior

Stats: 151 total tackles with 20 tackles for loss, eight QB sacks and two interceptions. Career: 387 total tackles with 36 tackles for loss, 15 QB sacks with six interceptions.

Recruiting: Signed with North Carolina over 21 other offers. Highest Ranking Rivals 4-Star and No. 17 LB in the country. Team: 14-1. 7A runner-up. Ranked No. 2 in Final GPB Sports 7A Top 10.  

Andrew Hines – Woodward Academy – 6-0, 215, Senior

Stats: 91 total tackles with 10 tackles for loss and two interceptions. Career: 220 total tackles with 26 tackles for loss, eight sacks and three interceptions. Recruiting: Signed with Wake Forest over thirty-seven other offers. Highest Ranking ESPN 4-Star LB. Team: 12-3 and Class 6A runner-up reaching championship game for the first time since last winning it in 1980.

Montreze Smith – Carrollton – 5-11, 200, Senior

Recruiting. Signed with Duke over ten other offers. Consensus 3-Star. Team: 11-2 reaching the quarterfinals of the 7A playoffs and finished No. 6 in the GPB Sports 7A Top 10.

K.J. Merrell – Crisp County – 6-1, 185, Senior

Stats: 60 total tackles with four tackles for loss, 2.5 QB sacks and one interception. Career: 251 total tackles with 21 tackles for loss. Recruiting: Signed with East Carolina over 16 other offers. Highest Ranking On3 3-Star. Team: 7-5 reaching second round of the Class 3A playoffs.

Antwan Smith – Westlake – 6-3, 188, Senior

Stats: Signed with Kentucky over 21 other offers. Consensus 3-Star. Team: 9-3 reaching second round of the Class 7A playoffs and finished No. 10 in the final GPB Sports 7A Top 10.

Joshua Ofor – Mundy’s Mill – 6-2, 210, Senior

Stats: 105 total tackles with 18 tackles for loss, two QB sacks and one interception. Career: 221 total tackles with 28.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and three interceptions.

 Recruiting: Signed with NC State over 20 other offers. Consensus 3-Star.

 Team: 8-3 reaching first round of the Class 6A playoffs

Devin Smith – Brunswick – 6-1, 220, Senior

Stats: 65 total tackles with 18 tackles for loss and 12 QB sacks. Career: 189 total tackles with 44 tackles for loss and 24 QB sacks. Recruiting: Signed with Kentucky over 32 other offers. Consensus 3-Star. Team: 7-4 reaching the first round of the Class 6A playoffs

Defensive Backs 

Demello Jones – Swainsboro - 6-1, 176, Senior

Stats: 32 total tackles with one tackle for loss, one QB sack and two interceptions. Career: 155 total tackles and seven interceptions. Career Offensively: 3,118 yards rushing, 963 yards receiving, 444 yards passing, accounting for 63 total touchdowns.

Recruiting: Signed with Georgia over 26 other offers. Consensus 4-Star ranked as high as No. 3 CB in the country by ESPN. Team: 12-3 finishing as Class A Division I runner-up for the second straight season.

Ricardo Jones – Northside-Warner Robins – 6-3, 200, Senior

Recruiting: Signed with Clemson over 32 other offers. Consensus 4-Star. Rated as high as On3 Industry No. 9 safety in the country. Team: 4-7 reaching first round of the Class 6A playoffs.

Jaiden Patterson – Mill Creek – 6-1, 170, Senior

Stats: 47 total tackles with three interceptions. Offense: 20 receptions for 395 yards with four touchdowns. Recruiting: Signed with North Carolina over 13 other offers. Highest Ranking 247 Sports 4-Star and No. 14 Safety in the country. Team: 12-1 reaching the quarterfinals of the 7A playoffs. Finished No. 5 in the final GPB Sports 7A Top 10 after wrapping-up regular season No. 1.

Joe Wilkinson – Rome – 6-1, 185, Senior

Recruiting: Signed with Clemson over eight other offers including App State from whom he decommitted. Consensus 3-Star. Team: 11-2 reaching Class 6A quarterfinals and finishing No. 6 in the final GPB Sports 6A Top 10.

Daniel James – McEachern – 5-11, 170, Senior

Recruiting: Signed with Cincinnati over 23 other offers. Highest ranking 247 Sports 4-Star and No. 17 CB in the country. Team: 7-5 winning Region 3-7A championship reaching second round of the 7A playoffs.

Devin Henderson – Cass – 5-10, 170, Senior

Recruiting: Signed with Liberty over 23 other offers. Highest Ranking On3 3-Star Athlete. Team: 7-6 reaching the quarterfinals of the Class 5A playoffs in the program’s deepest playoff run since 1983. Finished 10th in the Final GPB Sports 5A Top 10.

Jalyn Crawford – Parkview – 6-0, 180, Senior

Stats: 26 total tackles with two interceptions. Career: 53 total tackles with four interceptions. Recruiting: Signed with Auburn over 32 other offers. Highest Ranking Rivals 4-Star and No. 13 CB in the country. Team: 7-4 reaching the state playoffs for the ninth consecutive season.

Tyshaun White – Buford – 5-11, 187, Senior

Stats: 36 total tackles with three tackles for loss and one interception. Offense: 23-302 yards receiving and 5 touchdowns. Recruiting: Signed with North Carolina over 29 other offers. Highest Ranking Rivals 4-Star and No. 7 CB in the country. Team: 11-2 reaching the 7A quarterfinals and finished No. 8 in Final GPB Sports 7A Top 10. 

Special Teams 

Punter - Arthur Richez – McIntosh - 6-4, 195, Senior

Stats: 47.3 punt average with eight inside the 20, 37 of 53 touchbacks on kickoffs. 4-for-4 FG with long of 39 and 33-for-36 PAT. Recruiting: Kohl’s Professional Camps 5-Star and ranked the No. 24 Punter in the Country. 4.5-Star Kicker. Team: 6-5 reaching the first round of the Class 5A Playoffs.

Kicker – Oliver Castaneda – Hiram – 5-10, 160, Senior

Stats: 16-for-25 field goals with long of 48, 47-for-53 PAT (101-for-111 career), 79 of 85 touchbacks on kickoffs (124-155 Career), 36.2 punt average with seven inside the 20.

Recruiting: Signed with Memphis. Kohl’s Professional Camps 5-Star and No. 43 ranked kicker in the country. Team: 9-3 reaching second round of the Class 5A playoffs in the program’s best season since 2010. Finished No. 8 in the final GPB Sports 5A Top 10.

Long Snapper – Jay Williams – Heritage-Ringgold – 6-0, 190, Senior

Recruiting: Committed to Alabama. Kohl’s Professional Camps 5-Star and No. 3 ranked Long Snapper in the country. Team: 6-5 reaching first round of the 4A playoffs.

Thanks again to all the great viewers who make possible GPB Sports Football Fridays in Georgia. We are already looking forward to 2024!