2017 was without a doubt the Year of the Quarterback in Georgia. Our state boasted the top two recruiting quarterbacks in the entire nation. Cartersville’s Trevor Lawrence was the number one ranked pro-style quarterback in the nation and signed with Clemson. Harrison’s Justin Fields was the number-one ranked dual-threat signal caller in the country and signed with Georgia.

That is not the case here in 2018. The highest ranked senior quarterback in Georgia this season is Lanier’s Zach Calzada.  He is the 16th-ranked signal caller in the nation in the 247 Sports Composite ratings with a three-star rating and committed to Texas A&M.  He is the 46thranked prospect in the state. Georgia’s highest rated dual-threat QB is Milton’s Jordan Yates.  He is ranked 20thin the nation in that category with a three-star rating and committed to Georgia Tech as the 94thranked prospect in the state.

This is not a commentary on how good, or not, these two quarterbacks will be, or a dissertation on the talent level of senior quarterbacks in the state this season. We all know that the ratings are not a predictor of success, or lack thereof. They are what they are. The Class of 2020, this year’s junior class, will be more like 2018. Marietta’s Harrison Bailey is a four-star and ranked the number two pro-style quarterback in the nation. Oconee County’s Max Johnson is right behind him as the number-four QB in that category. He’s the son of former Florida State star and NFL Super Bowl QB Brad Johnson. His uncle is Mark Richt. You might guess where folks think he’ll end-up playing his college ball. Predictors are the Miami Hurricanes.

All of this said, the state boasts five players that are number one in the nation at their respective positions and six more that are number two. It might not be the Year of the Quarterback in Georgia but it’s the Year of Everything Else!

Here’s a look at the number ones from Georgia in the 247 Sports Composite rankings

5-Star WR Jadon Haselwood – Cedar Grove – Committed to Georgia (#1 overall prospect in state)

5-Star OT Wayna Morris – Grayson – Committed to Tennessee (#2 overall in state)

5-Star OLB Owen Pappoe – Grayson – Committed to Auburn (#3 overall in state)

5- Star Junior OT Myles Hinton – GAC – Michigan considered his leader (#1 overall junior in state)

5-Star Junior Athlete (TE, DE) Arik Gilbert – Marietta – Georgia considered leader (#2 overall junior in state)

Here’s a look at the players ranked number two in the nation in their respective positions

5-Star DE Chris Hinton – GAC – Committed to Michigan (#4 overall in state)

5-Star DT Travon Walker – Upson-Lee – Georgia considered his leader (#6 overall in state)

5-Star CB Andrew Booth – Archer – Clemson and Auburn considered leaders (#7 overall in state)

5-Star Center Harry Miller – Buford – Committed to Ohio State (#8 overall in state)

5-Star Junior DE Myles Murphy – Hillgrove – Georgia considered his leader (#3 overall junior in state)

4-Star Junior QB Harrison Bailey – Marietta – Michigan considered his leader (#6 overall junior in state)

Other Georgia Players Top Five at their Positions

5-Star WR Dominick Blaylock – #4 WR - Walton – Committed to Georgia (#5 overall in state)

5-Star Junior OT Broderick Jones - #4 OT – Lithonia – Committed to Georgia (#4 overall junior in state)

4-Star Junior QB Max Johnson - #4 Pro-Style – Oconee County – Miami considered leader (#8 overall junior in state)

Of course, there are so many other players to watch this coming season. These are just the ones who have the highest profile in the recruiting rankings. The season start is now just one month away and GPB Sports will have you covered every week and every step of the way. Our #FootballFridaysInGeorgia Schedule begins Friday, September 14th. I can tell you our first two games will be can’t miss television and I think it will be that every week this season! Expect an official announcement on those two games any day now.  

Another thing that I’m extremely excited about this season is that in order to bring you the best possible games every week, we will be making our game selections two weeks in advance starting with our September 28thgame, all the way through to the State Championship Games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium starting December 7th.

So join Jon Nelson, Brian Jordan, Chelsea TaFoya, Sam Crenshaw, Tommy Palmer, me and our entire GPB Road Show throughout the season. It’s going to be our best one yet!

Remember, Football Fridays in Georgia returns to GPB Sports with live game broadcasts every Friday night starting September 14th, so mark your calendars and make plans to join us each week on the great G P B !!!