Dawgs Daily

Georgia Recruiting Notebook - Observations From the 2023 Spring Tour

This is my collection of thoughts after visiting 35 schools and hundreds of division one caliber football players this spring. Enjoy a few weeks of work compiled into one.

Brooks Austin

At the start of the 2022 NFL season, 144 players in the National Football League played their high school football in the State of Georgia, the fourth most in the country. It's a state that not only has great football players, but it's a state that places a tremendous amount of investment into high school football. 

So, as someone who loves this state, and the football it produces, every spring I set out on the trail to see as many football programs as I possibly can. Over the last 17 days, I've traveled 4,000 miles, visited 35 different high school programs, and had a chance to speak with some incredible young men. 

The following are my thoughts and evaluations. I hope you enjoy it. 

PS: To all of the high school football coaches that allowed me into your program this spring... thank you for pouring back into this game and good luck this fall. To all the players reading this... continue to work. 

Jefferson: The Red Dragons are home of five-star LB prospect Sammy Brown, and though he was still thoroughly entrenched in track season — where he was consistently laying down 10.6's at 230 pounds — it was worth the trip. Brown has always been an exceptional linear athlete, as obvious by the metrics, he's becoming increasingly more comfortable in his drops and playing in space — something the game at the next level will demand of him. Oh... and he set a new personal record on the clean platform this spring. His recruitment will come to a close this summer likely, with Clemson and Georgia thoroughly entrenched in the mix. 

Mill Creek: The defending State Champions run a tight ship under Coach Lovelady, as you'd imagine. When I came through the school they were actually split into offensive and defensive teams, watching practice film. I spoke with multiple Power5 coaches that are intrigued by both of the rangey 2024 corners that reside on that roster. Trejon Greco is a 6'2 corner that's picked up Virginia Tech, Indiana, Duke, and Georiga Tech this spring. And his partner on the other side, Justin Content, is a 6'1 corner that has gained steam on the mid-major level for now. 

South Gwinnett: South Gwinnett was a common stop for big-time programs this month on the recruiting trail. With 2024 Offensive lineman Marcus Mascoll there were plenty of Power5 evaluators in attendance. Elijah McDowell, a 6'3 defensive back has gained steam this spring with seemingly dozens of mid-major offers. He's a 6'4" high jumper, placing him in the top-25 across the state. I was impressed with Milleon McKinzie myself. A 6'1, 200-pound linebacker with safety-like movements and a killer's mentality. 

Mountainview: Justin Greene is not only on the board for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2024, but it was also clear based on seeing DL Coach Travion Scott in attendance, he is a priority during this cycle. And for good reason. He's 6'4, 290 pounds and there's a level of refinement in his hand-fighting ability, providing immediate upside as a pass rush option early. He's a take, it's a matter of whether or not they land him. As for the rest of the roster, Noah Onyia is a name to know. A smooth operating 6'6 weapon at the receiver position, most of his division 1 offers are residing at Tight End. 

Cass: Whoof, a loaded young 2026 class up there is spearheaded by some alphas in the 2024 class for Cass. Dawg fans will know 2024 UGA Commit, Sacovie White. He's seemingly added about ten pounds onto his frame this offseason, something that was inevitable considering the transition into college. I'm a proponent of the Henderson Boys. Kevin Henderson, a linebacker, and his brother Devin Henderson, a safety, are just tough football-playing dudes. They will be quality additions to college rosters. Then there's the 2026 class, led by quarterback Brodie McWhorter — a football player that caught my eye immediately. A solid 6'2+ frame on a rising sophomore with plus arm talent. He will be a national QB recruit. His cousin, Bear McWhorter is already a national recruit at the offensive tackle position, having picked up Alabama this spring. I found myself drawn to Kail Ellis quite often during their practice, however. A 6'4, 290-pounder that will only continue to shoot up rankings. 

Cartersville: On the list of schools to hit for Georgia commit Malachi Toliver, he was worth watching that day. He's got plenty of things to clean up from a body standpoint, he doesn't quite look the part just yet in shorts and tee shirts, but damn if he ain't clean. The technique and willingness to finish reps are certainly Georgia caliber. 2025 receiver Jamauri Brice is nothing but a playmaker. He picked up Ole Miss and Georgia Tech offers the same day I saw him in practice, it was clear those coaches saw the same thing I did. There's a 2027 tight end... but we will keep him "under wraps" for now. (PS - This is going to be a common theme) 

Gainesville: Exceptionally coached from top to bottom, as was displayed by the state-runner-up performance in year one. Zion Ferguson is a name to watch in the 2024 cycle, his recruitment has recently received some alterations. The LSU commit will take an official visit to UNC this summer. The name I sent to as many P5 coaches as possible however was 2024 running back Jeremiah Hall. I saw him twice this spring, I don't think the first defender has tackled him yet. It's mid-major heaven over there. Baxter Wright the quarterback, Tavien Watson, and Marceil Henfield the receivers are all division one caliber football players. 2025 OT Alex Payne is a player that's being heavily scouted on the P5 level, with another 20 pounds, you'll see his name start to seriously pop. (PS. They have an eighth grader that's 6'6 and 330 pounds already.) 

Lithia Springs: An edge rusher/linebacker that I'm keeping my eye on in the 2024 class for the mid-major coaches reading this article is Charles Walden. 6'3, 205 pounds, and moved really well. He's worth a look. 

Alexander: Thomas Winston, a 2026 QB is a name that college coaches are likely aware of, or at least have in the database. He's camped at multiple Power5 schools last summer and will likely make the rounds again this season. He's a talented thrower of the football, and things seem to be coming together for him from a maturation standpoint. His classmate, 2026 offensive lineman Jasen Dewbre reminds me a lot of 2023 in-state prospect Connor Lew. An interior offensive line projection on a really good football player that won't ever be 6'5, but he won't ever be in the wrong place either. 

2026 EDGE Jordan Carter
2026 EDGE Jordan Carter

Douglas County: First off, the entire offensive line is 6'4+, 300+ and they are all rising sophomores and freshmen. You read that right. 2025 receiver James Johnson and 2026 receiver Aaron Gregory have already received offers from Georgia and they are as advertised. It's Jordan Carter, the 2026 EDGE that is deserving of that same kind of energy from the in-state Bulldogs, however. Carter is an alpha and plays football with a killstreak about him. He's going to be a Power5 prospect, it's a matter of time. 

Kennesaw Mt: I saw Nalin Scott a year ago as a freshman receiver. He was buried on a depth chart with multiple D1 targets above him, yet he still managed to stand out from a physical standpoint. Now, he's 6'3.5, pushing 200+ pounds, and has blossomed into a national recruit. Georgia offered Scott as a tight end, something they see him growing into as his career progresses. 

Kell: If you need a skill position player in the next two classes, get over to Cobb County and take a look at Kell High School. They've got half a dozen players blowing up on the national level at skill spots. Led by Justin Logan, the 2024 LB that's picked up dozens of P5 offers since January. DBs Cedric Franklin, Kemari Nix, and Zayd Rogan have all picked up D1 offers in bunches this spring. 2026 receiver Peyton Zachary continues to display why Georgia offered him at such an early stage every time I see him as well. Quarterback Bryce Clavon, who rolled sub 4.5 at the Under Armour event a couple of months back, picked up his first P5 offer at QB this spring from Indiana, though he may end up playing professional baseball by the time summer of 2024 rolls around. WR Kyle Vaka's polish and soft hands have garnered attention this spring as well, picking up a dozen D1 offers. Though perhaps one of the hottest recruits in North Atlanta is 2026 RB, Tyriq Greene. Greene has received offers from South Carolina, Miss State, Louisville, and Kansas State.

Walton: Jeremy Hecklinski has always been a special arm talent type of evaluation for me. He's got a level of confidence in his game that's rather unparalleled for someone that's likely felt slighted for his physical stature at 5'11. Wake Forest got themselves a guy. As did South Carolina in the form of Wendell Gregory. The 2024 Gamecock commit, like Hecklinksi, has declined to speak to any other coaches other than the school they are committed to. Locked in, and their performances show as much. The two uncommitted studs at Walton — Daniel Calhoun and Ashton Woods — are worth taking a look at. Calhoun is likely down to Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas. He's the best 2024 lineman in the state, and it's not particularly close. Georgia has to land here. Woods is down to Auburn, North Carolina, and Baylor according to my sources, and good luck to his teammates in the future that have to face that dude every day in practice. He's a savage with a taste for contact. 

ELCA: Perhaps the most I've been moved on the trail by the story of a young prospect. Favour Edwin is a 6'7, 290-pound offensive tackle from Nigeria who, six months ago, was 220 pounds and had never played football. Thanks to "a lot of eggs" and some serious dedication to the weight room, Favour has gained close to seventy pounds and has garnered the attention of the nation's premier programs in the process. Already offers from Florida and Georgia Tech before even playing a snap, Favour will be back on Georgia's campus for a chance to camp and be evaluated by the Dawgs. He's a name to know, and an interview to listen to. Truly a special human being here. Any coach I know that's spoken to him has left noticeably moved by the character of Favour Edwin. 

Houston: The recruiting world knows about Antwann Hill Jr, as you should. He's likely going to decide between some of the nation's premier programs in 2025, most notably Alabama, Clemson, and Tennessee. Though he's got a stable of targets down there with him. Houston's receiver corps exploded this spring. Recordo Tarver and Jaquari Brown have joined Ricky Johnson in the D1 offer department this spring. They will be an explosive offense protected by the big fella Khalil House. House is a name to know for Georgia fans. He's on the border of that board for the Dawgs and has received major P5 offers this spring, even drawing serious interest from Alabama. It'll be a big camp summer for House to see if he goes from Power5 target to SEC take come December of this recruiting cycle. 

Warner Robins: Holy smokes Isiah Canion. I first saw Canion last spring on the tour, he was playing quarterback and you could just tell he was an immaculate athlete. Though, how could anyone imagine he'd turn into the receiver he is today? The Notre Dame commit will be hard to pull from the grips of Chansi Stuckey, who is arguably one of the best players to ever come from the city of Warner Robins, though Georgia could make a run on him late depending on how the 2024 class shakes out. One to watch closely here, especially if Georgia offers. Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo was in attendance the day I saw Canion. 

Colquitt: A bright and early 6:10 AM practice start time didn't stop dozens of D1 coaches from coming to see this loaded roster. Georgia commit Ny Carr continues to get bigger and better, which is a good sign for a commit that is known for his explosivity first. Florida State commit Landen Thomas is going to be hard to re-flip it seems, but he's everything and more that you'd look for in a tight end. A flawless mover and mismatch weapon in space, yet a clean and efficient blocker in the box as well. A stacked defensive front that has too many players to mention, though I was impressed with Tyshon Reed, a player I think has the length and explosivity to play college football at its highest levels. Zay Williams, a 5'10 receiver for Colquitt is perhaps the most underrated player I saw all spring. Someone thinks they have themselves a sleeper on the board, the first school to make a jump here won't regret it. 

(PS. They have an eighth-grade offensive lineman that's 6'4, 300 pounds already) 

Valdosta: Valdosta is a school that you'll need to be watching closely not only this season but the next few seasons. Coach Felton's roster brought me player after player from the 2026 class, most notably Jalon Copeland, Prince Jean, and Cam Brown three athletes that Felton — a former SEC coach himself — believes will be playing major Power 5 football in the future. 

Lowndes: Coach Adam Carter didn't leave Grayson High School for the facilities and funds at Lowndes alone. There's plenty of talent on that roster down in the depths of South Georgia. Grant Laskey, a 6'5, 225-pound Tigh End has garnered some serious D1 interest as of late. Perhaps the most impressive factoid about Laskey is that he finished second in the state in 7A wrestling in heavy-weight, wrestling guys more than 50 pounds heavier. The sleeper that's no longer slept on? Kam'Ron Jackson. A 6'3 basketball player that's burst onto the scene as a receiver this spring. The 2025 athlete is one to know as he's already picked up six Division 1 offers before ever playing a varsity football game. 

Lee County: Bring your bug spray, you're going to need it. Lee County is the home of Ousmane Kromah, arguably the top running back in the 2025 class. Kromah expressed to me the love he's felt so far from the likes of Georgia, Clemson, and Alabama. He's been a name on the recruiting circuit since his freshman season where he had well over 1500 yards as a 14-year-old in 6A football. I was thoroughly impressed with defensive lineman LeRoy Jackson. He's a 6'1, 280-pound lineman that plays with tremendous leverage and effort. Power 5 schools are starting to get heavily in the mix with Jackson, most notably Cincinnati, Iowa State, and Georgia Tech. (PS, Lee County has a 6'1 eight grade receiver... he's gorgeous.)

2025 UGA Commit Jadon Perlotte
2025 UGA Commit Jadon Perlotte

Buford vs Norcross: Our first scrimmage of the spring, and it was filled with Power5 guys. Let's start with Norcross, Georgia fans will want to get to know the youngest Luckie. Lawson Luckie's youngest brother, Carter Luckie, is a rising sophomore that's already pushing 6'5, 240 pounds. He's huge and he plays alongside one of the better-kept secrets in the state at the EDGE position. Jackson Bussey. Bussey carries an athletic 6'3, 230-pound frame for a multi-year starter for the Blue Devils. He's picked up Air Force, Memphis, and UAB in the last week. Norcross's QB AJ Watkins enters his second season starting at QB and has earned a few Divison1 looks this spring as well. 

As for Buford, we were in attendance specifically to evaluate potential Georgia prospects that were playing for them. 2025 commit Jadon Perlotte continues to check boxes every time I see him. He's long, he's fast, he's physical. He's a Dawg defender by definition. As for the rest of the targets, 2024 defensive end Eddrick Houston filled us in on where he stands as of right now with his recruitment. KJ Bolden was still running track. Justin Baker, the 2025 running back impressed during his performance. Having played alongside Justice Haynes a year ago, Baker will be the featured back in 2023, he's a coveted back for Dell McGee in '25. 2025 offensive lineman Brayden Jacobs battled through what appeared to be a lower-body injury, we will be circling back for a true evaluation there later. Both Tray Scott and Stacy Searels were in attendance. 

Grayson: 2026 Linebacker Tyler Atkinson is perhaps the best position player in the entire 2026 class. He's been immensely talented for a while now, but it's his willingness and open-mindedness about his impending position change that's marveled me. He could be a five-star edge rusher tomorrow, but at 6'2.5", his NFL future is at linebacker, and he's taking on the role head-on, becoming more of a vocal leader now as a sophomore in that defense. I don't know what I'm missing on Kylan Fox because I think he's in the discussion for the nation's best tight end. He's certainly not hurting for college opportunities, don't get me wrong. I'm just way higher on him than the industry appears to be with him ranked 212 overall on the 247 composite. Jaylen Bell is a player I've known since his freshman season, the 2025 corner was and is noticeably bigger entering his junior season. Alexander Sanchez, the 2025 wide receiver is worth laying eyes on if you're a P5 football coach. He's a massive mover that's picking up steam this spring. 

Parkview: 2024 ATH Mike Matthews is the name everyone knows here, though he's one of four defensive backs that have Power5 offers. Matthews will play receiver in college, we learned. Something that's worth noting for Georgia's recruitment of the 5-star. Antonio White, a 6'3 corner prospect joins Jalyn Crawford and Mike Matthews in the 2024 class, along with Zelus Hicks, the No. 1 safety prospect in the 2026 class. It's a loaded bunch over there. Upfront they have a pair of Power5 offensive linemen in the form of Cortez Smith and Jordan Floyd as well. Floyd will be a close one to track, he's seemingly figuring football out at a rapid pace, the last remaining piece for major programs to start pulling the trigger. Cortez Smith, the 2025 prospect is my pick for "Next great center" on the recruiting front. He's a Georgia priority. 

Carrolton: I was one of four cameras that filmed every single throw Julian Lewis made the Tuesday I went to see him. The other three? Texas, USC, and Alabama. It was a constant revolving door of elite programs this spring in the building for the Trojans to see the future five-star signal caller. Julian will be the No. 1 player in 2026, there's no doubt about it. Mike Bobo went to see him twice this spring I'm told, and they will continue to recruit him hard. Lewis told Dawgs Daily that the Dawgs, along with Texas, Alabama, and USC are the schools most notably in the mix right now. As for the rest of the Carrolton roster, Kaleb Odom and Bryce Hicks lead the way in 2024. Odom is a national recruit deciding between likely Ole Miss, Alabama, and Florida. Hicks on the other hand is arguably the far more important football player to the success of Carrolton's offense. The dual-purpose back accounted for 2397 total yards in 2022 and will likely exceed that number in 2023. He's loaded down with mid-majors right now. You'll need to remember the name Zykie Helton as well, the 2026 offensive linemen picked up Texas A&M this spring. 

Sandy Creek: Sandy Creek is going to be a stop multiple times next season, and the year after that. The defending 3A state champions are a really young football team. The name I expect to pop an offer soon is 2026 RB Amari Latimer. He had 700 yards as a freshman a year ago. (PS. They have a 6'1 8th grade receiver and a 6'3 8th grade center.) 

Alpharetta: Another school here in the Metro Atlanta area that's loaded with skill position talent. Led by 2025 4-star tight end Ethan Barbour and Amauri Anderson who both have several SEC offers. Julie Hollie is another name to know in the 2025 class, he just picked up App State and looks the part, though he's still figuring it out between the lines and whistles. 2026 linebacker Ashton Moore has SEC offers as well, though perhaps the hottest recruit on the Alpharetta roster right now is 6'2 DB Tyjai Hooper. A physical and explosive athlete that's garnering Mid Major interest out the wazoo this spring. 

East Paulding: Another morning wake-up call that turned up several division one players. The Raiders have the region leading rusher returning, 2025 RB Javen Parker picked up UAB on Thursday along with 2024 offensive lineman David Postell. 

Chris Stokes is the Power5 offered football player of the bunch alongside his defensive line partner Jakaleb Funchess who is also a D1 caliber player. Though if you ask Coach Hirschfield who his best football player is, he will quickly state Brian Allen, a 2025 receiver that's picked up Arkansas and UAB in the last week. 

Westlake vs Douglas County: Let's start with Westlake. It's my job to be able to identify the Power5 football players on the field, but it's borderline impossible to identify "the dudes" on the Westlake roster because they all look like they can play on Saturdays in the fall. Juan Gaston, the 2025 offensive tackle that's 6'8, 330 pounds could play in the SEC and start for a handful of schools tomorrow. He's undoubtedly Georgia's No. 1 target in-state at the position. Seriously, I could sit here all day and list a dozen+ players that have D1 offers from Westlake, it was the deepest roster I saw all spring. 

As for Douglas County, they have an offensive line filled with 2026 and 2027 offensive linemen that stand 6'3+, 290+. It's going to be a well-protected offense for quite some time. They have a wide receiver corps on par with anyone in the state, both 2025 WR James Johnson and 2026 WR Aaron Gregory have Georgia offers. Defensively, 2024 DB Israel Boyce will play Power 5 football. Jordan Carter is the name to know, however. The 2026 EDGE defender is a dog. I saw him twice this spring, and he's seemingly addicted to competition. Pissed off when he has to take reps off, violent and energetic, everything coaches look for in a young defender. He's going to continue to impress coaches this season. 

Troup vs Newnan: Troup was a new football program for me, and it will be an annual return based on what I saw Friday night. That's a roster with several D1 football players, most notably safety prospect and Clemson commit Noah Dixon. Dixon stands 6'1 and is a stout 200 pounds as a rising senior. He's about his business on the football field. Quiet and calculated it seems. Alongside him on the defense is fellow senior and Cincinnati commit Qua Birdsong who made his way into the limelight of the recruiting world as an edge rusher projection. He's since settled into a hybrid linebacker/off-ball role for Troup and his natural nose for the football is evident and on display. He finds it. 

As for Newnan, Rodney Colton Jr. is perhaps the best position player we saw all spring from a ceiling standpoint. He’s 6’1, 225 pounds as a rising sophomore and he moves as well as any athlete I've covered at that age and size. UGA saw him three times this spring, offering last week.

Hiram vs Starrs Mill: Walter Matthews, a 2024 Tight End out of Hiram will be making his commitment at the end of the summer he told FanNation after the scrimmage and it's likely going to be between Florida and Southern California. 

Georgia's 2024 Commits:

  • Dylan Raiola, QB
  • Ellis Robinson IV, DB
  • Demarcus Riddick, LB
  • Jaylen Heyward, S
  • Ny Carr, WR
  • Peyton Woodyard, S
  • Dwight Phillips Jr., RB
  • NiTareon Tuggle, WR
  • Malachi Toliver, OT
  • Demello Jones, S
  • Sacovie White, ATH
  • Ryan Puglisi, QB

Other Georgia News:

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Brooks Austin
BROOKS AUSTIN

Brooks Austin is a former college football player turned journalist and broadcaster. Follow him on Twitter @BrooksAustinBA

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