Milton vs. Gainesville: Top prospects playing in Georgia high school football clash

More than 15 future college football stars collide when national No. 7 Milton takes on a very talented Gainesville squad Friday

Milton quarterback Luke Nickel throwing against American Heritage. Nickel already has committed to the University of Miami / Matt Christopher

Milton, ranked sixth nationally, travels to Gainesville for one of the top high school football games in Georgia and the nation 8 p.m. (ET) Friday.

Not only will local fans and the Peach State faithful be interested in this big showdown, but also many college fans with so many prospects.

TOP 25 NATIONAL RANKINGS | GEORGIA COMPUTER RANKINGS

The game will be streamed live on the NFHS Network (subscription required):

Here's the top 15 recruits to watch:

MILTON VS. GAINESVILLE: TOP 15 PROSPECT TO WATCH

1. LB Xavier Griffin, Gainesville, Jr.

The Gainesville Red Elephants host Milton in one of the biggest games of the Georgia football season takes place Friday. / Red Elephants Football Instagram

The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder is the top-rated 2026 recruit in Georgia. He's already committed to USC.

2. OT Brayden Jacobs, Milton, Sr.

A Clemson commit, the 6-7, 310-pounder is a four-star recruit

3. TE Ethan Barbour, Milton, Sr.

One of two big tight end recruits for the Eagles, the 6-3, 235-pounder is committed to Georgia

4. OT Alex Payne, Gainesville, Sr.

The 6-5, 275-pounder has committed to North Carolina

5. QB Luke Nickel, Milton, Sr.

The University of Miami can't wait until the 6-2, 205-pounder arrives. He's thrown for 1,556 yards and 16 touchdowns in seven games.

6. WR CJ Wiley, Milton, Sr.

A Florida State commit, the rangy 6-4, 200-pounder leads the Eagles with 30 catches for 577 yards and six touchdowns

7. TE Ryan Ghea, Milton, Sr.

Unusual to have two tight end from one school to commit, but the 6-5, 231-pounder is headed to Auburn.

8. DL Caleb Bell, Milton, Sr.

The 6-3, 270-pounder is headed to Arkansas.

9. CB Tyler Redmond, Milton, Sr.

Tennessee is anxious to get the 6-1, 180-pounder to help in the secondary.

10. CB Dylan Lewis, Milton, Sr.

The Volunteers not only get one, but two Milton lockdown corners to help out. Lewis, a 6-foot, 180-pounder, has 30 offers total.

11. DL Julius Columbus, Gainesville, Sr.

The 6-2, 290-pounder has already committed to Duke. Columbus has 20 tackles and two sacks thus far.

12. TE Shane King, Gainesville, Sr.

Another talented tight end, this one for the Red Elephants — yes, that's their mascot — as the 6-4, 210-pounder is headed to Troy.

13. S Ma'Khi Jones, Milton, Sr.

Another bright player, the 5-11, 175-pounder is headed to Duke

14. QB Kharim Hughley, Gainesville, So.

The 5-11, 180-pounder is a playmaker supreme with two more seasons after this to progress.

15. RB TJ Lester, Milton, Sr.

Milton running back TJ Lester running against American Heritage / Matt Christopher

With offers from Indiana, Ball State and Eastern Kentucky, the 5-10, 190-pounder has rushed 102 times for 678 yards and 13 touchdowns.