10 football prospects to watch at the Georgia Dome this weekend
Many of Georgia’s top high school football players and college prospects will be on display during the state championship games on Friday and Saturday at Georgia Dome. Here are 10 to watch:
Vadal Alexander, OT, Buford: The 6-foot-5, 330-pounder is among the state’s top 10 juniors, holding early offers from Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Auburn, LSU and Tennessee. Although Alexander was blessed with a lot of natural athletic ability and size, Buford coach Jess Simpson says it’s his strong determination that makes him special.
Timmy Byerly, QB, Chattahoochee: The 6-1, 205-pounder will get one last chance in the Class AAAA championship to impress scouts. Byerly is the ultimate dual-threat quarterback, carrying 199 times for 1,396 yards and 20 TDs, while completing 163 of 237 passes (69 percent) for 2,553 yards and 30 TDs. Byerly has offers from Air Force, Furman, Mississippi State and Navy, with others closely watching.
Alex Chisum, WR, Sandy Creek: Some think the 6-3, 185-pounder may be the No. 1 wide receiver in the state, including his coach. He has 63 catches for 1,354 yards and 11 TDs. “I think he’s the best,” said Sandy Creek’s Chip Walker. “He has got great hands and speed, and is excellent router runner.” Chisum committed early to Cincinnati over West Virginia, Kentucky, Louisville, and Mississippi State, among others.
Dustin Christian, RB, Calhoun: The 5-9, 170-pounder had a showdown in last week’s Class AA semifinals with Carver’s Isaiah Crowell — ranked by some as the nation’s No. 1 college prospect at tailback — and it was Christian who finished with the most rushing yards. Christian has 200 carries for 1,509 yards and 22 TDs and committed to Tennessee-Chattanooga over East Carolina and Georgia Southern, among others.
Jeff Greene, WR, Starr’s Mill: The 6-6, 200-pounder has enormous athletic potential and has enjoyed a respectable senior year, catching 26 passes for a team-high 482 yards and four TDs. His longest reception of the season was 62 yards. Greene quickly accepted an early offer from Georgia Tech, while also considering Duke, Cincinnati and South Florida, among others.
Dillon Lee, LB, Buford: It’s hard to project the college position for Lee because he can do so many things. The 6-4, 230-pounder has only 15 receptions — but 10 have gone for touchdowns. Lee also starts at linebacker and has 85 tackles, 10 tackles for losses, 5 sacks and 5 interceptions. The junior has early offers from Alabama, Miami, Clemson, North Carolina, Oregon and South Carolina.
Cameron Lynch, LB, Brookwood: Broncos coach Mark Crews is not the type to hype his players, but he can’t hold back on Lynch: “I don’t know that I’ve seen a better defensive player this year … he ought to be the state defensive player of the year if we’re fortunate enough to win Saturday.” Lynch has Nintendo-like stats — 175 tackles, 28 QB hurries, 18 sacks and 4 interceptions. He has a 3.8 with all AP and advanced classes, and is committed to Syracuse.
Andre Sims, WR, Brookwood: The 5-9, 170-pounder holds most of the Gwinnett school’s receiving records. He has 47 catches for 728 yards and 6 TDs. Sims is playing both ways this year, also starting at his project college position of cornerback, registering 59 tackles and 9 pass breakups. He committed early to Michigan State. “He is dynamic on both sides of the ball,” Crews said.
Broderick Snoddy, RB, Carrollton: The 5-10, 187-pounder may be the state’s fastest football player after winning Class AAA track state championships in the 100 meters (10.76 seconds) and 200 meters (21.91). He has rushed for 1,300 yards this year and recently committed to Georgia Tech, where he is projected to play A-back and kick returner.
Xzavier Ward, OT, Colquitt County: The 6-7, 260-pounder may be the state’s best prospect at left tackle in the last five years. Colquitt’s Propst has coached several players that went to the NFL and says the basketball-turned-football player “is as good or better than all those guys, as far as NFL potential.” Alabama and Georgia are the longtime frontrunners for Ward, who boasts more than 30 offers.
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN. We know there are a lot more than 10. Who’s the best among these 10? Who are we missing? State your case below.
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66 comments Add your comment
Anthony Jennings
December 9th, 2010
1:20 pm
Keep your eyes and ears (his blocks are bone-crushing) for Carollton’s junior Full- Back, DJ Johnson. At 5-10 and 196lbs, when he sticks his hand in the ground and comes off of the snap, he is a tailbacks fantsy the way he can clear a hole. And when they give the ball on a counter or dive play, no one player can bring him down.
99packer
December 9th, 2010
1:28 pm
Xzavier Ward may be Colquitt County’s biggest college prospect, but there will be several other players to watch out for this weekend. RB Tevin King has rushed for 1,842 yards and 35 touchdowns this year including 376 yards against MLK. QB Tyler Brown is 231-332 passing for 3,007 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. His favorite target is Tommy Hudson who has 91 catches for 1,283 yards this year.
GoMocs
December 9th, 2010
1:31 pm
Dustin Christin has committed to Chattanooga.
firewater
December 9th, 2010
1:33 pm
Clinch County WR who is a junior this year. Fred Tiller # 8
Bama Dawg
December 9th, 2010
1:36 pm
Calhoun’s Adam Griffith PK is considered the best in the nation for the class of 2012. He has offers from Alabama, LSU, and Vandy for sure. I think there are other offers. Huge weapon to establish field position and he made a 50 and 55yd FG this year.
Jefferson
December 9th, 2010
1:39 pm
Landon Curtis, Calhoun QB best kept secret in the state.
Coach
December 9th, 2010
1:48 pm
One of the best at the dome this weekend will be Dominique Swope from Buford #21.
Big Mike
December 9th, 2010
1:49 pm
Crowell – But you will watch him in the stands since Calhoun spanked their rears last week!
Big Mike
December 9th, 2010
1:50 pm
JT Palmer of Calhoun. One of the best WR in the state
Dawgs
December 9th, 2010
2:11 pm
Dillon Lee’s brother Dallas plays at UGA lets hope he follows him there.
iTiSi
December 9th, 2010
2:14 pm
I had to laugh when I saw the one selected from Colquitt Co. Not that he isn’t deserving as he is. You have a team that is one of the two finalists for the highest classification in the state, and you pick an offensive lineman? Not only that, they have set numerous records for scoring, etc. Also notice the AJC bias as there are two players from Brookwood. Guess that’s what happens when you are “just a little teeny-tiny unknown team from south GA”. Maybe after Sat. they might see one or two more players from CCHS they could have listed.
BANKS
December 9th, 2010
2:49 pm
Zach Gordon #45 Jr. TE Carrollton Trojans. Big strong TE, great blocker, incredible hands, but not many balls thrown his way in Carrollton’s run oriented offense. Watch for him at UGA or UT in two years.
Billy
December 9th, 2010
3:06 pm
I echo everything that 99packer said.
Chief
December 9th, 2010
3:13 pm
Coach, I agree D. Swope is flying under the radar. Watch out for him at the dome.
CvilleDawg
December 9th, 2010
3:14 pm
Jt palmer should be recruited by more bigtime schools & I can say the same about landon curtis.
GT Dude
December 9th, 2010
3:20 pm
How about the entire O-Line at Chattahoochee
Kiefer – Dumont – Gillison – Mills – Skillingstad
These guys are a big part of the reason that the Cougars are averaging over 40 pts per game.
old trojan
December 9th, 2010
3:26 pm
Carrollton is loaded, that is why you don’t hear so much about individual play, Carrollton has always had great athletes that sacrificed individual honors for the team, there are at least 6 D1 players on this team. Tradition never graduates!!!
Woodpecker
December 9th, 2010
3:33 pm
Sandy Creek have a DE by name of Quinteze Williams he tall and very fast. Look for him to have a big game.
Jeff in Calhoun
December 9th, 2010
3:36 pm
Landon Curtis QB, Adam Griffth PK, & JT Palmer WR all from Calhoun.
Hooch Fan
December 9th, 2010
3:39 pm
(Timmy Byerly Senior Highlights) – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acg5C6wBkzY
Jeff in Calhoun
December 9th, 2010
3:39 pm
Hunter Knight Special Teams, the kid has blocked more PAT’s, Field Goals and Punts then he is old.
Jeff in Calhoun
December 9th, 2010
3:40 pm
Hunter Knight is also from Calhoun!
CvilleDawg
December 9th, 2010
3:48 pm
biggest game this weekend as to be the buford vs calhoun game. its gonna be intense!
dobearsbare
December 9th, 2010
3:59 pm
Come on itisi, bias against South Georgia? Really? I don’t doubt the presence of prospects at Colquitt County, but they’ve got five losses. Two of those are to teams from lower classifications and another was an absolute woodshed beating against a team from Mississippi (which might have beaten any team from Georgia, but that’s beside the point). Your rant comes off a more than a little whiny. Colquitt’s a neat story, but Brookwood deserves coverage too.
Jason Berry
December 9th, 2010
4:01 pm
The best player to come out of Brookwood had to be Jon “guy pile” Sharder. This kid had skills to pay the bills for sure..I love brookwood football players
Jacket Backer
December 9th, 2010
4:44 pm
Zach Laskey of Starr’s Mill……Hope he ends up a Jacket!
Jerry
December 9th, 2010
4:46 pm
I hope Kansas State is paying attention to Timmy Byerly or vice versa. With the incredible history Coach Snyder had with Michael Bishop and Elle Roberson, he is a natural for their program. Timmy you need to send Snyder your tapes.
Snoopy
December 9th, 2010
5:09 pm
Watch out for Alex Ross.. Good field general for the AA Champs!!
footballguy
December 9th, 2010
5:25 pm
Alex Kirby Junior linebacker from Calhoun has over 120 tackles. He will rattle your teeth. Nickname: The Assasin
The Owl of Prophecy
December 9th, 2010
5:34 pm
UGA needs to throw away their copy of Rivals 100 and really evalute our in-state talent better. We need to look at more three stars that have SEC potential rather than the hot shot five stars of whom many have already peaked. Recruit based on actual need, not headlines and coach them up. I like many of Calhoun’s players, too. Just sayin’…………
Shun23
December 9th, 2010
5:38 pm
dobearsbare, i think itisi was referring to Clinch County, not Colquitt County!
Pull My Finger
December 9th, 2010
6:56 pm
Kayne Whitehurst for Chattahoochee is a stud!! Check out his Youtube videos…….dude can fly!
blueboy
December 9th, 2010
7:05 pm
Seon Jones of Buford is the one to watch. Very underated player!
Quitman dog
December 9th, 2010
10:15 pm
You better put your money on the Packers,they have played the hardest schedule in the state or maybe the NATION..I told yall last week the PACK will score early and often,look for the same this week,PACKERS win 34-20,You heard it here first………………GO PACK GO………………..
Cloud 9
December 9th, 2010
11:11 pm
I don’t know who is the best player to watch but the best games will be:
AAAAA Camden vs Lowndes
AAAA Northside vs Tucker
AAA Peach Cty vs Cairo
AA Carver vs Burke Cty
A Wilcox vs ECI
LOL
Buford weenie dogs
December 10th, 2010
2:07 am
Swope is a pretty good player,but Im telling you that Calhoun D lead by the assassin will pop his rearend and I dont see him getting over 50 yards on 22 carries…
wolfbait 67
December 10th, 2010
2:08 am
I do not know what you are smoking but evidently it must work with picks like that..pass it
Mark
December 10th, 2010
8:04 am
Tanner Burch Lb at Savannah Christian! He is a four year starter and has recorded close to 400 tackles in four years. 6′ 3″ 230! Probably one of the best unranked kids in the state and has great character, grades and faith to go with it!
risiningseniors.com
December 10th, 2010
8:21 am
Visit http://www.risingseniors.com to learn more about the AT&T Georgia Junior Bowl for high school juniors on Jan. 8th, 2011.
JIMB
December 10th, 2010
9:18 am
Colquitt needs a little love, they have written the same story that Peachtree Ridge did. They have speed and the ability to play above their potential. Brookwood should win only because they have a lot more experience in the Dome. Brookwood state champoins!!!! A great job by coach Crews who has not always had Brookwoods support.
Mikey Falluer
December 10th, 2010
9:49 am
I’ve seen Swope. He’ll run all over Calhoun if Simpson will give him the dadgum ball.
packerbacker
December 10th, 2010
9:49 am
Nobody needs love from the press, nobody needs to know the players to watch. When the game is over you will know what names you heard the most and the impact they had. Just glad The Pack will be on turf and surprise the brookwoods with its quickness. Scout team did not simulate what they will face at the dome.
billy
December 10th, 2010
10:25 am
colquitt watch out, brookwood likes to play dirty
Stephen
December 10th, 2010
10:41 am
Kane Whitehurst and Josh Gregory for Chattahoochee in the AAAA finals are 2 guys to watch. Kane is a speedy return man and WR. Gregory is a SS who has a knack for always being around the football
Madison
December 10th, 2010
10:55 am
GO BUFORD WOLVES!!!!!
4 years in a row!
#1PackerFan
December 10th, 2010
10:56 am
Go Packers. South Georgia knows how to play some football. Go Tommy Hudson, Tevin King, D’Amonte Ridley, Travis Register, Tyler Brown, Trey Scott, Octavius Jackson, Wayne Jackson, Hayden Kudela, Quan Nelson, Tommy Marshall, Blake Stamps, Octavius Little and many more. What a great group of young men, loving the game, loving the fans. Your community supports you.
waynester
December 10th, 2010
11:19 am
‘82 Packer here–also disappointed in the coverage of the 5A combatants. I guess Brookwood fans needing more info should check out Moultrieobserver.com for Packer news. How ’bout it Brookwood fans? Is there a source for info on your team out there? If so, please post it! Congrats on making it to the big game, but, GO PACK GO!
GIVE ME A BREAK
December 10th, 2010
12:25 pm
Two great players coming to GEORGIA TECH. Congrats guys, can’t wait to see you play. ” GO JACKETS “
C-Town
December 10th, 2010
12:48 pm
BigMike,…………..I.Crowell will play his first College game in the GA dome……Vs Bosie st…Can any player on Calhoun team say the same…….Thats a big fat NO!!!!
yourdawg444
December 10th, 2010
1:37 pm
considering Calhoun already has 3 players playing for Georgia and 2 for Georgia Tech, maybe you better reevaluate C-TOWN.
yourdawg444
December 10th, 2010
1:38 pm
Oh and 2 for Tennessee, I almost forgot.
LOL in Buford
December 10th, 2010
2:34 pm
Looks like this is a great place for BHS Football to find TOP prospects for next year!
CarrolltonTrojans!
December 10th, 2010
2:38 pm
Telvin Brown at Carrollton is only a junior but he is excellent! He and B.Snoddy make a great team in the backfield.
South Georgia Is Coming To Town
December 10th, 2010
7:53 pm
After Saturday I think the AJC will have no questions that Tevin King should be on this list. I have been to the games this year and this young man is awesome. He plays way bigger than his actual size and I think he will get noticed by some major colleges Saturday. Oh, and by the way yes we do have five losses but we didn’t play a pansy schedule either. That is why we were prepared for this playoff run. Good job to Coach Propst and the Colquitt County Packers and I pray for a safe game for us and Brookwood. GO PACK!!!!!
wolfbait 67
December 11th, 2010
7:28 am
Buford has been building their program since hiring the best Coach and AD in the state in D Woods back in the 90’s….winning breds winning and most parents, if they think their child could play at the next level and know that college coaches will make a round to a lot of city schools; ie….Gainesville, Calhoun, Carterville, on and on…it seems you also have more community pride and support…look at the crowd Calhoun brought, they must have shut the town down but that is what makes hi school football so great…the homecoming parades thru town, the Thursday evening pep rallys, the local radio stations doing the games either live or playback on Saturday morning, all the banners and posters lining the field, and then a good slaw dog at the game and the next 48 minutes that you push everything aside cause your team is about to take the field….Congrats to all the schools that make Friday nites in the fall worth waiting for, nuthin like waking up in the fall and smell footballs in the aie….M C and a H N Y….wb67
Raiders are BACK
December 11th, 2010
9:46 am
Enter your comments here
SAV Raider FAN
December 11th, 2010
9:48 am
Go Raiders !
tarheeldude33
December 11th, 2010
9:48 am
watch for brookwood #32 Nick Tompkins. He is the counties leading rusher and also can make big plays AT corner. he stepped in last game in the second half to hold the states leading passer to only two first downs. he is a true game changing performer
Big Don
December 11th, 2010
4:07 pm
Brookwood players to watch: Nick Tompkins(RB)!!!! Fast
Big Don
December 11th, 2010
4:08 pm
Enter your comments here
Northfulton
December 11th, 2010
10:59 pm
Kane Whitehurst (WR) from Chattahoochee recieved offers from Virginia Tech, Florida State, and Maryland after Hooch’s State Championship game. Kane already has an offer from Appalachian State. It will be interesting to see where his speed takes him. Its impressive how much one game can affect your college future.
Hoochster
December 12th, 2010
10:40 am
I am so proud of all those young men. I am sure the exposure of a State Championship will help the other great athletes on the team get great looks as well.
GO HOOCH!!! State Champions 2010!!!!!!!!!
derrick alexander sr
December 12th, 2010
11:28 am
Derrick Alexander #3 RB for sandy creek had 1300 yds on 178 carries. on the year. He’s 5′7 170 solid!!!!! I’m not saying this because he is my son, but he is due his respect. As you can see, he can play with the best of them. Check out his games over the 2010 season. He averaged 120 per game, and during the season, he did not play in most of the second half of the games throughout the season. EVERY player you named on your list that he played, he out rushed them. check the stats. Thanks for your time.
CrazyDiamond
December 12th, 2010
1:22 pm
iTiSi – Are you still there? This atricle is about who to watch and asked your opinion. It is not about inferiority complex of folks from outside Metro Atlanta. BTW did you watch the game and take not of the outcome?
John Tucker
December 12th, 2010
6:02 pm
Maybe, Colquitt County’s QB, WR’s an RB’s deserve a little attention as prospects, but I forgot AJC has syopped covering So.Ca. football except as an adjunct to Atlanta area coverage.
Old Black Panther
December 13th, 2010
11:28 pm
Clinch County WR/RB Rashad Grant #7 was running a 4.4/40 at age 15. He blew past ELCA’s Virginia Tech signee for a 32 yard pass play in the quarterfinals and had 3 receptions for 58 yards in the finals (two of which was 20+). Rashad had 33 rushes for 304 yards (4 TDs) and 20 receptions for 451 yards (3 TDs) this season. Yall do the math. On a team with seniors Tray Dorsey (1400+ yards on 200+ carrys) and Anthony McNeil (1500+ yards on 180+ carrys), where’s the room. Also watch Fred Tiller #8, he had over 700 yards receiving and 9 TDs. Did i mention they play defense? Did i mention they are juniors?