Georgia

Notre Dame’s signature win over Georgia shows how different Marcus Freeman’s Irish are

Published

1 year ago

January 3, 2025

Notre Dame’s signature win over Georgia shows how different Marcus Freeman’s Irish are

NEW ORLEANS — Marcus Freeman grabbed hold of his six kids, each making their way to a podium covered by blue and white confetti. Notre Dame’s head coach had already lifted the Sugar Bowl trophy, capping a Thursday night that took everything and everyone. So Freeman stole a moment to soak in the scene Notre Dame hired him to deliver, sharing it with his family.

They’d all just watched Notre Dame beat Georgia 23-10 to advance to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff.

Inside the Caesars Superdome, Freeman became something bigger than the first-time head coach thrust into the top job three years ago after Brian Kelly’s abrupt exit for LSU, only because he had Notre Dame at his back. His program played fearless football against the kind of opponent that had made it feel inferior for so long. The Irish went for it on fourth down, and when they didn’t get it, they forced a four-and-out. When they wanted to burn clock in the fourth quarter, they made Georgia panic with a mass substitution that got the Bulldogs to jump offside.

The Irish sprung their first kickoff return touchdown of the season, buoyed by a Marshall transfer. Notre Dame created two massive turnovers, one of which was a strip sack by a Duke transfer that set up a touchdown pass to a Clemson transfer. A South Carolina transfer hit three field goals. And when the Irish needed a fourth-down stop near the goal line, a transfer from Northwestern broke the pass up.

This Notre Dame team did what no Notre Dame team has done in 31 seasons and won a major bowl game. And it did it only because its head coach manifested this scene into reality, pulling every available lever and finding every possible edge. The Irish needed them all.

“That’s the aggressiveness in terms of our preparation that I want our program to have, and again, out there when it matters the most,” Freeman said. “That’s got to be one of our edges, that we are going to be an aggressive group and not fear making mistakes.”

The end result sends Notre Dame to the Orange Bowl to face Penn State on Jan. 9, one week after this signature win that included so many autographs. It would be impossible to read off them all, starting with the head coach and going all the way down to the walk-on receiver Leo Scheidler, who helped spring Jayden Harrison’s 98-yard kickoff return to open the third quarter.

JAYDEN HARRISON
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— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) January 2, 2025

Notre Dame needed every leading actor and bit part to follow the script. And the entire football program remembered its lines.

“They’re incredible kids. They are the best of the best,” said defensive coordinator Al Golden. “I think they choose Notre Dame for all the right reasons. It’s not me, me, me. Any of those guys to come here and submit to the program and put your ego aside and go for team glory? That’s rare. Rare. Rare. Rare.”

Golden’s defense delivered without star defensive tackle Rylie Mills and cornerback Benjamin Morrison, both lost for the season to injury. And so reserve defensive tackles Gabriel Rubio and Donovan Hinish stood tall, especially after Howard Cross III left with an ankle injury. Cornerbacks Christian Gray and Leonard Moore continue to fill in for Morrison. And when All-American safety Xavier Watts missed time, Rod Heard II stepped forward.

“All of us who decided to join the team for our last year committed ourselves to this vision of being national champions,” Heard said. “We’ve leaned into Notre Dame. Whatever I have to do for this team, that’s what I’m gonna get done.”

Inside the Notre Dame locker room, RJ Oben cradled the game ball given to him by Freeman. For one night he wasn’t the other transfer from Duke, Oben was the guy who made his first sack in an Irish uniform, dropping Gunner Stockton in the final seconds of the first half and forcing a fumble recovered by Junior Tuihalamaka. One snap later, Riley Leonard hit Beaux Collins for a 13-yard touchdown, Notre Dame’s only offensive touchdown in the game.

“If you’re gonna make a game-changing play, now is the time,” Oben said. “We came here knowing this is a big stage and this is why we’re here, to perform in a season like this. All the guys.”

GO DEEPER

Mandel’s Final Thoughts: Rust Belt schools get their CFP revenge in quarterfinals

But how Notre Dame put down Georgia said less about personnel than the culture connecting it. The Irish got production from virtually every transfer against the Bulldogs, none of those players wanted by the SEC champions. And Notre Dame got much from its core too, an offensive line that’s grown throughout the season into a group that could spring a 12-play, 41-yard drive in the fourth quarter that bled 7:36 of clock and left the Bulldogs without recourse.

A punt has never looked so good.

“It’s Notre Dame football at its finest. They delivered their very best when their very best was needed,” said offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock. “We probably set offensive football back 15 years. But we did what we needed to do to win.”

Notre Dame will meet Penn State in the CFP semifinals. (Sean Gardner / Getty Images)

Notre Dame did it because Freeman called the biggest game of his life, the day after a tragedy on Bourbon Street pushed the Sugar Bowl back a day.

At breakfast, Golden counseled defensive backs coach Mike Mickens that Notre Dame needed to stay aggressive in coverage, even if the Irish got beat with a deep ball. And they did get beat with Stockton’s arm. And they did stay aggressive.

Freeman knew he needed something big from special teams, no matter how much Jeter had struggled through injury this season and no matter what it took from special teams coordinator Marty Biagi. Freeman got that too. After the game, Biagi wore his father Stephen’s Notre Dame jacket, honoring him after he succumbed to lung cancer four hours after the Indiana game late last month. Just a day before Notre Dame beat the Hoosiers, Biagi’s wife gave birth to the couple’s twins. A girl and a boy. Their names are Brooke Renee and Stephen Jacob.

“He wouldn’t have wanted, as a Notre Dame grad, to go any other way,” Biagi said. “I know he was up there tonight watching. Trying to make him proud.”

Stephen Biagi would have been as Jeter drilled field goals from 44, 48 and finally 47 yards early in the fourth quarter to put Notre Dame ahead by the final score. And Harrison’s kickoff return did feel like divine intervention as he cut through Georgia’s coverage units, sprung by a walk-on receiver’s block after Scheidler subbed in for starter Collins, who needed an IV at halftime.

Even not punting worked, as Notre Dame tried that mass substitution on fourth-and-1 from its own 18-yard line early in the fourth, rushing the punt unit off and the offense on, trying to get Georgia to jump offside. Notre Dame had no intention of actually snapping the ball, until Jalon Walker jumped.

The play was called “Got ’Em.”

“And we did,” Denbrock said.

In the Superdome tunnels, Denbrock tried to make sense of this all, less the game he just called and more what it meant for the program he’d called it for. This is Denbrock’s third stint at Notre Dame under his third head coach. He’s been in these games. Never won them. No one around Notre Dame has, amid a major bowl losing streak that dates back to Lou Holtz and covers the tenure of four other head coaches. Most of these games haven’t been close. They’ve been supposed referendums on what Notre Dame football can be in the modern age.

And now Notre Dame is something else entirely.

“We’ve all endured all of these ‘we don’t belong’ and ‘you’re not supposed to be here’ and all that stuff that we’ve had to deal with all those years,” Denbrock said. “To see those kids erase that, at least for the time being, and do the things, that was all about heart and toughness.

“Regardless of the stage we’ve been on, we’ve been true to who we are. I’m just so happy for everybody.”

Because that’s exactly what this required.

Everybody.

GO DEEPER

CFP semifinals first look: Previewing Notre Dame-Penn State, Ohio State-Texas

(Top photo: Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images)

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Georgia

Wilkinson scores 31 points as high-scoring No. 23 Georgia tops Auburn 104-100 in OT

Published

10 hours ago

January 3, 2026

Press Room

Wilkinson scores 31 points as high-scoring No. 23 Georgia tops Auburn 104-100 in OT

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) Jeremiah Wilkinson scored 31 points, including two 3-pointers in overtime, and No. 23 Georgia kept up its high-scoring pace as the Bulldogs held off Auburn 104-100 on Saturday in the Southeastern Conference opener for each team.

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Georgia

Best in Georgia: 2025 AJC Varsity high school football all-state teams

Published

6 days ago

December 29, 2025

Press Room

AJC Varsity

This year, athletes were honored outside the first team as the AJC Varsity Next 25 for Classes 2A through 6A and Next 20 for the two Class A divisions.

Creekside quarterback Cayden Benson was named the GHSA Class 4A offensive player of the year. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

From AJC Super 11 selections to breakout players to watch, here are the 2025 Georgia high school football all-state teams, divided by GHSA classification.

This year, we recognize the athletes who were honored outside the first team as the AJC Varsity Next 25 for Classes 2A through 6A and Next 20 for the two Class A divisions.

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AJC Varsity all-classification player of the year

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Buford running back Tyriq Green carries the ball for yards during the first half against Milton at Phillips Beard Stadium, Thursday, August, 14, 2025, in Buford, Ga. Buford won 20-13. Buford’s Tyriq Green is an AJC Super 11 and a Georgia commitment. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Class 6A

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Offense

QB – Aiden Watson, Harrison, 5-11, 175, So.
RB – Cam Wood, Carrollton, 5-8, 190, Sr.
RB – Marquis Fennell, Valdosta, 5-10, 185, Jr.
WR – Aaron Gregory, Douglas County, 6-3, 190, Sr.
WR – Ryan Mosley, Carrollton, 6-2, 210, Sr.
TE – Max Patterson, North Gwinnett, 6-6, 240, Jr.
OL – Brandon Anderson, North Cobb, 6-4, 312, Sr.
OL – Graham Houston, Buford, 6-5, 305, Sr.
OL – Zach Lewis, North Gwinnett, 6-4, 280, Sr.
OL – Tyreek Jemison, Paulding County, 6-5, 325, Sr.
OL – Zykie Helton, Carrollton, 6-2, 290, Sr.
ATH – Peyton Zachary, Carrollton, 5-7, 165, Sr.
PK – Carter Genchi, Hillgrove, 5-9, 160, Sr.

Defense

DL – Bryce Perry-Wright, Buford, 6-2, 250, Sr.
DL – Katrell Webb, Collins Hill, 6-3, 240, Sr.
DL – Deuce Geralds, Collins Hill, 6-2, 280, Sr.
DL – Jordan Carter, Douglas County, 6-4, 265, Sr.
LB – Tyler Atkinson, Grayson, 6-2, 210, Sr.
LB – Jake Godfree, North Gwinnett, 6-0, 215, Jr.
LB – Braxton Rembert, Mill Creek, 6-6, 210, Sr.
LB – Richard Dyce, Douglas County, 6-0, 220, Sr.
DB – Joshua Burks, Norcross, 5-11, 185, Sr.
DB – Chauncey Davis, North Gwinnett, 6-1, 190, Sr.
DB – Dorian Barney, Carrollton, 6-0, 170, Sr.
DB – Jamar Owens, Douglas County, 6-0, 175, Sr.
P – Jake Snyder, Denmark, 6-1, 175, Sr.
2W – Tyriq Green, Buford, 6-0, 200, Sr.

AJC Varsity 25 Next

DB/ATH – Casey Barner, McEachern, 6-0, 190, So.
DL – Darryl Rivers, McEachern, 6-5, 270, Sr.
DL – Dre Quinn, Buford, 6-4, 228, Sr.
LB – Olrick Johnson III, Harrison, 6-0, 210, Jr.
LB – Noah LaVallee, Walton, 6-2, 220, Sr.
LB – Blaize Battaglia, Milton, 6-1, 215, Jr.
LB – Deion Miller, Buford, 6-0, 220, Sr.
LB – CJ Gamble, Carrollton, 6-1, 225, Sr.
LB – Brayden Wesley Ruis, Colquitt County, 6-0, 210, Sr.
LB – Eli Harris, Grayson, 6-1, 200, Jr.
LB – Zamarian Williams, Valdosta, 5-10, 180, Sr.
OL – Jordan Agbanoma, Grayson, 6-3, 295, Jr.
OL – Ben Corhei, Lowndes, 6-5, 295, Sr.
PK/P – Elijah Frey, Norcross, 6-2, 195, Sr.
QB – Jordan Do, Archer, 5-11, 190, Sr.
QB – RayShaun Parks, Peachtree Ridge, 6-0, 205, Sr.
QB – Tyrieke Wade, Valdosta, 6-1, 185, Sr.
RB – Noriega Thompson, Walton, 5-9, 180, Sr.
RB – Brayden Tyson, Brookwood, 6-2, 235, Jr.
RB – Jae Lamar, Colquitt County, 6-0, 205, Sr.
RB – Mason Woods, Lowndes, 5-9, 175, Jr.
RB – Zach Belyeu, North Cobb, 5-11, 215, So.
RB/LB – Andrew Davis, West Forsyth, 5-9, 180, Sr.
WR – DJ Huggins, Harrison, 6-0, 175, Jr.
WR – DJ Miller, Newton, 5-11, 175, Sr.

Class 5A

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Offense

QB – Trey Smith, Roswell, 6-0, 205, Sr.
QB – Jaylen Johnson, Thomas County Central, 6-2, 220, Sr.
RB – Will Rajecki, Sequoyah, 5-11, 195, Sr.
RB – Christian “Deuce” Lawrence, Thomas County Central, 5-9, 185, Sr.
WR – Wills Campbell, Roswell, 6-1, 200, Sr.
WR – Jeremy Winston, Rome, 6-3, 170, Sr.
TE – Xavier Tiller, Hughes, 6-5, 215, Sr.
OL – Kelsey Adams, Hughes, 6-6, 300, Jr.
OL – Jared Doughty, Banneker, 6-6, 300, Sr.
OL – Krew Moledor, Gainesville, 6-4, 275, Sr.
OL – Alex Brewer, Sequoyah, 6-4, 315, Sr.
OL – Artem Korchagin, Thomas County Central, 6-4, 315, Sr.
PK – Quint Johnson, Newnan, 5-10, 180, Sr.

Defense

DL – Jamarion Matthews, Gainesville, 6-3, 255, Sr.
DL – Elijah Patmon, Northside-Warner Robins, 6-4, 295, Jr.
DL – Cam Brooks, Thomas County Central, 6-2, 225, Sr.
DL – Kadin Fossung, Gainesville, 6-3, 220, Sr.
LB – Tristan Lester, Milton, 5-11, 195, Sr.
LB – Brody Duffy, Roswell, 5-10, 185, Sr.
LB – Chad Fairchild, Lovejoy, 6-1, 235, Sr.
LB – Xavier Griffin, Gainesville, 6-4, 215, Sr.
DB – Blake Stewart, Woodward Academy, 6-0, 175, Sr.
DB – Jorden Edmonds, Sprayberry, 6-3, 180, Sr.
DB – Kealan Jones, Sprayberry, 6-1, 190, Sr.
DB – Jordan Smith, Houston County, 6-3, 200, Sr.
P – Afton Rowles, Woodward Academy, 6-1, 160, Jr.
2W – Darnell Collins, Rome, 6-3, 190, Sr.

AJC Varsity 25 Next

DB – Israel Prince-Oyakhire, Shiloh, 6-2, 190, Jr.
DB – Aamaury Fountain, Northside-Warner Robins, 6-3, 186, Jr.
DL – Ayden Cain, Gainesville, 6-1, 275, Sr.
DL – Omar Holland, Villa Rica, 6-1, 205, Sr.
DL/OL – Christian Speakman, Morrow, 6-4, 330, Sr.
LB – Rodney Colton Jr., Newnan, 6-2, 225, Sr.
LB – Brysen Davies, Northgate, 6-0, 210, Sr.
LB – Deacon Wiley, Jackson County, 5-11, 195, Sr.
LB/TE – Westen Ard, Houston County, 6-2, 225, Sr.
OL – Shavezz Dixon, Lee County, 6-4, 305, Jr.
OL – Landon Ghea, Milton, 6-5, 260, Fr.
QB – Grant Moore, Brunswick, 6-1, 200, Sr.
QB – Kharim Hughley, Gainesville, 5-11, 190, Jr.
QB – Aidan McPherson, Rome, 5-10, 180, Jr.
RB – Qwantavius Wiggins, Hughes, 5-10, 195, Sr.
RB – Daylan Maxwell, Jackson County, 5-7, 175, Jr.
RB – MJ Dowdy, Winder-Barrow, 5-11, 205, Sr.
RB – Nigel Newkirk, Gainesville, 5-11, 200, Jr.
TE – Grant Haviland, Milton, 6-5, 235, Jr.
TE – Heze Kent, Brunswick, 6-7, 285, Sr.
TE – Carter Blackwell, Lee County, 6-4, 210, Jr.
WR – Dylan Green, Kennesaw Mountain, 6-3, 175, Sr.
WR – MJ Mathis, Houston County, 6-2, 195, Sr.
WR – Jaden Upshaw, Lee County, 6-2, 202, Jr.
WR – Jabari Watkins, Thomas County Central, 6-2, 180, Jr.

Class 4A

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Offense

QB – Cayden Benson, Creekside, 5-11, 172, Sr.
RB – Quinterrius “Moonie” Gipson, Kell, 5-10, 200, Jr.
RB – Jonaz Walton, Central-Carrollton, 5-10, 205, Sr.
WR – Jordan Christie, Southwest DeKalb, 5-11, 190, Jr.
WR – Craig Dandridge, Cambridge, 6-1, 180, Sr.
WR – Brady Marchese, Cartersville, 6-1, 183, Sr.
OL – Jaylon Moore, Creekside, 6-4, 290, Jr.
OL – Chase Lewandowski, Kell, 6-2, 305, Sr.
OL – Jared Smith, Stockbridge, 6-5, 335, Sr.
OL – Bear McWhorter, Cass, 6-4, 300, Sr.
OL – Langston Hogg, Cartersville, 6-2, 275, Sr.
ATH – Chris “Bubba” Frazier, Benedictine, 5-11, 180, Sr.
PK – Leo Attard, Cambridge, 6-0, 180, Sr.

Defense

DL – Bryce Robinson, Locust Grove, 6-3, 270, Sr.
DL – Kameron Cody, Benedictine, 6-2, 285, Sr.
DL – LaDamion Guyton, Benedictine, 6-3, 225, Sr.
DL – Xavier Joseph, Eastside, 6-2, 240, Sr.
LB – Decari Farley, Creekside, 6-0, 185, Sr.
LB – Tavarre Terrell, Creekside, 5-11, 240, Jr.
LB – Owen Hare, Marist, 5-10, 170, Jr.
LB – David “DJ” Jacobs, Blessed Trinity, 6-5, 235, Jr.
DB – Jontavius Wyman, Jonesboro, 6-0, 180, Sr.
DB – Cortez Redding, Jonesboro, 6-0, 180, Sr.
DB – Kamarui Dorsey, Hampton, 6-3, 200, Jr.
DB – Micah Williams, Benedictine, 6-0, 200, Sr.
P – Jackson Andrews, Walnut Grove, 6-0, 180, Sr.
2W – Brayden Rouse, Kell, 6-3, 215, Sr.

AJC Varsity 25 Next

ATH – Xavier “Deuce” Butler, Lithonia, 5-10, 185, Sr.
DL – Malik Glass, Mays, 6-1, 290, Sr.
DL – Cassius Burch, Creekside, 6-0, 255, Jr.
DL – Dawson Jacobs, Blessed Trinity, 6-3, 260, So.
LB – Major Levell, Creekside, 5-10, 195, Jr.
LB – Braylon Jackson, Lithonia, 6-0, 215, Sr.
LB – Khamari Brooks, North Oconee, 6-4, 240, Sr.
LB – Luke Burnett, North Oconee, 5-11, 205, Sr.
LB – David Parson, Union Grove, 6-2, 225, Jr.
OL/DL – Brady Barry, Marist, 6-4, 256, Sr.
PK – Aditya Kaul, Westminster, 5-11, 185, Sr.
PK – Tyler Baradel, Marist, 6-0, 167, Jr.
QB – Braylon Carter, Southwest DeKalb, 6-3, 200, Sr.
QB – Brodie McWhorter, Cass, 6-3, 205, Sr.
QB – Caine Woods, Dalton, 6-2, 180, So.
QB – Harrison Faulkner, North Oconee, 6-1, 190, Sr.
QB – Nate Russell, Cartersville, 6-3, 200, Sr.
QB – Stephen Cannon, Benedictine, 6-2, 195, Sr.
QB – JR Harris, Central-Carrollton, 5-10, 175, Jr.
QB – Joshua Scott, Stockbridge, 6-0, 175, Jr.
RB – Gary Walker, Creekside, 6-0, 200, Jr.
RB – Kalil Charles, Cass, 5-11, 185, So.
WR – X’Zavier Cannon, Warner Robins, 5-10, 165, So.
WR – Jamario Rice, Ware County, 6-0, 185, Sr.
WR/DB – Dawson Batemon, Marist, 6-2, 193, Sr.

Class 3A

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Offense

QB – Caleb Hill, Sandy Creek, 6-1, 195, Jr.
RB – Amari Latimer, Sandy Creek, 6-0, 215, Sr.
RB – Ty Cummings, West Laurens, 5-7, 180, Sr.
WR – Cole Cable, North Hall, 6-0, 165, Jr.
WR – Justin Beasley, Calhoun, 5-10, 150, Sr.
TE – Mason Hall, Oconee County, 6-4, 215, Jr.
OL – Bear Fretwell, Southeast Bulloch, 6-7, 310, Sr.
OL – Grady Howell, West Laurens, 6-5, 290, Sr.
OL – Liam Thompson, Harlem, 6-3, 290, Sr.
OL – Mason McGill, North Hall, 6-4, 270, Sr.
OL – Mason Townsend, Monroe Area, 6-2, 285, Sr.
ATH – Tamari Curry, Westside-Augusta, 5-9, 165, Sr.
PK – Cooper Metcalf, LaGrange, 6-0, 175, So.

Defense

DL – John Amofah Jr., Douglass, 6-1, 270, Jr.
DL – Kwame “K.J.” Green, Stephenson, 6-5, 225, Jr.
DL – JT Austin, Sandy Creek, 6-2, 210, Jr.
DL – Sager Quinn, Calhoun, 6-3, 290, Sr.
LB – Alec Upshaw, Calhoun, 6-3, 235, Sr.
LB – Malachi Character, Upson-Lee, 6-1, 205, Sr.
LB – Augshawn Izzard, Jenkins, 6-2, 220, Sr.
LB – Darren Pinkard, Jefferson, 6-2, 220, Sr.
DB – KJ Deriso, Whitewater, 6-1, 175, Sr.
DB – Markel “Chino” Aguirre, Luella, 6-0, 200, Sr.
DB – Chance Payne, Jefferson, 6-0, 175, Sr.
DB – Rod Smith Jr., Sandy Creek, 5-10, 175, Sr.
P – Jake Collett, Heritage-Ringgold, 6-0, 175, Sr.
2W – Bryian Duncan, Cairo, 5-9, 160, Jr.

AJC Varsity 25 Next

DB – Zy’Corius Huzzie, LaGrange, 6-1, 173, Jr.
DB – Chase Usher, Sandy Creek, 5-10, 175, Sr.
DB – Ta’Shawn Poole, Howard, 6-2, 185, Jr.
DL – Evan Harvey, Sandy Creek, 6-3, 245, Sr.
DL – Dacian Davis, Monroe Area, 6-1, 265, Sr.
LB – Jeremiah Culpepper, Troup, 6-2, 205, Jr.
LB/RB – Marty Thomas, Richmond Academy, 6-1, 205, Sr.
LB/RB – Jaylen Teall, Cairo, 5-9, 170, Jr.
LB/RB – Shannon Adkins, West Laurens, 6-2, 225, Sr.
LB/RB – Parker Carlton, North Hall, 5-11, 190, Sr.
OL – Carson Shattuck, LaGrange, 6-0, 295, Sr.
OL – Solomon Mathis, Hephzibah, 6-5, 305, Sr.
OL – Cam’Ron Thompson, Jenkins, 6-3, 315, Sr.
QB – Jamarcus Harrison, East Hall, 6-3, 192, Sr.
QB – Alex Schlieman, North Hall, 6-1, 205, Jr.
QB – Garrison Edwards, Troup, 5-10, 185, Sr.
QB – Dylan Barber, LaGrange, 6-0, 185, Sr.
QB – Gavin Nuckolls, Northwest Whitfield, 6-0, 170, Sr.
QB – Justin Murphy, North Clayton, 6-1, 195, Jr.
RB – Jayden Johnson, Stephenson, 5-10, 185, Jr.
RB – Nolan Matthews, Lumpkin County, 6-0, 190, Sr.
RB – Ashton Barton, Peach County, 5-7, 145, Jr.
WR/DB – Dylan Haley, Cherokee Bluff, 6-2, 185, Jr.
WR/DB – Dominique Johnson, Jenkins, 5-10, 170, Sr.
WR/DB – Mason Stephens, Mary Persons, 5-10, 160, So.

Class 2A

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Offense

QB – Davis Strickland, Morgan County, 6-3, 210, Sr.
RB – Jaiden Knight, Appling County, 6-0, 185, Jr.
RB – Christian Monfort, Morgan County, 5-11, 205, Sr.
RB – Jae’Veon Williams, Pierce County, 5-10, 185, Jr.
WR – Jaris Sinkfield, Thomson, 5-9, 145, Sr.
WR – Gavin Green, Rockmart, 5-9, 165, So.
OL – Jaiden Tyler, Carver-Atlanta, 6-3, 280, Sr.
OL – Chris Booker, Hapeville Charter, 6-4, 285, Sr.
OL – Jaiden Thompson, Rockmart, 6-4, 290, Jr.
OL – Parker Pritchett, Carver-Columbus, 6-5, 310, Sr.
OL – Terrance Warren III, Carver-Columbus, 6-5, 330, Jr.
ATH – Hudson Hulett, North Murray, 5-10, 180, Sr.
PK – Luke Waters, Stephens County, 6-2, 185, Sr.

Defense

DL – Michael Johnson Jr., Carver-Atlanta, 6-1, 230, Sr.
DL – Tyrone Fitten, Callaway, 6-2, 290, Sr.
DL – NicQuayvion Simmons, Carver-Columbus, 6-3, 305, Sr.
DL – Tristian Givens, Carver-Columbus, 6-4, 215, Sr.
LB – Rashad Williamson, Hapeville Charter, 6-1, 190, Sr.
LB – Xavious Anderson, Callaway, 6-1, 215, Sr.
LB – Jaeden Taylor, Carver-Columbus, 6-1, 205, So.
LB – Nate Davis, Rockmart, 5-11, 205, Sr.
DB – Zion Crawford, Hapeville Charter, 6-1, 185, Sr.
DB – Kennedi Bailey, Thomson, 6-3, 175, Sr.
DB – Antavius Watts, Carver-Columbus, 6-0, 185, Sr.
DB – Aaron Kearse, Sumter County, 6-1, 205, Sr.
P – Brooks Moore, Cook, 6-0, 205, Sr.
2W – Terrious Favors, Carver-Atlanta, 5-10, 175, Sr.

AJC Varsity 25 Next

ATH – Zay’Veion Brinson, Thomson, 5-11, 190, Jr.
DB – Ronquavious Morris, Burke County, 6-0, 165, So.
DB/WR – Rashaad Silver, Columbia, 6-2, 180, Jr.
DB/WR – Travion Callaway, KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, 5-9, 150, Jr.
DB/WR – Ramarcus Simpson II, Hart County, 6-3, 185, Sr.
DL – Carlin Ervin, Crisp County, 6-1, 257, Sr.
DL – Marcus Taylor, Laney, 6-1, 245, Sr.
DL – Wihtlley Cadeau, Washington, 6-5, 295, Sr.
DL – Joshua Coleman, Sumter County, 6-2, 300, Sr.
LB – Jabari Dawson, Cook, 5-9, 180, Jr.
LB – Elliott Harbin, Franklin County, 6-0, 180, So.
LB – Brody Jenkins, Morgan County, 6-0, 200, Sr.
LB – Kendall Thomas, Sumter County, 5-10, 195, Sr.
OL – Chris Hector, Columbia, 6-5, 305, Jr.
QB – Sean Vandiver, Burke County, 5-11, 165, Sr.
QB – Thomas Winston IV, Miller Grove, 6-0, 170, Sr.
QB – Tucker Parson, Rockmart, 6-3, 170, Fr.
QB – Chaz Pate, Sonoraville, 6-0, 190, Sr.
QB – Elijah Fudge, Spencer, 6-0, 170, Jr.
RB – Zachary Watts, Carver-Columbus, 5-11, 175, Fr.
RB – Trevon Rogers, Tattnall County, 5-10, 180, Sr.
RB/LB – Haddon Fries, Ringgold, 5-6, 175, Sr.
WR – Deshaun Fedd, Crisp County, 6-1, 175, Sr.
WR – Ty Tillery, Morgan County, 6-4, 200, Sr.
WR/DB – Jared Mitchell, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe, 6-4, 185, Sr.

Class A Division I

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Offense

QB – Ethan Tisdale, Heard County, 6-1, 185, Jr.
QB – Lyndon Worthy, Worth County, 6-3, 180, Jr.
RB – Justin Powell, Toombs County, 6-0, 210, Sr.
RB – Kaden Chester, Worth County, 5-8, 150, Sr.
WR – Nigel Pittman, Thomasville, 6-0, 190, Sr.
WR – Santiago Bizzell, Bacon County, 6-1, 175, Sr.
TE – Jayden Farley, Worth County, 6-0, 195, Sr.
OL – David Ford, Fitzgerald, 6-3, 270, Jr.
OL – Jacob Kilgore, Haralson County, 6-2, 230, Sr.
OL – Jordyn Campbell, Jasper County, 6-0, 285, Sr.
OL – Luke Reece, Chattooga, 6-2, 285, Sr.
OL – Keondre Roberts, McNair, 6-2, 320, Sr.
PK – Carter Allen, Bremen, 6-3, 185, Jr.

Defense

DL – Jamarcus Johnson, Toombs County, 6-5, 305, So.
DL – Max Lasseter, Heard County, 6-0, 215, Sr.
DL – Jalen Dardy, Dublin, 6-2, 220, Jr.
DL – Rinaldo Callaway III, Southwest, 6-5, 205, Sr.
LB – Chance Sims, Worth County, 6-2, 205, Sr.
LB – Hayden Roy, Toombs County, 6-1, 205, Sr.
LB – Tailen Sampson, Northeast, 5-11, 190, Sr.
LB – Kaden Carter, Lamar County, 6-2, 210, Sr.
DB – Anthony Hill Jr., Thomasville, 5-11, 185, Jr.
DB – Alex Scott, Toombs County, 5-10, 175, Jr.
DB – Madoc Garcia, Pepperell, 5-10, 180, Sr.
DB – Jauriel Bray, Dodge County, 6-1, 170, Jr.
P – Makari Williams, Thomasville, 5-9, 160, Jr.
2W – Reid Giles, Rabun County, 5-10, 185, Sr.

AJC Varsity 20 Next

ATH – Mark Durden, Jeff Davis, 5-10, 160, So.
ATH – Victor Copeland, Fitzgerald, 5-10, 150, Sr.
DB/RB – Jamarcus Knight, Dublin, 5-8, 170, Jr.
DL – Antonio Heath, Heard County, 5-8, 205, Sr.
DL – Bryson Johnson, Lamar County, 5-11, 205, Jr.
DL – Kadin Fife, Chattooga, 6-4, 295, Jr.
LB – Latrell Sellers, Jeff Davis, 6-2, 215, Sr.
LB – Lincoln Blackmon, Elbert County, 5-10, 210, Sr.
LB – Tyson King, Fitzgerald, 6-1, 220, Sr.
LB/WR – Sam Ross, Pepperell, 5-10, 185, Sr.
OL – Brock Barrett, Oglethorpe County, 6-3, 315, Sr.
OL/DL – Christian Tarver, Swainsboro, 6-2, 225, Jr.
QB – Brody Fleming, Bleckley County, 5-10, 175, Jr.
QB – Cam Hill, Thomasville, 6-2, 205, Sr.
QB – Jordan Wiggins, Northeast, 6-2, 160, Fr.
QB – Paxton Ray, Haralson County, 6-0, 160, Sr.
RB – Chance Ross, Jasper County, 6-1, 220, Jr.
RB/DB – Peyton Groce, Gordon Lee, 5-10, 180, Sr.
RB/LB – Layne Vaughn, Gordon Lee, 5-11, 205, Sr.
WR – Elliot Hamilton, Social Circle, 5-9, 170, Sr.

Class A Division II

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Offense

QB – Joshua Hopkins, Bowdon, 5-10, 175, Sr.
RB – Alvin Ricks, Wheeler County, 5-10, 215, Sr.
RB – Kelby Glaze, Lincoln County, 5-11, 190, Sr.
WR – Kaiden Prothro, Bowdon, 6-6, 218, Sr.
WR – Traeviss Stevenson, Brooks County, 6-1, 180, Sr.
OL – Christon Zanders, Telfair County, 6-2, 310, Sr.
OL – Haywood Baynor, Marion County, 6-1, 295, Sr.
OL – John Harden, Bowdon, 6-4, 305, Jr.
OL – Tony Ball, Screven County, 6-2, 250, Sr.
OL – Ry’Quavius Cratic, Early County, 6-1, 315, Sr.
ATH – Mekhi Wade, Lincoln County, 5-8, 175, Sr.
ATH – CJ McAdoo, Wilcox County, 5-10, 165, Sr.
PK – Fortson Partridge, Lincoln County, 5-11, 185, Sr.

Defense

DL – Demarrion Washington, Brooks County, 6-1, 250, Sr.
DL – Johnathan Solomon, Hawkinsville, 6-1, 195, Jr.
DL – Charles Nance, Dooly County, 6-2, 275, Jr.
DL – Justin Culver, Wheeler County, 5-11, 200, Sr.
LB – Nibraylin Welch, Greenville, 6-0, 250, Sr.
LB – Christian Elam, Lincoln County, 6-0, 212, Sr.
LB – Myles Davis, Wilcox County, 5-11, 165, Sr.
LB – Ab Marsh, Emanuel County Institute, 5-9, 165, Jr.
DB – Fred Causey, Clinch County, 5-10, 170, Sr.
DB – Chase Johnson, Emanuel County Institute, 5-10, 150, Jr.
DB – Jaedyn Terry, Manchester, 6-3, 175, Sr.
DB – Tayshawn Norris, Johnson County, 6-0, 160, Sr.
P – Zac Koehler, GMC Prep, 5-10, 170, Sr.
2W – Devonis Lee, Early County, 5-11, 185, Sr.

AJC Varsity 20 Next

ATH – Mike Ricks, Metter, 5-9, 180, Sr.
DB/WR – Berkley Perkins, Bowdon, 5-10, 180, Sr.
DL/LB – Trace Hill, Taylor County, 5-9, 200, Jr.
DL/OL – Charvis Givens, Treutlen, 6-3, 250, Sr.
DL/TE – Jamarious Luke, Jenkins County, 6-0, 225, Sr.
LB – Lucki Bailey, Bowdon, 5-9, 175, Jr.
LB – Codofee Revell, Manchester, 5-7, 165, Fr.
LB – Kyiis Mingo, Clinch County, 5-11, 200, Jr.
LB – Ziion Wesley, Johnson County, 5-8, 165, Sr.
LB/WR – Za’kari Henderson, Seminole County, 6-0, 215, Sr.
QB – Evan Grist, Early County, 5-9, 160, Sr.
QB – Traviian Miller, Clinch County, 6-2, 185, So.
QB/DB – Quenterrion Sanford, Wilkinson County, 6-2, 175, Jr.
RB – AB Hilton, Screven County, 5-11, 195, Jr.
RB – Jakeyveon “Noah” Parker, Macon County, 5-9, 198, Jr.
RB/DB – Jeremiah Scott, Johnson County, 5-7, 160, So.
RB/LB – Darrian Roberts, Atkinson County, 5-10, 190, Sr.
RB/LB – Cedarius Johnson, Warren County, 5-9, 170, Sr.
RB/OLB – Jamarion Shephard, Miller County, 6-2, 225, Jr.
WR/DB – Brandon Woolard, Charlton County, 5-9, 175, Sr.

Class 3A-A Private

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Offense

QB – Skylar Hamilton, Landmark Christian, 6-2, 190, Sr.
RB – Devon Caldwell, Hebron Christian, 5-9, 185, Sr.
RB – Mason Hollingsworth, Whitefield Academy, 6-0, 185, Sr.
WR – Keyon Standifer, Athens Academy, 5-9, 170, Jr.
WR – Jack Rhodes, Aquinas, 6-3, 180, Sr.
TE – Brice Williamson, Prince Avenue Christian, 6-3, 240, Sr.
OL – Eli Rickell, Wesleyan, 6-5, 270, Sr.
OL – Fletcher Turk, Hebron Christian, 6-6, 295, Sr.
OL – Buck Talley, Athens Academy, 6-4, 250, Sr.
OL – Jordan Dillon, Savannah Christian, 6-4, 315, Jr.
OL – Lawson Bentley, Calvary Day, 6-3, 285, Jr.
ATH – Jarvis Mathurin, Hebron Christian, 5-7, 155, Sr.
PK – Graham Anand, Greater Atlanta Christian, 5-11, 170, Jr.

Defense

DL – Alex Diffley, Lovett, 6-2, 193, Sr.
DL – Jay Varner, Calvary Day, 6-2, 305, Sr.
DL – William Dukes, Whitefield Academy, 6-2, 215, Sr.
DL – Fred Moses Jr., Hebron Christian, 6-2, 280, So.
LB – CJ Ohuabunwa, Greater Atlanta Christian, 6-2, 210, Jr.
LB – Brady Robinson, Landmark Christian, 6-0, 190, Sr.
LB – Hayes Beaver, Savannah Country Day, 6-2, 210, Sr.
LB – Albert Wilham, Hebron Christian, 5-9, 195, Jr.
DB – Brayden Bailey, Holy Innocents’, 5-9, 155, So.
DB – Max Steve, Hebron Christian, 5-9, 175, Sr.
DB – Denzell Watkins, Greater Atlanta Christian, 5-10, 170, Sr.
DB – Emerson Lewis, Calvary Day, 5-11, 190, Jr.
P – Eli Hewatt, Mount Paran Christian, 5-11, 165, So.
2W – Jonathan Granby, Fellowship Christian, 6-0, 180, Sr.

AJC Varsity 25 Next

DB/WR – Simon Cofrancesco, Fellowship Christian, 6-1, 190, Sr.
DB/WR – Preston Funk, Trinity Christian, 6-1, 175, Sr.
DL – Greg Brezina, Trinity Christian, 5-9, 180, Sr.
DL – Myles Jackson, Holy Innocents’, 6-4, 240, Sr.
LB – Will Forte, Lovett, 6-0, 210, Sr.
LB – Cooper Middleton, Christian Heritage, 6-0, 190, Jr.
LB – John Gross, Savannah Christian, 5-11, 175, Sr.
LB – Kenneth Baker III, Calvary Day, 5-11, 210, Jr.
LB – Colin Durning, Prince Avenue Christian, 5-11, 205, Jr.
OL/DL – Elijah Morrison, Hebron Christian, 6-4, 305, Jr.
QB – Michael Miller, Greater Atlanta Christian, 6-0, 170, So.
QB – James Mobley, Calvary Day, 5-9, 175, Jr.
QB – Blaise Thomas, Savannah Christian, 5-9, 180, Sr.
QB – Chap Chapman, Athens Academy, 6-1, 200, Sr.
QB – Charlie Baxter, Christian Heritage, 6-0, 175, Fr.
RB – CJ Givers, Fellowship Christian, 5-11, 195, Sr.
RB – Bakari Hamilton, Trinity Christian, 5-9, 185, Sr.
RB – PayTon Prince, Athens Academy, 6-2, 210, Sr.
RB – Andrew Beard, Prince Avenue Christian, 5-10, 192, Jr.
RB/DB – Taylor Markakis, King’s Ridge Christian, 6-0, 175, Jr.
RB/DL – Maddox Gartland, Wesleyan, 6-0, 190, Sr.
WR – Taurean Rawlins, Mount Vernon, 6-0, 170, Jr.
WR – Peyton Echols, Trinity Christian, 6-0, 175, Sr.
WR/RB – Christian Kates, Aquinas, 5-8, 170, Sr.
WR/DB – CJ Dockery, Prince Avenue Christian, 6-2, 210, Sr.

Todd Holcomb covers high school sports across the state. He rejoined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2025 and has worked with the AJC in varying capacities since 1985. He is a co-founder and editor of Georgia High School Football Daily.

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Georgia

Another Georgia Tech offensive assistant headed to Florida

Published

6 days ago

December 28, 2025

Press Room

Georgia Tech

Wide receivers coach Trent McKnight reportedly joining Gators’ staff.

Former Georgia State offensive coordinator and current Georgia Tech wide receivers coach Trent McKnight is reportedly taking a job on Florida’s staff. He will join Georgia Tech offensive coordinator, who left the Yellow Jackets to take the same position in Gainesville.

Another Georgia Tech assistant coach has left the program.

Wide receivers coach Trent McKnight is expected to take a position on the staff at Florida, according to 247Sports.

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Chad Bishop is a Georgia Tech sports reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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