In case you were wondering, Northeast Georgia is full of football talent.
Georgia is one of the largest hotbeds for talent in the country, and Northeast Georgia is home to several players to watch.
We've compiled a list of players that will make a definite impact on the field for their respective teams in 2023.
(Stats are from the 2022 season:)
* All-AccessWDUN First Team
**All-AccessWDUN Honorable Mention
OFFENSE
QB – Dylan Raiola, SR, Buford – 6-3, 215 lbs – Raiola is the country's No. 1 QB prospect and player in the Class of 2024. He committed to Ohio State last year but de-committed in December 2022. In May, he committed to the Georgia Bulldogs. He played his junior season at Chandler High School in Arizona. In June, he announced his intent to transfer to Buford for his final season. During his junior season, Raiola completed 178 of 278 passes (64%) for 2,435 yards, 22 TDs and 5 INT while leading the Wolves to the Arizona High School state semifinals.
*QB – Baxter Wright, SR., Gainesville – 6-2, 185 lbs – Wright completed 220 of 331 for 3,343 yards, 40 TDs and 4 INT. He also rushed 102 times for 563 yards and 9 TDs.
Wright had a breakout season in 2022, leading the Red Elephants to the Class 6A title game. He's back bigger, faster and stronger in 2023.
QB – Cal Faulkner, JR, Lumpkin County – 6-3, 178 lbs – Faulkner led the team in receiving yards in 2022 but has shifted to QB this season. With his ability to run and pass, Faulkner has a chance to be one of the best QBs in the area. QB – CJ Britt, SO, QB, Lanier Christian – 6-1, 170 lbs – Britt completed 124 of 188 passes for 1,880 yards and 25 TD passing, 5 INT; 73 - 84 yards and 6 TD rushing
QB – Josh Kermode, JR, QB, Chestatee – 6-3, 185lbs – Kermode will be playing in a new system this season but has the arm talent to put up big numbers. Last season, he completed 147 of 245 passes for 1,961 yards and 14 touchdown passes.
QB – Ty Truelove, SO, QB, Rabun County – 6-1, 170 lbs – As a freshman, Truelove is expected to step in and be the next great QB at Rabun County. In 2022, Truelove completed 15 of 21 passes for 166 yards and 3 TDs.
**QB – Caiden Tanner, SR, Union County – 5-10, 180 lbs – Tanner pass for 2, 893 yards and 24 TDs in 2022 for the Panthers. He completed 68.4 percent of his passes.
*RB/LB – Sammy Brown, SR., Jefferson – 6-2, 230 lbs – Brown led the team in rushing with over 1,500 yards and 20-plus TDs, but also led the team in tackles with 113. The Clemson commit is a hard-nosed dual-threat player that gives the Dragons a chance in any game they play.
RB – Justin Baker, JR, RB, Buford – 5-10, 195 lbs – Playing second fiddle to Alabama-commit Justice Haynes, Baker still found a way to get 62 rushes for 371 rushing and 3 TDs. Baker holds 12 Power 5 offers.
RB – Karson McBrayer, JR, RB, North Forsyth – 5-11, 174lbs – McBrayer was first-team All-Region 8-6A and second-team All-Forsyth County. He rushed 718 yards and 3 TDs. He also caught 230 yards and 3 TDs
RB – Tate Ruth, SR, RB, North Hall – 5-7, 165 lbs – Ruth was second-team All-Region 8-4A and rushed 141 times for 794 yards and six TDs.
RB – Mason Sullens, SR, RB, Lumpkin County – 6-1, 220 lbs – Sullens rushed 192 times for 1,074 and 17 TDs in 2022 and was first-team All-Region 7-3A.
*RB – Jaiden Daniels, JR., Commerce – 5-8, 160 lbs – Daniels rushed over 1,400 yards and has 33 TDs in the last two seasons. Daniels will be a two-way player for the Tigers in 2023 but will still get plenty of carries in the Tigers' downhill offense.
*RB/LB -- MJ Spurlin, SR., Jackson County – 6-3, 240 lbs – Spurlin rushed for 748 yards and 9 TDs last season. He currently holds an offer from Georgia Tech. Spurlin is poised to have a breakout year on both sides of the ball for the Panthers.
**FB/DB – Tysean Wiggins, JR, CommerceFB – 5-10, 205 lbs – Wiggins was close to breaking the 1,000 yard rushing mark in 2022, turning in 950 yards and 10 TDs. He'll be part of a dominate Tiger backfield this season. He'll also see time in the secondary.
WR – Sam Acton, SR, WR, Lanier Christian – 6-1, 175 lbs – Acton was one of QB CJ Britt's best targets in 2022, hauling in 32 passes for 663 yards, 9 TD and 24 carries for 327 yards rushing and 9 TDs.
**WR – Jensen Gobles, SR, Union County – 5-10, 170 lbs – Gobles was Caiden Tanner's top target in 2022, catching 87 passes for 1,016 yards and 9 TDs. The Panther duo is set to have a massive year in 2023.
*WR/DB -- KJ Bolden, SR., Buford – 6-1, 190 lbs – Bolden is one of the most dynamic players for the Wolves. He recorded 422 yards receiving and 43 tackles last season. The Florida State commit's explosive playmaking ability on both sides of the ball gives the Wolves another powerful weapon.
*WR – Travien Watson, SR., Gainesville – 6-0, 185 lbs – Watson hauled in 57 passes for 735 yards and six TDs in 2022. He currently holds offers from six colleges and universities. He'll be one of the top targets for Baxter Wright this season.
*WR/DB – Willie Goodwyn, SR., Rabun County – 6-1, 175 lbs – Goodwyn will step into the spotlight on offense this season. He caught 20 passes for 449 yards in an offense that featured the states receiving leader Jaden Gibson last season. Now, it's his time to shine. He'll also be one of the top secondary defenders for the Wildcats in 2023.
**WR – Zeke Whittington, JR, Habersham Central – 5-10, 165 lbs – Whittington returns as one of the top receivers in Northeast Georgia. As a sophomore, he hauled in 96 passes for 984 yards and rushed for another 131 yard. He was Class 6A All-State honorable mention and should have a breakout season.
**DB/WR – KT Thompson, JR., Cherokee Bluff – 6-1, 190 lbs – Thompson recored five interceptions and caught 20 passes for 266 yards last season.
*TE – Sky Niblett, SR., Gainesville – 6-0, 215 lbs – Niblett caught 30 passes for 450 yards, 11 touchdowns and held a 90 percent blocking grade in 2022. Probably the best hands on the team, Niblett not only gets in done on the field, but is a go-to leader in and outside the huddle.
TE – Ryan Graves, SR, TE, Cherokee Bluff – 6-3, 235 lbs – Graves missed his junior season with a knee injury but is back healthy for the 2023 campaign. He was All-Region first team in 2021 and was All-State honorable mention. He’s poised for a breakout season.
*OL – Caleb Williford, SR., Cherokee Bluff – 6-6, 280 lbs – Williford graded out at 85 percent last season and recorded 42 pancake blocks. The massive lineman will provide plenty of precaution for Bluff QB Asher Wilson in 2023.
**OL – Alex Payne, JR, OL, Gainesville – 6-6, 270 lbs – Payne has an offer from Kentucky and is a first-team All-Region 8-6A selection. In his junior season, he posted an 80-percent blocking grade and 9 pancakes.
OL – Dylan Villarouel, JR, OL, NoFo – 6-4, 282 lbs – Villarouel was a key member of the Raiders’ OLine in 2022, so much so that he got the attention of Kentucky, Georgia Tech, NC State and South Carolina.
DEFENSE
S – Carter Barrett, SR, Habersham Central – 6-0, 175lbs – Barrett was first team All-Region 8-6A and Habersham Co-Defensive Player of the Year second on the team with 96 tackles, 3 pass breakups, 1 fumble recovery, 3 forced fumbles.
CB – Nate Heiss, SR CB, East Jackson, 5-10, 160 lbs – Heiss was first team All-Region 8-2A, had 34 tackles, 32 assists, 3 TFls, 3 forced fumbles and 3 INTs.
SS – JaKari Huff, JR, SS, Commerce – 5-11, 165 lbs – Huff was a first-team All-Region 8A Division 1 selection. Had 44 tackles, one INT, one caused fumble and one sack.
DL – Lane Lance, SR, Union County – 6-0, 225 lbs – Lance was first-team All-Region 8-2A. Led the team with 16 tackles for a loss, had 62 total tackles, 28 QB hurries, 5.5 sacks and 2 caused fumbles.
*DL – Eddrick Houston, SR., Buford – 6-4, 235 lbs – Houston recorded 64 tackles, 10 sacks and 11 TFL last season for the Wolves. He currently holds offers from 21 Power 5 schools. Houston is a beast on defense and lives in the backfield of the opposing offense.
**DL – Julius Columbus, JR, Gainesville – Columbus recored 55 tackles, five sacks and 12 TFL in his sophomore season for Big Red. Columbus has proven he's a force to be reckoned with on
**DL – Peyton Scott, SR, Jackson County – 6-0, 275 lbs – Scott averaged almost 10 tackles per game for the Panthers in 2022 and finished with 92 total tackles, four sacks and 10 TFL.
DE – Kadin Fossung, SO, DE, Gainesville – 6-3, 210 lbs – Fossung has an offer from the University of South Florida. Had 51 Tackles, 7 Sacks, 12 TFLs, 1 safety, 2 forced fumbles
LB – Braden Henslee, LB, Habersham Central – 5-11, 185 lbs – Henslee was first team All-Regi0n 8-6A, Class 6A All-State Honorable Mention and Habersham Co-Defensive Player of the Year. Led the team with 109 tackles and in TFLs with 11, 1 sack, 1 Int, 2 QB hurries, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble
LB – Will Moffit, SR, LB, East Forsyth – 6-0, 200 lbs – Moffit has an offer from Sewanee and was first-team All-Region 8-4A. Had 43 tackles, 2 sacks and 2 INTs.
FS – Mac Mullis, JR, Commerce – 6-0, 170 lbs – Mullis was a second-team All-Region 8A Division 1 and had 82 tackles
*LB – Jadon Perlotte, JR., Buford – 6-4, 215 lbs – Perlotte recorded 43 tackles, 4 TFL and 2 INT last season for the Wolves. Currently committed to Georgia, Perlotte is ranked as the No. 5 LB in his class.
LB – Connor Griffin, JR, LB, Cherokee Bluff – 5-9, 195 lbs – Griffin was first-team All-Region 8-4A. Led team in tackles with 94.
defense.
**LB – Carmelo Byrd, JR, Gainesville – 5-11, 200 lbs – Byrd became a playmaker last season for the Red Elephants, recording 66 tackles and four interceptions.
**LB – Brody Hancock, SR, North Forsyth – 6-2, 225 lbs – Hancock recored 42 tackles, eight sacks and seven TFL in 2022. He's expected to one of the top defenders for the Raiders in 2023.
2022 Stats: 42 tkls, 8 sacks, 7 tfls
**LB – Zeke Harris, SR, North Hall – 6-2, 185 lbs – Harris led the Trojans with 120 tackles in 2022. He returns as one of the best linebackers in the area in 2023.
LB – Trey Patterson, SR, North Hall – 5-10, 170 lbs – Patterson was second-team All-Region 8-4A, second in tackles with 106 and in TFLs with 9.
LB – Paul Picciotti, SR, Rabun County – 6-2, 190 lbs – Picciotti was second team All-Region 8A Division 1, had 59 tackles and was second on the team with 10 TFL and led the Wildcats with 6 sacks.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2023/8/1198842/players-to-watch