Prep Zone

By Will

May 27, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

It is amazing not to see Gwinnett powers Buford and Brookwood on the list.From Cobb, you would think that Marietta and Walton would be there also.

By LG Grad

May 27, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

The number of NFL draftees from LaGrange could have easily been higher if Wesley Woodyard or Sam Olajabutu would have been drafted instead of Free Agents. Look for that number to graow in 2 years as Trey Blackmon from LG via Auburn is almost a lock for the NFL.

By Todd Holcomb

May 27, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

It is amazing not to see Gwinnett powers Buford and Brookwood on the list.From Cobb, you would think that Marietta and Walton would be there also.

Buford and Brookwood have two apiece — Tim Wansley & PK Sam of Buford and Jason Elam and Mansfield Wrotto of Brookwood.

Marietta has three — Richard Shelton, Scott Sisson and Eric Zeier. The USA Today database for some reason has Zeier with his high school in Germany, and I didn’t notice that error until you made me look up Marietta.

And Walton has none. But the Raiders have made up for it with about 16 draft picks in baseball.

By TCC Fan

May 27, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

What doesn’t surprise me is the absence of TCC players in the NFL. The reason for this is because TCC produces players that simply can’t make the grades in order to play at D-1 schools for the most part. The ones that play reguarly in college simply don’t get enough attention to be considered NFL talent, because they come from small programs like Valdosta St, Carson-Newman, etc….There have been a few over the years, but they are in a minority to be sure, and these players, with the exception of Danny Copeland and Myron Guyton, are mostly special teams types that hardly ever break the starting line-up….case in point, Joe Burns, who rarely saw anything but special teams duty with Buffalo. Kind of sad, really…one of the most dominant HS programs during the 90s, but didn’t produce any big-time NFL talent.

By Derrick Mahone

May 27, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this

Todd In 2005, the NFL released that Westlake had the most players in the league than another high school with six. The players were Keith Adams, PHI; Ian Allen, ARZ; Keyaron Fox, KC; Pacman Jones, TEN; Sean Jones, CLV; Anthony Mitchell, CIN. The interesting thing about Westlake is that it has never had a Super 11 player. Former Lion and current Georgia Bulldog Kiante Tripp made the last round of cuts for the 2005 team.

By ryan johns

May 27, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

Cullen Harper from Sequoyah will represent Cherokee County next year when he gets drafted.

By Todd Holcomb

May 27, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this

The interesting thing about Westlake is that it has never had a Super 11 player.

Only four of those six in the NFL in 2005 were drafted, so it looks like Westlake players have been underrated by more than just us. As for Kiante Tripp, I expect that he’ll be drafted in three years.

By slalom1

May 27, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this

Thank you TODD! While the subject of LG is on the board, I would like to do some PR work for the 2008 AJC SUPER 11. NAME: Qua Huzzie. SCHOOL: LaGrange POSITION: LB Of all the great players LG has produced through the years, Huzzie may be the best. Already has no less than 8 D-1 offers on the table, possibly as many as 11. Anyone can check him out on Rivals. He is the REAL deal. Did I mention that he carrries a 3.8 GPA?

By Joe Butler

May 27, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this

check out DeMatha Catholic in Hyattsville, Md. Since 1988, they may have most draft picks in entire country.

By charles bohannon

May 27, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this

Mr. Holcomb, THANK YOU for allowing LaGrange to be Recognized by your Newspaper. There is Life after Atlanta schools afterall…..I really appreciate this. There were some people in your position before you that would not have done this……Thanks Again,… Please watch Huzzie @ Linebacker this year; He is awsome!!!!

By 3652

May 27, 2008 11:48 PM | Link to this

As far as Westlake goes, Kiante Tripp will be drafted but so will Addison Williams and Cameron Newton. Also Banneker has had two drafted in Darius Watts and Greg Blue with two more on the way in Ladi Adjiboye and Carlos Thomas of South Carolina.

By SouthGARules

May 28, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this

Todd: Didn’t Paul Oliver (Harrison) go in the supplemental draft after he flunked out of UGA? It seems I remember San Diego spending a supplemental pick on him.

By J. Smith

May 28, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this

What about East Coweta HS??? Keith Brooking - ATL., Chris Hanson - Jax., Chris Young - Denver and John Keith - S.F.

THat’s four NFL players…ECHS just doesn’t get the coverage!

By TROJAN 1994

May 28, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this

Peach County

Get it Right!!!!Peach County has 5

1) Greg Lloyd (LB/ Fort Valley State)All-American 2) Jacquez Green ( WR/Florida)All-American 3) Marcus Robinson (WR/South Carolina)SEC 200 Meter Champ 4) Antone Davis (OT/Tennessee) All-American 5) Randy McMichael (WR/Georgia)All-SEC

maybe 6…

I think Terry Jolly (DT /Clemson)played with Tampa also..

COMING SOON…

Chris Slaughter (WR/Auburn)

By brw3

May 28, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

Probably the most fair way to look at the number of NFL draftees by state is to correct for population. Lousiana is the runaway winner with over 50 NFL draftees per million population. Alabama is second with 35 draftees per million. Georgia and Florida tied for third with 30 per million. Texas has 24 draftees per million and Claifornia has only 19 per million.

By Derrick Mahone

May 28, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

J. Smith The number would actually be two with Keith Booking and Chris Young being drafted. The report was for players that were drafted, not just the one that played since 1988.

TROJAN 1994 The numbers were right. Greg Lloyd was drafted in 1987. The time frame was 1988 to present.

SouthGARules Former Harrison standout Paul Oliver, who would have been a fifth-year player last season was taken by San Diego in the ‘07 supplemental draft with its 2008 fourth round pick. By the way, he was ruled academically ineligible by the NCAA, but could have remained a student in school.

By Todd Holcomb

May 28, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

Todd: Didn’t Paul Oliver (Harrison) go in the supplemental draft after he flunked out of UGA? It seems I remember San Diego spending a supplemental pick on him.

Good memory. I forgot about that. But the USA Today article does not track players taken in supplemental drafts.

By Todd Holcomb

May 28, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

**What about East Coweta HS??? Keith Brooking - ATL., Chris Hanson - Jax., Chris Young - Denver and John Keith - S.F.

THat’s four NFL players…ECHS just doesn’t get the coverage!**

I think that’s what we’ve got:

4 - Central Macon, Charlton County, East Coweta, Fulton, Griffin, Lowndes, Monroe, Parkview, Peach County, Sandy Creek, Tift County, Valdosta, Westlake

Get it Right!!!!Peach County has 5

No, it’s four. As Derrick pointed out, Lloyd was drafted in 1987. I had the pleasure of seeing Lloyd play a game in college, and that was pretty memorable. Eddie Anderson, another long-time NFL player, also played on that Fort Valley State team.

By Monroe (Albany) Class of 84

May 28, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this

Great column Todd. Deion Branch should have been two time Super Bowl MVP. Jackie Robinson is from Cairo, Jim Brown is from Savannah. All the great athletes are from South Georgia. Kudos to LaGrange, they produce great players.

By FVSU

May 28, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this

Trojan, Greg Lloyd was drafted before 1988.

By kenneth

May 28, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this

whats about Baldwin High Leory Hill and Nick Haper

By slalom1

May 28, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this

To: Charles Bohannon, Great to see you here. Since I prefer to remain under cover, I will not divulge my REAL name. But, if you are the same Charles Bohannon I know, you and I were at one time members of the same BASS club. Did not know you were a Granger fan. Hint: I was the former Outdoors Editor for the LDN. DO NOT TELL. Do you remember the early days of West Point Lake? How about Devond Morrow? Harold Langford? GREAT days and GREAT memories. As for Huzzie, he is a “Cannot Miss” for whichever school he decides upon.

By Todd Holcomb

May 28, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this

whats about Baldwin High Leory Hill and Nick Haper

Hill was drafted. I don’t believe Harper was.

By eazy

May 29, 2008 1:01 AM | Link to this

is this only who has been drafted or in the nfl b/c stephenson has a.cannon, i.route, r.ball w/ d.lions r.rogers-denver, d.minter-cardinals, k.lumpkin-packers, m.grant-jacksonville so our number would be 7 & counting & we have been open only 11 yrs but i am glad our state has so many kids going to college 1st free so keep up the gd wk A.T.L

By Granger by Marriage

May 29, 2008 8:02 AM | Link to this

I keep telling everyone LaGrange HS is probably the best kept secret(program) in Georgia. Good to see you again slalom1. Go Grangers!!!

By SWD can do

May 29, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

Buck Godfrey gets his due when you print REAL material like this. SWD has endured some tough years since the split of the surrounding neighborhoods. Many a kid at MLK/Miller Grove and Stephenson live inthe old SWD neighborhoods. The SWD teams are now spread thin with talent.But non the less, Buck seems to instill what it takes to go to the top. I Enjoyed the ride with you Buck Godfrey!

By Glynn County

May 29, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

Slight correction. Jim Brown hails from Saint Simons, not Savannah. He played high school football (and lacrosse) on Long Island.

By slalom1

May 29, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

TODD, How about a breakdown of AJC SUPER 11 players since 1988, on a school by school basis?

By Todd Holcomb

May 29, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this

TODD, How about a breakdown of AJC SUPER 11 players since 1988, on a school by school basis?

Not sure I’ll have time to do every school, but Dunwoody leads with 8. LaGrange and Parkview have 7 apiece. It’s possible somebody else is in that mix, but I believe that’s the top three.

LaGrange —

Pickett, Paul

Blackmon, Tray

Johnson, John

Thornton, Bruce

Stafford, D.J.

Hudson, Rodney

Mitchell, Blake

The history of the AJC’s Super 11, which I researched a few years aco, can be found here:

http://ghsfha.org/super11.php

By slalom1

May 29, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this

TODD, The subject of this topic is worthy of praise. But, here we are. And, once again the AAAAA fans are AWOL. Most of the topics included on this blog are inclusive of the AAAAA schools. But, once a subject which excludes them is put upon the table, they are nowhere to be found. Why? Answer: The AAAAA fans quite simply have no interest in smaller schools, regardless of their accomplishments. Personally, I would love to see the enrollments of some of Georgia’s largest schools slashed in half. Then, have them compete against the best in AA, AAA, and AAAA. That scenario might bring some clear light as to what it takes to build a championship program, which includes athletes capable of taking it to the next level. Very disappointed in the lack of interest from many of my favorite AAAAA bloggers.

By Eagle Fan

May 29, 2008 11:59 PM | Link to this

Okay, Northside is back in AAAAA this year so I will join in. First let me say that I have the utmost respect for smaller schools like LaGrange, Peach County, and Statesboro. Northside is 0-2 against the Grangers and Statesboro cost Northside a three-peat by beating NHS in 2005 SC. Northside has had great success over the last 10 years but still no NFL draftees. What does that mean? Nothing! Where smaller schools may showcase and depend on super athletes to win, football is a team sport and one super athlete cannot always carry a team to victory. (just ask TCC and the TRAIN). Also, although Northside had great athletes last year in Ivory, Green and Bass that helped the team win for sure, none of the three will probably be drafted by the NFL. Therefore although having players in the NFL is nice, its not critical to success. Next topic please!

By TROJAN 1994

May 30, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

Eagle fan

Not having NFL players usually translate into your stud athletes not qualifying for college. Your HS coaches uses them and dont help the kids get qualified.Peach County never have that problem …….

By TROJAN 1994

May 30, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

Eagle fan

Not having NFL players usually translate into your stud athletes not qualifying for college. Your HS coaches uses them and dont help the kids get qualified.Peach County never have that problem …….

By TROJAN 1994

May 30, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

Eagle fan…….

Not having NFL players usually translate into your stud athletes not qualifying for college. Your HS coaches uses them and dont help the kids get qualified.Peach County never have that problem …….

By JAMESD

May 30, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

TROJAN 1994 that’s a pretty harsh statement. Any chance you have any proof to back it up. I didn’t think so. As a 98 grad of NSH and athlete, I got to meet and play for most of the coaches. Most of them wanted only the best for their athletes/students. Please take your jealousy elsewhere.

By JAMESD

May 30, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

TROJAN 1994 that’s a pretty harsh statement. Any chance you have any proof to back it up. I didn’t think so. As a 98 grad of NSH and athlete, I got to meet and play for most of the coaches. Most of them wanted only the best for their athletes/students. Please take your jealousy elsewhere.

By Cougarmom

May 30, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

Trojan 1994’s statment may have been harsh but he does have a valid point. It would be interesting to know the stats…how many High School football players in the state of Georgia are academically ineligible to go on and play college football? To further add to that, it is a question of being seen. Some colleges have very small recruiting budgets and rely soley on combines, showcases or camps to do their recruiting. Being recruited isn’t simply the case of play your best and the offers will come. If you play for a traditionally winning program and your super 11 material then you probably don’t have to put much effort into getting your name out there but not all recruits fit that description. And a big FYI to the parents of these players - don’t blame the coach if your son’s name isn’t out there and you haven’t done anything to help. Parents have to be actively involved in this process. Ultimately, it is a very SMALL percentage of players that will make it to the big game simply due to limited opportunities. How many high school players go on to play college? How many of those go on from college to play pro? This was an interesting topic to read Todd!

By Ernest

May 30, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this

Todd:

Thanks for posting the link of the history for HS football in GA. For someone like myself that is interested to know the roads taken to arrive where we are today, it is a WEALTH of information.

By yo

May 30, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

Slalom if staying quiet is what makes you mad maybe I should do it more often. :-) Actually I am not surprised to see Lagrange at the top of the list. I would also not be surprised to find that blood lines don’t somehow impact some of this, such as the Bailey’s of Charlton. See you didn’t know I knew any thing about small schools did you? Or like on another blog when one of my favorite bloggers didn’t know who the top programs in the “smallest” (I guess too small for you) in class A was and i had to answer for him.

By slalom1

May 30, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

To: YO, Thanks for chiming in, my brother. You are indeed a walking encyclopedia when it comes to GHS football, and unlike most AAAAA fans, you seem to have respect for schools of all size. Just wish that more AAAAA fans were as informed as you when it comes to smaller classifications. As for LG, 2008 looks like THE year to me. About 30 seniors, including no less than 4 D-1 players on defense. Throw in possibly the NATION’S best kicker in Joe Mansour, along with junior QB/WR Jamius Gunsby 6’4 217, who is a Deron Furr clone, LG should be competitive with ANY AAAAA school in GHS football. Guess we will see in Game 1 against Newnan.

By Eagle Fan

May 30, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this

TROJAN 1994
Sorry to burst your bubble and bring you into the real world, but stud athletes get into college one way or the other. It has nothing to do with qualifying for college. If they dont qualify at first, they get help, go to summer school, take the SAT 10 times, or go to junior college first. I will put NHS overall GPA or the football team GPA up against PCHS any day. NHS has many athletes in college just none in the NFL draft. Maybe its because we dont use performance enhancing drugs like over at PCHS.

By slalom1

May 30, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this

To: YO, Forgot to address “bloodlines”. But, once again, you are right, at least where LG is concerned. We are fortunate to have the sons, grandsons, nephews etc. of former great playes who take great pride in being a GRANGER. I miss the days of being in Georgia’s TOP classification.

By SGT CHRIS

May 31, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

I dont know if he was drafted, but dialleo burks played for the eagles!! another lagrange alum

By SGT CHRIS

May 31, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this

yeah lagrange has a brutal schedule this year…they open at newnan, heard co, STEPHENS CO, and later dates with shaw, carver, and troup…also THE GAME OF THE YEAR SEP 12…NORTHSIDE WR at CARVER!!!

By serious football

May 31, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this

Baldwin Braves in milledgeville should be on the list

By serious football

May 31, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this

Baldwin has Ernest Byner, Sulecio Sanford, Nick Harper, Leroy Hill. Look it up,Google it.. Its Real in the Ville

By Todd Holcomb

May 31, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this

Baldwin has Ernest Byner, Sulecio Sanford, Nick Harper, Leroy Hill. Look it up,Google it.. Its Real in the Ville

Ernest Byner was drafted before 1988, and the time period here is 1988-2007.

I wish I could’ve included all of NFL history, but I was working off USA Today’s list in doing the research.

By cm

June 1, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this

The list contains a major mistake by the USA Today staff in that it credited Central (Macon) with three players which should actually be credited to Thomas County Central (TCC). Danny Copeland, Mtron Guyton, and Jesse Small all graduated from Central (Thomasville) which changed its name in the late 80’s or early 90’s to TCC. Add those three with Paul Miranda and what is now called Thomas County Central would have 4 and would make the list.

By TROJAN 1994

June 2, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this

Eagle Fan

I am big Middle Ga football fan, I love Northside also.. But their best players almost never qualify. At least not D-I. Nick Bass…no grades,had to settle for GA South . Dejuan Green,no grades…..and its like that every year.

By TROJAN 1994

June 2, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this

Peach County has 6….

SUPER 11

2005 Chris Slaughter WR 2004 Darius Dewberry LB 2004 Tony Wright RB 2003 AJ Bryant QB 1997 Reagan Torbert QB 1993 Jauquin Feazell DT

with a ridiculous omission of Jacquez Green in 1993 and Marcus Robinson in 1992

By TROJAN 1994

June 2, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

Peach County has 6….

SUPER 11

2005 Chris Slaughter WR 2004 Darius Dewberry LB 2004 Tony Wright RB 2003 AJ Bryant QB 1997 Reagan Torbert QB 1993 Jauquin Feazell DT

with a ridiculous omission of Jacquez Green in 1993 and Marcus Robinson in 1992

By Eagle Fan

June 2, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this

TROJAN 1994
ok, so PCHS has more D1/NFL studs. So PCHS supposedly has smarter studs.
Like I said, it means nothing. Northside’s record against PCHS is 11-3 including last 8 wins in a row. It would have been 10 in a row but fortunately for PCHS, NHS was not on their schedule in 06 & 07. Since your studs are so much smarter, maybe they should join the Debate Team to beat NHS.

By slalom1

June 3, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this

To: SGT Chris Just a little bit worried about the Carver offense in 2008. However the defense should be at least as good as 2007, probably better. Here is the problem, without a dominent kicking game, defense alone will not have a chance against a team like NSWR. And, the kicking game at Carver has historically been weak. Carver will be in the AAA hunt, but without Furr and Fortson in 2007, they were probably an 8-2 regular season team, and most likely would not have gone beyond the second round in the state play-offs. That does not mean that I am not pulling for them against NSWR. Just a reality check. Also, as for 2007, by making the “Furr-Fortson” remark, that is not a jab at Carver. Most great teams have at least 1 or 2 great players on both sides of the ball. I am simply not aware of Carver having the assets on offense for 2008. Nor the kicking game. Guess we will see.

By LaGrange Grad

June 21, 2008 3:22 AM | Link to this

Marty Carter, Walt Harris, Nate Hill, John Johnson, Quintin McCord, Tyrone Poole, Tony Stargell and Bruce Thornton.

What about Wesley Woodyard & Blake Mitchell? I thought Blake was going to New Orleans and Wesley was going to Denver this year. Did something change or did I misunderstand?

By LaGrange Grad

June 21, 2008 3:26 AM | Link to this

Also, Huzzie along with Gunsby, Merritt, Essandoh, & Johnson are all IMO D-1 Prospects so make sure and watch these guys. Another kid my team has been informed about is on of LaGrange’s CB’s John Manning on defense. I was told to watch out for him as well. He’s a rising Junior related to DeMoreo Ford.

By sag

July 8, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this

check lincoln county red devils record on nfl players

By Felix

March 22, 2009 5:03 PM | Link to this

Why did you start from 1988? I can give you an amazing stat! There have been 10 players drafted from Camden and Charlton Counties. Five from each county. Name another area of the state with a population under 100k that have produced that many NFL players!

By Felix

March 22, 2009 5:07 PM | Link to this

Jim Brown is not from Savannah, he was born on Saint Simons Island. And his parents moved to New York when he was very young!