Screven County head coach Ron Duncan said it best when he said he doesn’t put much stock in the number of A’s in the classification of teams. Great players are everywhere in Georgia.
And while recruiting rankings are overrated, here is a list of the Class A players listed in 247 Sports’ Top 100, followed by some thoughts from one of the top players in the state – Prince Avenue Christian QB Brock Vandagriff.
No. 4 Brock Vandagriff, Prince Avenue, QB. The 6-3, 200-pounder is headed to Georgia after first committing to Oklahoma.
No. 6 Deion Colzie, Athens Academy, WR/S. One of the best all-around athletes in the state, Colzie is apparently undecided between Georgia and Notre Dame.
No. 21 Tyler Morehead, Clinch County, DB/RB. Florida State appears to be the leader for the 5-11, 180-pounder.
No. 22 Zamon Ross, Schley County, DB/RB. Georgia hasn't pulled the trigger yet on an offer for the 6-1, 200-pound two-way player, but Florida, Tennessee and Florida State are among a bunch of Power Five schools that have.
No. 54 Patrick Tukes, Telfair County, DT. The 6-3, 270-pounder has offers from South Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, Ole Miss and Syracuse, among others.
No. 68 Bryson Estes, Eagles Landing Christian, OL/DL. The 6-3, 280-pounder has offers from Boston College, East Carolina and both GSUs – Georgia Southern and Georgia State, -- among others.
No. 73 Martez Thrower, Wilcox Tounty, LB. Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Colorado, Michigan State and Minnesota are among the schools in line for the 6-1, 200 pounder.
No. 74 Hugh Laughlin, Athens Academy, OL. The 6-6, 290-pounder has offers from Boston College, Air Force and Army, among others.
No. 78 Colten Gauthier, Hebron Christian Academy, QB. The 6-3, 205-pounder has already committed to South Carolina.
Prince Avenue Christian’s Vandagriff spent most of last season injured. He played most of the third game of the season (Wesleyan) with a broken leg, and was out the next four games. Then in his second game back, a questionable hit late in the game left him with a knee injury that he played with for the next two weeks. He finally was deemed back to 100 percent for the Wolverines’ second-round playoff game, where he lit up eventual-champion Eagle’s Landing Christian in a 62-57 loss.
Considered by many to be the nation’s top QB in the class of 2021, Vandagriff reflected on last season and looked ahead to the coming season.
How has everything you went through last year impacted who you are now, as a player and as a young man?
“The mental aspect of being told you’re going to be out 8-10 weeks is what got to me during my injury and recovery. I told myself these guys don’t know what they’re talking about and started working like crazy and was blessed enough to get back on the field in 6 weeks. The injury made me learn to appreciate the small things and everything that comes with them. I learned that I could still lead from the sidelines and make an impact on kids on the team even with a cast on my leg.”
What did you learn about yourself and your team in the playoff loss to ELCA?
“I learned that Prince has some of the hardest working kids I’ve ever played with. We were a huge underdog that game and I really do believe we put Prince on the map for GA football. We still have a lot to prove and hopefully win a state title before it is all said and done. I learned that when a bunch of guys are all laser focused on one goal, no matter the goal, it is possible.
How hard is it not knowing when you’ll be able to get back on the field and how are you dealing with that?
“It bothers me not being able to be out there with my brothers. I have no clue when that day will come when we are able to get together and get back after it. It’s not the same throwing in the backyard with a couple of receivers. I have been doing my part staying in shape and texting our players and keeping them accountable as well.”
What do you think you will have to do to lead Prince Avenue to the state title?
“In order for Prince to win a state title I will have to spread the ball around to our playmakers efficiently and maybe run some. Whatever it takes to move the chains and get in the endzone. We gotta stay healthy and make sure everyone is in shape when the time comes. Go Wolverines, and GO DAWGS. BV12.”
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