While recruiting ratings are barely more reliable than a coin flip as a predictor of success in college, 247Sports – which develops its ratings using a composite of several other rating services – has 10 Class A players listed in its Georgia Top 100 for the class of 2020. Here’s a look at them:
No. 5 Tate Ratledge, OT, Darlington. The 6-foot-7, 305-pounder helped lead the Tigers to the state quarterfinals last year before they were bounced by eventual champion Eagle's Landing Christian Academy. UGA and Tennessee appear to be leaders for Ratledge's services after next season.
No. 11 Zykeivous Walker, DE/OLB/TE, Schley County. Walker has helped lead a resurgence of the program in Ellaville. Prior to his arrival, and that of head coach Darren Alford, the Wildcats yielded a total of 360 points during an 0-10 season (36 points per game) in 2015. Last season, Walker and the rest of his teammates on defense gave up just 173 points in 12 games (14 ppg) and led Schley to a 9-3 record, its best since 2007. At 6-6, 260,Walker is also a standout on the basketball court and led Schley to a birth in the state playoffs. UGA is said to be his leader.
No. 22 Len'Neth Whitehead, LB, Athens Academy. Whitehead and a talented group of seniors led the Spartans to the state private school finals, where they led at halftime before falling to ELCA. At 6-1, 220, Whitehead is a bruiser on both sides of the ball. UGA and Tennessee appear to be the frontrunners in his recruiting.
No. 31 Justin Robinson, WR, ELCA. The 6-4, 200-pounder led the Chargers last season in catches (34), receiving yards (748) and receiving touchdowns (12). He has already committed to UGA.
No. 36 Jeremiah Johnson, WR, Clinch County. At 6-7, 200 pounds, Johnson is one of the most intriguing athletes in the state. He is a force in basketball as well, where he averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Panthers. He is committed to Florida.
No. 47 Marquis Black, DT, ELCA. Black helped anchor a defensive line that was the core of a unit that gave up just 120 points in 14 games and pitched five shutouts. The 6-4, 280-pounder reportedly has 10 offers, which include Michigan State, Syracuse, West Virginia, Arkansas and most recently Kentucky and Georgia Tech.
No. 56 Desmond Tisdol, LB, Wilcox County. At 6-1, 220 pounds, Tisdol is Wilcox is a throwback as a three-sport athlete. He plays linebacker, running back, receiver and "wildcat" quarterback in football. He led the basketball team in scoring (18 ppg) and rebounding (8 rpg), as the Patriots advanced to the Elite 8. In baseball, Tisdol is hitting .455 and has an on-base percentage of .524. He has a number of offers including Auburn, South Carolina, Florida and Kentucky.
No. 59 James Thomas, ATH, Mitchell County. Thomas lines up at quarterback, linebacker and safety for the Eagles. The 6-3, 180-pounder is also a standout on the basketball and baseball teams. He has offers from UGA, Georgia Tech, Florida State, Michigan and West Virginia.
No. 77 Kendrick Patterson, QB, Pelham. The 6-4, 210-pounder is at the forefront of the Hornets' rise to one of the most dynamic programs in all of Class A. Pelham went 12-1 last season, won its second region title in three seasons and – with Patterson leading the way – averaged just under 50 points per game. He doesn't have any reported offers yet but there appears to be lots of interest from the likes of Georgia State, Troy and South Alabama.
No. 79 DJ Lundy, RB/LB, Irwin County. The 6-0, 225-pound RB/LB led Irwin to an undefeated regular season and a second consecutive region title. He has offers from Auburn, South Carolina, Kentucky, Vanderbilt and West Virginia among others.
About the Author
